[Umpireernie]

Today I was travelling Alaska Airlines from Spokane to Anchorage connecting in Seattle.

When I made the reservation the only flights I could book had a 3 1/2 hour layover in Seattle. However there were two earlier flights on the Seattle to Anchorage leg.

Upon checking in at Spokane, I was told I would have to get on standby once I got to Seattle. My bag would still ride my confirmed flight. This was fine with me as I live in Anchorage and work at the airport. I just wanted to avoid unnecessary time sitting in an airport. Anyone who ever travels can probably understand this.

Arriving in Seattle, I went directly to the gate of the next Seattle to Anchorage flight to get on standby. I was told that since I was going to Anchorage, I could not standby for an earlier connection. Huh??

They went on to "explain" that if I was going to Portland or Spokane I could standby but not if I was going to Anchorage. Then I was further told that it didn't matter because the flight (leaving in 45 mins) was booked full so I probably would not have gotten on anyway.

I asked the gate agent point blank.. "But if the people who have reservations don't all show up, you will let seats go empty while I stand here?" "Yes," was the reply.

Since I had nothing else to do for the next three hours I watched the boarding process and close out of this flight. About 8 mins before scheduled departure.. they started calling standbys!!

When I asked about this, I was told that these were simply airline employees.

I was an airline employee for many years. Other than crew members being deadheaded to cover a flight in another city we NEVER would board a "nonrev" over a paying passenger, and we would never let a seat go out empty when revenue people were there willing to go early.

This makes no sense to me whatsoever. Why does it matter that I am going to Anchorage vs, Portland or Spokane? More importantly, why does a for-profit airline let a seat go out without a fare paying passenger in it when they don't have to? Most importantly why would you treat a customer like this?

I have traveled home to Anchorage on Alaska Airlines many times, getting to Seattle with a long layover but intervening flights happens often. I have always been allowed to try to shorten my wait by standing by for an earlier connecting flight until today. Apparently there is no reason for it, it's just their policy!

Bad move Alaska Airlines!