I am booked on the last flight of the day from PHL to PBI ... since booking the flight some things have come up and now will have significantly less time to make it to the airport ... in other words, it is looking like I have a good chance of missing the flight.

If I miss it - no other options really for connecting so would need to instead be put on first flight out next morning ... will US do this (at least put me on standby) or will they cause a big stink because it is a different day? I know the legacies are pretty generous when it comes to same-day standby travel but will I get screwed for needing next day standby?

Another problem ... I'm far - about 100 miles from PHL airport ... how important is showing my face at the ticket counter that night of the missed flight versus just calling reservations center and then showing up the next morning?

As far as changing my flight ... NOT an option ... the flight cost $49 so with the $100 change fee its a complete wash and would just have to book a new flight which I really don't want to do.