Thread: something going on at Delta

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.

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.

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.