American Airlines sues a travel site to crack down on consumers who use this trick to save money

[DFW]

22. I think this is one reason why airlines like advance purchase, non-refundable fares

Once they have your money, they can do with you what they like. Sometimes, you luck out, and get airline employees who remember they are dealing with other people, but you really have to get lucky. One time, in Paris, there was a delay at security, and I got to the departure gate after the last bus had left for the tarmac where my plane back to Germany was waiting. The agent, who could have closed up and sent me back to the ticket counter, instead called to his dispatcher, told them not to close the doors to the plane, went outside, flagged down the first Air France vehicle that drove by, told the driver to wait, and personally drove me and one other passenger to the plane.

But then, there WAS that day in Dallas where AA left us to rot in the terminal. Not just us, either. There was a family from Bosnia on our flight, trying to get home to see a dying relative. American Airlines just left them there crying on the floor, while their agents were "busy assisting other customers."