How can my flight change from half empty to full at check in ?

[Warragul]

At some point, once check in is available, I don't know when exactly that is, the flight will be under "airport control". My understanding of this is that all the seats are at the 'mercy' of the airline load control and are not available to the general public to select.

I've had my corporate travel agent ring me at the airport ton inform of a connecting flight delay saying they couldn't change the booking as the flight was under airport control. Fortunately, the airline had already through checked me and given me the boarding pass so it was their responsibility if I missed the connection.