Having read through many of the psts here, I thought I'd give my penny worth.
I think most would agree that stand by travel is not what it used to be. Airlines are pro alliance members, frequent flyers get the upgrades etc etc.
I still travel a lot and whilst a lot of my friends now buy revenue tickets to save all the stand by hassle, I am anti on that score.
I'm quite happy these days to just get a seat. If I'm bumped up, it's a definate plus.
On many non U.S. carriers, you can quite often be at the mercy of the check in agent. I wouldn't say there are airlines who excel in helping stand by's as opposed to others, but there are carriers who I have been lucky with each time and others not so.
I never ask for an upgrade, If I'm told to return in 45 minutes, I walk away from the desk and don't bother a soul until the designated time to return. I harass no one.
I find the small groups that congregate around check in who start swapping their tales of woe, joining dates and the like let the side down. I found this recently flying on my own carrier out of EZE. Within hearing of revenue passengers debating who was going to get First, Business, who was returning to duty etc etc.
I see BA flight attendants checking in with BD in their uniforms and I wonder what goes through their heads?!
I've had bad luck with SQ and years of good luck with CX and suddenly bad trip after bad trip standing by with them ..... we're all at the mercy of that one couple flying who suddenly remember their dog spot has been locked in the house and need to offload themselves !!!!!!
