Originally Posted by
pinniped
Well, yeah, I wouldn't buy this if I wasn't literally standing in the general vicinity of the gate or a 2-minute walk from it.
I just don't get why I shouldn't be able to do that. Again, the only person who benefits by *not* allowing me to buy it is one additional standby passenger. Or...nobody.
Having worked as a UA Gate agent for 5 years while I was doing my undergrad, there are many more steps involved in getting a flight out on time.
At T-30, we're already finishing up the boarding process, working the standby list, making sure that there's not a backup of people in the jetway and that there's still some carry on space on board (if not, they we need to start soliciting to gate check carryons) etc.
All this needs to be done, plane doors closed, and jetway pulled back...hopefully by 5 minutes prior to departure.
Having to process a ticket purchase at the gate, at T-30, would be a big burden unless the flight is practically empty...and everyone is boarded and no stanbys etc....besides...you'll need to have gone through security to get to the gate since the flight will be gate control only at this point.
We would get penalized more for a late departure than for delaying a flight to sell an additional ticket within 30 minutes prior to departure.
Of course, a lot of exceptions would be made during IRROPS etc. But for these, it's usually a simple cancel and rebook.