Well, someone else finally got to what is my other big gripe (next to the first class upgrade/waitlist not possible within 25 hrs.) - If I miss my flight, even if I call in ahead of time, AS will not let me go standby on a later flight even if there is space, and they will not confirm me on a later flight UNLESS there is space available for the fare class purchased.

This effectively kills the "flat tire rule", whereby the GA will put you on the next flights with space, just to get you on the way.

In some cases, like maybe an early flight, you could be lucky and get confirmed space in the same fare class later than you want, then move up to the desired available flight by SDC.

From my information from GA's in person and CSA's over phone, they can't do anything with the ticket without it going through the computer where fare class, fare paid, and amount due, if any, is to be charged.

I first came across this 2 months ago in Boise, where I flew XXX-SLC-BOI for some quick business on DL, but DL was late getting to SLC & then missed my early afternoon Horizon BOI-SEA-XXX flight.

So I'm at the counter for a 5 or 6 pm QX departure to SEA, and even though I'm 75K, everytime the agent tries to work my ticket, it keeps asking for about $35 additional fare. Let me be clear: this is FARE; not a change fee, not a standby fee, SDC fee or any other fee that as a 75K I am exempt from. Being a typical helpful Horizon agent, she says we don't have much time, but calls her own reservation line, and is told the same thing, collect more $$, which I did directly by credit card (she handed me the phone). Hearing only her side of the last part of the conversation, it sounded like she got blasted for trying to find a work-around instead of grabbing more $$$.

Same situation has happened since then to me in GEG & PSC. In one instance, I just cancelled the trip & rebooked the next day at the same price. In the other case, I decided I'm not going to get fleeced by the Eskimo, so I cancelled, put the funds in my wallet & flew DL.

I was lucky, the same fare was still there on DL, which is not common on day-of-flight. As a bonus, NO Q-400! I sat up front in either a -700 or -900 with an upgrade through my AS-MVP number. Connected through SLC, picked up a few extra miles & got to where I wanted to be.

First time I have ever deliberately passed up an AS flight & relished it. I guess I finally found my loyalty threshold. Everyone has one.

I deal only in facts, so if anyone has hard info that is different, please post.