[ponygirl]

OH give me a break. I grew up in the airline industry and then worked in it for 10 years myself. Getting "left behind" is just a fact of life. My entire family once was seated onboard (never together, mind you) and ready to take off when the gate agents came onboard and took us all off again. You didn't whine about it, it's just what happens *WHEN STUFF IS FREE.* (Now translate that to "healthcare.") Non-rev flying became a thousand times more difficult when they started issuing these "buddy passes" because all it does is put more complications onto the gate agents. They have to deal with these people who are clueless to the process in addition to dealing with revenue customers and employee non-revs.

When I was flying my last few trips after I had decided to quit, my co-workers kept saying, "Really? How could you leave? You'll never get to go anywhere for vacation!" and my response was, "Are you serious?! I never get to go anywhere NOW!" This so-called "benefit" offered by the airlines is no longer beneficial and it hasn't been for years. Unless, of course, you are willing and able to spend 6 days stuck in an airport.

[Hodar]

I never get to go anywhere NOW!" This so-called "benefit" offered by the airlines is no longer beneficial and it hasn't been for years.

Unfortunately, this is true. There are over 24,000 fewer flights in the US today, than there were a decade ago. Taking flights around the world as a Non-Rev used to be pretty easy. Heck, I remember seeing empty seats in First Class as a regular event - and being on flights that had several (dozens) of seats unclaimed. Now, pretty much every flight I get on, is chock full. I count myself lucky if there is an empty middle seat -which is becoming more and more uncommon.