Flying Standby - Experience?

[Heidi]

We are thinking about arriving at the airport early and attempting to fly standby. The flight I am looking at seems to have enough available seats, not by much though.

What experiences or advice does anyone have about flying standby? Also, she happens with luggage?

Thanks!!

[TravelSheryl]

As to what happens to your luggage, some airlines will not board your luggage until they know you've gotten on the flight. They will allow you to go ahead and check it, but it's held on the ramp until the baggage handlers are notified that you have cleared standby. Other airlines go ahead and board it and then if you don't clear standby, your luggage waits for you at your destination.

What is the date of your flight? If it's more than a few days from now, seat availability could change quite a bit.

[dcgrumpy]

I've only flew standby once, and it wasn't on purpose, the airline claimed I had cancelled my reservation. They took my luggage at check in and said it would be held aside until it was known whether or not I would be on the flight. I was told to wait by the gate, to see if there was room. I recommend you keep checking with gate personnel. I checked with them when I first got there, they said they would call me. Theyy completely boarded the plane and were about to close the door, when I went back up to ask if I was on the flight. She looked at the list and said"yeah you're on the list." The plane would have left without me.

[Beverly Lynn]

I used to fly SB all the teim. call ahead to make sure the flight is "open" and then you may proceed to the gate with all your bags and they can gate check them there or you can take your bags to the tkt cntr and they can check your bags there and let you know again how open the flight is and whether or not you will get on.

[TravelSheryl]

You cannot take any bags to the gate that will not fit through the security scanners.