Thread: I'm new and clueless, can you please answer ques.?

Hi, I do not work for Delta but have worked for a major airline for the past 9 years in reservations. I think that some of my helpful hints will probably apply for all airlines as I often get lots of questions from "clueless parents, companions or dependents" I ment no disrespect.

First of all, since your son is the employee, try to get him to do the research as to how you list for the flight, check flight loads and what other airlines you can non-rev on.

Try not to travel on the weekends (almost impossible, especially during the busy travel times such as holidays and summer) and if you can pick an off time such as the first flight out (6am) or redeye (1255am) or late at night 10pm when genrally no one want to travel or fly Tues and Weds, then you may increase your chance for getting on the flight.

Pick an off destination such as try flying into John Wayne if you can't get into LAX, Sacromento instead of Reno, LAX instead of Las Vegas, Oakland instead of SFO.

Have a back up plan 1, 2. and 3. I have had to change my plans many times while in the airport and if I was not prepared, I more than likely would not have made my flight. For example, I was non-reving from Baltimore to Montego Bay Jamaica. The flight was delayed by more than 4 hours and when I checked around 12 noon, I was told that the flight would be leaving at 3pm but they could not tell me if my husband and I would make the flight. So I put my back-up plan in effect. I called American (because I had called earlier that week and was told that they had a connecting flight out at 2:30pm) and I listed both my husband and I on the flight. American also had a another flight out at 5pm that we would have listed on if we were unable to make the earlier flight.

Sometimes there is only one flight out per day and you don't have the option of listing on other flight then you will have to list for the next day (I hope this never happens to you, but it does happen I have spoken to other folks that was 2 or 3 days getting to or from their destination.

Pack as light as possible. If you can get everything into a carry on then do it. My luggage has gone to Hawaii while I was in Seattle. I can tell you that even when you pay, the airlines loose your luggage. So when I have to check my luggage, I always pack a change of clothing, personal items and if I am going to a beach, I put my swim suit in my carry on bag.

Patience, Patience, Patience...... Non-Rev travel is a privilege and not a right. Have patience and be kind to the gate agents (I am sure that you will),,,,,, I have heard horror stories about folks that were acting less than professional, demanding to be put on the flight and I do know of one agent that had his privileges suspended for one year because of an incident at the gate. So he will not be able to fly any airline for at least 365 days!!!

On the up swing: I have been extremely lucky and have made every flight (except for the one in Baltimore and that was because the plane broke and they sent a smaller aircraft). So you can non-rev and be very successful......I have been to Hawaii (8 times), Europe twice, traveled the caribbean many many times and througout the US. I think that you will have fun with your new flight privileges once you learn the ropes.

Hope you find this information helpful