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Learning to Fly

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 4:53:16 PM (Central Standard Time, UTC-06:00)
Since the beginning of the year I have traveled pretty much at least once a month.  I know I am not exactly a road warrior, but I have learned a couple of things that the casual traveler might appreciate. 
 
  • Check out http://www.seatguru.com to get an idea of where to sit depending on the type of air craft.  Although, most of it is pretty common knowledge (try to get bulk heads or exit rows on the aisle), it still is interesting to see what they have to say about the different configurations.
  • If your flight gets canceled (as mine did coming back from the UK), immediately try to call your carrier customer service and try to reschedule another flight option.  This will save you the trouble of waiting in long lines waiting to be re-booked.  In addition, it will limit your chance of not getting the next available flight out by your carrier, as they usually will take the elite status members first.  As that flight fills, they will then start booking you on later flights.  Unfortunately, I didn't have a cell phone that worked in the UK, so it resulted in my next tip.
  • If there are no more options for outbound flights, and you have to stay the night at the expense of the airline, find out where they are putting you up.  Then take a cab to that destination.  This will keep you from waiting while they organize the logistics around transportation, and also waiting in line once you get to the hotel to get a room.  This saved me hours of frustration.  The reason I know this, is I was sitting in the bar of the hotel for 1.5 hours when they arrived and began the check-in process.
  • Do all of your complaining and request for compensation at the point of your flight cancellation.  It is more difficult to get compensation after the fact, as they make you jump through additional hoops (calling and letters).  If your flight is canceled due to maintenance (not weather), you are entitled to compensation.

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