That might be a legitimate argument, but shouldn't that apply to all other travel eligibles as well? Is it fair for an employee to be lower on the DM list than a more senior employee's spouse, domestic partner, or child traveling alone? I believe the new policy is fair because it is consistent -- a single employee can select a special someone (friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, adult child, other noneligible relative) to share their travel benefits just as a married/partnered employee is able to share their boarding priority and seniority level with their immediate family members.

If the policy were to be changed, then it should be modified to make all nonemployees traveling unaccompanied BP-8B. Otherwise an "enrolled friend" should get the same status as a spouse/dp/child so single employees are not treated differently.

As for complaints that the new polcy will greatly increase the number of standby travelers, does anyone know how many UA employees have no spouse or domestic partner and thus are eligible to add an enrolled friend? I suspect this would be the minority of employees and thus I doubt this new benefit would greatly increase the number of eligibles.