New to non-reving

As you can see from my name, I'm a newbie to this non-reving business.

I'm hoping to travel with CO from EWR to MCO next month and I was wondering if anyone could let me know what the procedure is for flying with them.

I'm planning on sorting out my ZED tix tomorrow and then believe that I have to call CO res to list....

What do I then have to do when I get to the airport? Also, what's the dress code?

Thanks in advance. I'm really pleased I found this site as I think it's going to be VERY useful! http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif

NNR

You do have to call CO to list.

Get to the airport at very least an hour prior to departure. Go to the ticket counter and check in. They will print you a seat request card and attach your flight coupon(that you purchased from your own airline) to it. Then head up to the gate, pray for no-shows and sweat it out. Whenever I check in a nonrev, I always pull up all the flights in there PNR and let them know how they look. Most agents won't automatically do this, but if it's not too busy, it would be no problem to ask.

Check the wonderful forums at nonrev.net to see if someone from CO will look up loads for you a few days prior to your trip. And if you get no response, I think it's ok to call CO res with your record locator and just kindly ask how the flight looks.

The industry standard for dress code is business casual. I'm pretty certain that is CO's dress code. DL made the mistake of relaxing theirs, and I don't know if its just buddy passes, or if some employees really don't care, but I've seen some nonrevs dressed like slobs(in FC no less).

If you needed loads for LGA or JFK to MCO on DL, just PM me.

Good luck

Welcome aboard Newbie, you also might want to take a look at the forum's How To Non-Rev article.

and to help that first trip go smooth as silk a few of my own tips. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif

1-- Arrive early, one of the golden rules of non-reving is to allow yourself plenty of time.

2-- Check-In
Note: If your airline allows online check-in skip down to step 3
At the counter identify yourself as non-rev, present all related travel documents and smile, smile smile. The agent will give you a quick glance to make sure you've followed the carrier's dress guidelines, then will give you your paperwork and send you on. (EASY!)

3-- Security
For some reason non-revs are frequently chosen for the extra screening, it's commonly believed this is because of the way most non-revs travel (one way tickets); personally I think it has to do with our shoes, but since I can't support my theory with any scientific data, I'll just advise you to allow time for the extra screening.

4-- The gate (where the rubber meets the road)
If you weren't given a seat on-line or at the counter, this is where you'll get your seat assignment. If things are runnning smoothly and you are lucky, you'll be given a seat right on the spot. If however, you are told "wait until you're called", find yourself a position far enough from the counter to be out of the way of other passengers, but close enough to hear your name called, and start thinking good thoughts.
Now many first time non-revs find the waiting nerve racking, but you won't, BECAUSE, you've read the guidelines, planned ahead and have contingency plan A, B & C, ready to fall back on. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif

5-- Boarding
The mad dash down the jetway, the hurried rush to locate your seat (usually it's a middle seat in the rear of the aircraft) and the realization that not only are all the overheads full, but there's a plane full of pax watching your every move and wondering if they'll be the unlucky one having to get up to let you in. (you'll get use to this by the way)

6-- The wait
Once you sit down and buckle up you're still not out of the woods, as a late arriving pax or an employee with a higher priority can have you gathering your things and marching back up the jetway in a New York minute
--REMEMBER--Non-revs breathe easy only with "wheels up".

Basically that's it, sometimes you may be asked to change seats to accommodate a pax, but that's nothing in the grand scheme of things. Just sit back, relax and start planning on how you're going to spend all the money you saved by flying non-rev.

Have fun.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ColoAvs19 @ Oct 26 2008, 05:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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You do have to call CO to list.

Get to the airport at very least an hour prior to departure. Go to the ticket counter and check in. They will print you a seat request card and attach your flight coupon(that you purchased from your own airline) to it. Then head up to the gate, pray for no-shows and sweat it out. Whenever I check in a nonrev, I always pull up all the flights in there PNR and let them know how they look. Most agents won&#39;t automatically do this, but if it&#39;s not too busy, it would be no problem to ask.

Check the wonderful forums at nonrev.net to see if someone from CO will look up loads for you a few days prior to your trip. And if you get no response, I think it&#39;s ok to call CO res with your record locator and just kindly ask how the flight looks.

The industry standard for dress code is business casual. I&#39;m pretty certain that is CO&#39;s dress code. DL made the mistake of relaxing theirs, and I don&#39;t know if its just buddy passes, or if some employees really don&#39;t care, but I&#39;ve seen some nonrevs dressed like slobs(in FC no less).

If you needed loads for LGA or JFK to MCO on DL, just PM me.

Good luck[/b]

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That&#39;s brilliant - thank you. I&#39;m a little nervous about the whole thing, but excited too!

If you don&#39;t get on the flight that you&#39;ve listed for do you have to head back landside to re-list for the next one?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Migflanker @ Oct 27 2008, 12:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Welcome aboard Newbie, you also might want to take a look at the forum&#39;s How To Non-Rev article.

and to help that first trip go smooth as silk a few of my own tips. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif


Basically that&#39;s it, sometimes you may be asked to change seats to accommodate a pax, but that&#39;s nothing in the grand scheme of things. Just sit back, relax and start planning on how you&#39;re going to spend all the money you saved by flying non-rev.

Have fun.[/b]

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Thanks for the tips - they&#39;re great http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif

I think one of the most nerve wracking things is just not knowing how it all works! And I&#39;ll be sure to pack a book (or 2!) into my hand luggage just in case it&#39;s a long waiting game...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (newbienonrev @ Oct 27 2008, 03:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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That&#39;s brilliant - thank you. I&#39;m a little nervous about the whole thing, but excited too!

If you don&#39;t get on the flight that you&#39;ve listed for do you have to head back landside to re-list for the next one?[/b]

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No, you will stay in the gate area and go to the next departure. They should automatically list you for the next flight.

Another thing I can&#39;t emphasize enough.

Be EXTRA polite to staff, especially if you&#39;re a guest on another airline. You are effectively representing your fellow &#39;visiting team&#39; and fellow Non Revs, and gate agents have a looooooooong memory!

Some gate agents *HATE* non revs. I&#39;ve seen &#39;the look&#39; from gate agents of my own airline go sour when they find out my status, and one was a real dragon! But after a few trips where I just smiled, shut up and minded my manners each time, she eventually really warmed up - I&#39;ve even got comp upgrades to first on some flights now. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumper @ Oct 27 2008, 07:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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...... she eventually really warmed up - I&#39;ve even got comp upgrades to first on some flights now. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif[/b]

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Well that&#39;s nice to hear. I thought comp upgrapes had gone the way of free meals in coach. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif Glad to hear the "family" spirit is still floating around, even if it did take a while to kick in.
Jumper you must have some smile *sparkle girl, sparkle* http://bestsmileys.com/sparkle/1.gif

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumper @ Oct 27 2008, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Another thing I can&#39;t emphasize enough.

Be EXTRA polite to staff, especially if you&#39;re a guest on another airline. You are effectively representing your fellow &#39;visiting team&#39; and fellow Non Revs, and gate agents have a looooooooong memory!

Some gate agents *HATE* non revs. I&#39;ve seen &#39;the look&#39; from gate agents of my own airline go sour when they find out my status, and one was a real dragon! But after a few trips where I just smiled, shut up and minded my manners each time, she eventually really warmed up - I&#39;ve even got comp upgrades to first on some flights now. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif[/b]

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Thanks - I hope that I&#39;m quite a polite person anyway! So I will make sure that I&#39;m on my super-best behaviour http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif

I&#39;m showing about 8 flights per day going to Orlando from EWR. Right now, they are WIDE OPEN. (Tue oct 28) I&#39;d suspect they should be good at least till Thanksgiving. Just go through security, and go right to the gate, and sit down. Don&#39;t even go to the ticket counter. They&#39;ll call your name after everyone is loaded up. If you miss it by any chance because they filled up, they&#39;ll automatically roll you over to the next flight. You may then go up there and verify if they in fact will roll you over. (They usually do automatically.) Don&#39;t give up because that is what other&#39;s hope for in your shoes. Stay there till you get on or you get bumped absolutely.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (29Palms @ Oct 27 2008, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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I&#39;m showing about 8 flights per day going to Orlando from EWR. Right now, they are WIDE OPEN. (Tue oct 28) I&#39;d suspect they should be good at least till Thanksgiving. Just go through security, and go right to the gate, and sit down. Don&#39;t even go to the ticket counter. They&#39;ll call your name after everyone is loaded up. If you miss it by any chance because they filled up, they&#39;ll automatically roll you over to the next flight. You may then go up there and verify if they in fact will roll you over. (They usually do automatically.) Don&#39;t give up because that is what other&#39;s hope for in your shoes. Stay there till you get on or you get bumped absolutely.[/b]

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Thank you so much for letting me know this. I don&#39;t like not knowing how to do things, so all this is invaluable to me.

I definitely can&#39;t give up on getting on a flight - we&#39;re meeting up with family in Orlando http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...R#>/tongue.gif

Just one more (potentially dumb) question. Would I have to go to the ticket counter if I need to check bags in? Also, what happens if I don&#39;t get on the flight and roll to the next - would my bags go without me?

Thanks everyone for being so helpful and friendly - I&#39;m feeling so much more at ease about everything now http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif

Any bag you check will get a special tag that denotes it as a standby bag. The ramp will see the tag, and hold it aside. Close to departure time the gate will communicate to the ramp which, if any, standbys cleared and their appropriate bags will be loaded on the plane.

On DL, All nonrevs traveling domestic get 2 checked bags for free. A few international routes, like Lagos etc., Are limited to a single checked bag. Someone from CO would have to fill us in about CO&#39;s nonrev free baggage allowance.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ColoAvs19 @ Oct 28 2008, 03:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Any bag you check will get a special tag that denotes it as a standby bag. The ramp will see the tag, and hold it aside. Close to departure time the gate will communicate to the ramp which, if any, standbys cleared and their appropriate bags will be loaded on the plane.

On DL, All nonrevs traveling domestic get 2 checked bags for free. A few international routes, like Lagos etc., Are limited to a single checked bag. Someone from CO would have to fill us in about CO&#39;s nonrev free baggage allowance.[/b]

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Brilliant - thanks http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif

I&#39;m learning so much here!

I got my ZED ticket from my staff travel dept and I asked them about listing for the CO flight - they told me that they didn&#39;t know what to do with CO as there were no notes on the system - I nearly told them that it&#39;s ok because my new mates at nonrev can advise me http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/cool.gif

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (newbienonrev @ Oct 28 2008, 12:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Someone from CO would have to fill us in about CO&#39;s nonrev free baggage allowance.[/b]

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All applicable baggage fee&#39;s apply to nonrev&#39;s.

Yesterday Continental announced that you may check one bag for free if you have a Continental Chase Mastercard. That will save you $30 per round trip.

2nd if this is just a short trip you might want to consider taking only a carryon. I only take a carryon if I am going on a short trip. The more you nonrev the more you will realize that a lot of things we pack for a trip are unnecessary. If flights are really tight and I am not positive of the routing I am going to take or my final destinations I only take a carryon. This allows you the flexibility to make changes at the airport and even change flights within minutes of departure.

Good Luck.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (imon32red @ Oct 29 2008, 11:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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All applicable baggage fee&#39;s apply to nonrev&#39;s.

Yesterday Continental announced that you may check one bag for free if you have a Continental Chase Mastercard. That will save you $30 per round trip.

2nd if this is just a short trip you might want to consider taking only a carryon. I only take a carryon if I am going on a short trip. The more you nonrev the more you will realize that a lot of things we pack for a trip are unnecessary. If flights are really tight and I am not positive of the routing I am going to take or my final destinations I only take a carryon. This allows you the flexibility to make changes at the airport and even change flights within minutes of departure.

Good Luck.[/b]

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Thanks for this - unfortunately carryon isn&#39;t an option as we&#39;re going to be away for over a week - so I&#39;ll have to cough up the fee http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e..._DIR#>/dry.gif

Sorry for the late response. I was in New York. Your nonrev bags should be labled as STNBY PAX so they shouldn&#39;t load your bags but there is always the possibility that they could load it. It has happened before but usually rarely this happens. If you don&#39;t make the flights, you will probably just go claim your luggage. The ticket counter will tell you what to do. And YES. If you plan to check in baggage, you should go to the ticket counter or KIOSK where a lady or gentleman can help you. I am not familiar with non-rev buddy passes as far as paying fees. I know I checked in 3 bags from LGA to IAH a few days ago and it cost me ZIPPO. NOTHING. The third bag I checked in after security wouldn&#39;t take my wife&#39;s SNOW GLOBE she bought of the empire state building, so instead of forfeiting the snow globe, I checked in the somewhat carry on bag, looked more like a big purse. So all this cost me nothing. I don&#39;t honestly know how they will deal with BUDDY PASS riders, however, I am sure the fees would apply. You don&#39;t have to be extra nice. Something about TOO NICE OF PEOPLE can get on anyone&#39;s nerves. Just be yourself. I for one don&#39;t kiss nobody&#39;s behind for nuthin. But as a rule of thumb, its always, good morning, good afternoon, thank you very much. I give it the intimidating professional look. Been doing this sort of stuff for a long time. I don&#39;t expect gate agents or rampers to smile and be polite to me as I change brakes and tires on airplanes THEY RIDE IN TOO.

Hi guys,

I&#39;m back from my trip now (sadly).

Standby with CO was fine. Unfortunately the lady who checked me in could have had a better attitude and tended to bark rather than speak, but the lady who was working on the gate was brilliant.

We got to the gate and saw the standby list with about 20 people on it, so were a bit concerned at first that we would be spending the whole day at EWR, but then we heard the magic words as she called our names, said we were on and then apologised that we weren&#39;t sitting together. I told her I was just pleased to be on my way and we headed off to the plane, and our exit row seats so all in all we did very well.

Luckily managed to get home on the direct flight from MCO so there was no need to go via EWR on the way home.

Thanks for all your help - I felt so much more at ease from getting tips from you lot.

Oh, btw we weren&#39;t charged for our checked bags.

Thanks for the update Newbie, I always worry. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif Now that you&#39;ve got that first trip under your belt, you&#39;re going to have to update that name.

Hey, so you made it. My first impression with some of my fellow gate agents after working out on Saipan/Guam in the Pacific was like night and day. It&#39;s not really that they are rude, but they get real busy sometimes, and the pressure is on. Some handle it better than others. IAH is a very busy station. At least they didn&#39;t charge for baggage. That&#39;s great. Question. Where did you get this "BARKING" lady? NEWARK? ORLANDO? (In New York, everyone barks but don&#39;t mean nuthin.)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (29Palms @ Nov 20 2008, 10:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Hey, so you made it. My first impression with some of my fellow gate agents after working out on Saipan/Guam in the Pacific was like night and day. It&#39;s not really that they are rude, but they get real busy sometimes, and the pressure is on. Some handle it better than others. IAH is a very busy station. At least they didn&#39;t charge for baggage. That&#39;s great. Question. Where did you get this "BARKING" lady? NEWARK? ORLANDO? (In New York, everyone barks but don&#39;t mean nuthin.)[/b]

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I can imagine that it&#39;s annoying for a gate agent if they&#39;re being asked by the same member of staff every 5 mins about whether or not they&#39;re going to get on - that&#39;s what one woman did while we were waiting.

I was so convinced that we weren&#39;t going to make that flight that I just sat there waiting for the flight to close so they would transfer us to the next one, but we got very lucky.

Yep - the barking lady was indeed in Newark. I know what New Yorker&#39;s reputations are like but I&#39;ve always found them reasonably friendly! I guess that the moody check-in agent didn&#39;t charge me for my bags so I shouldn&#39;t be so critical of her lol

I was even impressed that the immigration officer was very nice and welcoming - quite unlike most others I&#39;ve encountered in the past!