Flight Attendant Fears Losing Nonrev Perks After Mom’s Mid-Flight Meltdown

A Reddit post from the r/flightattendants community has sparked a discussion about the risks of letting family members fly on your airline perks. The user shared a nightmare scenario: their mother, flying standby, got drunk and started arguing with her boyfriend mid-flight—and now, the flight attendant fears their nonrev benefits could be revoked.

What Happened?

The original poster (OP) explained that their mother and her boyfriend were traveling together, but at some point during the flight, the flight attendants separated them due to their behavior. The mom, who had been drinking, got into an argument with her boyfriend, causing enough disruption that the crew had to step in.

Now, the flight attendant—who relies on nonrev travel to commute to work—worries that not only will their mom lose her pass privileges, but their own benefits might be impacted as well. If they can’t nonrev, they fear they may have to look for a new job entirely.

How Airlines Handle Nonrev Misconduct

Most airlines hold employees fully responsible for the behavior of their pass riders, including family and friends. While policies vary, consequences can range from:

• A warning or temporary suspension of pass benefits

• A full revocation of pass privileges for the offending passenger

• In some cases, permanent loss of nonrev perks—even for the employee

Many airline employees in the Reddit thread confirmed that this employee’s airline has been strict about enforcing nonrev policies recently, particularly amid contract negotiations. Some mentioned that if the flight was worked by a Houston (IAH), Chicago (ORD), or San Francisco (SFO) crew, a report was almost guaranteed.

Can an Apology Help?

Several flight attendants in the thread advised the OP to get ahead of the issue by reaching out to the crew who worked the flight.

• A sincere apology on behalf of their mother could go a long way in how the situation is handled.

• Removing the mother from their benefits list immediately could show accountability.

• Some suggested reaching out to a union rep or EAP (Employee Assistance Program) for guidance.

While not all incidents get formally reported, once a report is submitted, management typically reviews the case and decides the outcome.

What This Means for Airline Employees & Nonrevs

This situation is every nonrev’s worst nightmare—a family member’s bad behavior could jeopardize the very benefits that make the job worthwhile. While nonrevving is a privilege, not a right, this serves as a reminder to set strict expectations with anyone using your passes:

• No excessive drinking

• No arguing or causing disturbances

• No entitlement—you are on board as a guest and should act as such

Final Boarding Call: Are You Responsible for Your Pass Riders?

Airline employees, have you ever had a pass rider act up and put your benefits at risk? What’s the worst nonrev behavior you’ve seen?