jetcareers - View Single Post

Mr_Creepy · June 23rd, 2003, 06:22

[ QUOTE ]
Can someone explain the typical benefits extended to the family of a pilot; ie free tickets and such. Does that only extend to immediate family or to say grandparents as well? Have many of the perks gone with the fall of the industry?

[/ QUOTE ]

Most airlines have a program you can buy in to that gives you "free standby" or "non-rev" travel. I always wondered how they got "free" or "non-rev" out of something you pay for, although the cost is pretty low....

...which is not surprising since you can only use seats that would otherwise be empty! It doesn't cost them a thing to let you fly standby, so this is yet another "profit center."

USAirways made us pay once a year (about $250 to include my family and parents, although parents had to pay a "discount rate" for standby tickets. AMR was "pay by the flight" with the famous D-2 card.)

As far as actual tickets there were no deals. You could buy ID20s, which were 20% off of max price. You could usually beat this by 50% by walking up to the counter and getting an agent to sell you a supersaver.

Travel benefits is a whole business in itself. Standby travel sucks. As long as you live somewhere no one wants to live and only travel to somewhere no one wants to go, standby travel is acceptable. Forget about Florida. You'll be bumped and bumped and bumped. Fridays and Sundays? Just stay home or buy a ticket. Gosh even people with tickets get bumped!

TANSTAAFL (or a free ticket!)

June 23rd, 2003, 06:22	#2
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	Re: Family Benefits [ QUOTE ] Can someone explain the typical benefits extended to the family of a pilot; ie free tickets and such. Does that only extend to immediate family or to say grandparents as well? Have many of the perks gone with the fall of the industry? [/ QUOTE ] Most airlines have a program you can buy in to that gives you "free standby" or "non-rev" travel. I always wondered how they got "free" or "non-rev" out of something you pay for, although the cost is pretty low.... ...which is not surprising since you can only use seats that would otherwise be empty! It doesn't cost them a thing to let you fly standby, so this is yet another "profit center." USAirways made us pay once a year (about $250 to include my family and parents, although parents had to pay a "discount rate" for standby tickets. AMR was "pay by the flight" with the famous D-2 card.) As far as actual tickets there were no deals. You could buy ID20s, which were 20% off of max price. You could usually beat this by 50% by walking up to the counter and getting an agent to sell you a supersaver. Travel benefits is a whole business in itself. Standby travel sucks. As long as you live somewhere no one wants to live and only travel to somewhere no one wants to go, standby travel is acceptable. Forget about Florida. You'll be bumped and bumped and bumped. Fridays and Sundays? Just stay home or buy a ticket. Gosh even people with tickets get bumped! TANSTAAFL (or a free ticket!)