Standby to Paris

FilleBelle · 01-22-2008, 09:39 PM

My bf flies standby all the time to get out to see me/his family/whatever. I'm now signed up for his benefits and would like to apply them to my spring break trip to France, but I am extremely wary of flying non-rev. Part of this is just my personality...I'm a super-planner and it makes me nervous to not have a reservation. I guess the rest of it is just inexperience. He has never flown standby on an international flight and neither have I.

How has this worked out for all of you? Have you been able to get where you were trying to go when flying non-rev internationally? When you've done so, have you made hotel reservations in advance or not, just in case you didn't make it?

Tell me how this works. I feel nervous!!!

Kristie · 01-22-2008, 10:25 PM

I always make hotel reservations in advance and make sure that i can cancel within 24 hours if needed. it's better to be prepared and cancel than not be prepared.

Sometimes, we've had hotel reservations and then found out we couldn't get to that particular city and will change destinations on the spot and cancel old hotel, get new just like that.

I find flying internationally a lot easier than flying domestically because you won't see people buying a last minute ticket MOST of the time and, as far as DAL is concerned (dunno bout other mainlines), there are very seldom upgrade availabilities since the first class seats are so much more expensive than coach.

Do you know who you can fly standby on and if they allow you to sit up front or do you only get the opportunity to sit in back? it makes a difference because up front is typically more open than in back.

scissorhands · 01-22-2008, 10:26 PM

Hi, We did fly non rev to Israel and back it was me, hubby and our 3 year old &I was sweating it too. All went well !!!We got on our first try and home on the first try. I forgot the site we used for online listing I will ask d/h tomorrow. We flew Continental and we were able to check the sold seats prior and the stand by list prior as well. We planned on an extra 3 days for travel both comming and going and were prepared to stay at a hotel if need be. We were also prepared to change airports as well, we left from Newark but we were also looking into leaving from Atlanta and checked and compared daily. It's not good if you are tight on time, if you go expecting to be delayed it seems better. However I did hear nightmare stories. For our flight it would have cost about 3,400.00 for the 3 of us, so it was worth it to anticipate the wait and spend it on a hotel if needed.

katherine2473 · 01-23-2008, 05:55 AM

I non-rev between London (where I live) and Chicago (where DH lives) very frequently, and he does the same. Between us we've probably crossed the Atlantic maybe 75 times in the last year. I was a wreck the 1st couple of times I did it - hated not knowing! Now it's like water off a duck's back! I've only not made my 1st choice flight on a couple of occasions (touches wood), whereas I've not made loads of domestic flights. My experience is that non-revving internationally is a lot easier than domestically - agree with Kristie that it's far less common for people to buy last minute tickets so what you see online re loads etc is usually what you get (unless there are cancellations etc).
Tips - obviously don't check any luggage. If you don't make the flight, there's no guarantee that your luggage will get offloaded and it could make the trip to Paris without you! If we non-rev somewhere other than Chicago/London, we don't book hotels first, but wait until we arrive, find an internet cafe/booth at the airport, and use hotwire or the local equivalent to find something at the last minute - and there are normally pretty good savings that way. Book yourself on the 1st flight of the day so you have more options if that one doesn't work out. Be very nice to the gate agents!
Who are you aiming to fly with? There's bound to be someone on here who can check the loads for you!
Oh and relax! Part and parcel of this pilot wife life, and if you let it get to you, you're making life a lot harder for yourself.

Rebes · 01-23-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristie

I find flying internationally a lot easier than flying domestically because you won't see people buying a last minute ticket MOST of the time and, as far as DAL is concerned (dunno bout other mainlines), there are very seldom upgrade availabilities since the first class seats are so much more expensive than coach.

I agree with Kristie, it is much easier to fly internationally because the loads don't seem to change at the last minute, and you are more likely to get first class since they don't upgrade internationally (at least at CAL). Good luck!

FilleBelle · 01-23-2008, 04:54 PM

I'll be flying US Airways. As far as I know, I'll have the ability to check the loads as the time approaches, but I've only just recently submitted my paperwork to get Kevin's flight benefits, so as of right now I can't do any of it. HE hasn't got a clue about anything...if it were ME and MY job, I would have thoroughly researched this whole issue already!

Thanks for the input, ladies. Feel free to keep adding!

Amanda · 01-23-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilleBelle

I'll be flying US Airways.

US Airway, eh?

Just kidding!
For me it depends on the time of year. When I tried to non-rev to GLA during the summer I was bumped, however I like to have a back-up plan and so I got my back up luggage and went to PHX!

The other trips I've been very lucky. I've flown 1st class or in coach I've had my own row. I'm happy if I have a seat!

Going to LIS it looks like I'll be coach going there and 1st coming back. Who knows though, things can change!
Good luck!

FilleBelle · 01-23-2008, 10:21 PM

I am sad to say that Airways is the only carrier that offers flight benefits to TSA significant others. We miss out on American and United. Stingy bas--rds!

Purduetal · 02-11-2008, 02:21 PM

What is the best time of year to go to Paris??? My DH and I have US Airways benefits and I am trying to convince my DH to take us to Paris next year

I also really want to go to Hawaii!! What time of year is good there too (to get a seat without a problem?? )
Thanks in advance
Tracey

Amanda · 02-11-2008, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purduetal

What is the best time of year to go to Paris??? My DH and I have US Airways benefits and I am trying to convince my DH to take us to Paris next year

I also really want to go to Hawaii!! What time of year is good there too (to get a seat without a problem?? )
Thanks in advance
Tracey

Not summer!!!

01-22-2008, 09:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
FilleBelle Jetgirls Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The land of swimming pools and movie stars Posts: 309 Recipes: Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Standby to Paris My bf flies standby all the time to get out to see me/his family/whatever. I'm now signed up for his benefits and would like to apply them to my spring break trip to France, but I am extremely wary of flying non-rev. Part of this is just my personality...I'm a super-planner and it makes me nervous to not have a reservation. I guess the rest of it is just inexperience. He has never flown standby on an international flight and neither have I. How has this worked out for all of you? Have you been able to get where you were trying to go when flying non-rev internationally? When you've done so, have you made hotel reservations in advance or not, just in case you didn't make it? Tell me how this works. I feel nervous!!! __________________ Caitie, sometimes girlfriend to Kevin, a Trans States FO based out of IAD

01-22-2008, 10:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kristie Admin/Owner Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 6,648 Recipes: Thanks: 7 Thanked 17 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Standby to Paris I always make hotel reservations in advance and make sure that i can cancel within 24 hours if needed. it's better to be prepared and cancel than not be prepared. Sometimes, we've had hotel reservations and then found out we couldn't get to that particular city and will change destinations on the spot and cancel old hotel, get new just like that. I find flying internationally a lot easier than flying domestically because you won't see people buying a last minute ticket MOST of the time and, as far as DAL is concerned (dunno bout other mainlines), there are very seldom upgrade availabilities since the first class seats are so much more expensive than coach. Do you know who you can fly standby on and if they allow you to sit up front or do you only get the opportunity to sit in back? it makes a difference because up front is typically more open than in back. __________________ www.jetcareers.com

01-22-2008, 10:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
scissorhands Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: pa Posts: 207 Recipes: Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Standby to Paris Hi, We did fly non rev to Israel and back it was me, hubby and our 3 year old &I was sweating it too. All went well !!!We got on our first try and home on the first try. I forgot the site we used for online listing I will ask d/h tomorrow. We flew Continental and we were able to check the sold seats prior and the stand by list prior as well. We planned on an extra 3 days for travel both comming and going and were prepared to stay at a hotel if need be. We were also prepared to change airports as well, we left from Newark but we were also looking into leaving from Atlanta and checked and compared daily. It's not good if you are tight on time, if you go expecting to be delayed it seems better. However I did hear nightmare stories. For our flight it would have cost about 3,400.00 for the 3 of us, so it was worth it to anticipate the wait and spend it on a hotel if needed.

01-23-2008, 05:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
katherine2473 Jetgirls Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London! Posts: 226 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Standby to Paris I non-rev between London (where I live) and Chicago (where DH lives) very frequently, and he does the same. Between us we've probably crossed the Atlantic maybe 75 times in the last year. I was a wreck the 1st couple of times I did it - hated not knowing! Now it's like water off a duck's back! I've only not made my 1st choice flight on a couple of occasions (touches wood), whereas I've not made loads of domestic flights. My experience is that non-revving internationally is a lot easier than domestically - agree with Kristie that it's far less common for people to buy last minute tickets so what you see online re loads etc is usually what you get (unless there are cancellations etc). Tips - obviously don't check any luggage. If you don't make the flight, there's no guarantee that your luggage will get offloaded and it could make the trip to Paris without you! If we non-rev somewhere other than Chicago/London, we don't book hotels first, but wait until we arrive, find an internet cafe/booth at the airport, and use hotwire or the local equivalent to find something at the last minute - and there are normally pretty good savings that way. Book yourself on the 1st flight of the day so you have more options if that one doesn't work out. Be very nice to the gate agents! Who are you aiming to fly with? There's bound to be someone on here who can check the loads for you! Oh and relax! Part and parcel of this pilot wife life, and if you let it get to you, you're making life a lot harder for yourself.

01-23-2008, 04:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
FilleBelle Jetgirls Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The land of swimming pools and movie stars Posts: 309 Recipes: Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Standby to Paris I'll be flying US Airways. As far as I know, I'll have the ability to check the loads as the time approaches, but I've only just recently submitted my paperwork to get Kevin's flight benefits, so as of right now I can't do any of it. HE hasn't got a clue about anything...if it were ME and MY job, I would have thoroughly researched this whole issue already! Thanks for the input, ladies. Feel free to keep adding! __________________ Caitie, sometimes girlfriend to Kevin, a Trans States FO based out of IAD

01-23-2008, 10:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
FilleBelle Jetgirls Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The land of swimming pools and movie stars Posts: 309 Recipes: Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Standby to Paris I am sad to say that Airways is the only carrier that offers flight benefits to TSA significant others. We miss out on American and United. Stingy bas--rds! __________________ Caitie, sometimes girlfriend to Kevin, a Trans States FO based out of IAD

02-11-2008, 02:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Purduetal Jetgirls Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: IN Posts: 38 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Standby to Paris What is the best time of year to go to Paris??? My DH and I have US Airways benefits and I am trying to convince my DH to take us to Paris next year I also really want to go to Hawaii!! What time of year is good there too (to get a seat without a problem?? ) Thanks in advance Tracey

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