So....

On Friday I learn that a colleague and I must travel to the west coast on this coming Tuesday for a meeting on Wednesday 3 October.

I book us two tickets MHT-SMF and returning SNA-MHT on Friday. In the interim we have a meeting, lots of driving and an Aloha flight from RNO to SNA, but that is another story.

On Saturday, my colleague calls me and says he has a family obligation on Tuesday and will fly United to RNO and meet me, but will be able to travel home with me on NW on Friday from SNA.

We have a V fare MHT to SMF and P SNA-MHT (all that was available ).

He is willing to pay for his own ticket to RNO and allow me to be reimbursed the full amount by our employer, so that is not a huge issue. But, should I call NW ahead of time and tell them he will not be taking the MHT-SMF flight, but will be returning with me SNA-MHT? If he is a no show, will his homebound segment be cancelled? Should I move him to the seat next to me on the way out, in hopes that it remains empty?

Any ideas on the best way to play this out?

Thanks