As an agent, we were always told never to tell someone where they stood on the standby list, because, as you say, it changes constantly. If you tell someone they are #1 right now, they will assume they are #1, and will stay #1 on the list, which is not always the case. many reasons can exist that result in the standby list changing. Disables customer, unaccompanied minors, are all given priority, even above Elite customers. People who were oversales from one flight, and placed on another flight, as standby, are also given some priority. MANY things can change the order of a standby list.
We were also always told to post the standby list 30 minutes before departure, which at the airport I work at, was cutoff time. Theoretically once cutoff time is reached, and the list is posted, nobody else is to be added to the list, so it shouldn't change at that point. BUT, I usually still never posted the standby list. I would always just tell people that if I had open seats, I would call your name if you were cleared. I hardly ever gave out someones position on the list, and if I did, I always made sure to tell them that this is where their position stood, at the moment, but to be aware that it can change.
I know on Continental's website, you can look at the standby list, when viewing the flight status of a particular flight. It is open to public view.
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Originally Posted by The_Judge
This is the epitome of why a passenger, revenue or non-revenue, should NOT be told what number they are on the list. That number can fluctuate depending on an almost infinite number of circumstances. He may have been at the top of the list at one time and then depending on what goes on, he may drop down. I sincerely wish agents wouldn't give numbers out as it only makes the gate agent look like a fool.
I do feel bad for someone when they feel they didn't get something they deserved. That being said and truly no offense to the OP but an economy ticket was purchased and that's what you received.
I remember when I was working, CO (and NWA but I never ever saw it or did it myself) supposedly used to post the standby list for public viewing. I never really agreed with it but it would have put a stop to the practice the OP is talking about. Did they do that in this case?? Is that how you know who was given the 3 F-class seats?
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