Priority Standby
 

Sometimes AC's systems work. A month ago I booked an award return trip from YOW to Toronto City Centre airport. Return flight booked for 4:00 p.m. Friday, but I got out of my meetings early, and a lift to the airport to catch the very last ferry just before the 3:00 p.m. departure. I had a very heavy bag to check.
checkin went smoothly, standby tag attached, check in agent said the plane is quite full but I had a chance because I was an elite.
Heard my name called, just before the announcement that all "standby" spaces are filled. Walked onto the plane, last person on, full flight, leaving behind other standby passengers who had arrived at the airport well before me.
I felt like royalty, though the DH1 is hardly a private jet!