A method for routing fibre channel frames using a fibre channel switch element is provided. The switch element includes, a receiving segment in a fibre channel port for receiving the frames and a transmit segment that transmits the received frames. The method includes requesting an early frame transfer, wherein the transmit segment of a fibre channel port requests an early frame transfer from a receiving segment of the fibre channel port before a frame has arrived at the transmit segment; activating an early frame transfer; determining if there is a need for aborting the early frame transfer request; and selecting a different source port if there is a need for aborting an early frame transfer request.