The agent stated that WJ does not offer passengers to be standby (on earlier fligths?).
No standby but for $50 you can get a confirmed seat on an earlier flight if there is a seat available
PS-If one has to change the ticket after buying it (for whatever reason), does WJ (like AC) allow a full refund of the ticket, even without a penalty being charged?
There is a full refund if cancelled within 24 hours of purchase. Afterwards there is a $50 penalty charged.
Right away I called the WJ number to change the flight to another time and held for over an hour before giving up. Unbelieveable bad service.
Westjet several weeks ago updated its reservation with the Sabre system and has had several hiccups. There is an apology on the homepage. Generally the waits have never been that long. You should have been able to cancel your flight on-line if you had created a profile.