Possible reasons for the 6 empty seats.
lindsay422 I am sorry to here about your experience. I hope you have gained more knowledge about the complex world of airline tickets and operations. I can't comment on the ticket rules as far as frequent flier status goes but I want to offer some possible explanations why the aircraft had 6 empty seats.
If weather was the issue, then the aircraft has to take on more fuel for a diversion possibilities. It is safety. That means less passenger and baggage weight.
If that is not the reason, perhaps not all "checked in passengers for that specific flight" were present at the gate during boarding. If the flight is already running delayed, the agents don't have a whole lot of time to hunt other passengers. They can only go by that flight's list of passengers checked in or stand by. If you are checked in for another flight and not on the other list as stand by, then you will not be called up.
If you made a scene or made any of the agents uncomfortable then they will probably not go out of their way to help you.
Maybe their was a group of passengers on board who had to make a certain connection that meant life or death. Trying to delegate additional passengers for the sake of going home or business or vacation would take more time and cause a further delay.
Maybe the weight and balance of that aircraft just could not accommodate the additional passengers.
Maybe, just maybe the agent was not trained properly and I know that is not right. Frustrating on both sides of the counter believe me.
Another reason, probably far fetched although I have experienced this is, take off clearance (by the FAA) has been given for that flight for the next 10 minutes. After that, more passengers will be delayed and the logic is...6 delayed passengers is better that 50.
I know this information does not really help but I want you and other readers to be aware of why that type of thing happens. Perhaps one day the airlines will figure out how to simplify the process and be safe at the same time. I have no doubt the industry will turn for the better if that ever happens. Good luck to you.
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