Originally Posted by Jenniferpa

This isn't the first leg of a round trip ticket is it? Because if so you'll need to make sure that they don't cancel the whole thing.

I think the OP may have been referring indirectly to the "break down" courtesy, or whatever it's called. US Airways, even now, has been known to extend this courtesy in the event the passenger has a genuine reason for missing the flight (I know this because they've done it for me). I don't think it's prevalent though.