Friends don't give friends Buddy passes
10-01-2024, 06:37 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 160
Friends don't give friends Buddy passes
I heard my first x-mas music yesterday and a missed call from a buddy out of town I haven't heard from in six month's. I know what's coming. Anybody have a handy list of mandatory suggestions when booking passes for friends and family?
Here's a few off the top of my head:
1. You're taking the first flight of the day. I know getting up at 4am sucks, I do it for a living. We haven't had a chance to break the airplane yet.
2. No, I don't know the baggage and carry-on rules. It'll be on the email I get when I reserve you.
3. No, you can't bring an oversize anything. You can't bring anything remotely weird either. No, I can't ask the pilot to store your six foot long plastic scale model of the Graf Spee in the cockpit (as me how I know this has to be specified).
4. No pets goes without saying, so obviously it needs to be said. RIP Pebbles.
5. You will not get on the flight the entire week before a holiday or get home on the Sunday after. All the days you want to travel are going to because of these.
4. Download Flight Radar or Flight Aware. Don't trust the airline update emails and texts. The airline does not know what it's going to do about your delayed flight. All of the times they tell you anything about are posted by people guessing stuff.
5. It may not be a free pass depending on where you're going, don't worry about it. Buy me lunch, and yes I do remember you already owe me lunch.
6. I'm not interested in how you're packing and how easy it's going to be because of it.
7. I'm not going to pick up the flight. Seeing you would be fun. Deiceing in EWR would not be.
8. Gate agents like it when you stand as close to them as possible as soon as they get to the podium with all your stuff. They never give preference out of order to standbys for personal reasons. Make sure to let them know how important and senior I am to the company.
9. CBP agents like funny quips. Strike up a convo.
10. I use employee parking and can't tell you a thing about where to park or how much it cost. Probably a lot.
Obviously, not comprehensive guidance. I need more.
Here's a few off the top of my head:
1. You're taking the first flight of the day. I know getting up at 4am sucks, I do it for a living. We haven't had a chance to break the airplane yet.
2. No, I don't know the baggage and carry-on rules. It'll be on the email I get when I reserve you.
3. No, you can't bring an oversize anything. You can't bring anything remotely weird either. No, I can't ask the pilot to store your six foot long plastic scale model of the Graf Spee in the cockpit (as me how I know this has to be specified).
4. No pets goes without saying, so obviously it needs to be said. RIP Pebbles.
5. You will not get on the flight the entire week before a holiday or get home on the Sunday after. All the days you want to travel are going to because of these.
4. Download Flight Radar or Flight Aware. Don't trust the airline update emails and texts. The airline does not know what it's going to do about your delayed flight. All of the times they tell you anything about are posted by people guessing stuff.
5. It may not be a free pass depending on where you're going, don't worry about it. Buy me lunch, and yes I do remember you already owe me lunch.
6. I'm not interested in how you're packing and how easy it's going to be because of it.
7. I'm not going to pick up the flight. Seeing you would be fun. Deiceing in EWR would not be.
8. Gate agents like it when you stand as close to them as possible as soon as they get to the podium with all your stuff. They never give preference out of order to standbys for personal reasons. Make sure to let them know how important and senior I am to the company.
9. CBP agents like funny quips. Strike up a convo.
10. I use employee parking and can't tell you a thing about where to park or how much it cost. Probably a lot.
Obviously, not comprehensive guidance. I need more.
10-01-2024, 07:21 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,404
I heard my first x-mas music yesterday and a missed call from a buddy out of town I haven't heard from in six month's. I know what's coming. Anybody have a handy list of mandatory suggestions when booking passes for friends and family?
Here's a few off the top of my head:
1. You're taking the first flight of the day. I know getting up at 4am sucks, I do it for a living. We haven't had a chance to break the airplane yet.
2. No, I don't know the baggage and carry-on rules. It'll be on the email I get when I reserve you.
3. No, you can't bring an oversize anything. You can't bring anything remotely weird either. No, I can't ask the pilot to store your six foot long plastic scale model of the Graf Spee in the cockpit (as me how I know this has to be specified).
4. No pets goes without saying, so obviously it needs to be said. RIP Pebbles.
5. You will not get on the flight the entire week before a holiday or get home on the Sunday after. All the days you want to travel are going to because of these.
4. Download Flight Radar or Flight Aware. Don't trust the airline update emails and texts. The airline does not know what it's going to do about your delayed flight. All of the times they tell you anything about are posted by people guessing stuff.
5. It may not be a free pass depending on where you're going, don't worry about it. Buy me lunch, and yes I do remember you already owe me lunch.
6. I'm not interested in how you're packing and how easy it's going to be because of it.
7. I'm not going to pick up the flight. Seeing you would be fun. Deiceing in EWR would not be.
8. Gate agents like it when you stand as close to them as possible as soon as they get to the podium with all your stuff. They never give preference out of order to standbys for personal reasons. Make sure to let them know how important and senior I am to the company.
9. CBP agents like funny quips. Strike up a convo.
10. I use employee parking and can't tell you a thing about where to park or how much it cost. Probably a lot.
Obviously, not comprehensive guidance. I need more.
Here's a few off the top of my head:
1. You're taking the first flight of the day. I know getting up at 4am sucks, I do it for a living. We haven't had a chance to break the airplane yet.
2. No, I don't know the baggage and carry-on rules. It'll be on the email I get when I reserve you.
3. No, you can't bring an oversize anything. You can't bring anything remotely weird either. No, I can't ask the pilot to store your six foot long plastic scale model of the Graf Spee in the cockpit (as me how I know this has to be specified).
4. No pets goes without saying, so obviously it needs to be said. RIP Pebbles.
5. You will not get on the flight the entire week before a holiday or get home on the Sunday after. All the days you want to travel are going to because of these.
4. Download Flight Radar or Flight Aware. Don't trust the airline update emails and texts. The airline does not know what it's going to do about your delayed flight. All of the times they tell you anything about are posted by people guessing stuff.
5. It may not be a free pass depending on where you're going, don't worry about it. Buy me lunch, and yes I do remember you already owe me lunch.
6. I'm not interested in how you're packing and how easy it's going to be because of it.
7. I'm not going to pick up the flight. Seeing you would be fun. Deiceing in EWR would not be.
8. Gate agents like it when you stand as close to them as possible as soon as they get to the podium with all your stuff. They never give preference out of order to standbys for personal reasons. Make sure to let them know how important and senior I am to the company.
9. CBP agents like funny quips. Strike up a convo.
10. I use employee parking and can't tell you a thing about where to park or how much it cost. Probably a lot.
Obviously, not comprehensive guidance. I need more.
When that happens, I might just buy her a ticket. Every other “Friend” will not be your friend anymore when you say no.
10-01-2024, 08:29 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: MD-11 FO
Posts: 2,231
Until they cause a scene with the gate/ticket agent at the airport and end up on YouTube or TikTok...then they won't be the ONLY ones you're hearing from.
10-01-2024, 08:38 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2019
Posts: 898
I heard my first x-mas music yesterday and a missed call from a buddy out of town I haven't heard from in six month's. I know what's coming. Anybody have a handy list of mandatory suggestions when booking passes for friends and family?
Here's a few off the top of my head:
1. You're taking the first flight of the day. I know getting up at 4am sucks, I do it for a living. We haven't had a chance to break the airplane yet.
2. No, I don't know the baggage and carry-on rules. It'll be on the email I get when I reserve you.
3. No, you can't bring an oversize anything. You can't bring anything remotely weird either. No, I can't ask the pilot to store your six foot long plastic scale model of the Graf Spee in the cockpit (as me how I know this has to be specified).
4. No pets goes without saying, so obviously it needs to be said. RIP Pebbles.
5. You will not get on the flight the entire week before a holiday or get home on the Sunday after. All the days you want to travel are going to because of these.
4. Download Flight Radar or Flight Aware. Don't trust the airline update emails and texts. The airline does not know what it's going to do about your delayed flight. All of the times they tell you anything about are posted by people guessing stuff.
5. It may not be a free pass depending on where you're going, don't worry about it. Buy me lunch, and yes I do remember you already owe me lunch.
6. I'm not interested in how you're packing and how easy it's going to be because of it.
7. I'm not going to pick up the flight. Seeing you would be fun. Deiceing in EWR would not be.
8. Gate agents like it when you stand as close to them as possible as soon as they get to the podium with all your stuff. They never give preference out of order to standbys for personal reasons. Make sure to let them know how important and senior I am to the company.
9. CBP agents like funny quips. Strike up a convo.
10. I use employee parking and can't tell you a thing about where to park or how much it cost. Probably a lot.
Obviously, not comprehensive guidance. I need more.
Here's a few off the top of my head:
1. You're taking the first flight of the day. I know getting up at 4am sucks, I do it for a living. We haven't had a chance to break the airplane yet.
2. No, I don't know the baggage and carry-on rules. It'll be on the email I get when I reserve you.
3. No, you can't bring an oversize anything. You can't bring anything remotely weird either. No, I can't ask the pilot to store your six foot long plastic scale model of the Graf Spee in the cockpit (as me how I know this has to be specified).
4. No pets goes without saying, so obviously it needs to be said. RIP Pebbles.
5. You will not get on the flight the entire week before a holiday or get home on the Sunday after. All the days you want to travel are going to because of these.
4. Download Flight Radar or Flight Aware. Don't trust the airline update emails and texts. The airline does not know what it's going to do about your delayed flight. All of the times they tell you anything about are posted by people guessing stuff.
5. It may not be a free pass depending on where you're going, don't worry about it. Buy me lunch, and yes I do remember you already owe me lunch.
6. I'm not interested in how you're packing and how easy it's going to be because of it.
7. I'm not going to pick up the flight. Seeing you would be fun. Deiceing in EWR would not be.
8. Gate agents like it when you stand as close to them as possible as soon as they get to the podium with all your stuff. They never give preference out of order to standbys for personal reasons. Make sure to let them know how important and senior I am to the company.
9. CBP agents like funny quips. Strike up a convo.
10. I use employee parking and can't tell you a thing about where to park or how much it cost. Probably a lot.
Obviously, not comprehensive guidance. I need more.
10-01-2024, 09:58 AM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2017
Posts: 226
Was curious so I counted. My young kids have been on 33 flights each since I got hired less than 3 years ago, including flagship first international. I scratch my head when people claim they don’t have success with nonrev. It’s very easy if you plan appropriately and have some flexibility. The dollar value of the benefit is astronomical to me personally.
10-01-2024, 10:12 AM
#10
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,249
Was curious so I counted. My young kids have been on 33 flights each since I got hired less than 3 years ago, including flagship first international. I scratch my head when people claim they don’t have success with nonrev. It’s very easy if you plan appropriately and have some flexibility. The dollar value of the benefit is astronomical to me personally.
Nonrev, your immediate family are either travelling with you or know how it works.
Your "buddies" don't really know how it works (I know you told them, but they didn't really listen). They also tend to expectation bias that they will be getting on. When it doesn't work out, you're going to get to play emergency travel agent. On top of all that, they are very low priority on the list.
I would only give passes to people who had current or past airline connections, ie they know the drill. My best friend grew up in an airline household so he's good. Where I'd get in trouble is when my wife wanted passes for her friends, then all of the above applied. I finally imposed my own blackout dates... all months except Feb & Oct.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
