Done this.

Buy a confirmed ticket on a carrier and try and get a refund back to ZED level later. I did this with AA in STL and it worked.

This is however the "cop out" tactic.

What if you...

- Checked to see if any of your airline friends knew anyone there to help you out
- Checked with airport managers of any of your alliance member carriers at the station to see if they could do you a deal (supposing you are in an alliance)
- Talk to other staff travellers who are registering and see if they have buddy passes (!)