WSJ: Airlines Get Tougher on Employee Flight Perks
Jan 21, 2015, 8:41 pm
#1
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WSJ: Airlines Get Tougher on Employee Flight Perks
The skies are getting less friendly for “buddy passes” and other airline employee travel perks.
Nearly free standby travel programs have long been a benefit of working for airlines. Millions of people fly every year under these programs, which extend to current employees and their immediate families as well as airline retirees and their families. The programs also make available inexpensive “buddy passes” that employees and retirees can dole out to friends.
Abuse of the programs, however, has cost the carriers money and has even facilitated criminal activity, and some big airlines are starting to crack down.
Nearly free standby travel programs have long been a benefit of working for airlines. Millions of people fly every year under these programs, which extend to current employees and their immediate families as well as airline retirees and their families. The programs also make available inexpensive “buddy passes” that employees and retirees can dole out to friends.
Abuse of the programs, however, has cost the carriers money and has even facilitated criminal activity, and some big airlines are starting to crack down.
Jan 23, 2015, 12:19 pm
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Jan 23, 2015, 5:21 pm
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That article wasn't locked when I posted it. Guess that changed in the last two days. Hope you can find it.
Jan 23, 2015, 5:31 pm
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I was able to find the article easily by googling the title. The first item was an unrestricted version of the entire article and a few comments on it (but apparently not all of the comments that have been posted).
Jan 26, 2015, 4:06 pm
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Buddy passes and the like lost considerable value when airlines began reducing capacity - nonrevs with passes have lower priority than any paid passenger normally.
But committing fraud has just meant the airlines will further tighten pass issuance further.
Luckiest person I knew was a relative of mine: her husband was a UA high manager who retired after 39 years at UA in 1980, and she got (still has) two lifetime passes for First. She'd take kids, nieces and nephews for a few days in Hawai'i from time to time.
But committing fraud has just meant the airlines will further tighten pass issuance further.
Luckiest person I knew was a relative of mine: her husband was a UA high manager who retired after 39 years at UA in 1980, and she got (still has) two lifetime passes for First. She'd take kids, nieces and nephews for a few days in Hawai'i from time to time.
Jan 26, 2015, 6:40 pm
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I have a friend I work with on a committee. He retired from UA years ago as a relatively high manager. Two weeks ago, in a meeting, I asked him how was his flight in. He replied his flight on Southwest was just fine. He said trying to get flights as a non-rev just wasn't worth all the trouble. Sounds like it going to be worse now.
Feb 2, 2015, 12:07 am
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I have a friend I work with on a committee. He retired from UA years ago as a relatively high manager. Two weeks ago, in a meeting, I asked him how was his flight in. He replied his flight on Southwest was just fine. He said trying to get flights as a non-rev just wasn't worth all the trouble. Sounds like it going to be worse now.
I have a friend who regaled me with tall tales of him working for UA in the 80s, jetsetting all over the world every weekend in first on a whim. Seriously sounded like a golden age.
Feb 6, 2015, 12:43 pm
#9
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I completely agree with these changes. You see *way* too much funny stuff going on with buddy passes... Frankly, I'm surprised none of the big airlines have done away with them.
Feb 12, 2015, 12:17 pm
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I think because it's one of the only huge benefits (left?) for working for an airline. I know if i worked for them i'd fight tooth and nail to keep it.
Mar 7, 2015, 6:20 am
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Mar 11, 2015, 2:06 pm
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Buddy passes are worthless. I honestly don't understand why anyone wants them. I'd fight tooth and nail for a lot of things but I wouldn't even raise a finger for a buddy pass.
Mar 14, 2015, 5:27 am
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interesting article.. despite the buddy passes, I understand employees often have access to deep discounts on paid flights through partner airlines as well.
Mar 14, 2015, 5:53 am
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.We usually just buy a cheap ticket on Southwest, Spirit etc or use CC miles for Europe. I got her a companion pass on Southwest and that is how we flew back to ATL from San Juan last week.