One time I flew all day and wanted to catch the final ride out of STL to MCO on SWA. Got to the gate in time, seats wide open. Called wife and said I'd be home.

Then, after A and B had boarded, the gate agent said that due to the agreement between my airline and theirs, they couldn't carry more than 2 jumpseaters. Fuggin left me at the gate with a half empty airplane pushing off. I've commuted with 8 jumpseaters onboard before. I am usually pretty civilized about things and did manage to keep my cool, but I wanted to jab this guy in the jaw quite badly.

Had to go back to the crash pad, spend the night, and catch the "0-dark-30" flight out.

Sucks.

Been out of airline flying now for nearly three years. Don't miss this aspect of it at all!