Flying on Alaska recently (first class award ticket, leaving from a fairly large US airport):

I checked in online. I often check in online even when I don't have a printer, expecting to reprint my boarding pass at the Airport Kiosk.

I arrived at the airport very late, just 25 minutes prior to scheduled departure. The Kiosk wouldn't let me reprint my boarding pass because it was too close to departure time.

At first, the agent wouldn't reprint my boarding pass either, saying I was too late. I told her that I would run through the airport and make the flight. She tried arguing with me, and then started asking why I hadn't brought a printed pass if I had already checked in. Eventually, she relented, but reminded me that they wouldn't hold the flight for me.

I made it to the flight doors 12 minutes prior to scheduled departure. The flight then took off 30 minutes late.

So, in the above situation, does the agent have the authority not to reprint my boarding pass? Why don't the Kiosks allow reprints even if it is "too late" to check in.