Originally Posted by
rjw242
Which is why the standby option is offered at a massive discount relative to the ticket change fee.
Just like when a mall store has a 50% off their regular price sale
I arrived at the airport early and thought I could get on an earlier flights (they leave every hour). I asked the gate agent if there are any seats and she mentions that the flight is 3/4 full.
I, like OP, try to get on earlier flights not because I have to, but because we budgeted extra time to be at the airport (traffic, TSA, yadda yadda) and there happen to be an earlier flight not yet departed.
The worst might have been HA, who require you to exit security and pay the fee at check-in desk, even though they have hourly or better interisland flights.