>>They will remove a “stand by” from a plane once the door is shut?
<<
No. Never. 15 minutes prior and they give away your seat. PERIOD (I have 3 million flyer miles — I am an expert on this).
>>Sounds a bit fishy to me.<<
He is following his idology to the letter: First, lie.
Not true... I have been yanked flying non-rev after the doors were closed when a paying customer showed up late... it is up to the pilot and the ground crew and how long they will be waiting to take off.