I didn't see that in my pre flight guide

Not always... We had about a dozen pax connecting from an inbound LAX flight onto the last Philly-DC flight not too long ago. The agent was only willing to hold us 10 minutes. The manager agreed with me that it would be better to wait for them than (and less work for them in reaccomodating them). We ended up pushing about 15 minutes late, got into DCA on time, and never heard squat about the delay. Why penalize that many customers because their inbound flight was delayed a bit, especially when they'd all be staring at us at the window before we would even be disconnected from the tug?

I think part of it depends on whether said agent/manager uses their travel privs. Those who do, get the concept.

I always kick the front two tires. Hard to see if one is flat when so little weight is on them to show it. A little kick lets me know.

Learned that the hard way years ago.

Oh it's in there.

Was this directed at me? The situation you mention with Alaska isn't the same thing. If they closed 30 prior and pushed 25 prior, then more power to them for getting all the confirmed passengers to their destinations sooner / early. Here, the gate agent closed the boarding door 20 early. The jetbridge was still hooked up. The plane didn't push 20 early. Or 15 early, or even 10. The plane pushed with an official out time of 7 early. This is hardly noteworthy for leaving early, this is pretty much standard/on time. Like I said, if I got to the gate and the plane was pushing back 15 early, more power to them. The difference is refusing to process a jumpseater when the airplane clearly wasn't going out early, and there was still time to do so.

Sorry you didn't get on. It is likely that everyone scheduled was on the aircraft early. As soon as the last peep is on that agent closed it out. Perhaps they were trying to push early. But my main point is that they aren't going to open the process back up after close out. Not for a jumpseater. The agents whole world revolves around getting that flight closed out on time. An early closeout is preferred and opening the process back up can only go bad for them.

I'm sure you know all this and still won't agree. But they are under job pressure that you are not. Their goals are not your goals. When there is a conflict, your goals will usually lose. Better luck next time and good luck finding a base that doesn't require a jumpseat ride.

Today's winner.

Aw, another FFDO wannabe? Leave the policymaking to the adults, cowboy. ;)

Today's tool is Mr. Sanchez, the flight school student aiming lasers at pilots. :confused:

Daytona Beach police arrest aviation student in airline laser pointing | News-JournalOnline.com

^^^^^^^^

I think the "FLAP" above wins another TOTD hands down.