Understanding Southwest Airlines Non Revenue Flights and Policies

Understanding Southwest Airlines Non Revenue Flights and Policies - Compliance and Conduct: Southwest’s Non-Rev Policy Requirements

Look, when you’re flying on a buddy pass or any non-rev ticket with Southwest, it isn't just about finding an open seat; you’ve really got to mind your Ps and Qs regarding conduct. We know the industry talks a lot about dress codes—that whole "LeggingsGate" thing sticks in my mind—but honestly, the real sticking point is the general professional decorum they expect you to keep up. You won't find a neat little chart from the airline detailing exactly how many frowns or how loud a whisper constitutes a policy breach; that stuff is locked down tighter than the cockpit door. Think about it this way: you’re essentially their guest, and they need you to blend in so the revenue passengers don't get rattled, right? I'm not sure exactly what triggers an internal flag, but the guidelines they operate under, especially since some of those dress code dust-ups a few years back, are all about presenting a certain image. We can only guess at the mechanics—are gate agents using some secret internal scorecard?—but the takeaway is that if you act like a disruption, you’re risking your flight, period. They track violations internally, naturally, but the specific numbers on how often someone gets bumped for being, say, too casual, that’s just proprietary, and we aren't getting that data anytime soon. So, for us trying to figure out the system, the best bet is just to dress neatly and keep your head down.