Thread: First Time Flying Non-Rev

Hello and welcome!

What airline are you with?

Take a look at this article:
<a href="http://nonrev.net/articles/howto/index.htm" target="_blank">http://nonrev.net/articles/howto/index.htm</A>

That should get you started and come back and post any specific questions you have. We'll be glad to help you out.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by pilotwife: I have no clue about what to expect when I get to the airport, can you offer any tips? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Welcome aboard Pilotwife and welcome to the thrilling nerve-racking world of non-reving. Since you've already been directed to Al non-rev guidelines, I thought I'd follow up with the 'nitty gritty' details of what to expect at the airport.
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
1-- Arrive early, one of the golden rules of non-reving is to allow yourself plenty of time.

2-- Check-In
Note: If your airline allows online check-in skip down to step 3
At the counter identify yourself as non-rev, present all related travel documents and smile, smile smile. The agent will give you a quick glance to make sure you've followed the carrier's dress guidelines, then will give you your paperwork and send you on. (EASY!)

3-- Security
For some reason non-revs are frequently chosen for the extra screening, it's commonly believed this is because of the way most non-revs travel (one way tickets); personally I think it has to do with our shoes, but since I can't support my theory with any scientific data, I'll just advise you to allow time for the extra screening.

4-- The gate (where the rubber meets the road)
If you weren't given a seat on-line or at the counter, this is where you'll get your seat assignment. If things are runnning smoothly and you are lucky, you'll be given a seat right on the spot. If however, you are told "wait until you're called", find yourself a position far enough from the counter to be out of the way of other passengers, but close enough to hear your name called, and start thinking good thoughts.
Now many first time non-revs find the waiting nerve racking, but you won't, BECAUSE, you've read the guidelines, planned ahead and have contingency plan A, B & C, ready to fall back on.

5-- Boarding
The mad dash down the jetway, the hurried rush to locate your seat (usually it's a middle seat in the rear of the aircraft) and the realization that not only are all the overheads full, but there's a plane full of pax watching your every move and wondering if they'll be the unlucky one having to get up to let you in. (you'll get use to this by the way)

6-- The wait
Once you sit down and buckle up you're still not out of the woods, as a late arriving pax or an employee with a higher priority can have you gathering your things and marching back up the jetway in a New York minute
--REMEMBER--Non-revs breathe easy only with "wheels up".[/list]
Basically that's it, sometimes you may be asked to change seats to accommodate a pax, but that's nothing in the grand scheme of things. Just sit back, relax and start planning on how you're going to spend all the money you saved by flying non-rev.

Have fun.

Edited for spelling and stuff.

Keep'em flying

[quote]Originally posted by Migflanker:
6-- The wait
Once you sit down and buckle up you're still aren't out of the woods, as a late arriving pax or an employee with a higher priority can have you gathering your things and marching back up the jetway in a New York minute
--REMEMBER--Non-revs breathe easy only with "wheels up".[quote]

Not to change the subject but a note on #6. A friend of mine in OKC worked for Sabre before AA spun them off. He was on an AA flight out of OKC to DFW. He got the last seat on the plane. They had pushed back and begun taxiing out when the pax whose seat he took came out of the lav! They had to return to the gate and let my friend off!

Randy,

I just read this and it struck me as funny. I have to admit (knock wood) that I have never been pulled off once boarded. Could be because I am always that last person boarding so people have to move so I can put my carry on under my seat (I never put anything in the overhead unless I have a coat) so they push back almost as soon as I am seated.

The expression on the passenger's (not to mention your friend's) face must have been priceless.

Wow, Migflanker, you gave me such a good laugh.
I had to copy and paste your reply to send to future nonrevers flying on my passes. You sure do have it right!!

Happy flights!

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by shrederjen:

I had to copy and paste your reply to send to future nonrevers flying on my passes. Happy flights! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'll take my royalties in chocolate chip cookies.

Welcome aboard Shrederien.

Keep'em flying

Welcome aboard PC, if you liked that story you&#39;re going to love these Pulled Off After Boarding--Tales from the Gate