How does this work these days? In the "old days" when you were given that standby BP you took your bags through security and waited at the gate to be told if you'd made it or not. Presumably you have to stay landside until T-30 or whatever now?

I've been bumped many a time. The best was on a Saturday night LAX-LHR on AA. I was comfortably boarded, sat down with my family and sorting myself out when they made the call and offered $700. I jumped at it and left all the family on the plane! That same night I also got myself down on the volunteer list for the next days night and made another $700 on the Sunday. I'd never have made EXP otherwise...