Here's another "new guy" question from someone with a purely military background:

How does Space A travel work for family members? If my dad wants to go to Soi Cowboy some weekend, can he just show up at LAX, hook a flight to Taipei, then hook another one to Bangkok? If my wife wants to take the kids to Frankfurt, does she just show up at the gate at JFK, kids in tow?

Do family travel privileges extend to allied carriers, or are they purely Delta Mainline? How, exactly, does all this stuff work?

While I'm here, a general comment: salty dogs, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and experience with us new guys. I feel like I'm going to show up on the 3rd at least quasi-oriented.

 

Frank,
Welcome aboard! immediate family members (wife & kids) travel on your seniority number at priority S-3's, with 6 higher priority S-2 passes available a year based on your anniversary year. Your parents travel on your seniority number but at a lower priority S-3B's - these are below direct family but above buddy passes. I am not sure where retirees come in at but am pretty sure it is below you and your immediate family. Priority is pretty much - paying passengers, company business (positive space non-revs), S-2's, S-3's, S-3B's, and bringing up the rear buddy passes.
You can non-rev on most of our code shares (Air France) etc and our connection carriers but can not use your S-2's on most if not all of them. Not sure how your dad would non-rev to Bangkok but Frankfurt should be fairly straightfoward. First check the loads on the travel net and then list whovever is going. Double check everyone has all the required documentation - passports etc. Go to the airport and print out seat request cards via the kiosk using your non-rev pass rider cards (blue credit card looking thing). This will allow your family to run the TSA gauntlet and get to the gate. I would always use an S-2 going to Europe. As far as picking flights and determining if you can sit up front - that is part science, part art, and mostly luck. The more you non-rev the better you will get at picking flights. Mid week travel is generally much better. Dress codes for first class are relaxed on mainline - don't know about code fares.
There are also a few gothcha's that you need to be aware of. Certain flights might show a lot of open seats but be limited on non--revs due to a lot of cargo etc. Check the travelnet website (accessed via the DELTANET) for advisories and travel information. I would post any specific questions on the DAL ALPA website under the nonrev travel section. You can get very specific information on destinations and flights etc.
Good Luck - Scoop

 

Thanks for the simple and thorough reply, Scoop! I can't wait to come aboard!

 

Frank,
The mere mention of Soi Cowboy brought back a lot of memories and put a big smile on my face! And Pattya Beach wasn't too bad either!
Scoop

 

Just a warning on non rev travel for your parents. They get 18 flying days a year if I recall. If they exceed that Delta will charge you 150 per flight and send you a bad letter. Also make sure they check in as S3B's not S3. Listing as a S3 will get you another 150 dollar fine and bad letter. I wrote S3B in big letters with a indelible marker on my mom's pass card since you can never remember her priority.

 

Does DAL pay for hotel during indoc and initial or do I have to pay for it?

MARTY!

 

First I've heard of a blue non-rev pass rider card. They never mentioned that in indoc. Where/how do you get them? My mom is trying to non-rev in 2 days...hope this isn't going to be a problem.

 

Delta pays for the 2 weeks of indoc. You are on your own for 4 weeks or so during the intitial training. Most go the crash pad route, but a couple dudes I know went for a hotel

 

You don't need the card to nonrev. As long as she has been set up in Delta's computer and shows up on travel net she only needs any valid form of ID. When you make her booking on travelnet you can email her a copy and the kiosk will scan the barcode and get her set right up. There are always people around who can help or she can also check in at the counter. Just make sure she selects or tells them she is a S3B priority.

 

sailing is correct; there is no longer a credit card thing. All passrider have their own ppr #. That is all you need to use the Kiosk.

However, If you want to get your seat request from the Kiosk you have to list for the flight ahead of time via Travelnet. I don't think you can make a new reservation at the Kiosk.