Tanker1497

They are eligible.

Buck Rogers

So, what is your solution? Pay 8-10K per ticket RT for D1 international? Don't go on any international trips? Only travel if you can get better than steerage? Don't give out buddy passes? (personally, I would buy a steerage ticket vice a bequeathing a buddy pass gift)

As a retiree(lower priority than active) we have been on 3 international trips and have gotten D1 on 5 out of 6 flights. I would never pay for a D1 ticket, they are insanely priced(though comfortable). I travel like 95% of the world(our customers) in steerage if that's what I'm given. If that makes one suicidal, they have other problems and probably shouldn't be travelling overseas. To act like NR benefits are useless is a stretch. If you are only talking Buddy passes I tend to agree because Buddies typically are time constrained and can buy a steerage ticket for a reasonable price with a little prior planning. Occasionally, we have had to be flexible by a day on either side so ensure D1 throughout the years. No, BFD(for our mentality)

Make no mistake, non-revving is way more difficult than it was 30 years ago. However, it's not as bad as some make it out to be unless you can only travel to destinations where everyone else wants to go during a specific time. Super bowl, Mardi Gras, Orlando spring break, skiing spring break, Hawaii anytime(but we have managed numerous times with only an occasional minor hiccup). Typically, we stayed away from traveling during peak times....Christmas, 1 month of spring breaks, Thanksgiving.

BTW, We could have used award PS passes but have not had a need to yet. This is the other "perspective" on, "NR sucks, don't do it". It's like the PBS ninjas, the more you know and plan, the better one's results. I probably had a little better insight as a 25 year commuter to 5 different bases and was thus more "comfortable" with both the planning required and also emulating a mushroom if in steerage on a 16 hour international flight.

JMHO

TegridyFarms

For the record—I don’t care what anyone does. If I’ve got a high ticket vacation or need to be somewhere I buy a ticket. I can barely get to and from work. Almost exactly half of the time in the Jumpseat. Non rev benefits IMO are useless. Unless you’re going to Cleveland in April on a Tuesday night. Like I said in my post, which you somehow twisted I’ve used them internationally and they’re great. Domestically they suck.

ancman

The past 2-3 years have only seen it become more difficult. Higher average passenger weights, “flight attendant safety seats” (which every Delta employee should be revolting against), and now the complete disregard toward nonrevs that some agents have as a result of Delta’s stupid new D-13 policy.

I’ve seen more than one station try to wait until the last minute to clear any nonrevs on a flight with dozens of seats open 30+ minutes prior, only to then say “Sorry no time left” and slam the door on them at D-15. It’s fun telling the station I won’t be pushing nor giving them their precious OUT time until the door is re-opened and every passenger / nonrev is on.

JamesBond

When I got hired 32 years ago, non rev was a great benny. So much so that I ruled out FedEx and Brown because they didn't have it. For years my wife and I travelled everywhere. She went with me on trips and ALWAYS sat in First class. I would routinely see pilots and FAs sitting up in FC while I slinked back to gulag class as a junior pilot. I can't remember the last time I sat in domestic FC, and getting a seat in C+ is a real treat anymore. Point being, non rev ain't all that as a benefit. If I were getting hired now, non rev would a lot lower on the priority of reasons to go to a particular carrier anymore. But truth be told, you don't miss what you never had, so.....

It might be something worth investigating on your next contract.

interceptorpilo

I had a gate agent board me at the last minute on my 40 minute commute flight. I ended up in one of the FA “safety” seats. One of the FAs looked at me, checked her Delta issued electronic device, March up the aisle and talk to another flight attendant. Next thing I knew the gate agent came back aboard and told me to grab my bag and deboard as I had been erroneously boarded. Had to wait through two more flights to get a seat home. Thanks a lot Delta Family. (TIC). Those FA “safety seats” sure are important. Amazing we got by without them in air travel for so many years.

LeineLodge

Please FCR that, preferably with a screenshot of the wx viewer.

Its a very rare flight where these seats would save the day vs making their way towards their FAA approved jumpseats.

Has anyone ever seen an FA dive to safety in one of these seats?

The FA “break room” in the last 2 rows needs to go. If it’s a safety thing* they should be distributed on aisle seats only, throughout the cabin.




*it’s not

Aircowboy1

Is there anyway In-laws can have non rev priviledges?

Vsop

Buddy passes. Consider that move carefully. I lean towards just telling them no.

Forgotmyhat

Especially if they’re trying to go back home.