I reserved in the morning on the DCA-BOS Shuttle. The web site only lets you reserve +6 hours in advance, so I booked the return leg only. Mainly to get the 1000 bonus miles.

I had to drive to Baltimore, had a meeting, had to rush to DCA for a flight at 12:00 noon. I got to the airport with 10 minutes before the flight. Ran through security, ran to the gate. They were ready to close the door, I could tell. I said, "just use my return leg that I've paid for, for this flight" and they said "just go on in" and waved me through onto the flight.

No ID check, no ticket, nothing.

The door was closed *as soon* as I got aboard.

The flight was the usual USAirways shuttle, nice view, decent service, etc.

When we landed, they paged me on the plane. Someone came onto the plane and escorted me off to the gate. They apparently couldn't find my record (that I had paid for one leg) and were paranoid that they would get in trouble.

I cleared up the problem. It was very interesting, and I appreciate US Airways letting me get aboard on such short notice, with no ticket!

I am Preferred Plus but I appreciate the effort that US Airways is making.