Buddy up for passes!

Buddy passes are a big deal. We only have a few, and they are only good on certain airlines. Asking someone you just met or someone you never talk to for a buddy pass is not okay. Finding out someone you knew in high school is now flying and asking them for a buddy pass is ridiculous.

I guard these passes with my life because your behavior on my buddy pass is a direct reflection on me as an employee. I don't give them out to everyone. When I give someone a buddy pass it is because I trust them to realize a few things:

1. You have NO rights to a flight, or a seat, or anything else. Standby means IF there are seats left on the plane AND there aren't people ahead of you, you MIGHT get a seat. So if you need to get somewhere important, buy a 'real' seat. It's not worth the hassle.

2. There IS a dress code. No jeans, no sneakers, no shorts and definitely no swimsuits. Think business casual or imagine you are on your way to an interview. There is always a possibility you may sit in first class so dress accordingly.

3. Be accommodating. If the gate agent wants you to stand on the right side of the counter or sit down, listen. If the crew wants to re-seat you, just move. Most of the time you will get a better seat.

4. Be flexible. An earlier flight may cancel and your flight could fill up as soon as you get to the counter. Sometimes flying standby requires some creative flexibility. I've flown from Puerto Rico to Altlanta to San Francisco just to get to Salt Lake City. The point is, I made it there.

5. Always be nice to your crew. Bring them some candy from the duty-free. You'd be amazed how great a little candy can make your flight! And be sure to thank them, after all you are a guest on their aircraft.

6. Try not to tell the other passengers you're traveling standby. I was flying back from Japan and seated next to me was a nice young man who told the flight attendants and I that he was flying standby. The man across the aisle from us was irate because he had paid thousands of dollars to sit in first and supposedly we were served our drinks before him. (He wasn't a nice man at all) If he hadn't known we were standby travelers it probably would not have become an issue.


7. Always say thank you. To the agent for the seat, to the flight attendant for your drink, to the pilot for the ride. A little gratefulness goes a long way.

Lastly: If you are treated as the gate agents whipping boy/girl/person - smile and walk away. They have the seats, they control the flight, they are your airport GOD. Unfortunately sometimes they realize this and take out their frustrations on the nonrev travelers. If that happens just walk away calmly. There isn't much you can do about it.

My benefits hinge on your behavior. If you don't behave you must have enough money to cover my standby travel. Do you have an extra $4k a month to pay for my flights? I'm guessing you don't and that's why you need a buddy pass. Well, then that's exactly why I need you to behave...

Happy flying!