
The standby list
ORLANDO, Fla. — There is nothing fun about flying standby. That’s especially true when there are hundreds of people vying for dozens of seats (editor’s note: this may be slightly exaggerated). When I walked up to the gate, I was No. 6 on the list, and there were five unclaimed seats. “The odds were in my favor.” Within moments, I was No. 11 and there were three unclaimed seats. The gate agent spoke into her