Originally Posted by
NYC Flyer
Airlines have largely resorted to more generous voluntary compensation instead of bumping--it's extremely rare on domestic flights today. If you check-in late, you are subject to losing your confirmed reservation--not "late" as in the toward the end of check in window, but "late" as in less than 20-30 minutes before departure.
Whether you have a seat assignment or not, with a confirmed reservation, you will get on the flight as long as you arrive at the airport in a timely manner.
The key to your statement is "timely manner". The original post was asking if it mattered if someone checked in late or early. I was pointing out that it does matter. And the compensation given for being bumped doesn't help if you needed to make that flight, but waited to check in at the desk or kiosk at the airport 45 minutes before the flight. Especially if you are one of the last ones to check in.