Buddy passes and standby travel are a part of traveling that not everyone is familiar with. For the past 15 years I have worked for a major airline. I’ve flown standby all over the world and because of my experience, it’s one of the areas of travel of which I am an expert.  

When you are given buddy passes, what does that mean? Using buddy passes is a benefit given to airline employees. Although each airline does things differently, most employees have a certain amount of tickets they can give to anyone they choose.

I saw a post in a travel group of some foolish people trying to outwit the standby system (which you can never do for very long. Trust me). Because of that post, here are 10 ways to never ever be given buddy passes again.

HOW TO NEVER GET BUDDY PASSES

 Skip the TSA line  Every airline employee and pass rider knows, you MUST go through TSA to board a flight. There was one incident of a buddy pass passenger who didn’t want to wait in the long TSA line, so he piggy backed (means he walked in behind another employee through a security door) and made his way to the gate.

This is a HUGE no no and will get you arrested. This is what a former employee did with his buddy passes.

Booking a ticket under someone else’s name There was a recent posting in a travel group about someone who was on someone’s flight benefits. This guy would buy a cheap ticket for his girlfriend (who didn’t have flight benefits).

Once the girlfriend was through security, they would cancel her ticket then book her under the name of one of the other people on the employees’ buddy pass list. This is a HUGE security breach and a federal crime. This is a great way to get arrested.

Worked for an airline before and was fired for a security breach Believe it or not, this happens often. A former employee who was fired for some type of misconduct will ask an unsuspecting employee to use their buddy passes. This can result in catastrophe for the employee and the sneak.

I actually had someone ask me to add them and I was going to, because I had no idea he had been fired for misusing his buddy passes. Thankfully, someone warned me about him and I avoided a crisis.

Pack marijuana in your checked bag or in your carry on Just because marijuana is legal in several states, doesn’t make it legal everywhere. You absolutely cannot carry marijuana across state lines, no matter if you have a license to use it or not.

If you are using someone’s buddy passes and get caught, you will be arrested and the employee can be fired.

MORE WAYS TO LOSE YOUR BUDDY PASSES

Be rude and disrespectful to the gate agent or flight attendant I’m sure we have all seen the ridiculous videos of people trying to beat up gate agents, or being completely rude to flight attendants.

Do not be that person.

If you have an issue with the way you are treated, get their name and report them. But DO NOT act like a donkey while traveling. Your flight privileges can be easily revoked if an agent feels you are being rude and obnoxious.

Disregard the employees advice Usually, an employee will help buddy pass travelers with their flights. They give advice as to the flight you need to take in order to have a seat. That flight may be at 6am. No matter the time, make sure you follow their advice. Do not think you can find a better flight and then call the employee when you are stuck.

Dress like you are homeless There are dress codes that all standby travelers have to adhere to. Know what those are and don’t question them. If you don’t like the rules, then go buy yourself a confirmed seat. But please don’t think you can wear whatever you want and use a buddy pass.

Always arrive to the gate at the last minute When you are flying standby, you need to be at the gate before they start boarding. Depending on the airline, you may have to check in with the gate agent.

If you are late, you run the risk of losing your seat assignment as gate agents go down the list and call standby passengers quickly. If you aren’t there when your name is called, your seat can be assigned to someone else.

Try to sell your pass to someone else This has been done by so many, and they always get caught. ALWAYS. You cannot under any circumstances sell your pass to anyone else.

refuse to wear your mask Wearing masks is the law. Period. Don’t be an idiot, ok? Just wear your mask properly and don’t make the gate agent or the flight attendant remind you of what you know you need to be doing.

BUDDY PASSES WORK WITHOUT BEING DECEITFUL

Flying standby is really simple. These 5 tips can help you know what you can do to make your buddy pass travel easy. There is no reason to resort to trying to be sneaky or try to outwit the system.

The foolishness that people do is just too dumb to even try to explain to you. But just know, if you are flying standby, do not do anything other than book a ticket in YOUR name, and follow the rules of the airline. 

PERIOD. 

Any type of deception, any type of trickery, any type of way you think you are getting over will be caught. So many people over the years have been fired because of their pass riders. People always think they can get away with deceiving the airline, but they always get caught. 

Want to read more?

Here is more information on flying with a buddy pass.

Here are 100 tips you can use that will help you plan your trip.