Buddy pass question -- first timer
 

Hi all,

I have a friend from an airline who just gave me details to get a buddy pass for an upcoming flight. I'm wondering -- do these employees get unlimited buddy passes? I'm just trying to decide if it would be presumptuous of me to ask for more than one in the period of a couple months.

Thanks!

Depends on the airline.

For JB?

Why not ask your friend? Why ask here?

With a buddy pass, you might be stranded for days if there are IRROPS.

And you also might not.

Every airline I have ever worked for they get a certain amount per year. Can vary from 6 to 24 that I have seen. No harm in asking if they have more available. Some employees never use their allotment and some do.

Buddy pass question -- first timer
 

I was on a buddy pass one time and was seated on the plane chatting to other passengers when I heard my name over the PA. (this was Southwest, so no seat assignments). They took me off the plane to give my seat to a revenue passenger. I think they had different levels of passes--Some you could book in advance and some, like the one I was on--were last minute and at more risk for cancellation. My buddy was also my boyfriend and was a 1st officer so I would try to travel with him if he was flying some place interesting. However, if there was some place that we HAD to be, I would buy a revenue ticket and not risk getting bumped. He received a limited number (maybe 2?) per six month period (I think). At the time (pre 9-11) they would also give the employees buddy passes for things like perfect attendance!

Southwest goes somewhere interesting?

Airlines vary on how many buddy passes (un-buddy passes ;)) employees get in a year. I think after your first experience with the buddy pass you may not want to use one again. There is a saying among airline folks "friends don't give friends buddy passes" When I was at the airlines, I never gave them out to close friends. I did once, and my friend bombarded me with phone calls and text messages on the process and why he wasn't getting a seat and if there was anything I can do to help him. When I wasn't able to assist him, he became agitated and at times, hostile. Fortunately we worked through it but it was a valuable lesson.

Expect an extended delay at the airport and have a solid plan B,C and D. Again, it really depends where and when you are planning to travel. Once you figure out what days you want to go, I would ask your friend to check on the loads for that day. It will, at least give you an idea on your odds of getting a seat. Check the loads a week prior to when you want to go. I wouldnt attempt anything with under 25 seats available.
Its important to know, you are at the bottom of the standby list. A buddy pass is the lowest priority and if you do get on and someone shows up to the gate at the last minute with some sory of priority, you're getting the boot. I would also stay far away from anything with a connection. Good luck

+1 at USAIRWAYS they're limited, no ideas Jet Blue.

LOL :D Well. I was in love. :rolleyes:

But, I always went to LAX with an expectation of NOT getting on board. That way I wasn't disapointed if it didn't happen. We would check availability or I would try early morning flights (less passengers). I would also use it for destinations that had a lot of flights such as LAX-LAS so there was less probability of being stranded. I was always prepared to pay for a flight if it looked as if being stranded was a possibility.

I knew a guy who was married to a FA and would regularly fly on Buddy Passes (seems like UA). After hitting the casinos in LAS he said, "Now, the REAL gamble begins" as he left for the airport.

Sounds like he was on his FA spouse's benefits. One major difference between being on someones benefits and buddy passes is that buddy passes generally cost a bit of money and using an employees benefits are generally free.

But the end result is still the same, as long as you are a non-revenue pax, no matter what kind of passes you were on, when there is a last minute revenue pax, even a revenue pax on standby don't have a seat, the first available seat or last seat of the flight will still go to that revenue pax.

It is only about you put yourself earlier for the NRSA list, but it doesn't guranteed your place on the list will stay the same til the end, any employee with a higher senority can still trump you anytime.

There is really no difference than revenue pax on standby, they go with the person with the highest elite status first, then fare class, then checkin time.

that's why I say dirt has a higher non-rev standby code... it always flys.

With the number, it depends on the airline and the company. I have a friend who works at a regional and he only gets 6 a year. I don't get any, but my mom flys free.