[never]

thanks for the advice. my solution to this issue is, i will never fly with delta.

People waiting in line takes time, that is why i was unhappy that the airline did not elaborate whether you should be right in front of the counter or in the airport at the-required-hours ahead. my husband was on time if he was counted at the time when he arrived the airport, but about 10 minutes short of time if counted by the time he saw the agent.

what is more, the issue here is that there were other people still in line checking in and when it was his turn, the agent did not say it, but acted as: "here is the cut-off point, you are too late!" are you happy with such a treatment? particularly, you are well ahead of boarding time. now, are you curious why they cutoff a continuous line at an arbitrary point? a rational answer will be: it is because at this point, all the seats are gone! then, you ask yourself a question: one of the seat holders is still here, why all seats are gone? the person who held my husband's seat must have an over-sold stand-by ticket! you said you came in 2 hours ahead of time, what's if this stand-by person came in 3 hours ahead of time and took your seat?

I am not arguing with anyone here, i am just suggesting that if you can fly with some other airlines what care more, go ahead.