Second chances?

It is 6:23am and they are just opening the check-in counters. I thought I was early since the flight isn't until 9:30 but there are already about 50 people in line.
I stopped here yesterday to buy my ticket and saw the agent who didn't let me on when I went home last year. He could have easily upgraded me because the Economy cabin was full (that's where our discounted tickets allow us to be) but decided not to, even after 3 of his collegues told him to let me on. I remember being mad at myself because I had hoped he would be the agent available when my turn came. He was "the gay" working that morning. Well I should have gone to the ladies. When I saw him yesterday, the bitterness came back and I truly hoped he wouldn't be here today. But there he is. I tried to rationalize it and told myself everyone deserves a second chance. After all he had done nothing but go by the book last year and I couldn't be mad at him just because it didn't work in my favor.
Still I must say I was relieved when I got in line and a lady was working that counter. It wouldn't matter this time since I had a full fare ticket, but I don't know if I could have been gracious to him. I am sure he would have no idea why I would be mad anyway, but I was still glad I didn't have to deal with him.
It is funny how our perception of "nice" is not really objective. We can attribute it to looks, to attitude, to apparently belonging to a same group of sort...etc. Like me assuming this agent would be nicer to me because he was also gay (another assumption since I don't know him).
Now my bag is checked, I have my boarding pass in hand and can relax. If all goes well I will be in Guadeloupe in less than 7 hours. I think from now on I will be buying tickets to get home. With less planes in the air, it is increasingly harder to fly stand-by, the last benefit from working for an airline. Empty planes although great for me are obviously not good for the industry so airlines overbook every flight hoping to fill in every seat counting on no-shows and misconnections. I don't stress about getting on or not but it is just very annoying to never really know when you'll make it to your destination. Today was my second try and so far so good.
Let me tell mom the news.