Originally Posted by
271c
I don't disagree about the differences between a1 and a3. But the term positive space doesn't imply a guaranteed seat. Not even paying passengers have that - people get bumped, cancelled, rolled over, etc. Positive space means you have been assigned a seat, a boarding pass. Yes, you could get bumped. Just like if I book a cheap ticket through Travelocity and check in last -- I'm gonna be first to get bumped.
Again, not disagreeing with the bulk of what you said, but by definition A3 is in fact positive space, albeit low priority amongst the revenue passengers -- it is not standby. You may feel it's about as valuable as standby, and in fact depending on your check in time you're exactly one spot above the first D1, but that's no different than some revenue pax.
Positive space, by definition, means that you are guaranteed a seat.
A former coworker of mine worked on special projects at his airline. He worked in management, during a merger, and did a very good job. The company rewarded him with positive space travel for life. He and his wife. He can show up to the gate without previously listing, tell the gate agent that he wants a seat - even on an oversold flight - and they will put him on it. No matter what.