"Employees on passes do have a right to an empty seat should there be one available, and since an early-show guest does have a confirmed seat on a later flight"

it was once explained to me, from an air canada employee, that passengers have more of a right to a standby seat, than that of an employee. during a bad weather day, many times i've encountered being allowed to standby for an earlier flight due to possible cancellations on the later flights in the day. and i had a ticket that did not allow standby.although i had a confirmed seat on a later flight, it would make more sense to get rid of me now, than have to deal with me later. revenue first, no?

i agree with others here, it doesn't make sense to leave the paying passenger behind.

vancb