as long as I didn't mind hanging out in airports on the standby list, waiting for space to become available. You had to be flexible. These days, though, as a retiree I'd be at the bottom of the list and I'd either never get anywhere or I'd be stranded someplace for days. I haven't been on an airplane since I retired and have no plans to go anywhere, even as a paying passenger, until this clusterfuck resolves. There is a huge pilot shortage that will continue for years.

2nd leg to Sydney . back to LA.on to home Az...if trouble getting out of LA i will drive to LA and pick them up..they have been gone since May 31, 3 days in Sydney b4 back to states...

School starts early for DIL on 18th..she got approval b4 she left..considering they plan 18th arrival in AZ..but not that late....have to check Sydney to states for any flight changes...close contact with kiddos..Son says it is Manila he is concerned with...we will have to wait

They did say LA to Sydney 15 hrs was a smooth flight..Manila kept changing their flight times when they were leaving Sydney...their plan of 3 days up front in Sydney was smart...

They are a little stressed. They already found they have to layover in England for a couple extra hours. So far not that big a deal though supposedly European flights are greatly impacted.