Posted this also on the airlines forums, but thought I'd try here too.

For Christmas, I received enough standby coupons on Southwest for 2 complete round trip flights (with a maximum of one layover on each one-way trip).

I'm in Seattle, and ideally I'll fly nonstop on a weekend to either Oakland (head to San Francisco), San Jose (head to Monterey/Carmel), Vegas (Vegas!), or Phoenix (to see the sun).

Does anyone have any tips for how to determine my best chances for getting on a Southwest flight as a standby passenger? My parents also got coupons but they have more flexibility and do not restrict themselves to a nonstop flight (or weekend only flights).

Thanks!

What's a Standby coupon on Southwest? Seriously, I've never heard of such a thing, and they are my favorite airline. Did you get them from employees of Southwest? When you get bumped from a flight they give you voucher credit toward future flights which do not have to be standby...

I guess your best bet is not to assume you will go at a busy time (Friday or Sunday). You can check Southwest's schedule as if you were going to fly, say, tomorrow, and check to see if the flight is sold out or not, even up to an hour or two before flight departure. Check the days you would likely fly. And assume some kinds of flights (e.g. flights to Florida during spring break) will be full.

That's my question too - I've not heard of standby coupons on WN. I don't fly them as much as in the past - years ago I flew WN 3 or 4 times a month and don't think I ever saw/had one . . . . .

I received them from an employee. Obviously I'll ask her for tips, too, but thought I would ping folks here as well!

The fact that you got them from an employee makes some sense now - airlines employees and immediate family can often fly standby on their own airline. I have never heard of these privileges being transferrable, but will admit that there is much I have not heard of. In fact, one Delta-employee friend travels fairly often this way but always pays for an accompanying non-family member.

These are "buddy passes" and the lowest on the totem pole. You will need to be VERY flexible, and ready to not even go in the worst case scenario. You need to ask your friend to help you plan your trips. He/she can look at the loads on the individual flights and list you for the flight. It really isn't something you can just show up for--you will need her help. If there are say, 10 seats open on a flight, then you MAY have a chance, but then she has to also look at the number of employees who are ALSO going to be standing by to get on that flight. There may be 12 of them, so you are out of that flight. I honestly don't believe any one here can give you the advice. And flying on a weekend is probably not going to be possible. Your passes are behind pilots, flight attendants, gate agents, and then there is the seniority of all these classifications that bump you further down.

Forgot to add you will be behind the immediate family members who may also be listed for a flight. Just to emphasize that she needs to look at the standby list which she will know. If she travels with you, then you may be going on her seniority and get further up the list.

Agree with Gretchen, the employee will be able to see the loads, as well as their estimates of how many spots will be available (using past load data) for non revenue passengers.

This is late, but I just saw this now. I am often in the same position and want to determine which flight has the least seats sold so I can chose one that I have a chance at flying standby. Unfortunately, no airline will tell you this. So, here is how I find out. I call and explain that I am a very nervous flyer with severe claustrophobia. I am so afraid I will not be able to handle the crowds. Is there possibly a flight that has the least reservations? Maybe I could pull together the strength to fly that flight. So, they tell me. Then I say I will think about it because I am so very nervous. I hang up - and that is my standby flight!