something going on at Delta

Using caution when discussing this, it's time I think for the public to know how things have degraded for nonrevs, buddies, retirees, etc. with Delta. What used to be fun is now very stressful.
The reason I'm careful about what I say is seen when you log on to reserve a space-available seat:

"The Fine Print

AUTHORIZED AND UNAUTHORIZED USE
The DeltaNet Employee portal ("DeltaNet") provides secure access to information and business-related processes for Delta employees, retirees and other select individuals. Unauthorized users are not approved for entry.

CONTENT
You must not copy, reproduce or forward any content from DeltaNet outside of Delta Air Lines, including posting on any personal or public Web pages, blogs, or social media sites, including, but not limited to Flyertalk, Facebook, or Twitter."

I would like to reveal the problems with flying non rev these days. Is there interest in reading about this situation?

The last few years I've traveled many places -W. Africa; Ireland; Holland; India --all with the help of Delta buddy passes given to me by a retired Delta employee friend. Just in the last few months, though, their whole buddy system as well as passes for retirees has broken down. We've been discussing our experiences lately and they've been very stressful. They also cut her pension way back. But what I can tell you about flying standby, Delta would not like to see in the media. They've doubled the fares of buddy passes in the last year or so. By reducing the number of flights throughout their worldwide system, the likelihood of getting on using a pass has dwindled greatly. From her experiences, just two of them, I wonder if I'll be able to travel at a discount again. Here's a few experiences she's had: "I think I told you that I had a horrible experience going to and getting out of Montana in September; I 'bonded' with a group of other non-revs -most of them were active employees -and no one was getting on. I tried 3 other airlines (which I have the option but you don't) and still couldn't get on. Had to go to Minneapolis to Salt Lake... to get to Arizona. It was shocking to me as I had NEVER had a problem like that before --maybe would get bumped once but could always get on the next"

Very interesting indeed. I don't believe you have any right for discussion as a buddy pass rider. Your experience as a buddy pass rider is different from my view. I touch the airplanes on my job. I earned all of my rights as a standby nonrev traveller. First through education, then through skill and experience, years on the job. You have the option to buy your own ticket as all of us do. We all know the rules. Your viewpoint is moot, doesn't warrant any further discussion. Why don't you list down what you do in your job and how wonderful your pension and benefits are before you discuss your buddy's airline benefits.

Delta is doing what it can to keep the non rev program going in these difficult times. It would though, be less stressful if people knew what to expect nowadays rather than arriving at airports and having to travel in a cloud of secrecy.

It's the same with the other airlines, not just Delta. There is a way to "expect" whenever checking the loads. There is no secrecy to it. It's called rules. Buddy pass riders are lower than whale crud on the standby list to be honest with you. You may not be as a person, and don't take it that way, however, its true. I don't give them out. If you can remember one thing, remember that. Buddy pass riders ride lower than the crud in the lavaratories emerced in blue juice in the whole standby system. (Which I may have to unclog from time to time because dumasses flush kotex and diapers, wine bottles into a chute 7 inches in diameter with a 10 inch diameter wine bottle.) The fares don't really seem fare at all. They are expensive. To have to pay the buddy pass fees and deal with all the stress is not worth the aggrevation. I never have those problems whenever I travel. I check the loads and if they look bad, I change around my plans or flights.. Again, pardon the rudeness but you as a non rev buddy rider really have zilch say so in all of this. Especially voicing your buddy pass giver's opinion on her "dwindling" benefits. You just don't rate. You will get zero sympathy here over non rev travel as a buddy pass rider.

A tad bit melodramatic there RNR. Nothing is guaranteed in this industry, especially your ability to use your friend's benefits. Not even your own, hers.

Capacity (and thus the ability to fly stand-by) changes with demand. It's just one of those things we accept in order to fly for free.

So, if you only come away from this with one thing, remember....the ability to fly for free (or reduced rate) is a benefit, not a right, especially for non-employees.

Free????? Ok, I see it. Reduced rate. Sorry bout that.

Sure. SWA buddy passes are free. Doesn't cost the employee or user anything.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rev non rev

Delta is doing what it can to keep the non rev program going in these difficult times. It would though, be less stressful if people knew what to expect nowadays rather than arriving at airports and having to travel in a cloud of secrecy.

---

The one thing that I noticed in this statement that is not Delta's fault.....while I'm not a Delta employee, I doubt they are trying to keep anything a secret. If anything, they'd rather pass riders know what they're doing. What you know or don't know is the employee's fault for not telling you ahead of time.

Sadly, flying non rev is harder than it used to be primarily because the loads are so high right now. Since the cost of buddy/guest pass travel is higher than you'd like and the availability is so limited, I would suggest checking the loads carefully before making the decision to fly standby. Many times it is better to simply purchase a ticket in advance and save yourself the hassle. At a minimum you could consider purchasing a one way ticket to get there then flying standby on the return. Personally I never fly standby if I absolutely have to be there and I think hard about doing it in a market with only 1 or 2 flights a day since the odds of getting stuck are much higher.

You may want to think hard about whether to give out or even allude to information that is restricted for competitive reasons. These are public forums and can be accessed by anyone so the risk to the employee is very real. Companies do not take the release of confidential information lightly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MRSDS1DONNA

Sadly, flying non rev is harder than it used to be primarily because the loads are so high right now. Since the cost of buddy/guest pass travel is higher than you'd like and the availability is so limited, I would suggest checking the loads carefully before making the decision to fly standby. Many times it is better to simply purchase a ticket in advance and save yourself the hassle. At a minimum you could consider purchasing a one way ticket to get there then flying standby on the return. Personally I never fly standby if I absolutely have to be there and I think hard about doing it in a market with only 1 or 2 flights a day since the odds of getting stuck are much higher.

You may want to think hard about whether to give out or even allude to information that is restricted for competitive reasons. These are public forums and can be accessed by anyone so the risk to the employee is very real. Companies do not take the release of confidential information lightly.

---

That also depends on the city itself. At my now-former station, we'd only have 2 flights daily because we're so small, but we'd average 25-30 seats on a CRJ. Sure, you get some post-holiday traffic and such, but if it says there are 20 seats a week before departure, there will probably be at least 15 at the time of departure. I've come close, and I'm sure other people have checked the loads, but I've never had to deny a nonrev in my entire career. At worst, I'd put a pilot in the jumpseat.

I have to admit hat I have only been stuck once but that was poor planning more than anything else. I've seen too many people stuck to make assumptions so knowing the route is key. Example: Phoenix in March - buy a ticket. Fairbanks in mid-Feb/mid-Mar? Same thing. Those same city pairs at other times? Not much of an issue.

We had 4 BP's (my family) in Asia this spring--dodging the embargoes wasn't fun, but we planned for that. I made sure they knew what was happening prior and sent them to SIN instead of leaving from BKK.. It was intuitive on my part due to tight loads--but the BKK canceled and they would have been stuck for days or routed to SIN anyway. I was never worried because they are all resourceful and flexible. That's what it takes to nonrev some days! Their tickets cost about a grand and they got business elite 3 of 4 legs--all the long hauls were BE. So the value was definitely there!
PS--2 of them bought WN seats when they couldn't get to SFO/LAX on DL. Very last-minute decision! Thank goodness they're smart.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rev non rev

Delta is doing what it can to keep the non rev program going in these difficult times. It would though, be less stressful if people knew what to expect nowadays rather than arriving at airports and having to travel in a cloud of secrecy.

---

What the Hell are you rambling about???