If you’ve ever flown standby as a nonrev passenger, you know the “glamorous” perk of free (or discounted) travel comes with a catch: no guarantees. For those of you that might not know, nonreving or being a “nonrev,” as we call it in the airline industry, means being a non-revenue passenger. Basically, it’s like playing the lottery with your vacation plans. Will you make it onto that oversold flight to Paris or spend the night curled up on the floor at gate C23?

Whether you’re an airline employee or the family member or friend of one, the nonrev life is as much exciting as it exhausting. But with the right strategies, you can make the whole process a lot less stressful and way easier on yourself. You might even come to enjoy the chaos, who knows! The two of us have done a *lot* of nonrev travel over the years and we have picked up a few tips and tricks along the way. Here are some tried-and-true survival tips to help you master the art of standby travel.

1. Always Have a Backup Plan (and a Backup Plan to Your Backup Plan)

There’s a pretty good chance your first plan won’t go according to plan. A flight could be wide open today and oversold tomorrow. As we all know too well, anything can happen in the world of aviation. Routes fill up, aircraft swaps happen, weather delays roll in, and suddenly your first plan goes out the window faster than you can say “decompression.” Always map out alternative plans, even if you don’t think you need to. Look at other airports, different airlines, and a variety of connections. It may not be pretty, but there’s always a way home.

2. Pack Like You Live at the Airport

Flexibility isn’t just about flight options, it’s about your whole mindset when it comes to travel. Your carry-on should be your survival kit: snacks, a portable charger, essential toiletries, a change of clothes, a book or e-reader, and an iPad loaded with movies and tv shows. Nonrev veterans know that an airport floor nap or a last-minute reroute is always a possibility. Being comfortable and self-sufficient makes the chaos much more bearable.

3. Travel Light

Nonrevving with checked luggage is like playing Russian roulette. If you don’t make the flight, your bag might. Or worse: you snag a seat on another airline, but your suitcase doesn’t follow you. Stick to a well-packed carry-on. Bonus points if you can fit it all into a backpack or duffle bag to avoid the risk of having to check it, since you might be one of the last people on the plane. Plus, it’ll make getting around your destination that much easier. Not only does it make you more mobile when sprinting to another gate, but it also keeps you from being separated from your essentials. Plus, who wants to lug a bunch of stuff around if you don’t have to!?

4. Dress the Part

It may sound old-school, but appearances still matter when you’re flying standby. Many airlines have relaxed their dress codes, but looking put-together can sometimes work in your favor. You might miss out on that elusive first class upgrade. Some airlines could even deny you boarding if you don’t dress right. Plus, there are plenty of options to “dress up” while still being comfortable.

5. Use StaffTraveler to Check Flight Loads

Here’s the holy grail tip most newbies don’t know: download StaffTraveler. This app lets you check flight loads on airlines around the world, giving you the inside scoop on how many seats are available before you head to the airport.

Instead of rolling the dice blindly, you can make smarter choices about which flights to aim for, when to reroute, and where your best chances are. It’s like having x-ray vision into the standby list and it can be the difference between sipping sangria in Barcelona or sleeping on the floor in Boston.

We can’t tell you how many times StaffTraveler has saved us, especially with their flight search feature for those days when you have to switch up your plans last-minute. Even without submitting requests for loads, you can use it to help you see who is flying where and when. Plus, they have tons of great travel tips as well as discounts on car and hotel rentals. StaffTraveler is a non-rev’s best friend!

Final Boarding Call

Flying as a nonrev will always be a mix of adventure and chaos. But with the right tools, preparation, and mindset, you can make it more of a thrill rather than a headache. Pack smart, plan ahead, and don’t forget to arm yourself with StaffTraveler… it’s the ultimate hack for navigating that standby life.

At the end of the day, all that really matters is that you use those flight benefits! It’ll remind you why you chose this life in the first place.