Tips for Flying the Unfriendly Skies

Filed in archive Aviation Travel on September 3, 2006

When you can't board your own flight and need to fly commercial, there are some things you can do to diminish the pain. The U.S. Department of Transportation has suggested an updated list of steps to take to reduce delays, frustration and runway RAGE.

• Departures early in the day are less likely to be delayed than later flights, due to "ripple" effects throughout the day. If you book the last flight of the day, you could get stuck overnight.
  


• If you have a choice between two connections and all other things are equal, choose the one with the less-congested connecting airport. This reduces the risk of missing your connection.
  


• Pay by credit card to get some federal protections. In recent airline bankruptcies, for example, credit card companies refunded ticket prices for flights that were canceled.
  


• Bring a photo I.D. when you fly and make sure that your name on the ticket is exactly the same as it appears on the I.D.
  


• Keep checking your fare after you buy your ticket. Fares change all the time and if that same fare goes down before you fly, the airline will often refund the difference. But you have to ask.
  


• Check in early. Airlines rescind specific advance seat assignments 30 minutes before scheduled departure, even if you already have your boarding pass. If a flight is oversold, the last passengers to check in are the first to be bumped.
  


• If you are "bumped" because your flight is overbooked, read the Overbooking Notice in your ticket, then ask for a copy of the rules mentioned in that notice.
  


• Before agreeing to accept a travel voucher as compensation for being bumped, ask about restrictions.
  


• Put a tag on the outside of your baggage with your name, home address, and home and work phone numbers. Put the same information inside each bag, and add an address and telephone number where you can be reached at your destination city.
  


• If your bag arrives open or unlocked, check immediately to see if any of the contents are missing or damaged. Report any problems to your airline before leaving the airport.
  


• Open your suitcase immediately when you get to your destination. Report any damage to contents or pilferage by telephone right away. Make a note of the date and time of the call, and the name and telephone number of the person you spoke with.