Non-Rev Lounge

Cranky Dorkfest at LAX, Non-Rev Travel Wins, and Rico’s Tips for Brazil, Bali, and FIFA VolunteeringTyler and Lara record from Los Angeles during Brett Snyder’s Cranky Dorkfest, discussing Monique’s travel difficulties using buddy passes and recapping an LAX ramp tour featuring aircraft including a United Dreamliner, Southwest Independence One, and American’s A321XLR, followed by the In-N-Out gathering and raffles where Lara wins two round trips on Avelo and Tyler wins a model. They reconnect with past guest Chris Laws and meet listener Sarah, who invites them to a Greenland trip. Guest Rico Torres shares Brazil advice from many visits, including learning Portuguese, visa logistics, cashless payments, safety awareness, where to stay in Rio, attractions like Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer, and experiences with Carnival and New Year’s (Reveillon). Rico also describes a low-cost Bali stay, tours, and visa needs, and recounts volunteering at FIFA matches in Atlanta and plans to volunteer for future events, including the Women’s World Cup in Brazil.00:00 Cold Open Banter01:41 Welcome and LA Update02:41 Meet Rico Torres04:49 Cranky Dork Fest Ramp Tour07:01 VIP Parking and A321XLR10:19 Raffles and Listener Meetups16:16 Brazil Trip Plans16:59 Learning Portuguese19:18 Brazil Visa Tips21:36 Rio vs São Paulo24:32 Payments and Tipping25:48 Food and Beach Drinks30:46 Safety and Where to Stay33:34 Sugarloaf and Christ Views35:35 Tour Guide Hack36:08 Language Tips Brazil38:21 Havaianas And Beachwear40:01 Best Time To Visit42:05 Carnival Explained45:52 New Years In Rio48:44 Bali Stay And Getting Around51:35 Bali Culture Tour55:39 FIFA Volunteer Journey01:01:56 Wrap Up And Sponsor01:08:46 Chocolate Surprise OutroStaffTraveler is offering a 10% discount code for any of our listeners who buy their eSIM.Use the Promo code ST10NONREVLOUNGE  https://share.stafftraveler.com/nrl-esim✈StaffTraveler is a great app that can assist with your non-rev travels! Use it to find loads for your non-rev travel! Use this to sign up:https://stafftraveler.com/nonrevlounge

Staff Travel Stories with Claire: Bags, Lounges, and Non-Rev AdventuresTyler and Lara record in LA with guest Claire from Liverpool, who works at Manchester Airport in ground operations, focusing on tracing delayed bags and auditing aircraft cleaning, and discusses how staff travel in the UK differs from US non-revving due to taxes, especially long-haul from London. Claire shares her aviation background starting with British Midland, love of travel and photography, and standout trips including frequent Vegas visits for shows, a whirlwind Shanghai-and-Japan trip with Golden Week crowds, app-based transport issues that sent her to the wrong Shanghai airport, and nearly missing ferries and flights. She recounts traveling to Brazil for Lady Gaga on Copacabana, leaving the crowd due to feeling unsafe, then struggling to get home by rerouting via São Paulo and Spain. The hosts also mention using tools like StaffTraveler to check loads and find routing options.00:00 Welcome to Non Rev Lounge01:09 Meet Claire from Liverpool02:37 Getting to Heathrow04:39 Claire’s Airline Career09:12 Lost Bags and Cleaning Audits16:35 Staff Travel Taxes Explained20:05 Vegas Trips and Shows26:13 Shanghai During Golden Week30:25 Translate and Getting Around31:04 Flights and Airline Perks31:55 Alipay Taxi Airport Mixup33:50 Shanghai Highlights in Golden Week35:00 Japan Whirlwind and Rabbit Island37:44 Osaka Airport Mistake and Escape40:31 Nonrev Tools and Travel Community54:32 Planning India Next56:16 Wrap Up and Sponsor PlugStaffTraveler is offering a 10% discount code for any of our listeners who buy their eSIM.Use the Promo code ST10NONREVLOUNGE  https://share.stafftraveler.com/nrl-esim✈StaffTraveler is a great app that can assist with your non-rev travels! Use it to find loads for your non-rev travel! Use this to sign up:https://stafftraveler.com/nonrevlounge

DorkFest On Location: Pacific Surfliner to San Diego, 9/11 Reflections, and a Guam DetourLara and Tyler record from DorkFest in Los Angeles with guests Dave and longtime listener DJ, discussing meeting fellow spotters, Hyatt Globalist perks, and their day trip riding Amtrak’s state-supported Pacific Surfliner to San Diego for lunch at the Top Gun–filming Kansas City Barbecue and a Navy SEAL museum visit with friends from across the U.S. DJ shares his lifelong train and plane-spotting background, upcoming New York plans mixing commuter rail and food stops, and bucket-list routes. The group reflects on September 11, including Laura and Dave’s experiences as flight attendants, early post-9/11 flying conditions, and DJ’s interest in the Flight 11 crew’s heroism. Tyler recounts a Guam trip with his son via Tokyo, highlighting United’s Guam hub, resort stay, and travel logistics, and notes his transfer from Phoenix to Salt Lake.00:00 Spotter Small Talk00:55 Live From DorkFest01:43 Hyatt Status Perks02:53 Meet DJ and Dave04:43 Surfliner Day Trip06:07 How Surfliner Works08:28 Top Gun Bar Stop10:21 Coastal Views and Erosion12:34 DJ Train Plane Origin14:21 Bucket List Rail Routes15:28 Cousin Devin Travels18:12 Secret NYC Train Plan20:09 Remembering 9 1121:30 Missionary During 9 1124:02 Flight Attendant Story33:07 Mission Sendoff Cut Short34:00 Flying After 9/1134:20 Empty Planes And Furloughs36:20 Come From Away Memories37:44 Honoring Flight 11 Crew39:56 How America Healed41:52 Why Guam Happened45:09 Getting There Via Tokyo47:00 United's Guam Hub Explained51:33 Guam Highlights And Hyatt Stay53:41 Tokyo Airports And Tips57:17 Security And Standby Seat Stress01:00:49 Dreamliner Window Drama01:03:45 Beach Stories With Chris01:04:54 Leaving Phoenix For Salt Lake01:09:48 Wrap Up And SponsorStaffTraveler is offering a 10% discount code for any of our listeners who buy their eSIM.Use the Promo code ST10NONREVLOUNGE  https://share.stafftraveler.com/nrl-esim✈StaffTraveler is a great app that can assist with your non-rev travels! Use it to find loads for your non-rev travel! Use this to sign up:https://stafftraveler.com/nonrevlounge

Non-Rev Super Traveler Brooke: 60 Countries, Group Trips, Baby Travel, and a Harry Styles EncounterThe hosts of the Non Rev Lounge (Monique, Tyler, and Lara) welcome coworker Brooke, a frequent non-rev traveler in her early 30s who has visited 60 countries, completed five of the Seven Wonders (missing Christ the Redeemer and the Great Wall), and discusses visas, including China’s challenges for non-revs and India visas. Brooke shares why she joined aviation for flight benefits, her start at Piedmont and move to mainline, and how Express employees often use benefits more. She explains planning group birthday trips, using hotel benefits, Splitwise for shared costs, and choosing destinations by weather and social media. Travel highlights include a rugged Komodo Islands liveaboard from Bali and visiting Petra and the Dead Sea. She also covers working pregnant on the ramp, traveling with a seven-month-old, and recounts meeting and repeatedly interacting with Harry Styles in Seoul and later London.00:00 Birthday Invite Blunder01:15 Non Rev Lounge Introductions01:59 Meet Brooke Travel Machine06:21 Seven Wonders Checklist07:06 China Visa Standby Hacks09:41 Language Barriers and Translation11:00 Why Work Airlines12:55 Piedmont Ramp Life17:46 Express vs Mainline Travelers20:34 Group Travel Rules26:39 Planning Tools and Splitwise31:19 Bali Liveaboard Adventure37:17 Crocodiles and Bali Flights37:33 Tiny Planes and Weigh-Ins38:35 Jordan and Petra Highlights39:43 Dead Sea and Monastery Hike41:04 Airline Routes and Asia Dreams41:56 Pregnant on the Ramp45:30 Taipei Night Market Surprise47:31 Traveling With a Baby Tips50:19 Gear and Flying With Infants55:54 Harry Styles Seoul Encounter01:08:36 Wrap Up and FarewellStaffTraveler is offering a 10% discount code for any of our listeners who buy their eSIM.Use the Promo code ST10NONREVLOUNGE  https://share.stafftraveler.com/nrl-esim✈StaffTraveler is a great app that can assist with your non-rev travels! Use it to find loads for your non-rev travel! Use this to sign up:https://stafftraveler.com/nonrevlounge

Unreal Lounge: Salt Lake Crew Chief Transfer and Lara’s Mediterranean CruiseThe hosts discuss workplace complaints, joking that accusations of racism trigger management attention, then recap a group river outing and a Phoenix near-miss incident involving two flights with the same flight number. Monique describes a flight attendant focus group about improving the Phoenix base, including rotating reserve and a reminder not to give flight attendants the last row. Tyler announces he was awarded a Salt Lake City transfer as a crew chief, recounting a test mix-up, and talks about SIDA badge background checks and added responsibilities like HAZMAT. Intern Lara recounts an expensive cruise starting in Trieste with sightseeing in Trieste and Slovenia, then stops including Montenegro, Dubrovnik, Albania, Messina (Godfather tour), and ending in Malta; theme nights, meeting wealthy travelers, Dave breaking his toe, and difficult return logistics due to Malta Carnival, ultimately flying Delta to JFK with a condensation drench incident and getting home early.00:00 Racist Complaint Talk01:17 Unreal Lounge Intro01:37 River Float Recap03:35 Standby Secrets Banter04:25 Phoenix Near Miss Story05:53 Focus Group And Reserve08:16 Back Row Seat Drama09:18 Late Shifts And Slippers10:05 Crew Chief Promotion11:45 Test Mixup In Australia14:10 Transfer Delays And SIDA21:54 Salt Lake Ramp Culture23:20 Seniority And New Hires25:43 Seniority Mixup26:20 Booking the Pricey Cruise27:37 Getting to Trieste29:17 Airport Lounge Detour30:25 Upgrade Drama at Gate35:03 Train Ride Regrets36:21 Trieste and Slovenia Tours38:39 Pre Voyage Rooftop Party39:29 Penthouse Jet Set Friends41:03 Theme Nights and Costumes44:04 Late Nights Room Service46:41 Ports and Excursions Begin49:42 Croatia Bike Tour51:11 Dubrovnik History and Heat53:22 Sicily Godfather Excursion55:00 Albania and Travel Scams56:35 Malta Exit Strategy01:00:19 Delta Nonrev Home01:04:52 Cruise Verdict and Toe Injury01:08:56 Staff Travel Priority Requests01:11:59 Lounge Tips and FarewellBecome a StaffTraveler eSIM Ambassador https://esimambassadors.stafftraveler.com/Check out Route Explore from StaffTraveler   https://route-explorer.com/StaffTraveler wants our feedback to help build Route Explore before it is officially released.  Send any feedback to [email protected] is offering a 10% code for any of our listeners who buy their eSIM.Use the Promo code ST10NONREVLOUNGE  https://share.stafftraveler.com/nrl-esim✈StaffTraveler is a great app that can assist your non-rev travels! Use it to find the loads for your non-rev travel! Use this to sign up:https://stafftraveler.com/nonrevlounge

From River Heat to Melbourne Suites: Travel Updates, StaffTraveler Changes, and Global EntryHosts Monique and Tyler recap recent events and travel: a small meetup around Tyler's birthday that included tubing on a very hot day, where Tawny showed signs of heat illness, and Tyler briefly tipped his tube, followed by dinner at Mesa with guests visiting from several cities. They discuss working in extreme Phoenix heat, aircraft cooling issues, and pilots refusing planes with broken APUs. A planned Rio trip using five Marriott nights was canceled due to heavily oversold flights, so they instead flew with lie-flat seats to Sydney and continued to Melbourne for cooler weather, tours to Phillip Island’s penguin parade and the Great Ocean Road/12 Apostles, and stays at the Park Hyatt and Ritz-Carlton, including a suite after a room assignment error. Returning home, Katie missed Qantas, flew Delta economy, and Tyler flew United Polaris during Hawaii storm-related weight restrictions. They also cover Global Entry renewal uncertainty, new StaffTraveler points-based priority requests, and note multiple recent ramp employee deaths, plus upcoming Dork Fest and sponsor mention of the StaffTraveler app.00:00 Welcome Back Banter01:34 River Meetup Recap02:34 Heat Stroke and Safety05:23 Tubes Tips and Dinner07:44 Phoenix Ramp Heat11:45 Broken APU Drama15:48 Meetup Shoutouts16:12 Brazil Trip Canceled21:50 Pivot to Cool Australia24:43 Sydney Customs to Melbourne27:21 Phillip Island Koalas Tour28:05 Koala Encounter Chat28:21 Phillip Island Penguin Parade29:16 Penguin Numbers and Predators31:13 Great Ocean Road Highlights32:11 Tour Tips and Bus Drama34:50 Park Hyatt Stay and City Wandering37:26 Travel Planning Apps and Food Finds40:23 Ritz Carlton Upgrade Strategy45:27 Suite Surprise and Sky High Views49:20 Non-Rev Flight Plan Trouble53:34 Delta Standby Shuffle55:25 United Polaris Upgrade Win56:00 Hawaii Storm Detours57:19 Seat Swaps and No Screen58:31 Polaris Service and Perks01:00:20 SFO Customs Sprint01:03:40 Global Entry Renewal Tips01:09:54 StaffTraveler Points Update01:18:16 Ramp Tragedies and FarewellBecome a StaffTraveler eSIM Ambassador https://esimambassadors.stafftraveler.com/Check out Route Explore from StaffTraveler   https://route-explorer.com/StaffTraveler wants our feedback to help build Route Explore before it is officially released.  Send any feedback to [email protected] is offering a 10% code for any of our listeners who buy their eSIM.Use the Promo code ST10NONREVLOUNGE  https://share.stafftraveler.com/nrl-esim✈StaffTraveler is a great app that can assist your non-rev travels! Use it to find the loads for your non-rev travel! Use this to sign up:https://stafftraveler.com/nonrevlounge

Non-Rev Tales: Puerto Rico Song Jokes, Italy Highlights, and an Extra-Section Ride HomeThe hosts share a running joke about a “Puerto Rico” song, including a supervisor-office moment where the reference fell flat, and later a party clip that accidentally resembled a Nazi salute. They discuss annoyance with social media trend-copying, upcoming meetups and travel plans (Dork Fest, Seattle, Universal), and Lara’s London crew tour to Greenwich that drew complaints despite her planning. Monique recounts an Italy trip with standout hotel-bakery breakfasts, touring a potential wedding villa, and a beach day with reserved chairs, jellyfish warnings, and mixed water quality, then traveling to Barcelona for tapas and a World Cup atmosphere. Flying home, they use non-rev strategies and an extra-section JFK flight with only 35 passengers, scoring business seats, then deal with chaotic JFK gate agents. The episode is sponsored by the StaffTraveler app.00:00 Puerto Rico Song Bit01:20 Trends and Copycats02:21 Sand Fleas and Honeymoon03:53 Non Rev Lounge Intro04:14 Meetup and Wild Horses05:31 Dork Fest Plans08:09 Back to Traveling09:54 London Crew Tour15:01 Hotel Drivers and Shuttles18:32 Canceled Bags Confusion20:32 New Planes and Screens25:31 Door Signals and Customs27:32 777 Retrofit Miss32:21 Italy Breakfast and Castle35:23 Wedding Villa Visit37:32 May Wedding Costs38:13 Dinner Plans Together38:46 Beach Day Setup40:31 Jellyfish and Dirty Water41:24 Pina Colada Joke44:50 Train Back to Florence45:51 Why Barcelona Route48:35 Tapas and World Cup49:38 Hostel and Nightlife Plans53:35 Extra Section Airport Chaos57:26 Surprise Business Seats01:00:57 Business Cabin Comforts01:04:02 Finding Extra Sections01:06:44 JFK Gate Agent Meltdown01:09:20 Trip Wrap and Italy Goals01:10:11 Cruise Nonrev Planning01:14:14 Goodbyes and Sponsor01:15:43 Birthday Party FiascoBecome a StaffTraveler Esim Ambassador https://esimambassadors.stafftraveler.com/Check out Route Explore from StaffTraveler   https://route-explorer.com/StaffTraveler wants our feedback to help build Route Explore before it is officially released.  Send any feedback to [email protected] is offering a 10% code for any of our listeners who buy their eSIM.Use the Promo code ST10NONREVLOUNGE  https://share.stafftraveler.com/nrl-esim✈StaffTraveler is a great app that can assist your non-rev travels! Use it to find the loads for your non-rev travel! Use this to sign up:https://stafftraveler.com/nonrevlounge

Non Rev Lounge: Arizona Meetup Plans and Monique’s Italy Trip, Part 1Tyler, Monique, and intern Lara return to record in Tyler’s mostly empty house after a slow July of publishing due to busy schedules and monsoon weather, then discuss non-rev travel logistics and costs, including full London return flights and upgrade taxes, United’s added fees, and airport lounge experiences in Philadelphia before their Europe trip. They announce an August 8 Arizona meetup with a Salt River float and dinner near Mesa Gateway Airport, sharing practical tips (water shoes, towels/sheets for hot tubs, sunscreen, hats, no glass, and hydration) and noting limited public transportation and carpool needs. Monique begins recounting a family trip to Italy tied to Zachary and Natalie scouting wedding villas, detailing challenging standby routing to Zurich and Florence, trains to the Livorno coast (Castiglioncello), and a Tuscany e-bike tour with steep hills, wine tasting, and scenic views, setting up a two-part episode.00:00 Show Planning Intro01:00 Welcome Back Empty House01:59 Monsoon Stories Airport Ops04:04 London Loads Taxes Upgrades07:43 Meetup Announcement Details09:16 Salt River Float Tips12:50 Carpool Logistics Dinner Plan17:02 Meetup Memories Shoutouts18:52 Southwest Red Eye Hawaii Talk23:38 Italy Trip Origins Routing31:33 Sneaking Into Lounges31:55 Sapphire Lounge Wellness33:23 Business vs Premium Economy35:49 Emotional Flight Moments37:29 Zurich Connection Chaos40:42 Standby Win on Swiss42:44 Arriving in Coastal Italy49:15 First Night Food and Gelato52:04 Tuscany E-Bike Adventure01:02:54 Route Explorer Trip Planning01:06:06 Meetup Plug and SponsorBecome a StaffTraveler Esim Ambassador https://esimambassadors.stafftraveler.com/Check out Route Explore from StaffTraveler   https://route-explorer.com/StaffTraveler wants our feedback to help build Route Explore before it is officially released.  Send any feedback to [email protected] is offering a 10% code for any of our listeners who buy their eSIM.Use the Promo code ST10NONREVLOUNGE  https://share.stafftraveler.com/nrl-esim✈StaffTraveler is a great app that can assist your non-rev travels! Use it to find the loads for your non-rev travel! Use this to sign up:https://stafftraveler.com/nonrevlounge

Maui Trip Recap, Phoenix Salt River Meetup Plans, and Non-Rev Tools & Travel NewsTyler and Monique discuss upcoming work trips and announce an August 8 Phoenix meetup to float the Salt River (tube rental about $25, potential group discount, sunscreen, and water shoes recommended) followed by dinner, with signups via email/Instagram/Twitter. They share a StaffTraveler eSIM ambassador opportunity and how Route Explorer helps plan complex non-rev itineraries. They react to a news story about an Air Canada pilot who flew for 20 years without a pilot’s license and review a non-rev-themed movie, “Travel Companion,” which they disliked. Monique recaps a Maui trip: weight-restricted Hawaii flights, helpful crew, a seat-kicking child, an oceanfront Airbnb with turtles and stingrays, higher food costs, widespread pay-to-park beaches, and the continuing devastation in Lahaina after the fire. They cover snorkeling, windy beach conditions, Road to Hana rain, Black Sand Beach reservation requirements, and begin planning non-rev routing to Italy via other European gateways.00:00 Welcome Back Banter01:19 Parking Lot Gripes02:23 Work Trips And Italy Prep03:06 Phoenix Meetup Salt River07:55 StaffTraveler eSIM Ambassador09:51 Route Explorer Trip Planning12:02 Air Canada Pilot Mystery14:13 Travel Companion Movie Review19:20 World Cup Culture Shock29:01 Maui Nonrev Flight Win35:15 Maui Arrival, Jeep And Costco38:11 Airbnb Kitchen Supply Lessons39:07 Sticker Shock Groceries40:21 Airbnb Cove Wildlife42:54 Coastal Drives Whales44:23 Pay to Park Beaches47:16 Lahaina After Fire49:21 Sacred Beaches Respect50:49 Boat Tours Highlights52:54 Windy Beach Hacks54:19 Snorkeling Wins Turtles58:11 Road to Hana Reality01:06:16 Last Day Travel Blues01:09:18 Airport Lounge Standby01:13:37 Italy Flight Gameplan01:17:15 Europe Heat Warning01:18:55 Wrap Up SponsorBecome a StaffTraveler Esim Ambassador https://esimambassadors.stafftraveler.com/Check out Route Explore from StaffTraveler   https://route-explorer.com/StaffTraveler wants our feedback to help build Route Explore before it is officially released.  Send any feedback to [email protected] is offering a 10% code for any of our listeners who buy their eSIM.Use the Promo code ST10NONREVLOUNGE  https://share.stafftraveler.com/nrl-esim✈StaffTraveler is a great app that can assist your non-rev travels! Use it to find the loads for your non-rev travel! Use this to sign up:https://stafftraveler.com/nonrevlounge

Girls-Only Non-Rev Lounge: Summer Travel Plans, Italy Tips, and Airline StoriesMonique and Lara host a girls-only Non Rev Lounge episode while Tyler is busy moving, thanking production Dave and Tawny. They discuss Lara’s packed summer travel—Hawaii (including the Road to Hana and seeing Lahaina after the fires), then a quick turnaround to Italy with Zachary, plus a St. George girls’ trip and Dorkfest plans involving a train ride to San Diego. Lara shares Italy recommendations like grappa, Aperol Spritz, pizza differences, and buffalo mozzarella caprese. Monique talks about working London flights, the UK “luxury tax,” bonded liquor rules, and a humorous first-class passenger she jokes might be MI6, plus federal air marshal logistics and a military upgrade story that led to an emotional challenge coin. They also swap flight attendant stories, including “Booker T” being arrested at a Raiders game, and mention Monique’s potential move to Richmond when Drew gets a flying job.00:00 Tipsy Soap Moment00:36 Girls Episode Kickoff02:14 Hawaii Plans Maui Return05:53 Italy Trip Prep08:41 Italy Food Drink Picks11:49 Nonrev Strategy Summer Travel14:06 London Luxury Tax Story16:09 Upgrading Military Passenger20:15 Parents Senior Mission Talk24:52 Summer Work London Chaos27:18 New Hotel In London28:40 First Class Shakeup29:31 MI6 Guy In 4A33:02 Air Marshals And CBP37:02 Bonded Liquor Rules38:08 Carding On Flights39:07 Booker T Flight Friend41:04 Raiders Fan Arrested43:48 Moving To Richmond47:43 Shoutouts And Wrap Up48:36 Dorkfest Train Plans52:06 Sponsor And Cabana BoyCheck out Route Explore from StaffTraveler   https://route-explorer.com/StaffTraveler wants our feedback to help build Route Explore before it is officially released.  Send any feedback to [email protected] is offering a 10% code for any of our listeners who buy their eSIM.Use the Promo code ST10NONREVLOUNGE  https://share.stafftraveler.com/nrl-esim✈StaffTraveler is a great app that can assist your non-rev travels! Use it to find the loads for your non-rev travel! Use this to sign up:https://stafftraveler.com/nonrevlounge