Originally Posted by
randroid
If you go on non-confirmed same day stand-by list with American, will you automatically change to the other flight? Or do I need to confirm the change after I clear the list?
I have a seat on flight at 4:30pm and I went on standby list for flight at 2:30pm. I do not have any status other than a basic AA credit card. At what time would they likely start moving on the list? And if I clear the list, will I be reticketed right away or do I have chance to confirm.
Reason I ask is to coordinate commute to airport, etc. Need enough warning.
Thank you!!
Unfortunately that is not the way stand-by works. The normal process is the Gate Agent will wait until boarding of all ticketed passengers is complete, then start giving the available remaining seats (if any) to stand-by passengers that are at the gate, in order of the list. There is no re-ticketing in advance, the only way to see if you might make it is to look at where you are on the stand-by list, and see how many seats are still available for that flight.
So basically, if you are high on the list and there are a few seats available, you should be able to get on and should show up in time for the earlier flight. If you are low on a long list (perhaps a previous flight was delayed or cancelled), and/or there are no seats available (many flights are oversold these days) then it is not worth showing up early.