Nonrevs have priority at SkyPriority counter?
 

Yesterday my TPAC flight into DTW arrived early. I was first off the plane, even before the GA made the long welcome announcement (no one blocked the open door so I just walked off and others from BE followed me). Global entry and my priority tagged bag got me through customs fast, so I approached the SkyPriority counter to ask about getting on the earlier domestic connecting flight, which was posted as being delayed but at the gate.

The purser from my flight was talking with the sole SkyPriority agent. He was obviously doing a lot to find her best chances for getting on flights as a nonrev. There was also some personal conversation happening, which I could not help overhearing. As I waited, about ten people lined up behind me for help from the SkyPriority agent. (BTW, isn't the purser required to stay on board until all passengers have deplaned?) The agent told me that I couldn't move to the earlier flight, without apparently trying to do much to help. The attitude was of not caring, despite having just done lots to try to help the nonrev (DTW based crew, who seemed to know the agent).

When I entered the SC, I remarked about my experience to the dragon when she asked something like how my trip was so far. The dragon then told me that nonrevs have priority. Huh? Over DMs on expensive paid tickets? In fact, I had the impression that nonrevs aren't supposed to bother airport staff, especially when there are customers waiting to be served.

I then asked a SC agent upstairs at the rebooking desk. He told me that the statement about nonrevs having priority was wrong, even if they were returning from overseas. By then it was too late to switch to the earlier flight, which was just starting to board, as my bag had been rechecked before going through the international to domestic TSA security check. However, the agent did confirm to me that eight nonrevs had cleared onto the flight at that point, with perhaps more still being cleared at that time.

So what are the rules supposed to be in this case? Was the SkyPriority agent supposed to go to great lengths to help the nonrev in uniform while actual customers waited for assistance? The purser was fully aware that I had been a BE passenger on her flight. It seemed like an attitude by both employees that they didn't care at all about DL customers, only about their own.

Nonrevs are supposed to wait in the regular economy line with the rest of the Kettles, even if they are lucky to clear in to First/BE. They should not be using the skypriority line, especially when there are paying pax in line.

Is that an opinion or a statement of policy? If policy, please quote your source.

Not that I feel what happened was right, but lots of people state their opinions on the forum as if they are fact.

This was improper action taken by the FA. Nonrevs (PS, COBUS, or otherwise) are to wait in the regular lines. I would never use the SkyPriority line when travelling nonrev. That is very tacky and unprofessional. Those lanes are reserved for DLs best customers. The SC agent was wrong as well, and I didn't think this was an issue, but if it is, I would like for it to be addressed internally. People need to know this policy, even though I think it's common sense.

It is policy to wait in economy when flying non-rev leisure. However if that was a crew member, they could have been trying to find a space for a crew booking, especially if they were moving to another airport and had a quick turnaround. While generally frowned upon, it is sometimes needed for crew bookings.

Unfortunately there is no way to tell in this situation.

I have never heard of this. AFAIK policy states that all nonrevenue travel which would include COBUS and PS (even if booked into a premium cabin) requires passengers to wait in regular lines. This is why we have TravelNet over the internet, and the Delta Employee Service Center's TravelLine, which can be accessed with only a telephone.

What the OP fails to consider is that, as the purser had more expeditiously moved through CBP, it is very likely possible the purser had been waiting in the Y line and had been called over OR there had previously been no one in the short queue.
Did you expect for the purser to just go away because you walked into the line?

Do you have EF or similar to know if there really was space or not?

When the second agent at the SC told me that eight nonrevs got onto the flight by about T-30, I assume that this means that there had been space. I did not have EF access on board or in customs: AFAIK no wifi.

I've seen it when the OCC and DoD have to do some last minute crew movements. This is the only time and was told that it happens once in a blue moon where they need to get to an agent.

Otherwise yes you are correct.

It was a DTW based crew member coming off working a long haul flight. She could not have legally been scheduled for working another flight and as she was part of a DTW based crew, she would not have been deadheading to her base. I assume she lived elsewhere and was trying to arrange a flight home after working.

And you know what that does, right?

You were that close to Shena and her brother & didn't get a picture taken with them? So disappointing. :(

^^^^^^^

Assuming your speculations above are correct, what would be the explanation for the agent being unhelpful and the skyclub agent saying that non-revs have priority over a customer on an expensive fare? (I guess you would be in favor of the latter, eh? ;))

David