The Ultimate Non-Rev Travel Survival Guide
6/9/202636 min
Have you seen the standby list in July? If you have, then you completely understand the stress and crazy things passengers go through at this time of the year. Non-Rev travel in the summer is not for the weak! You need a solid backup plan, good weather, and hopefully—an extra tablespoon of patience.
Non-revving can be chaotic, and that’s okay! It has taught us the value of patience and flexibility. Plus, our loved ones always get a thrilling sense of adventure out of it!
In this episode, we are sharing our ultimate Survival Guide for Non-Rev flyers. Here are the 15 most important travel tips you need to survive the summer fiasco!
For new merch, practical travel advice, and more aviation gossip, join the Galley Gang!
Episode Highlights:
[0:00] Welcome to Episode #36!
[1:16] Drew & union duties
[2:32] Rich & crazy people
[5:45] Non-rev & standby
[6:34] Tip #1: You need StaffTraveler!
[8:50] Chaotic summer travel experiences
[11:27] Tip #2: Stay flexible
[12:23] Tip #3: Avoid peak travel times
[13:15] Tip #4: First flight only
[13:54] Tip #5:Backup plans are essential
[15:07] Tip #6: Get ready for connecting flights
[17:06] Tip #7: Small baggage is queen
[17:49] Tip #8: Pack for every scenario
[19:17] Tip #9: Dress comfortable
[20:37] Tip #10: Monitor flights constantly
[22:09] Tip #11: Be nice to the crew!
[23:23] Tip #12: A backup ticket
[25:20] Tip #13: Extra time on both ends of your trip
[27:19] Tip #14: International standby
[29:02] Tip #15: The art of airport survival
[30:59] We’ve got to love non-rev trips
[31:35] A tarot reading inflight?
Text us or leave us a voicemail!
✈
Join our official community for exclusive merch, early access, behind-the-scenes footage, and more! As independent podcasters, we rely on audience support to keep our show going. We couldn't do it without you!
Join the Galley Gang on Patreon
✈
Have a funny, wild, or heartwarming travel story from a flight that you’re dying to share with us? Submit your story at the link below and we could feature your story on an upcoming episode of the show!
Submit Your 'Galley Gossip' Story
✈
We love people and we love to travel... no, seriously! Want to join us on one of our upcoming group trips? Check out the link below for current trips!
✈
This episode was brought to you by StaffTraveler, the #1 non-rev app! If you travel on standby and are looking to make your journey easy and stress-free, check out StaffTraveler for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsRich· Host0:00
Have a plan. Have a plan for your plan, have a plan B, a plan C, a plan D, a plan E, a plan F, a plan foxtrot- [laughs] ... if you've listened to our, our alphabet episode. I had a suitcase with, like, a bum wheel.
Andrew· Host0:12
You sure did.
Rich· Host0:13
I was pissed. [laughs] 'Cause you were, like, ready to run through these airports, and I was like, "Ugh, ugh, ugh." [laughs] The gate agent was like, "I've got two seats," and I was like, "We'll take 'em." Then my mom was like, "Where are we going?" And I was like- Doesn't- ... "Does it matter?" [laughs] But I'm still gonna pack my bathing suit and a ballgown.
Andrew· Host0:31
Oh, for sure.
Rich· Host0:31
And maybe a boa. I don't know. [laughs] Like, what kind of event are we going to? [upbeat music] Let's just say non-rev travel is not for the weak. Trying to do it in the summer, well, be prepared to enter battle- Mm-hmm, mm ... because things are gonna get a little hectic. Uh, today we're talking about our best tips and tricks as two flight attendants who've actually purchased airline tickets maybe once in the last decade, maybe twice, but for the most part we stick to the non-rev travel, and we think we're getting pretty good at it.
Andrew· Host1:12
We sure try.
Rich· Host1:13
[laughs] We sure try. [laughs] Andrew, how's flying been this week?
Andrew· Host1:17
Um, good. Uh, no complaints. Um, it's been a pretty mild, uh, couple weeks. I honestly, I haven't been flying a lot for work, um, 'cause I've been doing a lot