Ken’s Top 10 Tips for Flight Delays
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| Delays at Heathrow |
We at Viator have always said “it’s the things you do when you get there” that make the trip, not how you get there. And with summer travel season at its peak in Europe and the United States, getting there can be a bit of a challenge. Airport crowds, security lines, full flights…and then there is the weather!
Last week, bad weather on the East Coast made my 90-minute hop from Chicago to Baltimore over 6.5 hours after sitting on the plane for nearly 5 hours. As I listened to the pilot announce that we were number 62 for take-off (really!), I came up with Ken’s Top 10 things (”Ken’s Ten”) to make getting there easier:
1. Book a morning flight. As the summer heat builds throughout the day, thunderstorms pop up causing delays and cancellations. Think the weather is beautiful where you are going, so you are OK? Think again! A thunderstorm in Chicago can cause a ripple effect and cancel flights in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Usually the planes eventually make it to where they are supposed to be and are ready to go in the morning.
2. Eat Something. Have a good meal in the airport. There are plenty of places to grab a sandwich or a meal. Don’t be fooled that it is just an hour flight. I learned the hard way; it can be a long day…so eat! Peanuts dont cut it to absorb the Gin and Tonics.
3. Get a good seat. Ask for an exit row seat. Many of the airlines hold their best seats for the most frequent fliers, but often gate agents can release these seats. These guys have tough jobs – people complain about the weather, the food, the delays, you name it. A nice smile and polite request can go a long way. If that does not work, ask me about my Cinnabon trick!
4. Check the weather. You can’t control Mother Nature, but you can work around her. Check the weather. If you see weather problems for your connection in Atlanta, ask the airline to reroute you through another city. A savvy agent would much rather get you on your way and prevent a problem from happening.
5. Bring reading material, crosswords, sudoku (if you must) or whatever you are into. This one is pretty straight forward. If you have a 5-hour delay to kill, the airline magazine and SkyMall get pretty boring. If you are really unlucky, they will start the movie while you sit on the ground and you will be forced to watch Wild Hogs or something equally stupid. (I have to admit, I did laugh a bit!)
6. Leave the children at home. OK, I am just kidding here, but if it’s an option…
7. Buy a pair of noise cancelling head phones. See above comment…
8. Use the toilet in the airport. Five hour delay on the plane…130 people, two toilets. You get the picture?
9. Charge your batteries. If you see an outlet in the gate area, take it. Charge whatever you have. If you have to stand around to do it, it’s worth it. A fully charged iPod or DVD player can pass the time.
10. Book a transfer. After 6.5 hours sitting in the plane, the last thing I wanted to do was queue up for the taxis at BWI – that line looked about as long as our departure lineup. I pre-booked my transfer and was in the van in a few minutes.
Let me know your thoughts on how to make the journey easier!
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July 3rd, 2007 at 2:16 am
Hey don’t forget to join the Hostess…..:-)
Bye
Enrico
July 3rd, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I love my noise canceling headphones, anyone obnoxious suddenly becomes but a voice in the faint distance. And, its physically better for you to wear them, that engine noise might not sound like much, but it takes a toll on your head and ears if you fly a lot.
I refused to watch Wild Hogs on my flight over to Cape Cod. I was sort of insulted they would even consider airing it. So wrong!
July 5th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
The earliest flight tip is pure, precious gold. In addition to Ken’s Ten!
1. Pack a few handy snacks. Powerbars have saved my life when stuck on a plane for longer than expected.
2. Catch the earlier flight. Know the commuter flight options for the times before and after your scheduled flight. If you arrive early to the airport and the flight ahead of yours to the same destination is on time, get on it if it doesn’t cost you anything. Earilier is usually better than later, no?
3. Avoid security lines with lots of little ones - I know that it sounds horrible to say it, but getting little ones who aren’t yet walking from a car into a building is bad enough on it’s own. There are bags, bottles, seats, blankets, diapers, more bags and then the carrier to consider. Getting through security behind these brave parents & grand parents can be a unexpected setback if you are tight for time.
4. Slip on shoes - I’ve given up completely for fashion vs. function and gone with function. I wear something I can slip back on after walking through security.
July 17th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
http://neustravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_handle_flight_delays
Some very good ideas. I put together my own article about this hassle.