I've had the opposite experience at an airport - I arrived 20 minutes before the flight departed, so a member of staff at the desk had to call ahead and ask if

I've had the opposite experience at an airport - I arrived 20 minutes before the flight departed, so a member of staff at the desk had to call ahead and ask if it was still physically possible for me to board. They then accompanied me through the airport to fast-track me through security so that I could catch my flight. They even kept the gate open for me so that I could do the awful walk of shame into the plane, but at least I was able to take my flight and get home for Christmas.