Same day stand-by is something I used to use quite regularly, and I am nearly always flying on L or Q fares. The thing that annoys me the most is connecting from a transborder flight in YYZ. I usually clear customs in 5 minutes since I don't check luggage, so I can often make an earlier flight home, one that I would not be able to book because the connection time is less than 1 hour. Now I have to sit and wait until my scheduled flight leaves or pay several hundred dollars more for the ticket.

The fact that this policy only applies to domestic flights where AC thinks they have a monopoly just makes it more frustrating.

I disagree that AC won't lose a customer because of this policy. I know of several former Es who have switched to West Jet for this reason alone. West Jet allows same day stand-bys from any fare. And it is one of several reasons that has led to the sharp reduction in AC flights I've flown this year.

Every other major airline in North America allows it. Why can't AC?