buddy pass and checked bags
 

Trying to get a buddy out on a standby pass. Can he check bags? Specifically skis going to KMTJ on Skywest? Will there be fees?

Does his silver status with us have any relevance?

There’s a whole answer to this on FTG. Check it out.

Only problem with BPs are getting on the almost always full flights. Even my family refuses to use em.

I looked there... I don't see the information on FT>Pass Travel>Pass Travel Q&A; or on the Working Together pdf "Pass Travel Guidelines." What am I missing?

I also searched this forum before I posted.

Been awhile since I looked, so I don't remember all the rules verbatim.

But I thought the rule of thumb was never to check bags when trying to non-rev. Doubly so if it's something oversize like skis. It just adds an incredible amount of headache to an already headache-inducing process. If the stars align and your buddy and his/her bags get to KMTJ, there is no guarantee they'll be able to get back out again. And when all of a sudden the buddy is stuck someplace overnight, that "cheap" buddy pass ends up being really expensive (hotels, etc).

If they want to do the buddy pass thing, tell them carry-on only. Sling their ski boots over their shoulder, and rent skis at the mountain.

I understand buddy riders don’t get free bags anymore... recent change.

I don’t think it’s that recent. And it’s consistently a very bad deal. The Basic economy fares are way cheaper than the buddy pases in the markets Im looking at.

From the "Baggage Policy for Pass Travel" document in FT. (Pretty easy to find.) Silver Status probably won't be a player; but they can ask at the counter.