I remember a story my father told me. Back in the 60s he was a regular passenger on BEA (out of a regional airport). One day, because of an unexpected and lengthy delay on his way to the airport, he thought he had missed his flight. (Please note that in those days checking in 20 mins before departure was the norm). As he entered the terminal the senior ticket agent was waiting for him holding his boarding card and, as he took the coupon out of father's ticket, escorted him to the waiting aircraft. My father asked if the flight had been delayed too, to which said agent replied that no it was on time and everyone was on board. But, since my father was never a no-show they decided to hold the departure for a short while! My father was both very grateful and embarrassed. More so when he later learned from a colleague on the flight that the Captain had announced a "short" delay to their departure due to "operational" reasons!
Them were the days lad!