And btw--9E MANAGEMENT does have buddy passes--numerous reports and printouts of travelnet screens showing "9E and BUDDY"--usually when asked, the person ends up being a management buddy (even frontline managers--like Mx station managers, etc.)....
In short--the frontline employees don't get squat--but the managers and higher ups do...eyes rolling--this is America folks--the America our gutted unions and "free market capitalist" decade has left us to deal with...