I was on a delayed flight yesterday and thus asked to standby on an earlier (also delayed) flight. Paying the $25 wasn't an option as they said that the flight was oversold. They did say that as a 1K I would probably clear. Fine. But then later I thought I heard an announcement from a GA that they would prioritize standby "based on who had the tighest connections". Could that be right?

In any case I did clear standby but got 26B on an A320 (red and deservedly so at Seat Guru). Indeed one of the FAs asked me at one point "What is a 1K doing back here?"

Bottom line though is that I made my connection and got home at reasonable hour. HOORAY!