Yes, if you list for standby on a later flight, you keep your confirmed seat on your original flight unless you actually clear onto the later one. You’re not giving it up just by listing.
So no, most people don’t intentionally skip their original confirmed flight hoping to clear later. That would be risky. If you don’t show for your confirmed flight and don’t clear the standby, you’re in no show territory.
As for when it clears:
Sometimes you’ll clear earlier in the day if there’s space and the list starts moving.
Often it’s at the gate, close to departure, after they see who misconnects or no shows.
If you prefer a later flight but only if confirmed, then standby isn’t ideal. It’s really for “I’m flexible and will roll the dice.”
As EP, your priority on the standby list is high, but it’s still dependent on open seats.
If keeping your original seat is important, just list for standby and show up for your original flight unless you’ve already been cleared onto the later one.
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