Originally Posted by
ffsim
While I see where you're trying to go with this, there are inherent differences between a commercial arrangement and a competition. The whole point of this thread is to expose the fact that a company could've been more understanding of a situation rather than exploit it for additional profit. Hardly the same as competing in a structured sporting event.
We disagree a little bit on what the "whole point" of the thread is.
A passenger was charged a change fee and fare difference. That is not a bad thing in and of itself.
If this happened because the passenger was simply late, it would have been nice of the airline to have been accommodating, but not so evil if they hadn't because, well, the passenger was simply late.
If this happened despite the passenger arriving at the recommended time, then the airline has shown not simply a lack of understanding, but has just completely blown it in every possible way.
But there is a middle ground where the passenger was sort of on time but not exactly, in which case I can have some sympathy for the passenger but, well, not exactly. Recommended times are there for a reason, no?
And you are not getting the intended meaning of the IAAF analogy. It was a coy way to point out that the OP has been asked repeatedly the crucial detail about how long the lady spent in line, and has never addressed it in any way, which is starting to get suspicious. I believe we will never find out this important detail, or if we do, it will be done in an exceptionally sanctimonious manner in line with accusing people of being apologists and/or communist Berlin wall sniper guards.