Non-Rev > Positive Seat

I am so lucky, blessed, fortunate, that I have access to inexpensive flights to so many places around the world. I fly standby, which means if there is an open seat on the plane I will get it, based on seniority. So, if there isn't a seat available for me, I have to stay where I am or find another route to get where I am going next. I have purchased plane tickets before and it is such a hassle to know if I'm getting a good deal, making sure my dates are correct, and committing. Other than it being inexpensive there are so many more perks.

I can change my plans at any time, without a change fee. I scheduled myself to go to Ecuador for two weeks and explore Quito and Banos. I enjoyed Quito and a bit of Banos, but I struggled with the language and it was raining, I just wasn't feeling it. Instead of being "stuck" there I booked a standby ticket to my next destination and left that evening. I didn't have to pay a change fee to switch the date of my ticket or wait there until my already scheduled departure date.

First Class... if available. I once flew First Class from Kona, Hawaii to Paris France, stopping in LAX and JFK. I chose to fly over Thanksgiving, missing our family dinner, but it was worth it! You get a full, delicious meal most of the time, complimentary adult beverages, and the best sundae! And most importantly on most international flights you get a lie flat seat, making sleeping so much more comfortable. Ohh and the service is significantly better.

I can check 2 bags weighing up to 50lbs each to my destination. So, my mom found a urinal on the mainland, for my dad, and wanted to put it in their house in Hawaii. She put it in a plastic bin, surrounded it with clothes and blankets to keep it from breaking, and checked it out to Kona. My dad gets great use out of it in his bathroom.

Another difficult thing about flying standby is checking luggage. If I check my bag with all of my clothes to my final destination and I don't get on the flight, my bag goes to the destination and I don't. I have learned how to best pack my carry on suitcase with the bags that you can take the air out of, use miniature shampoos and soaps, and determining what I will really need on my trip. I went from Kona - Ecuador - Orlando - Chicago - Cincinnati - Singapore - Phuket - Bangkok - Honolulu with just a carry on backpack. I thrifted in some of the cities, when I needed a coat or a cute dress, then donated it back when I was done.

I can't complain when I sit in coach, hell I'm traveling the globe at my own leisure. There is a great community of standby-ers that are helpful, supportive and will commiserate when you have to spend the night on the floor in the airport. Or open their home to you so when you are stuck, you have a couch to sleep on. There are great Facebook pages that the airline community will answer questions like, "Can I carry on a 32" TV or do I have to check it?" or "Where should I take my family of 3 on a weekend getaway?" They have all the answers!

I love the flexibility that my privileges allow me to have, even if I have to sit in coach from MSP to NRT (Minneapolis to Tokyo, Japan). It can get tricky if you have to be somewhere NOW, but thats how this all works. If you need to be there NOW... buy a positive seat.

So, how do you get these amazing benefits? Convince a best friend or family member to work for an airline, OR you could work there yourself and reap the benefits!


Happy Flying!