Originally Posted by PHLFlyer

... However, the "travel partners" were always required to travel with the employee...until about a year or two ago. At that time, the rule changed and allowed for the travel partners to travel without the employee, albeit at a lower boarding priority (these are all standby travel only, on a space available basis). ...

Today (1st July), the ability for AF travel partners to travel without the employee has been abolished.

This will surely ease the insanity at various airports that were especially popular for the companion travelers. Hundreds of "travel partners" standing by at CDG to get on flights that were already full. JFK has been crazy too, with dozens (approaching one hundred) standing by on a daily basis during the past few months.