What happens if you miss your return flight?

[eeyoreforever]

After reading a couple of other threads about people barely making their return flights due to the ME buses being overcrowded or for other reasons, I started wondering what happens if you do get to the airport too late to get on your flight? Do you have to pay to get another flight or do they just put you on one? I've flown quite a few times, but never really thought about it since I have always been responsible for getting myself to the airport in plenty of time. I'm flying SW if it makes any difference.

 

[mrslur]

My daughter missed a US Airways flight last year and they charged her $25 for the next flight. She arrived before her original flight was supposed to leave but not in enough time to get through security. We were thrilled that we didn't have to buy another ticket. Not sure about SWA.

 

[mshrm]

and just waited around the airport until the next flight and flew stand by. They didnt charge me anything.