Scenario:

Confirmed and checked in for 16:30 Flight.

Arrived at airport early, around noon, and asked to be put on Standby for 13:30 Flight. No problem. 16:30 is full so they will waive change fee as they want to get people on other flights to free up the 16:30.

Head to MLL. Approximately 13:00 I ask lounge dragon if Standby cleared. Not yet she says. Check back in 10 minutes.

13:10. Check with lounge dragon (different then 1st). She says there is nothing she can do and it's up to the gate people to sort out. She wouldn't even look at the computer to check.

Told her what the other dragon said and she replies she was New at the job and shouldn't have done any checking for me.

Okay i say. Head to Gate. Get cleared and board flight.

Question: What is the normal protocol you guys follow for Standbys?