Originally Posted by EWR764

I believe this is the case... the employee needs to be accompanying the pass rider if the desired class of service is the highest offered on a given flight. In other words, an unaccompanied buddy can ride in business class on a three cabin airplane (where F is offered) but is ineligible for J on a two-cabin airplane. This may be for international only, but either way I would have no expectation of clearing a premium cabin on a domestic flight.

In any event, be prepared to fly in a middle seat, at the back of the airplane, if you get on at all. Buddy passes can be a lot of fun, as long as you are completely flexible and have no expectation of clearing in a particular class of service on a given flight.