Originally Posted by Grog

What's the next logical event in the series, you ask? Nothing, because that's where the series ended. I'd say the gate agent did precisely his or her job. Determined the checked-baggage status (to prevent bag separation from owner unless operationally necessary), the likelihood of those passengers still desiring transportation, and worthwhileness of accommodating such passengers if likely to still arrive. His or her job isn't simply to slam the door shut at T minus zero, even if that's how one or more of us would want it to be.