Here is a scenario which no traveler wants to encounter. You're finally on your way; you get to the airport, and OH NO…. you're getting bumped. How did that happen? You have a reservation. How could they not have enough room for you? Well, now we're into a whole new category of flight problem. Not getting on the flight you wanted. Has this ever happened to you?
The problem comes from the way airlines book their flights. They routinely overbook their flights. They do this because there is an amazingly large "no-show factor" even in this day and age of "non-refundable tickets". Read more
I will admit it. Going through security lines is my least favorite part of the travel experience. Thankfully, I have picked up quiet a few tips and tricks along the way that has made it a lot more bearable and efficient.
So, with all this new found confidence… Let's address the security line. You're packed and ready for your trip. You need to start planning your strategy for getting through those security lines.
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If you're traveling abroad, you have to worry about monsoons, transiting foreign airports, or customs delays if you need to exit to connect to another airline for a longer trip. This could all lead to missed connecting flights. What started out as a dream vacation could then soon feel like a nightmare on Elm Street. Being stranded in a foreign airport or foreign country is no walk in the park, so follow the tips below to make sure you get their by air on time! Read more
This may seem really obvious, but when you're traveling, you want to get there on time. So why do we need to discuss this? Because so many people don't! When you're planning your flights for your trip, there are several things to keep in mind so this doesn't happen to you.
The tendency is to book flights to get you to the ship, or the tour, or the wedding just exactly when you need to be there. That's really not a good idea at all. Ever heard of Murphy’s Law? It says that everything that could possibly go wrong probably will, and at a time when you are least prepared for it. So here is a word of caution: in order to be sure you get there on time, it's a better idea to plan on flights that will get you there early. Read more
If your delayed flight is due to a problem that is within the control of the airline, you can expect them to be very accommodating. For instance, is there is a mechanical problem, or crew rest problems, or computer problems with check-in?
Mechanical problems are a safety issue, so you are in a grey area there. It pays to find out what your airline says it will do. Read its "contract of carriage" before you travel. This lists your rights for when you encounter a delayed flight. Read more
One less popular reality about air travel is that sometimes, due to justifiable reasons, flights get canceled. If your flight is canceled, the second you hear that your plane is not going anywhere, call the airline's toll-free number. (It's a smart idea to have it programed in your cell phone.) You can get into the line at the counter, especially if it's fairly short, but make that call while you're standing in line. There's a good possibility you'll get rebooked more quickly on the phone than at the counter where a couple of overwhelmed airline employees are being swarmed by a plane full of disgruntled fliers. Read more
A delayed flight can be a problem. The airlines get bad publicity because so many flights do not depart and arrive on time. In the U.S., the Department of Transportation keeps statistics and publishes them regularly. In Europe, there are strict new rules for compensation. This is making the problem easier for travelers to cope with, since the airlines are accountable for the delays and must compensate passengers.
Fortunately, delayed flights are still the exception and not the rule. The vast majority of the time you won't experience flight problems. For all of the publicity that airlines get, most of their flights get you where you want to go with very little delay. But problems can and do occur at times, too often it may seem. So you should be prepared and have a good idea what to expect when something does happen. Read more
