Thread: Would like to Non-Rev for 1st time

Loaded question!!
If you have access to keep an eye on loads, it helps. That means not just what seniority but flying on what priority for new non-revr. We're fortunate to have 20 yrs BUT with that said, the valuable high priority passes we get--6/yr are reallllly valuable!
Consider you may want to look at connections sometimes--pick a secondary airport (particularly FL, sicne rental cars are cheap and no drop charges) My husband commutes CVG/NYC and flies DCA/LGA when he has few options. I've seen oversold flights@ -7 and we've both gotten on--maybe a connection airport--does PIT still work for that?

Flexible is the rule of the day! Hard to believe, but international can be a lot easier to fly than domestic!!

Presidents wkend---I personally wouldn't even attempt to ANY sunny locations AFTER the recent weather on the east coast.
If you make it--you will find it's a fabulous perk!

Regarding the chilluns--how old are they? I think it makes a big diff for some destinations if you're relatively new at this.
BUT--that said--make sure you get them to as many places as you can--while you can. Have fun with things like treasure hunts @ museums or city walks--like looking up a major item to find in the place--read about it first--then find it--each can have their own treasure to locate. Get videos at the library--they have an idea what someplce is like and then when they recognize it from the video--give them a little prize--shotgun seat or choice of TV--like that.

PS--you are out of your mind!! But have fun and be prepared to change directions. Gte the kids a good atlas and/or globe--they have one@ drugstores--it has touch control with a light (my walgreens had them for $10-15--dunno about this yr) I gave them to everyone in sight--better than Chia heads!!
Good luck and stay in touch with your travels. We're all rooting for you.

Hello, Life!
"loads" are seat availability on flights
I don't know what privileges you have w/USAir.
For us it's all partners, different ways to travel.
We all get some sort of Industry Discount, varying rates--like ID90 or ID95 or 96 etc.
That means you can "buy" standby requests for seats on different carriers--like we can fly Delta to Atlanta (free) then Panama City, Panama for taxes and fees. We can switch to Copa Air to fly to other cities in South America (in our case, Manaus Brasil) by going to our tkt office and buying ID90 (90% discount off base fare) tickets plus fees/taxes. They're refundable, so it's better to buy what you need to take a trip overseas, because there aren't always Delta tkt offices that can do this!
We don't pay for Comair since we own them; commuter line ASA is free, but we have lower priority and same for them on Delta. We pay small fee for Air France but we all hate flying thru CDG airport--MON DIEU!!! It's good or BAD....

So, it's just alot of "work" to get it straight! You should have pass bureau/website to answer darn near any question. I'm sure fellow USAir emps will give you the skinny soon.
Domestic first class is nearly impossible w/out high seniority. All those miles members get upgrades--maybe on intl rtes?
You have my sympathy t have 3 kids at those ages!! Just kidding (no, I'm not!!) but they'll be fun to travel with once you smack their ipods out of their ears while going thru immigration and security! Trust me--just have them put them away until they're allowed on the aircraft--it's easier! Phones--ACK--tell them they can't get ANY coverage--not even texting--where you're going.
Plan A B C--well--don't try to go anywhere you don't at least have B in the works. Have you seen prices for flights these days?? Non-rev just means you really aren't buying a tkt--just a prayer for a seat!
How's that--did it help?

I see Ms767 has gotten you off to an excellent start. I would just add that you should familiarize yourself with your carrier's pass travel rules, and if you haven't already, read the "nonrev instructions, experience and miscellaneious" travel articles, here in the Forum. They'll give you a great overview.
Generally speaking, midweek, am (non peak) flights are your best bets. Now that doesn't mean you won't make the week-end flights, just that midweek flights offer the best odds; and when you factor in you're flying PHL-TPA-PHL (hub-sunny vacation spot-hub) and your low seniorty, you definitely need to maximize your odds. *you might want to invest in a good lucky charm*.

Back-up plan - you always want to travel with good back-ups, (alternate flights and alternate airports) because "it's better to be in the air than on the ground" and you never know when Mrs Newton's eighth grade will bump you to a later flight and you miss your connection. Trust me, knowing about that "red eye" that's goes into the regional airport located just outside of town, could mean the difference between calling in sick *cough-cough * and getting to work the next day.

Loads, ( as Mrs767 said) refers to flight loads, the percentage/number of seats occupied on a flight. Knowing there are 50 seats open on the 11am flight makes that ride to the airport with the kids, a lot less stressful *phwew!*.

Basic strategy
--Know your carrier's pass travel rules and non-rev boarding priority. I believe US Air's non-rev boarding is by pass classification and within that, seniority--meaning, you may need two lucky charms.
--Planning (flight loads, alternatives, weather)-- knowing what to do if that wide open flight changes to oversold, there's a snow storm in PHL or what you'll say if the gate agent asks "will you split your party".
--Be Flexible, sometimes you got to go back to go forward, so don't be afraid to take a roundabout route, remember --the goal is to get there.
--Don't check your bag--a checked bag means you can't make that last minute flight change.
--Smile, as Chris(nonrev1) would say, you get more flies with honey than vingear. Of course why you would want flies is beyond me, but it always pays to be nice .
--Don't leave the gate until wheels up, because you never know, that door could open up and on you go.
--On board don't relax until wheels up, because a late arriving pax could have you marching up the jetway in a New York minute.
One last thing, don't forget your airline ID, many hotels, car rental, attractions offer an airline discount.

Edited because of superfluous apostrophes.

Hey Life,

Be sure to check out this article:

http://nonrev.net/forums/index.php?autocom...ticle&id=29

Best of luck!

You generally cannot fly other airlines for at least 6 months.

ZED tickets, which US has, are better than ID90s. I have not used an ID90 in over 10 years- too expensive!

Good luck to you! I have never been stuck anywhere in almost 900,000 miles of nonreving, so it can be done.
I have not made it on flights at my home airport though, but then you just go home.