rcs85551 gives some excellent advice in another thread:

The unused portion can be refunded. The fastest way is to bring it to a CTO or FTO.

Is it true that the crews on the CDG-BOM segments are all Indian? I sat next to an FA one time who told me that American FAs do not fly that route.

Anyone know?

Thanks!

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Delta GM, United Premier, Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold

The CDG-BOM sector is staffed almost entirely by the BOM based Indian crew. Interestingly, they are the only Delta base that is unionized. There are occasional US based BizElite service directors who staff some flights, but for the most part it is all Indian crew.

Yup, also very attentive and friendly.

B747-437B - I thought I flew an MD-11 this past Feb, not a 767-300ER; which is what used to fly when it was ex FRA

DL ran an MD-11 on the route from July 2002 through February 2003. It reverted to a 767-300ER from March 2003.

Flew CDG-BOM 2 days ago. Surprised to find that BE was about 50% full and Y about 75%. I would have expected it to be nearly full. Perhaps fear of the war has cut into emplanements.

The all-Indian cabin crew was wonderful and provided outstanding service; I have to say better than the US-based crew JFK-CDG. Not that the JFK-CDG service was unsatisfactory, but the CDG-BOM service was really exceptional.

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Vasant

Eastbound loads are always soft at this time of year. Give it another 4-6 weeks and they will start picking up again. Westbound is chock-a-block.

BTW, if you are in BOM and would like to meet up sometime drop me an email. I'm off to DEL again next week for a couple days but I'm in BOM for the most part of the month.

[This message has been edited by B747-437B (edited 04-12-2003).]

I've flown on a buddy pass a number of times and I agree heartily with the advice regarding checking the number of seats prior to listing on the flight.

Also, the number of seats changes daily, so you might want to change your departure at the last minute. Or change the actual itinerary (I recently flew to Rome from Boston via Atlanta, instead of JFK to avoid a snowstorm)

I've found that there is a great sense of adventure about not knowing exactly when I'm going to go. So much of my life is planned and (therefore) predictable.

Don't expect to fly during the high tourist season. It's more likely you'll get bumped, and even if you get on the flight, you'll end up in coach. What's the point of taking a chance on flying space available, if your chances of flying business class are slim to none.

Remember that once you're on the plane the flight attendants know who you are. So be grateful to them and they'll show you lots of courtesies.

Good luck.
Rita

[This message has been edited by rkt10 (edited 04-12-2003).]

Oh, the indignity of it! Coach?

Don't make your plans based on business class! You'll be an S4 priority, which is the bottom of the barrel. Be thankful for your reduced fare; be humble and timid, because as a nonrev you have NO rights!

I wouldn't say "no rights". A non-rev will be seated in BE before a PM or GM travelling on a HQKLUT fare if there is an open BE seat since those fares are not upgradeable internationally. And if there are no advance upgrades to BE available, a non-rev will be seated in BE ahead of a PM travelling on a full Y fare since there are no day of flight upgrades or gate upgrades available to the medallion passenger even if the NRSA can be cleared into BE at the gate.

I'd like to reiterate the "13 Rules Of Non-Rev" here for the benefit of everyone.

1) The first rule of non-rev is... you do not talk about non-rev.
2) The second rule of non-rev is.. you DO NOT talk about non-rev.
3) Your ... is in the agent's hands. Be nice and they will be gentle.
4) Backup. Backup. Backup.
5) Thou shalt not whine.
6) If you want to go somewhere, chances are that others do too so you probably won't be able to.
7) Repeat after me, "Thank you for that middle seat"
8) Everyone has a sob story, but they paid.
9) Repeat after me, "Whichever meal selection you have left is fine, thanks"
10) Drink too much and kiss your passes goodbye.
11) Children should be seen and not heard. Nonrevs should be neither seen nor heard.
12) Always thank the crew for the "great flight", even if it sucked.
13) Nonrev is a priviledge, not a right. Never ever forget this.

Thank you B747! And RobertS, despite your point of view, I reiterate: nonrevs have no rights to any BE seat. Sometimes we get to sit there.

I understand the drill, believe me. Sometimes a non-rev gets stranded for a couple of days running, and sometimes a non-rev trumps a PM on a Y fare for that last empty BE seat because the PM cannot upgrade on the day of departure for miles or status!