this one is a bit strange.

He says he got the airport early, but security prevented him from reaching the gate 45 mins ahead of time? Was this parking security?

IF his luggage made it, that would imply that he had checked in and was accepted, I wonder if he was standby upon checkin?

Then to get bounced and "lose the reservation" now that sounds like something that would happen.

Either way it sucks but the whole thing doesn't make a lot of sense.

happy holidays
Brentley