We do have an excellent package of discounts available to fly worldwide, but unfortunately, because most of us are struggling so much to live on the salaries that we earn, the last thing we can afford to do is take advantage of all these perks. Most of us take one holiday a year if that and when we go, it's stand by, so if the plane is full as it so oten is, we don't go anywhere! Try planning a holiday not knowing whether you'll get on the flight or not and likewise getting home as well, especially when you only have 7 days leave! Many crew end up booking a confirmed holiday elsewhere as opposed to going through the stress of trying to go on holiday and get home on stand by! It's meants to be a holiday to relax not worrying about whether you'll get on the aircraft and whether you'll be able to get home!!
That's pretty much the deal anywhere, and regardless of if you're crew or not. Staff travel is what it is, and after a while you learn which flights and when are the ones to pick. Let's face it, for those who have been around a while, you're juggling flight options around to get the best chance at J rather than just getting onto the aircraft.