Flying standby to boston tomorrow, what if I don't get on?

Question

Well my original flight is at 11:26am, but I need to arrive earlier to be on time for my orientation so I was planning on flying standby on the 7:40 am flight. I called AirTran and they said it was relatively full, so what happens when I don't get on the 7:40 flight? Do i have to check in again on the 11:26am one? What happens to my baggage and stuff?

Oh and do I have a good chance of getting on the flight? I'm flying by myself and plan on getting to the airport really early.....

Answer 1

if you are by yourself and get there early you have a pretty decent chance of getting on, although no guarentees.  Your luggage will most likely go on that early flight if you miss it, don't worry though, they will hold it at the other end for you.  Once you are passed security you won't have to check in again.  What they will do is check you in for your 11:26 flight but put you on standby for the earlier one. if you get on that flight they will cancel your 11:30 one.  if you don't get on nothing changes and you are already checked in,

Good luck!!!!

Answer 2

Find out if your name is on the 7:40 am flight.  If you do not make that flight, then you wait until there is a flight with an available seat.  Since a lot of people are flying, do not be surprised if you do not make it on the 7:40 flight.  Hopefully AirTran has a lot of flights to Boston from where you are flying from.  As for your bags, they should be checked on-board and may arrive in Boston before you do.

Even if you arrive at the airport early, it doesn't matter.  If you are flying standby due to a buddy pass someone gave you because they work for the airline, the way it works is that the passenger who has a buddy pass from an employee who has higher seniority gets to board first.  If you do not make it on the 7:40 am flight, make sure that your name is on the list of standby passengers for the next flight.  You can always ask the gate agent.