Originally Posted by
jsguyrus
First off I think you are confusing terms. I think what you are referring to is the same day change option which costs $25 for non- Y (full flex) and F fares. The same day stand by is different and is available only to MVPG's or on the shuttles.
At any rate I think the issue is you checked in at YKM then tried to do a SDC in SEA, midway through your trip. If you had used the SDC option at check in or at the counter in Yakima, it probably would have gone through without an issue. Once you commence your trip (particularly if you have checked baggage) it doesn't seem to work.
Having said that it still seems to me they should have been able to get you on the earlier flight to PHX if there were empty seats, without such a hassle.
I wouldn't want to do a SDC to a tight connection, though. OP said they arrived at 6:25 and the earlier PHX flight departed at 7:10.
I guess I understand airlines wanting to protect their fare classes by not allowing people to buy the cheap off hour seat and then standby on to the popular peak seat, but a seat going out empty has no value. A seat released by letting someone standby has some potential value. I've told this story before, but WN wouldn't let 2 of us standby for an earlier flight and then had to offer $400 in vouchers to get (wait for it) 2 volunteers on the flight we were actually booked on.