Worldwide travel
Because of code-sharing partnerships among airlines, pilots at even the smallest airlines can enjoy worldwide pass-riding privileges via their major airline partners. For example, pilots at regional carriers Atlantic Southeast Airlines and Comair enjoy worldwide pass riding on Delta Air Lines. The catch is that pilots from the regional partners have lower boarding priority than those of the mainline carrier. Conversely, mainline pilots have lower boarding priority when attempting to pass-ride on flights flown by the regional partner.
Space available
Pass riding is flying on standby or "space-available" status. In other words, if there's room, you can fly in an open seat. With today's record load factors, though, you may not be able to count on much in the way of empty seats. As a pilot, you can ride in the cockpit of your own airline's airplanes, but not necessarily those of other airlines. If available, the cockpit jump seat(s) can be used as a safety valve, if no pilot senior to you has the same plan (see below). And if you've ever flown standby on the airlines, you're probably aware of the snowball effect when flights get overbooked and passengers misconnect. As each flight leaves, the standby list grows longer and the chances of getting on a flight get slimmer as the day goes on. Sometimes you just have to cut your losses and try different routes or try again another day.
Seniority rules
Like everything in the airlines, seniority rules in pass riding, too. A flight attendant who was hired two days before you can bump you off a flight. Likewise, five minutes before the door is closed, a veteran captain can walk up to the gate and bump you off the airplane with his seniority. And if you were counting on the cockpit jump seat as your safety valve, Captain Veteran can take that from you, too, if he needs it.
Etiquette counts
As a non-revenue passenger, you and eligible pass riders in your family should be on your best behavior. Pass riding is a privilege, and there's no better way to annoy your co-workers than by being a high-maintenance "passenger." Getting snappy with a gate agent or asking for that fifth cup of coffee (two creams, one sugar, and a lemon wedge) from the flight attendants can irk the most patient of airline coworkers. But before you even get aboard the airplane, you may need to take one for the team. For example, if another pilot looking for a seat is going to work and you are simply on a goof-off trip, it's a courtesy to let the pilot get to work--especially if it's time critical. Sure, you may be senior to that person, but having a fellow pilot or flight attendant miss their report time at work can have a detrimental effect on that coworker and the company as a whole. Remember that aviation is a small world; your courtesy may pay off in the future.
Families make it tougher
Pass riding works best if you travel alone. Pilots with families have a hard time traveling on passes. If you are able to get on the flight at all, it's very likely that you'll be dispersed about the cabin in the remaining open middle seats. More than once, I've had to leave my wife behind when pass riding. For your relationship's sake, it's worth considering buying tickets for family members unless you want to be haunted by non-rev nightmare stories for the rest of your life.
Commuter lifeline
Non-revenue travel allows the greatest perk of airline employment to exist--the ability to live nearly anywhere in the world. Since airlines set up bases in places you may not want to (or can't afford to) live, pass riding allows you to commute to work on company airplanes for little or no charge. Based in New York City but want to live in Florida? No problem. There are several flights a day on every major airline between New York and Florida. Choosing to be a commuter is the subject of its own article, however, the option is there.
When it works, pass riding is a fabulous perk. When it doesn't work, it can be a massive headache. Some pilots even consider it a useless benefit. Non-revenue travel is best done when there are no time commitments. Leave plenty of time to get where you are going. It's not out of the ordinary to leave for your destination a day or two ahead of time--just to be sure you can make it. If all the flights are full on the day you want to fly, leaving a day or two early may be the only viable option. Oh, and don't forget to check the weather--often. As we all know, blizzards, thunderstorms, and high winds wreak havoc on airline schedules. Trying to ride on such days can be futile. Also remember that sometimes it's best to just buy a ticket for sanity's sake.
Pete Bedell is a Boeing 737 first officer for a major airline and contributor to AOPA Flight Training and AOPA Pilot magazines.
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