A friend (who has no AA, AS, or Oneworld status) bought a Saver flight and due to a change in circumstances, really needs to take an earlier flight that day.

Since standby isn't in-policy for Saver, and I haven't heard of any data points of AS airport staff bending this rule, I would assume a denial is likely should he decide to give it a go, even if there are seats available--and as of now, there are. I checked.
The flight is this week and he purchased a couple weeks ago, so he's out of the window of both 24 hr cancellation, and T-14 50% back.

Short of buying a totally new flight or hoping for a travel waiver, is he now up a creek without a paddle?