Was flying home today out of MSP and had chanced for earlier flight but then remembered dreaded new, customer friendly policy of charging $100 to get my butt in empty seat and allow maybe someone else the chance to buy my original seat at last minute high Y fare.

ORDNorth to Agent at Gate: "Any chance I can get on this one, I have no checked baggage??"
(try the old, I just want to get home early, have an ugly cold, aw, come on, pleeeease).

Agent: nothing said, only typing.

I then hear the majic of a new boarding pass jumping out of the printer and I am home free, no $100 fee. Sooooo, sometimes they can still be customer friendly, thanks NW!!