It ain't EZE being a non-rev...

**Jumper** · 11-Sep-2009, 01:03 PM

After a bit of prodding, I thought I'd share a little bit about my adventure to Argentina -

First off, getting out of Seattle in Summer is a pain - a B*** if you will - Finally lucked out on a flight that was too late to make my connection after a near miss to MEM, and a 10 hour day waiting and running between gates, and overnighted in ATL thanks in part to the kindness of a fellow traveler who offered to share her hotel.

Got on the flight a day later, and enjoyed a leisurely flight down south (one of my most treasured memories will be seeing the sunrise over South America) and met my freind whom I'd only known online.

Thankfully, we'd bought our Phantom tickets for the next day (always be prepared!) so after a good shower and a light meal, we wandered around the neighborhood and then off to see Phantom! Granted it was all in Spanish, but I know the musical by heart!

Saw the Star wars exhibit, walked along the canal, made a boatload of freinds, and of course, did the BBQ, and then it was time to go home after a whirlwind 4 days - that's where it got 'fun'.

The flight was *Full* and there were some non revs who had been there for TWO DAYS already!! The real bear is, you can't even go through security until you get a boarding pass *eep*

Well, as you can guess, I wasn't going to get on (I hung around desperately till the last minute) and when all hope was lost, I went back to call my freind - got a message (in spanish which I barely speak a lick of!) and tearfully went back to the ticket counter in hopes that perhaps one of them would be able to get through - then a miracle happened! SPACE!

"Do you have any checked bags?"

"Oh heck no! Only what I have in hand!"

"Let's go! the flight leaves in 20 minutes!"

The gate agents RAN with me through the terminal (me dragging my bag and yanking up my trousers as I went) A mad dash to the front of security, and immigration (Bless those AWESOME gate agents who waved their badges as we went to the front of every line!) and got seated literally moments before pushback -

Three rum and cokes later, brought to me by one of the sweetest crew members I've ever met (who laughed with me about the whole ordeal) I snuggled under the comforter and slept most of the flight to ATL -

Getting to ATL, I was told "you won't get back to Sea on THAT flight," but thanks to Jumper's luck, (and possibly the St.Christopher I purchased in the National Cathedral in EZE!

) I was well on my way home, right on schedule...

I love our mad, crazy life!!!

**mrs767er** · 11-Sep-2009, 02:28 PM

See Jumper--You didn't even NEED 29Palms' Lucky Wife!!

Absolutely awesome!!

I abhor the airports that won't let you go thru security with a seat request card! (We were fortunate to get cleared on arrival at the counter at EZE) The old days at CDG were killer with that policy but so much better now.

BBQ--did you say MEAT?? I cannot believe how good their beef is. What about wines? or are you just a rum coke fan?

**Jumper** · 11-Sep-2009, 02:38 PM

Yep - the BEST BBQ beef on the planet... and of course the wine! And the coffee, and the chocolate, and the people...

**Nick** · 11-Sep-2009, 07:18 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mrs767er @ Sep 12 2009, 05:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I abhor the airports that won't let you go thru security with a seat request card! (We were fortunate to get cleared on arrival at the counter at EZE) The old days at CDG were killer with that policy but so much better now.[/b]

Qantas is like that at LAX... flight could be wide open and they won't give you a BP until STD-15min. Why they can't do security documents I don't know, because it isn't as though you go through outbound Customs like here in Australia.

Best way I did it was nonrev in DFWLAX on AA and then get the terminal transfer bus. Then I was already in TBIT so not much they could do about keeping me out! I did only have hand luggage mind you.

**Migflanker** · 11-Sep-2009, 09:05 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumper @ Sep 11 2009, 11:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well, as you can guess, I wasn't going to get on (I hung around desperately till the last minute) and when all hope was lost, I went back to call my freind - got a message (in spanish which I barely speak a lick of!) and tearfully went back to the ticket counter in hopes that perhaps one of them would be able to get through - then a miracle happened! SPACE!

"Do you have any checked bags?"

"Oh heck no! Only what I have in hand!"

"Let's go! the flight leaves in 20 minutes!"

I love our mad, crazy life!!![/b]

Proving once again the value of traveling 'non-rev' light.

You look like a natural.........jumper! Yeah I know, but I couldn't resist.

**vulindlela** · 13-Sep-2009, 10:07 AM

Good report.
Yeah, SEA is probably the most underserved airport in America. Half of the flights there are QX.
EK in DXB did not clear me at the counter until about 30 minutes before the departure.
She handed me the pass and said "run"!

**italgreco** · 20-Sep-2009, 04:18 PM

EZE is possibly one of the most difficult airports to get out of.
A couple of years back, had a fantastic trip there.
Our flights became heavier and noticed the non rev count going up with higher seniorities.
Fortunately, I purchased back ups on AA.

I spoke with AA who informed me that their MIA flight was ok, but everything after was heavy.
I turned to my partner and said, well, the MIA flight leaves 30 minutes after ours, I'm not sure we'll make that.
The thought of sitting in Y on AA vs trying ours = We decided to try ours.

The flight closed and no stand by's got on.
In the meantime, discovered there were no airport hotels.

Our Desk announced that we would need to wait until the flight departured before they could retrieve our bags.
I pleaded with the ' colleague ' and told her that I had AA back ups ( apparently the only one of the non rev bunch who thought to do so ) and if we don't get our bags, we
won't make the AA flight.
She walked away.
I looked at the floor and was about to walk away where another colleague over heard what had taken place and told me to run with her to AA.
She spoke to the AA Check in Specialist quickly in Spanish. AA swiftly issued boarding passes.
My colleague had the bags re tagged as we were standing there to AA.
Did not look at the AA boarding cards, just ran through security and to the gate.

Last ones onboard and walked through the cabin.
All eyes on us ..... quickly realised as I was walking through the coach cabin that our seats were BEFORE that ' magic curtain ' - we needed to turn left upon entering and not right.
AA had given us Business class.

What had potentially started as a nail biting experience materialised into ' There really are some good people out there huh '

I would never to to EZE again without back ups - taking in every combination !!!

**29palms** · 20-Sep-2009, 06:26 PM

29Palms doesn't share his lucky charm. You guys find your own. Rabbits foot, 4 leaf clover, red clothing, the number 7 tatooed all over your body. But the 29Palms lucky charm stays with 29Palms.

The only time I went to Argentina was via Sao Paulo, Brazil. At that time, our flights didn't go all the way to EZE. So had to get offline passes from TAM to connect sao/eze. No problem flying TAM at all. Wide open back then.

**Jumper** · 21-Sep-2009, 01:03 AM

I bought myself a St Christopher in the National Cathedral on Argentina!!

**Migflanker** · 21-Sep-2009, 10:49 AM

voodoo doll- French Quarter, New Orleans..... it didin't work. Trust me, luck is rarely found discounted at the bottom of the bargain bin.

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