that does seem ridiculous. In instances where I am somewhere and have to fly back home to MCO via ATL, if I can get to the aiport for orginating flight early I do as I prefer to get back to ATL ASAP - even if I can't make it on an earlier flight from ATL to MCO. In my opinion, if there is a plane leaving and you can get on it - go - as you never know what will happen to your flight.
I would think the airlines would prefer that approach also - if they get rid of me as a passenger at no bother to them on an earlier flight then I am just one less person they have to deal with later should flights get cancelled, delayed, etc.
Does anyone know if these new rules eliminate one's ability to get on a "pre-emptive" standby. For instance, there are strong hints your flight will be seriously delayed or cancelled so you ask to be put on standby for a later flight - just in case - to avoid the rush. Do the new rules preclude this?