Do you work for an airline?

[kay1864]

billyskank could really use a buddy pass: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x6786708

[kay1864]

1. Self-kick

For the evening crowd.

[Parche]

2. airline

I work in the travel industry............................:hi:

[kay1864]

5. Do you get buddy passes?

If so, billyskank would love to use one for a DU visit.

[Parche]

8. passes

No I just sell em!! :hi:

[kay1864]

9. You *sell* buddy passes?

Or do you mean tickets?

[Parche]

10. tickets

Me sells tickets!!! :hi:

[DemoTex]

3. Retired airline, so I no longer get buddy passes.

But when I did, I discouraged their use. Buddy Pass riders were the lowest boarding priority at my airline. Super-Saver fares, with positive space priority (revenue passenger), were much safer, and sometimes cheaper in the long run. I knew a couple who used a friend's buddy passes to go to Europe in the summer. Big mistake. They had to spend several extra nights in airport hotels (very expensive hotels!) when they were bumped from every flight they tried to get on.

[kay1864]

4. Key word: "Summer"

Using a buddy pass to Europe (or Hawaii) in the summer is nuts.

Rest of the year, chances are much better. When I worked for an airline, my inlaws used them several times without incident.

billyskank's going in October. Plus he has a flexible schedule, and is staying with friends, not in hotels.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. I am -- but the passes aren't that great a deal any more.

The cost of a buddy pass from LGW-DTW, for example, isn't much better than what he's paying already. Also, the "buddy" is at the bottom of the standby list; and on an international flight, especially, flying standby could be a real hassle. Sounds like he's better off buying a positive space ticket to ensure he gets where he wants to go when he wants to go there. The non-rev thing can be pretty frustrating even for us airline employees who are used to the process.

[LeftyMom]

7. He should get a real ticket.

I'll spare you all the tale of woe, but trust me, it's better to know you can get there and not have to worry about it.