Flight interruptions and airport closures suck.
Just because you’re flying from Miami to Jamaica for some R & R does not mean your plane will make it there to pick you up.
In a Nutshell: – Advance planning is a PITA. But it will save your butt when SHTF. So take a few minutes to prepare for flight interruptions, then sit back and relax. Until you shouldn’t relax…..then follow this checklist.
The Planning phase – follow these steps:
The day before you leave – make a plan (these 15 mins can save your vacation).
-
- Send a copy of your airline confirmation to your smartphone
- Reconfirm your flights
- Make-believe your flight was just canceled, and do this:
- Go online and print alternate flights going to your destination,
- Both non-stop and with connections,
- List your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice
- Write down all important phone numbers for:
- Airline
- Transfer Company
- Resort
- Travel agency
- Travel agency after-hours
- Pack light — Can you fit everything in a Rolly and a carry-on? (so you can switch planes on the run and avoid checked baggage issues) You would be stunned at what you can get in a carry-on if you pack right
- Leave early for the airport – in case the flight is overbooked – or you blow a tire
The Morning that you fly:
- Find out where your plane is. Go to FlightAware and find out if your plane is on schedule.
The SHTF Phase – If your flight is canceled:
Don’t:
- …go stand in the line like they tell you to do
- …try to go online and get info (the party is over, other people have read this advice)
- …get confused » follow the “Do” steps quickly (there are 200 other people who are fighting for that next flight)
Do:
- …go to FlightAware and find out where your plane is.
- …get on the phone – with whomever you bought your ticket from
- …speak calmly & smile – screaming won’t help (agents deal with delayed or canceled flights all the time)
- …be firm – know what you want (they need a good reason not to give it to you)
- …think about your luggage – if you checked bags, head to the baggage area (but, be on the phone at the same time)
SUGGESTION: Check out the TripIt Pro phone app – for just $49 annually, TripIt Pro quickly locates alternate flights (among many other great benefits).
Hope this helps………..
~Jake
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