By: Larry Westfall

If the problem is with local weather or air traffic control, all flights will probably be late and there is not much you or the airline can do to speed up your departure. If there is a mechanical problem with the plane for your particular flight or if the crew is delayed on an incoming flight, you might be better off trying to arrange another flight, as long as you do not have to pay a penalty or higher fare for changing your reservations. (It is sometimes easier to make such arrangements from a pay phone or cell phone than at a ticket counter.)

If you find a flight on another airline, ask the first airline to endorse your ticket to the new carrier, which could save you a fare increase. Remember, however, that there is no rule requiring an airline to do this. If you are using an electronic ticket, you will probably have to get paper documentation issued before it can be endorsed to another carrier.

If your flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook you on their next flight to your destination on which space is available, at no additional charge. If this involves a significant delay, find out if another carrier has seats and ask the first airline to endorse your ticket to that carrier. Finding extra seats may be difficult, however, especially over holidays and other peak travel times. You may also demand a refund for a canceled flight.

Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers waiting at the airport. There are no federal requirements regarding these amenities or services. If you are delayed, ask the airline staff if they will pay for meals or phone calls. Some do not provide any amenities to stranded passengers. Others may not offer amenities if bad weather or something else beyond the airline’s control causes the delay.

Before you book your flight, you may wish to check the web sites of the larger carriers for their voluntary Customer Service Plans, which list the amenities that those airlines will provide to passengers. Links to those web sites appear on the web site of the Department’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division at.

Contrary to the belief of some, airlines are not required to compensate passengers for “damages” when flights are delayed or canceled. Compensation is required by law only when you are “bumped” from a flight that is oversold.

Airlines almost always refuse to pay passengers for financial losses resulting from a delayed flight. If the purpose of your trip is to close a potentially lucrative business deal, to give a speech or lecture, to attend a family function, or to be present at any time-sensitive event, you might want to allow a little extra time and take an earlier flight. In other words, airline delays and cancellations are not unusual, and defensive planning is a good idea when time is your most important consideration.

Larry Westfall gets to Thailand whenever he can and is the author of Pattaya Crazy | Newbie”s Guide to Pattaya
Submitted by: Free Submitter
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By: Larry Westfall,

There are many things that can make it impossible for flights to arrive on time. Some of these problems, such as bad weather and resulting air traffic delays, are beyond the airlines’ control. Others, such as the need for mechanical repairs, cannot be predicted. Nevertheless, you can take steps to reduce your chances of encountering most problems and limit their effects.

When booking your flight, remember that a departure early in the day is less likely to be delayed than a later flight, due in part to the “ripple” effects of delays throughout the day. Also, if an early flight does get delayed or canceled, you may have more rerouting options. If you book the last flight of the day and it is canceled, you could get stuck overnight.

In general, you are least likely to be delayed on nonstop flights. A connection (change of planes) always involves the possibility of a misconnection. On a direct flight (intermediate stop, no change of planes), the second leg could be delayed or canceled. If you choose a flight with a stop or connection, try to select one stopping at the least-congested enroute airport in order to reduce the risk of delay or misconnection.

You may wish to take into consideration the seasonal variations in weather if you have a choice of connecting cities. For example, airports in the south might have fewer winter snowstorms but more spring and summer thunderstorms.

When booking a connection, always check the amount of time between flights. Ask yourself what will happen if the first flight is delayed; if you don’t like the answer, pick another flight or ask the agent to “construct” a connection that allows more time.

Certain airports are more congested than others are. Also, flights during peak travel times of the day (e.g., 4:00-6:00 p.m.) are more susceptible to delay. Examine flights to all airports that serve your destination city

Ask about the on-time performance of each flight you are considering. The FAA requires the major U.S. airlines to make this information available upon request if you make a reservation through the carrier. These airlines also make the same information available through their Computer Reservations Systems to consumers booking through travel agents.

The FAA summarizes on-time performance information of the major U.S. airlines in its monthly Air Travel Consumer Report. Much more detailed flight delay information is also available on the web site of the Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. If you are making a reservation close to your departure date, the FAA web site can provide timely information on air traffic and weather-related delays on a real-time basis. You can subscribe to FAA notifications about current delays at specific airports.

Call the airline well ahead of your departure time to check on your flight’s status. If there is a problem, try to rebook over the telephone. While airlines often try to call to notify you of schedule changes, it may not be possible to do so if the airline becomes aware of the delay only shortly before the flight. It is wise to check. Also, make sure your airline’s record of your reservation contains a telephone number where you can be reached, or you will lose any opportunity of being called about a delay or flight change.

If your flight is delayed, try to find out how late it will be so that you can evaluate your options. But keep in mind that it is sometimes difficult for airlines to estimate the total duration of a delay during its early stages. In so-called “creeping delays,” unanticipated developments may occur. Weather that had been forecast to improve can instead deteriorate, or a mechanical problem can turn out to be more complex than initially expected. (Continued in Part 2)

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Whether the international flight being planned is a first class, business class or a low cost coach flight with a discount airline, the preparations should be the same. The one item that is different is the preparation and information that may be necessary because it is an international flight. Rules and guidelines can be quite different for domestic flights, as compared to airline travel overseas.

First of all, it is important for both types of travel that tickets, lodging and other factors are accounted for before ever departing for the airport. The wise traveler leaves plenty of time to make travel arrangements before the departure date. If problems or issues come up, there will be time to straighten them out.

Among the items that should be on the travel plans priority list are: airline reservations, hotel accommodations, travel between airports, train stations, and connecting flights etc., special arrangements for health or physical limitations. With these items in place, time should be free for attention to details, such as identification and required documents, packing luggage and securing this luggage. Of course, requirements for identification will be different with domestic travel, as a passport is not required. But with all airline travel, passengers should be prepared to show photo identification and try to comply with any other requests made by airline or government personnel.

Well before the departure date, the experienced traveler will talk to airport or airline personnel, or read information online that will tell if driver’s license, government ID card, certificate of citizenship, passport etc. are necessary. Those who wish to remain in another country for an extended period, or who will be working or studying there, will probably need a particular type of visa. This too should be secured well before the planned departure date.

One of the most important steps in international travel is the packing and securing of luggage. If the trip is underway and the luggage is in transit, it is too late to begin worrying about contents, locks or other details. These items should be given attention during the trip-planning process.

During the planning stage, the experienced traveler make sure to understand what items are allowed and what items are prohibited in the airport and on the plane. Some liquids and containers must now be in a plastic bag of a certain size, for instance, and must be available for inspection separate from luggage. There are still restrictions on certain sharp objects and metal objects. Tip; Find out what the guidelines are and follow them to the letter.

Security screening and questioning may be different at each international airport, depending on local and national laws, local law enforcement and so on. It would be best to become as familiar as possible with these rules and guidelines before entering the foreign airport or another country. If this is not possible, be sure to comply with requests from staff and personnel who are trying to follow their own rules and orders.

Whether the flight is with a smaller, low-cost airline or one of the larger airlines, international passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before flight time. This allows for getting through check-in, screening and for taking care of any minor issues that may arise. Working with this limited information may be enough to make the overseas trip more enjoyable. But there is no such thing as too much information when traveling internationally.

Peter Wilson usually makes news on problems relating to Costa Dorada. His articles on airport in costa blanca are found on his website .

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By: lar

Packing

You can pack to avoid problems. Some items should never be put into a bag you plan to check into the cargo compartment:

* Small valuables: cash, credit cards, jewelry, cameras.
* Critical items: medicine, keys, passport, tour vouchers, business papers.
* Irreplaceable items: manuscript, heirlooms.
* Fragile items: eyeglasses, glass containers, liquids.

Things like this should be carried on your person or packed in a carry-on bag that will fit under the seat. Remember, the only way to be sure your valuables are not damaged or lost is to keep them with you. Even if your bag is not lost, it could be delayed for a day or two. Don’t put perishables in a checked bag; they may spoil if it is delayed. It is wise to put items that you will need during the first 24 hours in a carry-on bag (e.g. toiletries, a change of underwear).

Check with the airline for its limits on the size, weight, or number of carry-on pieces. (There is no single federal standard.) If you are using more than one airline, check on all of them. Inquire about your flight; different airplanes can have different limits. Don’t assume that the flight will have unlimited closet space for carry-on garment bags; some may have to be checked.

If you plan to go shopping at your destination and bring your purchases aboard as carry-on, keep the limits in mind. If you check these purchases, however, carry the receipts separately; they may be necessary for a claim if the merchandise is lost or damaged. Don’t put anything into a carry-on bag that could be considered a weapon (e.g. scissors, pen knife).

Checked baggage is also subject to limits. On most domestic and international flights, it’s two checked bags (three if you don’t have any carry-on luggage). There can be an extra charge if you bring more, or if you exceed the airline’s limits on the size of the bags. On some flights between two foreign cities, your allowance may be based on the weight of the bags rather than the number of pieces.

The same two bags that cost you nothing to check when you started your trip could result in expensive excess-baggage charges under a weight system. Ask the airlines about the limit for every segment of your international trip before you leave home, especially if you have a stopover of a day or two or if you are changing carriers. The bags you check should be labeled- inside and out-with your name, address and phone number. Add the name and address of a person to contact at your destination if it’s practical to do so. Almost all of the bags that are misplaced by airlines do turn up sooner or later.

With proper labeling, the bag and its owner can usually be reunited within a few hours. Don’t over-pack a bag. This puts pressure on the latches, making it easier for them to pop open. Also, lock your bags. The locks aren’t very effective against pilferage, but they help to keep the latches from springing. If you plan to check any electrical equipment, glassware, small appliances, pottery, typewriters, musical instruments or other fragile items, they should be packed in a container specifically designed to survive rough handling

Check with the TSA web site to see what the latest rules and regulations are for carry-on luggage. Rules change like the wind.

Article Source: http://www.articlebankonline.com

Larry Westfall is a frequent Thailand visitor and owner of Resort Krabi
Submitted by: Free Article Marketer

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