Its not allways bad
Last year flew MAN - FRA with Lufthansa. Self wife & 3 kids. At MAN we were asked to divert to a BA flight 1 hour later, as Lufthansa flight full of pax requiring quick transfers at FRA to onward flights. No problem I said, we're not in a hurry, - especially as we got around £50 EACH, cash. BA flight great, on time, no problems.
On return, we were stuck in a jam on the Autobahn, dropped off hire car with only 1 hour to go. Saturday morning and airport packed. A guy in Lufthansa uniform saw us at the back of a long check in quew - use the first class check in, he helpfully said. So off we went. Handed in our documents, the typical (efficient) German Lady at check in said "You are late" - so I told her the tale. "No problem - we are here to help" and processsed us quickly, even added "Have a nice flight, goodbye" at the end.
Wish it was like this every time.
Flying Lid