Thread: DL out of CDG advice also needed

They haven't even left yet but their trip will be a "living nightmare" for me until they make it home....gee...I don't even get to experience their "fun" moments!!![/b]

Well we can't have this. Lovetofly I'm going to give you my handy dandy tried and true tips for surviving family and friends pass travel.
To begin, you have to get yourself in the right frame of mind.
*think George C. Scott as General Patton marshalling his troops*
Remember rookie pass travelers are by nature a very optimstic bunch (the poor dears ) and it's your job to prepare these former revenue pax for travel in this strange new world. You want your rookies ready for bear. You want them so psyched, that if asked to split up, hold for a later flight or told they will be routing through two hubs, they will consider it initiation in the non-rev travel club. Go Team!

*think Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Josey Wales*
Ten days before travel
Because their flights are dicey--Tell your rookies that they will be bumped, not probably bumped, will be bumped and they should expect to spend one day coming/going in the airport. While they're reeling from that news tell them they'll probably be rolled over coming home and should be ready to stay at a hotel overnight. (I usually quote 2 to 1 odds and tell them some horror story about a D3 that got stuck in DFW for a week--makes my rookies real attentive Now lay it on thick, remember this is for their, and your, mental health. Remind them about the extra clothes in the carry-on and having to drag their over-stuffed suitcase all over creation. Explain rollover, how to check to see if they are listed and what to do it they are not.
If you think your rookies can handle it, give them back-ups on other carriers. ( I don't do this for my rookies- as the train at DFW was seen as an insurmountable obstable)
At any rate explain airline partners/alliances (especially if they are traveling overseas) and give them a time limit at the airport. Tell them if they are still stuck after ...days (I give mine 2 days) they are to give you a call and you will *think Laurence Fishburne in Mission Impossible-3*
give them new routing instructions.

*think your mom on your first day of school*
Two days before travel review eveything again, especially non-rev travel rules and airport hotel numbers. Most importantly issue any RED FLAG warnings! Trust me, these last minute warnings may be the best thing you can do for your mental health.
Now wish everybody well, suggest they bring you back a great souvenir and remind your rookies that nonrevs don't breathe easy until "wheels up".

BTW, my overseas rookies were flying LAX/DFW/FCO. After two days in DFW, they decided NYC was exotic enough.

Edited to add vital stuff!

Keep'em flying

"Laughter doeth good like a medicine".

Thanks for keeping us laughing Mig.

Hello Love!
As it stands now--if they dopn't don't get on the first one, they probably will have to tuck in their tails for the day. Now--if you can convince them to look at AMS as an alternative? Not too shabby today. Once the first one breaks down, there's no going on with overbooking--they'll move any rev pax to the 9:20 if they get there early. they can't take Frog Air, right?
If they live close by, bring them over, make them sit and look at the numbers with you. Like I said to Caroljane--the seats are what they are and there are none to be had once they're gone. maybe your riders want to try another country?? Budapest is outstanding funand Prague is cheap and gorgeous! It's the Paris of Eastern Europe! Of course, I didn't czech the seats yet...I have a great apt bdlg to recommend in Prague

Well....I guess I'll be a nervous wreck for the rest of the month. No turning back now....I live in Honolulu and they are in SFO so we have been hashing it out on the phone. The numbers have been reviewed...they are going to take a chance with CVG and bypass the ATL flight "dramas". Tell me again, they don't UPG YC to C in an oversold situation do they? Thanks so much...you have been a great help and this forum has been a wonderful outlet for my buddy pass blues![/b]

Gate can't leave any rev pax and put NRSA on instead, period. So they can upgrade as needed to claar rev pax--usually starting with fullfare/medallion.

ATL can be a major drama because of last minute listings.--that's a big base for nonrevs!
Good luck and keep us posted!

I'm still laughing about migflanker's suggestions and horror stories for his nonrevs.
Now I'm about to fall apart and roll on the floor --your party is 4 nrsa's?? arghh--you poor thing--hang in there, you are some friend to tkae on the chore of even getting them on seat request!--if they just get somewhere overseas...be happy. did I mention the websites for LCC's? myair.com ryanair.com skyeurope.com etc?
this is the continuing saga of lovetofly's nonrevs--stay tuned for the next chapter!

What's funny is that they asked if I could take a couple of days off and join them...did something not "sink in".....oversold...no seats...no way out of HE** (oh excuse me, I meant CDG)!
It's fun to laugh with all of you regarding this personal drama![/b]

Oh yeah!


Keep'em flying