Also, it depends on the carrier what they have to pay. When I was at SWA, all the flying was free. No "service charge", no taxes, nada. When I started here, you had to pay a fee per mile, plus taxes on int'l. As of now, NWA has waived the fee if you fly coach, so all you have to pay is int'l taxes. We've still got the program where you can buy a positive space (ie actual seat instead of stand by) at 30% off the lowest ticket price at the time of purchase. If you plan ahead by a few months, you can save a LOT of $$$. If you buy the ticket the week before, you might be able to get it cheaper on Orbitz or Travelocity.
Depending on where your parents want to go, it might be better to do that. I wouldn't dream of flying into FL during the summer on strandby. Sept? Yeah, I'd do the standby thing, hence the reason my vacation is in Sept not June.
