Maybe so, but check out this policy regarding Beijing:

<snip>
Air Canada has now moved from Terminal 2 to the new Terminal 3 in Beijing...Due to Chinese immigration regulation, all airlines, including Air Canada, are not permitted to issue a boarding pass to a passenger unless a seat is available. This means that employee standby passengers must remain in the check-in area until a seat can be assigned which can ONLY be done after the final weight and balance information is received...<snip>

Can ya blame a girl for asking?