I just took a trip to Utah to visit family. I flew Stand By. Which means you show up at the airport and wait to see if the plane is full. If it isn't you might get to fly somewhere that you want to go. You do this because it is cheap. Very cheap.
What follows are the the pros and cons of flying Stand By.
#1 Pro: You don't have to plan ahead. Just decide where you want to go, make a few phone calls and you are set to go.
Con: You better not plan on planning ahead because you might make it or you might be stuck a day or two in the airport trying to get on a flight.
#2 Pro: You will get to know all the wonderful sights of your hometown airport. Last week I saw
the Cardinal's Plane.
Con: What I didn't see was the inside of a plane for a whole day.
#3 Pro: You feel like you just won the lottery when they hand you an official ticket with a real seat number on it. I jumped for joy, and ran over to tell some people I had just met when I was handed my ticket.
Con: If you don't get called, you feel like a loser watching the plane, (that you were supposed to be on) back out and leave the airport.
#4 Pro: Once you get that ticket, you usually get a good seat, and you are treated as well as any other passenger.
Con: While you are waiting to get a ticket, trying not to hover around the counter like bees after honey, you are treated like a nobody. You are not allowed to be told where you are on the list, how many other zillions of people are on the list, and if there is any remote chance of getting on the plane. "Just wait until I call you name after the plane has been boarded." Yea, right. It's obvious that you didn't make the cut as you watch the plane heading down the runway. But you are not told this unless you make it a point to ask. "Oh, you have been moved to the 1:40 flight." It is now 10:15.
#5 Pro: You will have plenty of time to get your morning walk on the airport treadmills (if you have been to the Phoenix airport you know what I'm talking about). You can also do some shopping, and check out all the good places to eat.
Con: You will be hauling a carry-on everywhere you go. Also the food is overpriced.
#6 Pro: You will learn patience, and you will eventually get to where you want to go so you can be with family members or enjoy a needed vacation.
Con: There really isn't a con to #6.
So in the end the pros outnumber the cons. I got a great deal and I would fly Stand By again.
5 comments:
WOW! I never thought about flying stand by, but I might after that. I love the idea. Thanks for sharing. Miss ya.
Useful Non-Rev Travel Tips
1. Prepare for long lines at the airport – do try to arrive a minimum of one hour prior to scheduled departure for domestic flights and two to three hours prior to scheduled departure for international flights.
2. Be mindful of airport customer service agents working a flight and don’t pester them about your chances of getting on.
3. You may list for non-revenue space available travel on multiple flights on the same day, but you can only be checked in for one flight at a time.
4. Don't announce your status as an non-revenue space available passenger – try to blend in with flying public when you travel non-rev.
5. Be ready to gate check your carry-on roller board – always pack valuable items in your small backpack, brief case or purse.
6. Don't ask revenue passengers to exchange seats to accommodate you and your family or others while traveling non-rev.
You have such a great style. Makes it all sound like a great philosophical adventure! Glad you finally got a ride!
Julie, I think I did all those things and I didn't let the whole experience stress me out. It was just another adventure! Thanks!
It helps a lot to look at these adventures in a very philosophical way, even while you are in the midst of battle.
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