I work for an airline and I usually only reserve buddy passes for extreme emergencies. Examples being funerals, sudden illnesses, family crisis, etc. My company has changed from the old system of charging us for the pass riders voyage. However, in many cases I find myself paying the fee just to be a nice person..

I had one experience which slowed me down from from a co-worker whom I work with on an outside job. The woman whom I gave the pass to decided to return to where she lives at the last minute before having to report for my other job. I recall her calling me frantically from the gate and handing the gate agent the phone for me to tell them she had to go to work. I wanted to die at the moment. I apologized profusely to the gate agent and explained that this person is not familiar with pass riding. She finally made it to work and for me it was my last time giving her any passes.

Another incident I had a former airline employee who no longer works for my company drop off her unaccompanied minor at the airport and simply left him there long before the flight left. The child was a special needs child who caused some issues at the gate but was able to be controlled at the gate. The grandmother former airline employee was supposed to stay with the child until the plane take off. She didn't. Lucky for me the ground personnel knew the former employee and knew of my reputation and that saved my rear end. After that I made a promise that I would never randomly issue passes unless as stated above in an emergency or that I am flying with then.

My company will suspend your flying benefits in a heartbeat if you violate their polices. Yes, we are personally responsible for the behaviour of our pass riders and it is not worth the risk. I rather purchase a cheap ticket for someone which I have and just give it to them. If a flight attendant or pilot was ever caught selling their flying benefits, that could result in them potentially losing their job all together. For me the compensation is not worth the risk. I rather work a second job as I do.

Unfortunately, for me pass riding is a way of life as I am a commuter to work. There are times when I do not get a seat as the flight is full. At that point I am happy if I end up on the flight attendant jumpseat so I can get to work.

There are times I do not have to report to work until 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. and I find myself getting up at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. just to make the first flight out. I am constantly watching the weather channel to make certain that there may be no cancellations. Always planning alternative routes to fly to get as close as possible if I can not make to my desired airport. Other headaches include checking the loads, which can change at the last minute, not being able to wear casual clothes as I may end of on the jompseat, also having to introduce yourself to the crew who may not always be happy to have you in a jumpseat as their workspace is being invaded. You may have to leave a day earlier than you want to avoid weather or get home a day later because of weather.

Last and most importantly, always be prepared to purchase a last minute ticket if your situation requires you to be there pronto! That situation has happened to me in the past buying a last minute ticket on a competitor airline just to get to work.

I have to ask myself at times why do I do this to myself. LOL! I guess flying gets into your blood.

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