Still Traveling

By gwarfan

August 1, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

I was lucky enough to have a friend that worked for Delta before all the cut backs started. She gave me two buddy passes to use. The first was a trip to Dublin for my birthday one year. It cost me 200.00 bucks to fly first class round trip. It is a whole different world up there. You can recline almost all the way back, you get free booze, you get good food, and they really seem to care about your comfort. The second I used to go to Amsterdam and saidly I had to fly one way there in coach but back in first class. That little number was 250.00 round trip. They have guide lines you have to follow and dress code enforcement but it is worth it. I knew the risk though and planned my trips off season for both trips and mid week. Her brother in law now got stuck in Alaska for five days with no return in sight so he had to pay for his own ticket home on another airline. You have to be very flexable on the days and possible full flights but if you can it is better than paying almost a grand for coach and who knows on first class. If she had not gotten laid off I would have used one to go to Japan first class or Moscow.

By Stephanie

August 1, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

About a year ago, I met someone who works for Delta. She has given Buddy passes to friends but it’s never worked out. Every flight is full. The friends end up having to purchase a ticket at the gate. That’s very expensive. I guess with all the cut backs, a Buddy Pass is a thing of the past.

By Bereaved but couldn't leave

August 1, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

About four years ago, I purchased a buddy pass from a Delta employee to attend the funeral of my boyfriend in Los Angeles, CA. All of the flights were overbooked. I sat at the airport in tears from 6AM to 12 midnight trying to get a flight out. I couldn’t afford the compassion fare, and it was too far to drive. After traveling from gate to gate trying to get on the next flight, I was devastated to see the Delta employee allow a person that was flying standby to get on a flight that she had a cancellation on. I purchased the buddy pass from an employee that had been with Delta 37 years. I never made the funeral, and I encouraged my family, my boyfriend’s family, and all of our friends to never fly Delta again. To date, I have kept my word.

By Delta Spouse

August 1, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

It is an unfortunate situation “Bereaved”. However, Buddy passes are pretty much the bottom of the barrel and the very last people to get on the plane >> after paying passengers, stand-by pasengers, and employees >> then comes the buddy passes. Your friend should have warned you about that - even if is was for bereavement. That’s why we call them “strand a buddy passes”. You shouldn’t be mad at Delta, that’s the rules. You might want to be mad at your friend if they told you otherwise.

By John

August 1, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this

I agree with Delta Spouse . I always tell anyone I give a buddy pass to ” consider it a lottery ticket”, you have to pay to have a chance, if you get the flight - you win, if you don’t win - you can’t demand they do something about it. It is as much stress on the employee as the person with the pass. I usually start worrying 2 days before if the person flying will make a scene at the gate and I’ll lose my flight privileges. Yes, it happens all the time. They act stupid and you don’t fly for a year.

By awm

August 1, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

I have used buddy passes but I have decided that it is not worth my time, and secondly it sure makes you feel like a second class citizen. Yes standby passengers will get on and leave you stranded, the airlines are in business to make money… I work hard, I shop for discounted seats, I feel much better, MY SEAT IS GUARANTEED.

By me

August 1, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

It is an unfortunate situation, “Bereaved..”, but the only person that you should be upset with is your “buddy” that you purchased the ticket from. The fact that he sold to you something that was given to him should make you wonder what kind of buddy he really was. Anyway, the planes are full to capacity these days so you should never expect to get on a plane as a standby passenger — particularly one where you have the lowest priority of all the other standby passengers. The airlines are trying to make money, so of course any paying passenger will fly before the non-paying passengers. The flights are so full with the cheap internet tickets. Everyone loves the cheap tickets, but then complain when they can’t fly for free when they get a buddy pass. You really can’t have it both ways. Anyway, “Bereaved..”, you should ask for your money back from your ‘buddy’. He should have told you all this before he took your money.

By Hmmmmm

August 2, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this

Bereaved sorry for your loss… but you also played a role in this. You could not afford to travel to a funeral. This affects lots of people. Some of us wind up paying high amounts or making alternate solutions (car, bus, train, different airport, departing from a different state), or charging an over-priced ticket to a credit card.

I could be wrong but this sounds more like a friend of a friend, attempted to help you which is why a cost was attached to the deal.

During your time of bereavement you likely did not care to understand how the pass worked you were grieving.

I have not used one, but I have friends who have. I never heard any complaints.
I guess my friends just got lucky. One of them just returned from a trip to Italy.

It seems like your anger at the airline is unjust! How would you like to be made to wait because the buddy of an employee is given priority over you… a paying customer?

By Brad

August 2, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this

You said it, awm! I’ll be dam*ed if I sit in a friggin airport wondering when I’m leaving/coming home. There are so many deals out there on the internet nowadays. I don’t begrudge paying a regular discount price on a ticket. If you count your time as $20 per hour (mine would be more in an airport), those standbys and buddy passes ain’t as cheap as they seem! On the other hand, if you’re a big bunch of students with no money and nowhere to be, it might be different.

By Anne MacPherson

August 2, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

The person who posted that buddy passes are like the lottery has a point. You have to be flexible, check the flights close to the departure day, and barring bad weather or cancellations, your chances are not too bad. Making a “reservation” 2 weeks out and expecting to stroll on is ludicrous, and in the case of a “have to be there” scenario, it’s better to buy a ticket. My friends, with one exception, have had wonderful flights both domestically and internationally, by being flexible, and paying attention to the loads. It is what active and retired employees have to do, why not a buddy as well. It is a gift, not perfect but if it works, it’s great.

By Anne MacPherson

August 2, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

The person who posted that buddy passes are like the lottery has a point. You have to be flexible, check the flights close to the departure day, and barring bad weather or cancellations, your chances are not too bad. Making a “reservation” 2 weeks out and expecting to stroll on is ludicrous, and in the case of a “have to be there” scenario, it’s better to buy a ticket. My friends, with one exception, have had wonderful flights both domestically and internationally, by being flexible, and paying attention to the loads. It is what active and retired employees have to do, why not a buddy as well. It is a gift, not perfect but if it works, it’s great.

By employee

August 2, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Cry Baby, You want something for free or almost free and when it does not work out YOU complain and blame someone else.You knew the rules before you were given the buddy pass. Buddy passes go to the bottom of the pile. Crew members and other employees going to and from work do and should go before buddy passes. Maybe next time you and your friend should do more research and look for flights that have empty seats. Or better yet your friend should not give a buddy pass to someone who complains and whines as much as you do.

By employee

August 2, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Bereaved “All the flights were overbooked” Did you not know this before you left for the airport? “you could not afford the compassion fare and it was too far to drive” so you were not going anyway. You took a chance that someone gave you and unlucky for you it did not work out. So instead of thanking your friend for trying to help, you pout and say you will never fly his airline again. Sounds like maybe your boyfriend was the luck one.

By europe traveler

August 2, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

How ironic!! i’m stuck in London right now after trying to fly back on a buddy psas. it worked great to get over to europe. business class and plenty of room! Flights were just sold out on the way back. Certainly not my friend’s fault (the employee) or the airlines. It was the gamble I decided to take. Now i just booked a last minute fare to get home since everything is sold out for the next few days on Delta. Cost about the same as what I would have originally paid if I’d bought the ticket. Lost some time, butthat was the gamble. A great deal if it works out…you just have to be calm, flexible, and ready to pay when it doesn’t (if you want to get home any time soon!).

By Lanette

August 2, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

My father works for United, so I’ve either flown on passes or buddy passes since I was 10. Its not for the faint of heart. I’ve sat in airports for hours, slept in airports,and made weird connections just to get home. In the meantime, I’ve been to Hawaii 5 times, and flown first class 4 of those times there. I took my son to Disneyland for his birthday. It has its benefits, but you have to roll with the punches.

To the person who is mad at Delta, you need to be mad at the employee for “selling” you the ticket. I don’t know about Delta, but at United that’s a fireable offense.

By Falcon

August 2, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

As a Delta guy i can tell you that rule Number 1 is “Only use buddy passes as a last resort”. I tell my people all the time if you book your ticket far enough out you can find cheap rates on the airlines website that are not that much more expensive than a buddy pass. With airlines the world over cutting back flights that means less seats and fuller planes, which = lesser chances of standby’s getting on, including employees. Thank the ridiculous fuel prices for that. No matter what i say though i still get people asking me for buddy passes a month in advance to fly from Vegas to Orlando, or NY to LA - some of the worst possible places to standby to. They are big markets and will most likely be full

Rule #2: Forget about buddy passes during holidays….all of them.

Rule #3: If you have to use a buddy pass, fly in and out of your destination on weird days, and and weird times like Tuesday at 11am or Monday at 8 pm….something like that.

But most people insist on getting the same treatment as paying passengers when they fly buddy. Buddy pasers aren’t considered paying passengers because they paid a hill of beans compared to what everyone else did, hence the sub-human treatment. You’re gambling. The good ole days are OVER>

Rule # 5: DO NOT BUDDY PASS INTERNATIONALLY, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE…..THere is an extremely good chance that you will be stranded for days on end.

Don’t blame the system, blame your choice to fly standby when a little research would have netted you a discounted ticket, i.e. - Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia.

By memr

August 2, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

I married a Delta employee and have only asked for a Buddy pass for a friend one time. My husband is very reluctant to give passes to anyone but family because of all the trouble the passes have caused for people who didn’t fully understand the terms and conditions. Consumer rules apply when you ask for a Buddy pass - make sure you understand all the restrictions and rules of flying before you ask for one or accept it. Also, be prepared to be turned down if you ask for one - the employee may be trying to keep a friendship or may be concerned about how you will behave to gate agents etc. when you find out you will be stuck for hours or days in the airport. Your behavior is a reflection on that employee.

By Ex-employee

August 2, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

As stated previously buddy passes aren’t for everyone. Even as an employee, if I had to be somewhere (ex: my in-laws 50thwedding anniversary) I would buy a ticket and not take a chance flying stand-by. I also learned not to give them to everyone because some can’t handle the wait and see game and will work your nerves. When flying stand by even employees have to prepared for whatever. At the very least you may have to wait which is why it’s called stand-by and not confirmed. You have to be prepared that you may be given a seat assignment and a paying passenger may show up and you will be asked to de-plane (get off.) Yes, it happens. For employees, be careful who you give them to. I wouldn’t lose my privileges over the inappropriate behavior of a “buddy.” For the recipient of the pass understand you do not have a CONFIRMED ticket and you may have to wait, be stuck some where over night or make other arrangements to get to your destination. If you can’t handle it don’t take the pass.

By Crew

August 2, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

Thanks to memr for explaining why we say “no” to people asking for passes. If you’re trying to get somewhere we KNOW you won’t make, it’s an act of kindness to hold back a pass. Some of us are also too busy at work to handle the constant phone calls to check loads for a stranded standby. Especially one that didn’t take your advice to begin with.

And passes aren’t free. Most airlines charge fees and some taxes to the employee for every buddy pass. There’s no rule at my airline that says we can’t recoup that cost. Selling them for more than that will get you fired.

Another point about buddy passes is that they should never check bags. You surrender your right to make a claim when you’re flying standby. If the airline loses, pilfers, or damages your bag you’re stuck with it.

Moral of the story? If you’re an employee, only let the most trusted people use your passes on fly to half-empty non-stop flights. If you’re a buddy pass, listen to the employee. They’re trying to help you!

By Crew

August 2, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Thanks to memr for explaining why we say “no” to people asking for passes. If you’re trying to get somewhere we KNOW you won’t make, it’s an act of kindness to hold back a pass. Some of us are also too busy at work to handle the constant phone calls to check loads for a stranded standby. Especially one that didn’t take your advice to begin with.

And passes aren’t free. Most airlines charge fees and some taxes to the employee for every buddy pass. There’s no rule at my airline that says we can’t recoup that cost. Selling them for more than that will get you fired.

Another point about buddy passes is that they should never check bags. You surrender your right to make a claim when you’re flying standby. If the airline loses, pilfers, or damages your bag you’re stuck with it.

Moral of the story? If you’re an employee, only let the most trusted people use your passes on fly to half-empty non-stop flights. If you’re a buddy pass, listen to the employee. They’re trying to help you!

By a Flight Attendant

August 2, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

Buddy pass users, such as Bereaved are the worst passengers. You are treated like a second class citizen because you act like one. Get a real job, buy a ticket and fly Air Tran. Good riddance.

By a Stewardess

August 2, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Buddy pass users, such as Bereaved are the worst passengers. You are treated like a second class citizen because you act like one. Get a real job, buy a ticket and fly Air Tran. Good riddance.

By Billy Bob

August 2, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Dear Stewardess,

I am a former Delta employee who now is a frequent flier. Finally got a real job and have my choice of airlines, flew in shorts last week. It’s easy to see why airtran squashed Delta and left only the bitter, most senior, “airwinches” behind. Don’t think a merger with Northwest is going to save your butts. They’re more hated than you. I recommend learning your place as second class citizens behind ALL passengers…

By jr1

August 2, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

When I give buddy passes to my family and friends i tell them straight out pick a tue/wed flt so you have a better chance in the middle of the week.sometimes it works i tell them but mostly works out?Delta has been very good to me over the years. I personaly don’t fly hate flying love work the aircraft since a liitle boy.enjoy

By your pilot

August 2, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

With planes as full as they are, I can’t imagine why anyone would take the risk on a buddy pass. I commute to work, and most of the time I have to ride the cockpit jumpseat to get a seat. Clearly, employees aren’t doing a good job explaining how the system works, as I’ve seen buddy passers going ballistic on gate agents in Hawaii and in Europe because they thought paying $200 guaranteed them a seat in Business Class. Not so much.

I stopped giving out buddy passes years ago. I’m not going to put my flight benefits at risk.

By another ex-flight attentant

August 2, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

I also worked for Delta and have seen and had the “buddy pass” experiences. You have only yourself to blame if you try it and it doesn’t work out. It’s not the airlines fault or your friend who provided the buddy pass (and it’s not the gate agent’s fault either). Suck it up and take responsibility for your (ignorance) in trying to get something for almost nothing.

By Airtran7

August 2, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

I stopped giving out my buddy passes!! What a pain in the neck. It is way to much stress on yourself whether or not the person will make it out or make a scene if they don’t. I told my family I will only give them in extreme emergencies, ex. death in the family, etc. But as far as friends , NO WAY!!!! And for all of you who do issue out your buddy passes, please,please tell the person all of the rules, for your sake!!!

By Sharon

August 2, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

I flew to San Francisco (June 2008) on a buddy pass, along with my friend who is a Delta employee. Everything went smoothly until our return flight. We had a short layover in Salt Lake City. Since she was higher on the stand-by list than I, she was able to make the 1:30 p.m. flight back to Atlanta. I encouraged her to go on as she had to be at work on Monday. I tried until after midnight to get on a flight with NO luck. The Delta ticket agent, after doing some checking, wasn’t hopeful that I would get on a flight until Monday evening. So, I bought a $400 ticket back to Atlanta. This is the real kicker. A one-way ticket costs $700. I booked a flight to Birmingham, AL ($400) with a layover in Atlanta. Gees…do you think they could have just sold me the ticket for $400 to begin with. Both the $700 and $400 ticket had the same flight out of Salt Lake City at 6:00 a.m. that Monday. So, buyer beware

By Sharon

August 2, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

I flew to San Francisco (June 2008) on a buddy pass, along with my friend who is a Delta employee. Everything went smoothly until our return flight. We had a short layover in Salt Lake City. Since she was higher on the stand-by list than I, she was able to make the 1:30 p.m. flight back to Atlanta. I encouraged her to go on as she had to be at work on Monday. I tried until after midnight to get on a flight with NO luck. The Delta ticket agent, after doing some checking, wasn’t hopeful that I would get on a flight until Monday evening. So, I bought a $400 ticket back to Atlanta. This is the real kicker. A one-way ticket costs $700. I booked a flight to Birmingham, AL ($400) with a layover in Atlanta. Gees…do you think they could have just sold me the ticket for $400 to begin with. Both the $700 and $400 ticket had the same flight out of Salt Lake City at 6:00 a.m. that Monday. So, buyer beware

By Sharon

August 2, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this

I flew to San Francisco (June 2008) on a buddy pass, along with my friend who is a Delta employee. Everything went smoothly until our return flight. We had a short layover in Salt Lake City. Since she was higher on the stand-by list than I, she was able to make the 1:30 p.m. flight back to Atlanta. I encouraged her to go on as she had to be at work on Monday. I tried until after midnight to get on a flight with NO luck. The Delta ticket agent, after doing some checking, wasn’t hopeful that I would get on a flight before Monday evening. So, I bought a $400 ticket back to Atlanta. This is the real kicker. A one-way ticket would have cost $700. Instead, I booked a flight to Birmingham, AL ($400) with a layover in Atlanta. I didn’t have checked luggage, so I just ‘accidently’ missed the connecting flight to Birmingham. Gees…do you think they could have just sold me the ticket for $400 to begin with. Both the $700 and $400 ticket had the same flight out of Salt Lake City at 6:00 a.m. that Monday. So, buyer beware.

By hope to never fly delta

August 2, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this

employee, your comment “Sounds like maybe your boyfriend was the luck(y) one.” is below the belt and just mean. You must work for Delta!! After having flown all over the world on many airlines, I find Delta employees to be the least tolerant and the most rude. You could all use mandatory training with Lufthansa or Singapore airlines. Maybe “bereaved” was simply bereaved and was too preoccupied to understand the rules, or maybe she wasn’t told and thought she had a guaranteed seat. Jeesh!

By Done with Delta

August 2, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

employee, your comment “Sounds like maybe your boyfriend was the luck(y) one.” is below the belt and just mean. You must work for Delta!! After having flown all over the world on many airlines, I find Delta employees to be the least tolerant and the most rude. You could all use mandatory training with Lufthansa or Singapore airlines. Maybe “bereaved” was simply bereaved and was too preoccupied to understand the rules, or maybe she wasn’t told and thought she had a guaranteed seat. Jeesh!

By Melanie

August 2, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

We flew on Delta buddy passes to Caracas, Venezuela for a mission trip. The passes were donated to our church, but the trip ended up costing more than the value of the tickets because 10 of us were stranded in the Caracas airport for nearly a week. The cost of hotels, meals, and the sheer aggravation of hearing every day, “Sorry, this flight is full” now has us saying, “Thanks, but no thanks” when we’re offered the passes. We definitely learned our lesson.

By Sunny

August 2, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

I am a frequent buddy pass user on several airlines and I have yet to have any major problems. The key is avoiding travel on high traffic days/times. This is where flexibility comes in. I typically travel on Tue. or Wed. to avoid being stuck due to overcrowding. I will say that Delta is extremely hard to use to/from Atlanta because this is their hub and most buddy pass travel originates here. I used American last week to attend a funeral in Los Angeles so I made plans to leave 2 days earlier in case of any problems and was able to ride first class r/t without a glitch. Buddy pass travel can be used in emergency situations if the giving employee knows how to look up flights and/or change the priority code to move you higher on the list. It also helps to be friendly to the gate agents!

By Steve

August 3, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

I am a retired Delta employee with over 33 years of shifts, weekend work and moderate pay with the company. I see absolutely not need for Delta’s employee personal flight benefits be discussed publically in the newspaper. Why not discuss the perks of GM, Ford, Mercedes, Procter and Gamble to make it fair for all.

By Mike

August 3, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

I’m an employee and I don’t gave mine away anymore. They have sat unused for 2 years. They are a pain!

By cjj

August 3, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Twice my cousin and I did not fly on the same flights because she had a “buddy” pass. We went on a 5-day cruise which was great, it was the return flight home that was bad. Her luggages “flew” out of Florida with me before noon, but she was bumped until after midnight. The second trip was a family funeral in Chicago. She was at the airport a good 2-hours before me, and I still made my flight out! She never made the funeral. It was the “Taste of Chicago” weekend, and she stayed at the airport until 1a.m. then went home. These passes are good if you have time on your hand with no special plans. I never used a buddy pass because of that reason, but I think I would love to be laid-over in the Vegas airport if I had one, and yes money to gamble with while I wait for a flight. As stated before: IT IS A GAMBLE…SO BE PREPARED.

By Mike K.

August 3, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

I love the irony of a person with the name of Stewardess telling someone else to get a real job.

By please

August 3, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

If a friends who works for Disney gives you(discount or free) tickets to the park and you have to wait in line for 2 hours to get on “Space Mountain” or “It’s a small world ” do you call him and complain? If you use a “Friends and Family ” discount at Macy’s who do you blame if you are not happy with you purchase?

By please

August 3, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Billy Bob Sounds like you got fired and took your bitterness with you. Good luck you are going to need it.

By jason

August 3, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

My wife and I used a buddy pass once. We got it through my company which at the time was owned by the major airlines. The priority code was A4, which was even lower than the A3 for normal Delta buddy passes. (This was back in 2005.) We got out to SFO okay, but tried to come back on a Tuesday, and everyone was trying to get back to NY or ATL if they wanted to get to anywhere on the east coast. We waiting a long time that day, and ended up rebooking to go through Cincinatti. We figured anywhere closer was better. When doing so, I understood that this is just the way that buddy passes work, and so I was kind and patient with the agents that were trying to help me. Meanwhile, a whiner on a buddy pass next to us kept ripping the agents unnecessarily. It was her fault that she didn’t plan in case delays happened to her. Anyway, we had been at the bottom of the list all day, but when we got to the gate for the Cincinnati trip, we were surprsied to find that we were at the top of the list, and people who previously had priority over us were falling behind us. We ended up in first class! I had not asked for a priority upgrade, so the moral of the story is to treat people kindly. You never know how much that may end up meaning to the agents, and how it might help you later.

By Cathy H.

August 3, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Let me say this up front - if anyone has to BUY a buddy pass from an airline employee (especially Delta) just to use the buddy pass, IT IS ILLEGAL- employees get the passes for free and cannot sell them. The employee CAN BE FIRED, and THEY SHOULD BE FIRED. In my book, any employee who does this is scamming and I hope they get caught because scammers don’t deserve to work at Delta in the first place. Anyway…

I call my passes ANTI-BUDDY PASSES… because after a “buddy” tries to use it, they most likely won’t be your buddy anymore! The only people I give buddy passes to are people I do not like. I never give one to a friend unless they’ve used one already and they know the risks they are taking.

By Shark

August 3, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

I just returned from Europe and it’s my understanding that buddy pass riders are trapped in almost every city in Europe. I witnessed it personally in Cairo and Rome. Buddy pass riders have been trapped in both cities all week. There are 5 Delta flights per day out of Rome and they are so oversold, no buddy pass riders are ever boarded. Many have run out of money, are sleeping in the airports and have to beg for food. It’s really sad. I personally saw about 50 buddy pass riders in Rome that had been there all week and there’s no relief in sight, If someone gives you a buddy pass, DO NOT fly internationally during the summer and be prepared to buy full fare ticket to get home. Buddy pass riders need to understand to risk of being trapped, particularly in cities with limited options.

By sandy

August 3, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Buddy pass users who complained, am I missing something, aren’t you the ones who asked your “airline buddies” for the passes?

What amazes me also is the “incorrect” connotation that YOU BOUGHT the buddy passes from the employees, yes you paid for them through them, because that is the only way they can be issued (I am talking about Delta Buddy Passes), but 99% of the employees DO NOT SELL passes for profit, what you paid for is the YIELD FARE for the ride.

By Delta retired

August 3, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

Bereaved, your unsuccessful attempt to travel on stand by to attend the funeral was unfortunate. Under even the best of conditions traveling while under your circumstances is very difficult.

Hopefully Bereaved only paid the reduced rate fare for her passes. Buddy passes are a privilege awarded to employees at no charge. As the name implies they can be given to family and friends for reduced rate standby travel. They may not be bartered, purchased or sold. To do so subjects the employee to disciplinary action and possible termination of employment.

Unlike many tickets today buddy passes bought on behalf of a guest are refundable. Rather than boycotting and spreading probable falsehoods about a company that issued reduced rate travel for the employee you should direct your dissatisfaction toward him/her. They should have fully advised you of the airlines standby procedures. This involves possible rerouting to a near by airport or the possibility of not traveling on a desired date. Bereaved appears from your tone both you and the employee need to find new friends.

By Gotta Decide

August 3, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

This blog is very timely and insightful. The variety of experiences and comments posted is very helpful and appreciated. I was to collect a companion pass on Thurs (I suspect it’s same as a buddy pass), they called today to arrange, but I started reading this blog last night. I’m more informed and clearer on parameters and hurdles to expect if I take the pass. Yeah, I’m now very reluctant. Seems I’d be limited to travel to destinations where I have friends who can put me up overnight and maybe shuttle me to/from airport a couple times. (Though I’m insanely patient, the thought of unpredictable layovers makes buddy travel seem exhausting.) The account about 50 buddy travelers stranded in Rome is very shocking. I really appreciate the luggage info and international flights: I have to check one bag because I travel w/fragile equipment that is my carry-on. Is it usually unrealistic to think a bottom-of-list standby can check a bag last-minute before boarding? Perhaps if I limit buddy use to Caribbean destinations I’ll fare okay? Thanks to you all for sharing.

By fear factor

August 3, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

I don’t get the impression Bereaved has tuned in to receive the slew of constructive and insulting comments posted for her attn. If she has, she’s quietly absorbed what she needed and has moved on.

Imagine, even after employees lost their job after getting caught profiting from an employee benefit, there is a new crop of airline employees who take the gamble that is bigger than the one buddy pass travelers take…both parties willingly sign up to challenge the odds it seems.

Man is known to use money to corrupt his conscience.

By Mark

August 3, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

I have given my friends buddy passes for years. They all know the rules and know to “fly smart” .. that is, plan well in advance and choose the BEST flight, not the most convenient flight.

My friend just came to visit from the Netherlands for a week. During summertime. And still managed to make both his flights and sat in first class. Another just returned from South America and, while he sat in the rear, had no problem catching his flights. They left and returned during the middle of the week. It wasn’t ideal, but they didn’t miss any flights and enjoyed an international flight at a great price.

If you plan well, you’ll do well. If you expect to sign up for your ideal flight and make it, you’ll often sit in an airport for hours and hours.

Don’t blame the airline, or the employees. They have been kind enough to offer you a cheap way to travel. You should be willing to do your homework and figure out the best way to get where you are going. If it won’t work out, find another option. It’s that simple.

By DL employee

August 3, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

That’s the reason I don’t give my buddy passes to anyone. I don’t want them to come back and complain about not getting to where they need to go.

By ex twa&nwa mech

August 3, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this

man this brings back a lot of memories good and bad.how about the folks who say they would fly every weekend if they worked for an airline?

By ex twa and nwa mech

August 3, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this

also there are a ton of civlian and miltary folk flying in and out of the middle east via europe.you have to be insane to fly stand by to europe in the summertime and holidays

By Steamboat

August 3, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

I agree with Steve…I don’t think it’s a good idea to discuss pass travel. Buddy passes are like fight club…

By Falcon

August 3, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

Here’s a tip if you are currently, or ever find yourself stuck in Rome (FCO). Take the train ride to PISA/Florence. It usually has seats available. No reason to spend several nights in Rome airport.

For future reference though…..don’t use a buddy pass after April. Ain’t worth the trouble and hassle.

By are you SERIOUS??

August 3, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Employee and Flight Attendant aka Stewardess, - I can’t begin to express my disgust. For all any of us knows, Bereaved could have been unable to afford a flight to LA b/c she was a college student struggling to pay her own tuition to do better in her life than to be in a position that she refers to it by its no-longer-politically correct title of stewardess. What do you two idiots think? And Employee, “Sounds like maybe your boyfriend was the luck one”? God help the people in your life; they aren’t very “luck” either, now are they???

By Juanita

August 3, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

Re: buddy passes

Buddy passes are NOT FREE. They are given to employees so that they can give these reduced rate passes to their friends and family. There is a charge to use these passes and you would certainly not expect the employee to have to pay on top of giving you the opportunity to fly for an extremely low fare. It is illegal to sell them for a higher price than what appears on the ticket.

Standby is not guaranteed. If you must have a guaranteed seat, buy a full fare ticket and save the pass for someone who is willing to be flexible and would appreciate the chance to save a lot of money. Don’t blame the airline for your impatience and lack of planning.

I can identify with those employees who say it is stressful when friends are flying on passes - it is.

By Hmmmmm

August 3, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

Are You Serious: “Bereaved” may have been a “college student”???

“Bereaved” may have also NOT been a “college student”!!!

This person got a “buddy pass/ Companion pass” ~ had a bad experience… and now condemns the program???

These passes seem to be available to fill “empty” seats! That seems to make the most sense.

I agree the “bereavement” tickets are expensive.

However, there are many other creative ways to get from point A to point B.

I have never used one of these tickets. But believe me, I think it is only designed for people with time on their hands!

BTW, the friends/family could not spring for a loan to buy a ticket or assist with alternate plans?

There is a lot unknown about bereaved’s situation.

For you to take all of these unknowns and run with it????

I ask you “ARE YOU SERIOUS”???

By Mike

August 4, 2008 1:57 AM | Link to this

I have flown all over the country as a non-rev. I still do. I just got back from my third trip to Hawaii as a non-rev. You just have to do a little homework.

I fly on slow days. I know the bookings before I leave. I make contingency plans. I take lots of red-eyes. I have gone from Salt Lake City to Atlanta via Portland, Oregan and Honolulu to Memphis via Seattle and Atlanta.

I know of people who have gone from Seattle to Salt Lake City via Anchorage. I have heard of United employees going from the contiguous 48 states to Hawaii via Tokyo.

When I go to weddings and funerals, I buy tickets.

By Justan Observer

August 4, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

If you have taken the time to understand how Buddy Passes work (or sometimes don’t), this column is much ado about nothing. It’s the equivalent of whining you had to stop at red lights this morning, even though your car’s shift indicator said “drive”. A better use of this spsce would be for users to submit tips on maximizing travel ability with Buddy Passes - like the above mentioned 1) NEVER check your bag, 2) take the train to Florence for a flight, instead of waiting for days in Rome, etc.

By Reality check

August 4, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Delta airlines and it’s employees are all in need of a big fat reality check. You are not above anyone my dear. Delta stinks weather you pay for your ticket or not. They are disorganized, rude and the airplanes smell bad. You should be discussed publicly; that’s the only way you are going to learn that if you don’t change your ways you are going to lose customers. Delta should teach their employees how to deal with the public. If you think flying Airtran is below flying Delta, go ahead, give Airtran a try. You may never fly Delta again.

By lyrazel

August 4, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Loved buddy passes. Loved flying delta. My trips were always made pleasant by courteous people who respond to smiles and calm after hours of berating. I seldom travel on buddy passes because its a stand-by ticket. Airports are places I do not enjoy nor do I enjoy flying—so I buy my ticket get where I am going and come home. Buddy passes are a luxury gift given by generous employees—they are not an entitlement—and not always valid for immediate use.

By Non-rev

August 4, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

re: Reality Check: Sure I’ll give Airtran a try. What flights do they have to Rome? Oh. None. Paris? Frankfurt? London? Tokyo? Oh, yeah. They’re a REGIONAL airline, not an international one. Never mind.

By Greg

August 4, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

I used to work for Delta and flew for free with a higher priority than buddy passes. Even so, it was tricky. We were stuck in Rome once not because the planes were full of passengers but because the planes were taking on so much freight that the weight restrictions prevented us from flying.

I no longer work for Delta and do not miss those free flights in the least. Just buy your tickets cheap ahead of time.

By Lettie

August 4, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

I have a friend who works for Delta. She has given me buddy passes to use for my emergency trips. These passes have been a blessing to me. I would never plan a vacation using a buddy pass. No guarantees….. One thing I’ve learned is to take carry on luggage, expect full flights, easier to travel if by yourself and don’t be upset if you don’t get on. I’ve been lucky a few times and traveled first class, which was awesome…. I’ve had no problems, I have made each flight I was scheduled for. Don’t get me wrong, they have been full and over booked flghts. The buddy passes are great for me, especially for emergency trips…. (It’s cheaper…..) Expect the worst, but hope and pray for the best….

By Lettie

August 4, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

I have a friend who works for Delta. She has given me buddy passes to use for my emergency trips. These passes have been a blessing to me. I would never plan a vacation using a buddy pass. No guarantees….. One thing I’ve learned is to take carry on luggage, expect full flights, easier to travel if by yourself and don’t be upset if you don’t get on. I’ve been lucky a few times and traveled first class, which was awesome…. I’ve had no problems, I have made each flight I was scheduled for. Don’t get me wrong, they have been full and over booked flghts. The buddy passes are great for me, especially for emergency trips…. (It’s cheaper…..) Expect the worst, but hope and pray for the best….

By george hussein washington

August 4, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

SELLING BUDDY PASSES IS A CRIME…THE INCOME MUST BE REPORTED TO THE IRS….THE PROGRAM WILL BE ABOLISHED WITH CONTINUED ABUSE BY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE SELLING THESE PASSES….

By Susan

August 4, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

I have been flying on buddy passes for about 12 years. Until 2007, only got stuck once or twice and only for 1 day. Last year, I got stuck on 3 separate trips - Cincinnati, Tampa and San Jose, Costa Rica. By myself I might add as my friends all got on. It’s just getting too hard. I’ve had a good run - trips to Hawaii, Europe, Greece, South Africa, South America, etc. However, unfortunately, I think the time for using these passes is gone. Unless you have an extra week off to play with!

By Maniac is accurate

August 4, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Say, does anyone still have one of thos Eastern Airlines, “Marry me, fly free,” T-shirts?

By bran

August 4, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

I’ve probably flown buddy passes 3-5 times, and all have been good experiences. Sure, I might have had to wait for a few hours once or twice, but no biggie. I use them for what I call “take it or leave it” trips, such as a weekend to visit a friend in another city with no special occasion knowing that I could be stuck on a 5:30am Monday flight - I am fully informed as to the risks. Wouldn’t dare do it right now, though.

The reason I am fully informed is because the two gentlemen - retired Delta pilots -from whom I received the passes EDUCATED me on travel with the buddy pass and what to expect, that there are no gurantees. It is the difference between pilots (such as “Mike,” above) and other employees of that generation vs. the ones now.

As for Employee and Stewardess, you are the reason Delta continues to go to hell in a handbasket. Since Buddy passes come from employees, only you know the rules and the fine print surrounding them. You and your fellow employees are responsible for sufficiently conveying these rules to people who receive your passes. If you all would get off your soapboxes and stop your incessent B*** and and use your energy for more than just hitting below the belt, and EXPLAIN the proper procedues to the people to whom you are giving the tickets, this wouldn’t happen. In short, don’t yell and moan to people who haven’t been educated by you and yours as to how a buddy pass works. When one of these people goes ballistic at the gate, 50% of the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the Delta employee who didn’t properly brief that person on buddy pass travel. So the problem really stops and starts with you, Delta employee.

Maybe you should hire some of the old guard to come back and not only give a seminar on “How to Explain Buddy Passes,” but perhaps some lessons on class, decorum and tact as well.

By hotlanta

August 4, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

I ALWAYS PAY FULL PRICE when I fly.I like having a CONFIRMED reservation in hand. Don’t have time to stand around and wait. I had an ex coworker this year who was going to Tampa with her boyfriend. I found a special on Airtran for her that was $78.00 one way. She had the nerve to ask me to ask my girlfriend could she use her buddy pass. I was like DUHHH yall too cheap to pay $156.00 for a roundtrip ticket to Florida. They were so cheap they drove to Tampa instead. I agree some people are looking for a free ride.

By hotlanta

August 4, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

I ALWAYS PAY FULL PRICE when I fly.I like having a CONFIRMED reservation in hand. Don’t have time to stand around and wait. I had an ex coworker this year who was going to Tampa with her boyfriend. I found a special on Airtran for her that was $78.00 one way. She had the nerve to ask me to ask my girlfriend could she use her buddy pass. I was like DUHHH yall too cheap to pay $156.00 for a roundtrip ticket to Florida. They were so cheap they drove to Tampa instead. I agree some people are looking for a free ride.

By Let it end

August 4, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Buddy passes have run there course. as an airline employee i wish they would go away. too much hassle.

By Jo

August 4, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

I laugh when I read these comments. I fly all airlines, AA, DL, NW, etc. I cannot, in good faith, tell you that there is any airline out there - especially domestic that does not have customer service problems, buddy pass complaints, etc., etc. It is the world we live in. People complain to WalMart, Target, K-Mart. We have become a nation of complainers. Please - you get what you pay for with anything in life - be it airlines, retailers, etc. Live with it. Stop wasting your time complaining and do something productive.

By Downtown guy

August 4, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

I’ve only traveled internationally on buddy passes and primarily on Delta. My experiences have all been wonderful. Flexibility is key. Having flexible lodging with friends also helps. I use trains to get to less traveled gateways. I’d never waste a pass on traveling domestically. For all of you folks needing someone to give your passes away, I’m courteous, friendly and always wear a sport coat on my flights :)

By Panther Fan

August 4, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

I’ve used a Delta buddy pass once. i flew to JFK on a thursday, no problem. The issue came when I tried to flu back on sunday. At the time I didn’t understand the rules, and I got more and more uspet as I saw my name drop further and further down the standby list because that night that had a storm in Atlanta. I ended up spending the night at JFK.

So the next morning I caught a cab over to LGA, waited in line for 4 hours then got put back on the standby list. As my name continued to drop I got even more frustrated, but remained calm. Here’s the trick.

There is a LGA-DCA shuttle leaving every hour. I caught that down to DCA, which is where I’m from, then flew to Atlanta. It ended up being a blessing in disguise.

By Panther Fan

August 4, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

I’ve used a Delta buddy pass once. i flew to JFK on a thursday, no problem. The issue came when I tried to flu back on sunday. At the time I didn’t understand the rules, and I got more and more uspet as I saw my name drop further and further down the standby list because that night that had a storm in Atlanta. I ended up spending the night at JFK.

So the next morning I caught a cab over to LGA, waited in line for 4 hours then got put back on the standby list. As my name continued to drop I got even more frustrated, but remained calm. Here’s the trick.

There is a LGA-DCA shuttle leaving every hour. I caught that down to DCA, which is where I’m from, then flew to Atlanta. It ended up being a blessing in disguise.

By a friend

August 4, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Wow. You all are dogging Delta. I cannt understand why you think the employees shouldn’t be cranky. With rising gas/oil prices, you expect to pay extremely low rates that are lower than Amtrak. So basically your Delta pilot and crew who have been through hell to get the job (ie perfect driving record, college degree, major psyche testing, health testing, etc) might be a little on the cranky side after a more than 50% paycut. Your airline ticket is lower than an Amtrak ticket. We have checked. Delta pilots do not 150K their 1st year like believed by most. Try less than a third of that. Much less. Most Pilots have been climbing up the ladder by working at smaller operations to get to Delta or any other airline and are in their mid 30s to mid 40s when they start. As a person in the retail business, I agree that customers are important but if a customer is rude and demanding to me, I will not bend over backwards for him or her. If the customer is pleasant then I will go all out for him or her.

By buddypass6

August 6, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

I have flown on buddy passes domestic with delta, usair, southwest and allegiant, 90% of the time it has been great and for the 10% of the time that it doesn’t work I just chalk it up to the price you pay for flying for almost free. For the first time I flew international to JFK-ATH, in august. Going over great flew business class, delta gate and flight attendents could not have been nicer, more professional or helpful. Coming back was difficult, spent 3 days at the airport trying to get on a flight only to be told it could be a week before I get out. There were s-4’s that had been there for 7 days. I ended up buying a round trip ticket (it was cheaper than a one way). I knew the risk and was lucky enough to have friend who lived in Athens near the subway and I could just take the train back and forth to the airport. I had planned I could spend 3 days trying to get out, after which I would buy a ticket. Lesson—have a list of couple of cheap hotels in the area(the ones near most airports are overpriced), use public transportation if possible to and from the airport. Get a flight time table for the airline for the airport you are flying from/to and other cities the airline flies to that may be less busy, find out if there is a travel agent at the airport, explore other low cost carriers (ie-Easyjet, ryanair and volareweb flew for 100eu to other delta hubs in europe if those flights are better), be extremely polite to the gate attendents.

By n myburgh

August 10, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

The problem with buddy tickets or standby from south africa to atlanta is that they put you on in Johannesburg south africa and take you off in Dakar Senegal on your way to ATLANTA to put their people on. This looks like corruption because nobody tells you why ? We were 11 people to whom this happened and it is a corrupt airport. I finally bought a ticket at full price on another airline in Dakar to get away from the dangerous corrupt place.I hope Delta will look into this and solve the problem. Look into the gateagent’s handeling of it.

By Semi-Success

August 19, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

I have flown INTERNATIONAL quite a bit on Buddy Passes given to me by a friend who works for Delta. Who would be so crazy? Well, I guess I was and fortunately my luck was unbelievably good. From 2001 to 2003, myself and my husband have flown on Delta Buddy Passes together to India (through Germany), Spain (through Nice, France) and Japan. The reason I mention the counties in between, is because every time the Delta flight touches the ground, you run the risk of getting bumped on the connection out. So, you have to have a visa for the connecting country in case you get stuck there. We had A LOT of fun, but, yes it is A LOT of worrying and depends on LUCK alone. We were young and wanted to see the world for one tenth the airfare, so we did. Ask me if I would do it now, and I’d say NO. Too much worrying and my thrill to gamble has declined exponentially. I must say, we were VERY LUCKY. Out of all the trips, we only got bumped once and that was one night spent in Germany. We had tons of fun and toured castles. Oh, by the way, all of these International flights were in business class on Delta. You have to be flexible and smart engough to know how the system works and how to change your routing on the fly, given the projected “overbooking” in Delta’s system. (I used to be able to access this via phone, but not sure if Delta allows that anymore). Thanks Delta!!

By Chris (Delta Employee)

August 23, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Some people that use a “buddy pass” apparently have not been properly briefed by the employee whom issued the buddy pass in the first place. To make this short and sweet, buddy pass riders basically have no rights. They are awarded a seat at the end of boarding if one is available, period. To hear of individuals who have been so called “burned” by a buddy pass is outrageous. “Burned” is not the proper description here. “Unlucky” is the better description because basically using buddy passes is all about “luck”, period. I read a comment by “Bereaved” who had an “unlucky” experience and now states that she, her family and her friends will now never fly Delta again. Wow, what a total misunderstanding regarding “buddy passes”. This individual somehow had the belief that she had rights using a buddy pass and now is upset at Delta because she couldn’t get on the flight. There are no tricks using buddy passes. I will state it again, buddy pass riders have no rights and getting a seat is all about “luck”, period. Another point to make is that the employee who issues a buddy pass is ultimately responsible for the users actions and can have their pass privileges revoked or even be terminated from Delta should a buddy pass rider get out of hand. If people really need to get somewhere then they need to buy a “real ticket” that gives them a confirmed seat and the rights to b*** about it if something goes wrong. Please do not bash Delta for an “unlucky” experience using a “buddy pass” rather become more informed as to what they really are. They are nothing more than a lucky chance at a cheap seat, period.

By Matt

September 11, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

I have flown buddy pass before, its not all that bad but it does feel a lot like a lottery and you do feel like a second class citizen. We got to the gate an hour early, sat there are waited and when the list popped up showing non-revs I was the 2nd one behind an S2. I sat there waiting and watching as others boarded the plane and slowly other non-revs were added. I watched slowly and painfully as I was bumped down and down till finally I wasn’t getting a seat. Luckily I was able to switch flights to another one that was an hour later, I barely got on that one. Coming back wasn’t so bad, I got first class. But it could have been a lot worse.

I have taken greyhound before and fell into a similar situation, except I bought a ticket. I was switching busses to go from Buffalo, NY to Niagara, ON which was only about an hours drive. However, the bus I was transferring to was over booked and I couldn’t get on. I waited two hours for another bus to come. It wasn’t pleasant and I’m not sure if I can ever travel like that again. I like having a guarantee.

By Shirley

October 3, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

I purchase a buddy pass from an employee for $150.00 now he tell me I have to pay the base on the reservation page where he booked my flight is that right. Please help.