Just because you're seeing open seats doesn't mean those seats are available. People often don't have seats assigned when booking, so they could be spoken for simply based on number of seats sold.
This is correct. Dont base your decision off the seat map.
I'm told I need to be there 2 hours before to fly standby. Is this in fact true?
No it is not. You can show up and go standby up to 30 min prior to departure with no bags. 45min prior with bags. The 2 hour mark only applies when you
MISS your flight. You need to be at the airport within 2 hours of your flights scheduled departure time in order to be placed courtesy standby on the next available flight.
Can I do this $50 same day confirmed standby at home during online check-in, so I don't have to go to the airport? (airport is far away)
No, unfortunately this can only be done at the airport.
Will my main cabin express upgrade carry over including the security privileged? (I paid for it for a nominal amount)
The teammembers should be doing everything they can to get you what you paid for even if you are on standby on the earlier flight. Obviously it is subject to availability and if its not available then it is your decision to lose it by taking whatever seat is available however going standby when you paid for Main Cabin Express will make you lose that priority benefit and this is why. As long as you are seated within rows 4,5,6,7 and row 9 on the A320 you will have group A boarding regardless if you paid for Main Cabin Express or not. Since you will be issued a STBY boarding card at the counter you will not have group A boarding as you most likely wont get a seat until 30 min prior to departure if available which is about group C or D by that time. You may still be able to get priority screening through security though. Just let the teammate know at the counter you paid for that so he/she can verify that and give you a sticker that says priority on your STBY boarding pass they just issued you. If you are in Main Cabin Select and on standby you will get your seat 30 min prior and will get Main Cabin Select if there is a seat available or just put in Main Cabin if its full. You will not get First Class but once you have a seat assignment you are more than welcome to upgrade.
No they will not upgrade people if your cabin is full in order to put you on.
Actually Yes they will and should. This is a inside company wide policy. VX will upgrade GLD then SLV then highest paid fare guest to First Class in order to get VX teammates on the flight if Main and Main Cabin Select is full so surely they will upgrade GLD and SLV to get a
Paying Guest on as well. This will explain to you GLD and SLV guest why you get First Class in rare cases for free. Alot of times a GLD guest is flying with someone and doesnt even want the upgrade so it gets passed down to any SLV guest on board. and this is all because an employee is trying to hitch a ride!
you can be confirmed as long as your original flight was on the same day for $50.
This can all be put to rest if you just do this upon arrival at the airport. You will get a seat at the ticket counter and you can also upgrade to First Class or Main Cabin Select if available immediately afterwards