more hints for travellers (Airlines - Comments & Tips)

Member Name: Highwayman

Product:	Airlines - Comments & Tips
Date:	28/04/02 (178 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: it's fast, cheaper than its ever been, its way cooler than rowing

Disadvantages: too many people at airports - keep the plebs out, I say.....

Cool op by zOOm on this - but there are one or two more things you can do to make your flight easier.

Ask your travel agent if you can do seat reservation when you book your ticket.

Certainly get to the airport early, ( I always do) but also - no matter HOW appalling your trip to the airport/paking hassles/headache/travel agent have been be nice to the staff. Be polite and friendly at the check in, smile, say hello, (you know, manners) ask if there's any problems at the airport today. If they like you - they DO know and may even tell you. Say thank you. Don't get on their case or argue with them if your luggage is overweight. It's like being rude to waiters in a restaurant - you can't win. Idiots dont get bumped up - they tend to be the first to be bumped off.

Dress neatly - casual but comfortable, If you have a really comfortable suit you dont mind wearing for up to 24 hours, wear it. It sounds old fashioned, but it works.

Pack as light as you can - get out all the clothes you will need, and halve it. Take out one or two more items, and you're about ready. No matter where you're going, clothes will be cheaper there than in your average British High St, so if you have left anything behind, buy it there.

Don't arrive drunk. Don't get drunk at the airport before the plane leaves. You can (and and often will) be refused onto the flight. Rightly so. Don't get drunk on the plane. If you're REALLY sensible ( and who is really?) dont drink at all on the plane.

Airline travel is cheaper now than it has ever been. ( My first one-way ticket to Australia in 1977 cost me £392 - now the fare is £365 one way). More people are flying than ever before. That is why planes get delayed so much. I dont know if it's luck or management, but I havent had many delays in my 27 years flying. The only time I have it was a charter flight. No-one will tell you, but scheduled flights tend t
o be sent off on time, at the expense of charter flights. (This is an observation, I have no empirical evidence to back this up).

Enjoy your flight. Don't complain how long it's taking - you know how long it's going to be before you get on board. If your flight is pleasant, your holiday (or succesful business trip) will have already started at the airport.

Summary: