Flying BUF-EWR full Y last night. Got there a little early so I go through security with my OLCI pass and head for the gate. On my way I notice the monitors are saying my flight and the earlier flight are both delayed. I ask to be put standby on the early flight. The agent says the flight is full and that I won't get on. She doesn't look at my boarding pass or anything.

I go do some work on my laptop for 20 minutes then hear an announcement that they'll soon deal with people on standby. Standby? I thought this flight was full? I go back to the gate and inquire again about standby. She says she still won't put me on the list. Even with my full-fare ticket I ask? The response is negative.

Doesn't CO order the standby list by elite level and then fare bucket? Was something else going on?

This has happened to me on United, but never on CO. The list rolls, so they should always put you on.

Unfortunately, no. It's first come, first serve. They're working to fix it, though it won't happen for a long time.

And the list was proabably full or very long...and this is why they did not put you on the list

I just looked at the website: you're right, priority on standby is not listed as an elite benefit (unlike United). I am surprised that CO is behind here. Good to know for next time: I should have headed straight to the check-in counter and got on a little quicker.

Yes, CO is the only major carrier that does not factor in status and fare class into its standby lists.

They have told us this is a project for 2007, so hopefully it won't be much longer.

It's unfortunate their phone agents aren't better informed it's first-come-first served, and it is rolling, but only done a the airport. Every Denver gate last night had a mob of 20 people and shouting matches with the gate agents over the nuances of the rules versus what the phone agents told them (i.e., "phone agent put me on the list) which in a case like that can mean the difference between getting home that night or sometime after the Super Bowl halftime show.