There is a point before the plane's pushed back from the gate, that the flight is closed. Doesn't matter if there's empty seats or not. Usually 10 minutes before the flight, the manifest, weight and balance, and other paperwork must be finalized so the plane can depart. At about 15 minutes or so before departure, they will be releasing seats for the standbys, and the non-revenue passengers like employees, employee families, those with guest passes, and employees of other airlines. THAT, will often fill the empty seats, the paperwork is finalized, and the flight closed. When that happens, they can and will leave early. The bird is full.
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