As an ex airline employee and still international traveller, even though I have retired staff travel privileges (fear not - I can never get on ahead of a commercial passenger) I still look at commercial fares on ALL airlines.
If I absolutely HAVE to be there I don't use staff travel.
There are more occasions than you'd believe when the majors will give you a better deal than the LoCos.
Even if it's a little more, I'd pay and go with a major rather than be treated like a dog by ?????