[quote]Originally posted by magic111:
[b]Okay so how do the above comments reconcile with the following statement from the elite guide;
The airport priority standby list is limited by the number of seats available in First Class on each aircraft. Once the list is full for a particular flight, the system will not accept additional names. This process is automatic; Elite Services reservations agents cannot add names to the standby list.
Once the list is full, THE SYSTEM will not accept additional names. THE SYSTEM being a computer which will only put X number of people on the PPL as there is a finite number of F class seats. The reservations department does not have access to putting names on the PPL since that is only an airport function.
At the airport, if someone asks us to put them on the PPL for a possible upgrade, we do. We usually do not tell people, "NO, I will not put you on the list because there is no chance in [...] of you getting in First Class".
Before boarding, you may hear the agent say something like, "For those passengers standing by for First Class on Northwest Flight 251 to Phoenix, all those except Jill Smith and John Smith are asked to take their original seats in the Main Cabin when your row is called". This because two people with F class reservations have not checked in, but we must wait until 15 minutes prior to departure before clearing stand-by First Class passengers.
Lots of times, 15 minutes prior to departure when we start to clear the PPL, we call someone's name only to find that they have already boarded. Since we don't have time to run down to the plane, see if they still want their F upgrade, then run back up to the desk to clear them off the list and run back down to the plane to give it to them then run back up to call the next person, we bypass them and call the next name.
In quite a few cases, the passenger who "had no chance in [...] of getting in F class" actually does because all the stand-bys ahead of him chose to board in the Main Cabin.
I hope that explains how we work the processing list and gives you an idea of what we're up against.
My advice is to wait until 15 minutes prior to departure, or ask where your name falls on the list. Even at 15 minutes before if you don't get First, you should still find ample room to stow your carry-on luggage.