Many's the time I've been on an aircraft that's been delayed by a late passenger, or been in the check in queue only to see people called up to the front of line just minutes prior to departure. In fact I have friends who deliberately arrive at the airport just prior to the close of the flight as they know they'll be called up.
Interesting remark.
Part of what you describe is known as 'Call forward'
Standard proceedure, executed within the company's required cut-off time for check-in.
I'd say your friends are not the heros they make out to be and they actually
do show up at check-in within the specified time frame; albeit, only just.
I predict that if your friends continue to adopt their arrogant attitude, they will have their travel plans sorely disrupted at some stage, and then they will piss and moan etc...
On a recent flight ML-BN, I was travelling sub-load.
Usual sceanrio - full flight, praying for a 'no-show'
With 15 minutes before the ETD, and just about having given up on any hope of a seat when the gate attendant takes a call from check-in.
Check-in requests to load 2 late arriving pax, gate agent politely tells check-in where 2 pax can go!
I get my seat!
I'd checked in about an hour ago
Not really a remarkable account, except to say that the staff member at the gate excercised their right to uphold the policy to thier discretion.
Actually, when you think about it, in the Public Transorpt Industry, I know of not
1 other sector that adopts a 'We will wait for MrABC for a few more minutes' attitude that seems to be so widely acceptable as in the Airline sector as perceived by Mr and Mrs Jo Public. eg If the bus stops at Flinders St at 1300 and you're not there, the driver isn't going to wait until 1310 because you were running late!!!!!!!!!!!
He's got a schedule to stick to!
Arrogant, ignorant people.
Nothing amazes me much any more
GG