Oct 3 2011
Air Trip Reminders – How To Get To Your Flight In A Timely Manner
It shouldn’t be a shocking statement to say that arriving on time is important when traveling. So why do we need to discuss this? Because so many people don’t! You don’t want to be the person holding everyone else up, so keep some simple tips in mind.
Many people time their flights so they arrive at the end point with enough time for a quick dash to the cab or a local destination. This ultimately leads to a lot of stress. It is much easier to fly in early, with time to spare.
Why would you want to go ahead of time? You may have some time to wait around, but at least you know you won’t be racing around late if there is an airline delay.
What if your flight is delayed or cancelled? Cancellations are deadly to a tight schedule, since it will take awhile to get a new flight to your destination. Most people know to expect problems when it is winter with all the snow and ice, but many forget about the vicious thunderstorms that can cause problems in the summer. There are summertime delays every year. Some information can be gained from looking at the past on-time records for a flight, but that gives no guarantee that weather won’t become a problem.
If you’re traveling abroad, you have to worry about monsoons, transiting foreign airports, or customs delays (like when they decided my Plumeria Plant was not ready to enter the states), if you need to exit to connect to another airline for a longer trip.
One general rule of thumb for avoiding delays is to select the first flight of the day. Those delays have a domino effect and get worse throughout the day.
If you have a choice of connecting cities, pick the one with the warmest climate. In some cases you can choose your airports according to their record of delay, but keep in mind that many major hubs will be the only option for a transfer in some places. Hubs always have more delays than other airports. They can’t help it; this comes natural to hubs.
Delays may also be because of frequent weather problems as in the case of Chicago – ORD, or because of runway alignment as in the case of San Francisco – SFO.
It’s time to jump back to the initial idea of this piece and remember the importance of arriving early. It is a good idea to go a day or more in advance. If you’re connecting, be sure your layover is at least two hours. Sure layovers are a drag, but if you have a tight connection, and that first flight is delayed an hour… your connection is BUSTED!!! Now, what else do you need to know?
If you can’t avoid a tight connection, have a “plan B” ahead of time. Booking a new connection is always easier if you know your options.
Make sure to start your trip off right by getting the airport on time at the beginning of your trip. Don’t make this basic mistake. On my last vacation, an All Inclusive Couples Resorts Hawaii trip, I made this travel blunder. Most airlines now cut off check in for domestic flights 30 minutes to flight time. Your plans will be ruined if you run in twenty minutes to departure and learn you cannot check your bags. Due to long lines at security checkpoints, it is even risky to arrive a half hour early. Security delays are something you should just expect.
So to get there on time, get to the airport early… for an early morning flight… Avoid tight connections, and get there a day ahead. This way, you have nothing to stress over, you have time to recoup from the trip, and you might even get some sleep before enjoying the next day.
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