Stand by for an Earlier Flight

for the same day on a nonrefundable ticket. Where do you go to accomplish this. I was advised that *IF* the passenger checks in for their ticketed flight at the e-ticket kiosk, they will get a boarding pass for the flight in which they are confirmed on and their *checked* luggage will then be routed for that flight, however if it's carry on luggage and that darn line for the ticket counter is super long (which many times it is on a Friday afternoon) you can check in at the kiosk, go through security, proceed to the boarding gate of the flight you'd like to *stand by* for and request standby at that time as you tote your luggage along with you. And if you must check your luggage, the best place to put yourself on standby for a flight (according to Miss Personality at the reservation center -tongue in cheek on that one- ;-) is at the ticket counter.

The real trick here is, if you don't have to check your luggage and you want to stand by for an earlier flight, then don't check your luggage. You will save yourself alot of hassle getting your luggage back if you try to check it.

OK, so the passenger asks me a brilliant question and the airline rep at the reservation center has nothing but negative things to say, but I continue with my lovely telephone smile and positive attitude and wishing her a WONDERFUL weekend. UGH, you know, sometimes it's like pulling teeth with some of these unhappy people. OK, I feel better now.