A British Airways employee was caught selling free flight privileges on eBay. They’re able to extend nonrev privileges, and did so – to the highest bidder (literally). That’s a violation of airline rules.
- it undercuts the airline’s revenue – someone who might buy a ticket can fly free
- it lets someone ineligible for the space take a seat that might go to someone entitled to it, and the perk is the most attractive thing about working for an airline. It lets the airline recruit employees and pay them less.
The perk is supposed to be limited to the employee, their close relatives, and a few designated friends, all of whom must follow strict guidelines. It’s not for online auctions.
The British Airways employee got caught listing access to standby travel for three months on the auction site, asking nearly $800. In addition to non-rev flights, buyers would gain access to discounted confirmed space as well.
The eBay description explained that as a BA employee, the seller can offer discounted fares on a standby basis, with the buyer only responsible for taxes. The seller also promised to handle the booking process, staying in constant communication and charging separately for each ticket used.
Here’s what that listing looked like before it was removed:
It was pulled on Tuesday “because the item was lost or broken.”
There are all sorts of employee scams. Sometimes the person doing the selling isn’t even an employee and the tickets they’re selling aren’t real. Sometimes the employee is selling use of their seniority to other employees.
While airlines often pay low wages, attracting staff through the promise of ‘free’ travel, the employees wind up with little money to actually travel – and look to supplement their income.
British Airways Airbus A350 Business Class Cabin
The problem for the buyer of course is that if the scheme is uncovered, they’ve paid a scammer and wind up with nothing. That’s something to consider if you’re ever thinking there is a trick like this you can buy to travel inexpensively. It may work! But you may be out the money, and even stranded mid-trip.
This is how ‘nice things’ get taken away. I feel for the average crew members who do not abuse their privileges and benefits. For those who fell for this, never hurts to ask: ‘Is this too good to be true?’ Because, it often is. Be careful out there.
Another idiom: ‘pigs get fed, hogs get slaughtered.’ (Never really understood that one, because I thought they all get killed for food in the end.) Basically, don’t be greedy; don’t take excessive advantage of others; you’ll lose in the end.
LOL on pigs vs. hogs!
Stupid people are the reason rules get changed. Hope they were fired.
Ex-employee reflects the intellect/competence of BA upper level management these days, sadly..
How dumb can you get?
What were they thinking? I will never get caught?
I know of a guy who works for American Airlines sells his information for $5000 per year!
I believe there are many doing this.
Those selling the employee NR standby tickets must have considerably more seniority than wisdom. Those buying are just uninformed or ignorant, perhaps both. For just a little over $800 one can buy a full fare Economy RT from most cities in US to Europe. A non active employee traveling on Standby, . . . forget upgrading. That’s the reason many of us retirees buy tickets instead of using our retiree NR privileges.