Does standby exist at F9 or not?
 

It's clearly noted on the website - same day standby is included for Classic and Classic Plus.

So why is the otherwise helpful F9 agent at AUS adamant that "we don't do standby"?

It does exist!
 

An even more helpful GA at the actual gate told the first one to stop being so silly - that Classic tix are treated like Ascents for purposes of standby - and so I'm on the list to get home early. Whether it actually happens or I remain going home later this evening, I'm feeling much better about F9's people. Merry Christmas!

Glad you were helped out. It sounds like there is still some slow uptake on all of the new procedures But hopefully that will improve over time.

And it all worked out in the end. I made it on the plane with about 3 other standbys - 3C, DirecTV, a warm cookie and my Kindle. Doesn't get much better than that.

If F9 can standardize their service they could be a strong force to be reckoned with against WN and B6.

F9's policies are constantly changing, but many of their agents simply don't keep up. I can't tell you how many times I've known the new policies and they don't. It goes back to sloppy station management. Their managers just don't monitor their employees performance.

You CAN stand-by for free if you're a Classic fare, or you can pay 50.00 for a confirmed same day seat on another flight.

Economy fare passengers CANNOT stand-by. They must pay 50.00 for a confirmed seat.

Summit and Classic Plus passengers have always been able to change to a different same day flight for no charge.

It wouldn't surprise me if the OP's issue with "we don't do standby" may have been a result of an agent who just didn't want to deal with it along with whatever else was going on at the moment. Of course I wasn't there to observe and judge, but the human factor seems a common variable when it comes to episodes like these. Plenty of episodes over the years (on several airlines) where it took being-nice-but-firm to have an agent fulfill a request they initially wanted to brush aside.

Standby is indeed back...again with the noted restrictions. Unfortunately, it is impossible for even the very BEST CSA to keep up with EVERY policy revision that has been issued by Republic in the past few months as three airlines merged into one "Frontier" and standardized policy and procedures. The CSA may simply have not been informed of the policy revision due to vacation, days off, or just completing new hire training under old policies and procedures. Glad to hear you were taken care of by a stellar gate CSA.

I had a very nice standby experience this morning in SAN, I wanted to get on an earlier flight than the evening one which I had booked, and asked to be confirmed on the earlier flight. The agent got to work and charged my the $50 (correct). But another agent came over and told her to refund my money, told me that there were more seats available than standbys, and said he would put me on the top of the standby list, and that I should just go through security while he worked. He gave me a standby card and I went to the gate, by the time I got there my ticket was already ready - in the stretch section! Really caring and friendly service from all involved, and the reason that I continue to give my loyalty and as much business as I can to Frontier.