Often times, when you need to fly standby, you are at the mercy of the airline. There are ways, however, to take back control and find your best options. Being prepared by packing lightly, being patient and willing to wait in line will help you get on a flight at a reasonable price.
If you already have a ticket, comparing your options is easy. Check your airline's standby policy. Often, getting on the standby list for an earlier flight is free, but there is no guarantee that you will get on the flight. Many airlines also allow you to pay a small fee to change to another confirmed, same-day flight.
Your best bet is to go to the airport as early as possible within 24 hours of your flight. You can take your chances with getting on a later flight, but if there are no standby seats available, you will miss out on your original flight.
When you get to the airport, go straight to the check-in desk and speak with the agent. Explain your situation and your standby needs and he will inform you of your options and might be able to give you an idea of how good your chances are of getting on an earlier flight.
Once you have spoken with the agent, stay at the gate of the flight on which you are trying to get. If you leave, you might miss your name being called and forfeit your spot on the flight.
If you do not have a ticket but need to get on a sold-out flight at the last minute, call different airlines before you go to the airport, if possible. This will allow you to determine what flights are departing that day, if any of the flights are oversold (which will greatly decrease your chances of getting on a flight), what place you will be on the standby list and what the price of the standby ticket is. By calling even a little ahead, you can avoid long lines at the airport.
If you have not explored your options by the time you get to the airport, first check the departure screen for the flights that are going to your destination.
If more than one airline offers the flight you need, wait at the reservation/check-in desk for each airline and weigh your options. One ticket might cost less, but if the chances of you getting on the flight are slim to none, you might want to pay more for a flight that offers a better chance for you to reach your destination.
Talk to the ticket agent about the airline's standby policies. If you do not get on the specific flight you want, is the ticket refundable? Also be prepared for a plan B if you do not get on a flight that day.
Once you have purchased your ticket, stay at your flight's gate. If your name is called and you are not there to claim your spot, the clerk will move to the next name on the standby list.
