Had a trip from ORD-STL on AA. Flight was already late. Some lady with a power trip decided that she didn't want to let anyone else on. Of course there were only non-revs left and myself looking for the cockpit seat after being bumped on two other flights. The FO knew I was at the gate, and the one gate agent went down to close the flight let the CA know what was going on. Everyone got on. I was "scolded" by the CA for thanking him too much!

Also happened on UAL out of Vegas to ORD. Gate agent comes down with me in the jumpseat and a few seats open in the back. This occurs six minutes early and she is trying to get us to push. I mention there are pax upstairs, as well as the flight attendant mentioning something about seats being open. CA uses his authority, people get on.

What is it with these gate agents? I wish I had everyone of their names so that when they or their families non-rev, we could be "weight restricted" or have a seat magically break. There should be a list out there like the scab list.

On a brighter note, there is an AA agent in St. Louis whose name is Sharon Cox...