Grounded and grumpy?
How to prevent flight delays from spoiling summer travel
August 14, 2000
Web posted at: 12:35 p.m. EDT (1635 GMT)
From Chris Wolfe
CNN Correspondent
ATLANTA (CNN) -- If your travel plans this summer aren't going quite as
planned, you're not alone.
Flight delays and cancellations are forcing thousands of would-be air
travelers to change plans or scramble for alternatives to reach their
destinations.
Although the Federal Aviation Administration says the number of flight
delays dropped from June to July, that's little consolation to grounded
passengers.
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United, the world's largest airline, has the most problems. It reported nearly
6,000 cancellations last month -- about three times as many as the nine other
biggest airlines. United blames a combination of bad weather, labor issues
and general summertime congestion.
When flights get canceled, hotels fill up, said Richard
Copland of the American Society of Travel Agents.
"Unfortunately, you could, for a short period of time, become a homeless
person," he said.
Complaints rising
Homeless and probably vocal. According to the United States Department of
Transportation, consumers registered nearly 2,400 complaints with the
agency in June, up 41 percent from the number of complaints filed just a month
earlier.
Travel agents say you should always be prepared for the worst.
First, you may have shopped online, but you should have a paper copy
of your ticket just in case you are forced to change flights. It also doesn't
hurt to have a cell phone, making it easier to contact your travel agent or
another carrier if your flight's not taking off, agents say.
"Know what other airline is traveling to your destination," said Terry Trippler of OneTravel.com. "Have an idea of
when they leave."
The transportation department's Web site also has some advice for
stranded passengers, along with tips to avoid being one of them:
Consider booking a flight earlier in the day, when it's less likely to be
delayed. You're most likely to get stuck overnight if you book the last
flight of the day.
Try choosing a flight out of the least-congested connecting airport, and
consider possible bad weather in the connecting city.
Call a day or two beforehand to confirm reservations.
Checking in early will keep you from losing your seat assignments or
even your entire reservation. When flights are oversold, the last ones to
arrive are the first to get bumped.
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RELATED SITES:
U.S. Department of Transportation
OneTravel.com
United Airlines
American Society of Travel Agents
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