Air Travel

Question:

Looking for 3 tickets to baltimore/washington area for June 5th.  I can’t afford the non 7-day advance prices.  Anyone with tickets they no-longer want? —                                                                                 <: Drool :>

Response:

Archive-name: air-travel/jetlag-prevention Last-Modified: Sat May  2 17:51:06 CDT 1992 This is one in a series of FAQ lists that are posted monthly.  Postings 1/5 through 5/5 include this introduction. The charter of REC.TRAVEL.AIR is to serve as a discussion group for issues related to air travel (surprise!).  This monthly posting of frequently asked questions (FAQ) is intended to prevent the recurrence of specific questions or types of questions that are either unanswerable, or are asked seemingly weekly. Some topics are mostly U.S./North American based, while others are global in interest.  The information contained here is based on the best postings from the net on these subjects, and thanks are due to the netters who provided them. Information from international sources would be a welcome addition.   As with any newsgroup, it is best to read it for a few weeks before posting anything, in order to see what topics are currently being discussed.   Please keep in mind that air travel is subject to a complex set of rules, regulations, and agreements (official or unofficial) between governments, airlines, and ticket agencies.  Information transmitted over the net is not definitive.  Netters offer what they know with good intentions;  however, no guarantee is made the that information contained in this list is 100% correct.   Having said that, know then, that all information herein is offered AS IS with no implied warranty of accuracy whatsoever. Currently, the number of lists totals six.  Five are posted by Larry Autry article on "How to Get Cheap Airtickets" by Mark Kantrowitz The subjects of these five lists are as follows: I.   Intro and Answers to General Questions II.  Airport Codes For North America III. Airport Codes For The World IV.  Ticket Consolidator Article (Bucket Shops) V.   Article About How To Prevent Jetlag My experience says go with the time adjustment regimen… As soon as possible before departure, set your watch to the final destination time zone, and do all you can to act as if the time were truly what your watch says. [I usually can't do this until I arrive at the airport , due to last second rush...] I’ve traveled west (Singapore, Philippines, India) and east (Norway, England). Following this regimen has helped me avoid just about any signs of jet lag, except that 3 days after returning from India, I died for a day or so. That just might be attributable to the fact that I was totally worn out anyway Overall, I’ve noticed a tendency to be a more tired on the return leg of any very long trip than on the outgoing leg. A few hints about actually following the "act according to destination time" advice:     – The on-board airline routine is not at all designed to help you act         as if you were on destination time. You can ignore the standard         routine as far as light/dark and busy/quiet times go if you bring         along eye shades and ear plugs (actually, a blanket in my face         darkens things enough for me).     – Meals are the really tricky part. I can’t completely go without meals         without getting my body a little upset. I try to just tell myself         that this scrambled egg is a late evening snack, or this chicken         with vegetables is a strange breakfast. It works!     – Getting comfortable is really important. If I don’t get some good         sleep at an appropriate time, I end up very tired once I arrive.         [I once ended up on a trans-pacific flight with a planeload of         excited exchange students who talked most of the way across. THAT         didn't work out so great for me!]     – Remember that you can request alternate diets. Typical airline food         is extremely high in protein. Something a little lighter weight         (‘heart healthy’ ‘vegetarian’ or some of the other alternative         menus) helps me a lot. At the very least, I try to avoid pigging         out on sausage, etc. when I’m on a long flight. Youngsters:     – Amen to bringing something to keep them busy. A favorite blankie         is a really important thing to remember .     – Some kind of hard candy or lollipop to suck on during takeoff/landing         approach will help with the ear popping routine.     – For your own and everybody else’s peace of mind, make sure you know         what your little one is up to all the time (I’ve seen too many         kids either let loose or ignored in their seats (while they totally         mangle a meal, dropping pieces on the neighbors, pouring drinks on         the floor, etc… Yuck!)) I guess that’s all from me… — Larry Autry Silicon Graphics, St. Louis

Response:

Archive-name: air-travel/faq Last-Modified: Sat May  2 17:51:06 CDT 1992 This is one in a series of FAQ lists that are posted monthly.  Postings 1/5 through 5/5 include this introduction. The charter of REC.TRAVEL.AIR is to serve as a discussion group for issues related to air travel (surprise!).  This monthly posting of frequently asked questions (FAQ) is intended to prevent the recurrence of specific questions or types of questions that are either unanswerable, or are asked seemingly weekly. Some topics are mostly U.S./North American based, while others are global in interest.  The information contained here is based on the best postings from the net on these subjects, and thanks are due to the netters who provided them. Information from international sources would be a welcome addition.   As with any newsgroup, it is best to read it for a few weeks before posting anything, in order to see what topics are currently being discussed.   Please keep in mind that air travel is subject to a complex set of rules, regulations, and agreements (official or unofficial) between governments, airlines, and ticket agencies.  Information transmitted over the net is not definitive.  Netters offer what they know with good intentions;  however, no guarantee is made the that information contained in this list is 100% correct.   Having said that, know then, that all information herein is offered AS IS with no implied warranty of accuracy whatsoever. Currently, the number of lists totals six.  Five are posted by Larry Autry article on "How to Get Cheap Airtickets" by Mark Kantrowitz The subjects of these five lists are as follows: I.   Intro and Answers to General Questions II.  Airport Codes For North America III. Airport Codes For The World IV.  Ticket Consolidator Article (Bucket Shops) V.   Article About How To Prevent Jetlag 1.  WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST FARE FROM X TO Y ON (DATE)?     Why ask the net?  A travel agent is the best contact for this type of inquiry.  He/she has access to a computer system that shows flights for most airlines and can give you fares and availability for various combinations. That’s their job!  Travel agents do not charge you a commission for giving you this information; they are paid by the airlines.  If you feel that a travel agent is not giving you complete information, try another agent.  If you feel that you could have gotten a better fare yourself, then do it yourself.  The variability of fares on a continuous basis is due to the airlines, not to travel agents.       This probably won’t make you feel better, but you will most likely NEVER KNOW what the cheapest available fare for your trip would have been.  There are just too many variables and changes in pricing.  You can only search until you find an acceptable deal.  Be aware, however, that if the price on your ticket (your specific airline, date and route) does go down, you can be refunded the difference in price.       The implications of the "new" fare pricing adopted in April 1992 by several major US carriers (including American, United, Northwest and Delta) is unclear. The reported goal was to reduce the total number of fares available in the system to a more manageable number — according to the Boston Globe (4/19/92), from over 700,000 different fares down to about 70,000 for American Airlines! This gives you some idea of the complexity of fare pricing.  However, some airlines, notably TWA, have not followed this pricing scheme, and so the four airlines mentioned above have had to deviate from their planned fares to compete on some routes discounted by other airlines.  Whether the "new" fares will last remains to be seen. 1.a.  WHAT ABOUT DISCOUNTS FOR CHILDREN, SENIORS, BEREAVEMENT?  HOW ABOUT CANCELLATION OF NON-REFUNDABLE FARES FOR MEDICAL REASONS?     Policies really do vary from airline to airline.  Usually, children under 2 years old travel free if they sit on a parent’s lap.  Most flights aren’t full and so the parent can then use the seat next to them.  If the flight is full you really do have to hold the child on your lap, which can get tiresome on a long flight.  Over 2 years old you must buy a ticket, which may or may not be discounted.       Many airlines offer discounts for senior citizens in the form of coupon booklets, good for 4 or more one-way flights for a flat fee.  These may or may not be cheaper than buying deep discounted tickets, depending on the expected routes of travel and the airlines that fly those routes.  The coupons are generally good for one year from date of purchase.       Bereavement fares are often offered by airlines, on asking.  Sometimes they require proof of death, such as a copy of the death certificate or obituary. They aren’t usually as cheap as the advance-purchase discount fare, but are usually cheaper than the normal fare for a last-minute purchase.  The "new" pricing schemes supposedly eliminated a lot of discounts such as these, but not all airlines are following American’s lead, and you still might find an employee who will give you a discount.     Many airlines will refund a ticket for cancellation for legitimate medical reasons.  Often a doctor’s statement must be submitted.  Sometimes the ticket can be refunded even if the traveler isn’t affected; for example, if two people are traveling together and one cannot fly, both tickets may be cancelled. Cases are known where someone to be met at the destination couldn’t make it, so upon proof of that person’s medical problem, all travelers’ tickets were cancelled.  It never hurts to ask — several times, different people.  There are, however, no guarantees.     These are examples of situations where a good travel agent can be worth his/her weight in gold. 2.  WHAT OTHER OPTIONS EXIST FOR FINDING SCHEDULES AND FARES?     The Official Airline Guide (OAG) is published monthly and costs $75 to subscribe.  It can also be bought in bookstores (especially at airports) for $7.50 per copy.  It does not contain fare information.  Some people have noted that not all routes appear in the OAG.  Netters who have access to the OAG may or may not have the time or inclination to look things up for you.  Do not get incensed if no one replies to your inquiries.  Your local library may carry the OAG.     If you live near an airport you can pick up current schedules for each airline individually.  These are changed often, however, and not all airlines serve all airports.       You can contact EAASY-SABRE through the Prodigy, GEnie, or Compuserve on-line services.  Access to the reservation system does not itself cost anything, but there are subscription fees for each on-line service.  Again, some people have noted that they had better luck working with a travel agent than trying to make reservations themselves on-line.  There are NO completely free on-line sources of schedule or fare information.  Netters who subscribe to these services may or may not be interested in spending time and money to answer your question.      You can call each airline individually and inquire about the trip you are planning.  This may require 6 or 7 calls to get all the possible flights, but the service is free.  If you do not know the 800 number for a particular airline, call 800 directory information at 800-555-1212.  (There are local numbers available in many locations; check your telephone book.)  Here is a partial list of airline national reservation numbers.  The coverage areas may vary, but are mostly for North America only.  Many airlines have separate numbers for domestic or international reservations, and most offer TDD lines for the hearing impaired.  Directory information for 800 numbers can be reached at 800-555-1212.      Aeromexico      800-237-6639   (except Houston)      Air Canada      800-776-3000   (for most areas of the lower 48 states)      Alaska Air      800-426-0333   (also Puerto Rico, USVI and Canada)      America West    800-247-5692   (also Puerto Rico, USVI and Canada)      American        800-433-7300      Canadian Air    800-426-7000   (lower 48, Hawaii and Puerto Rico)      Continental     800-525-0280      Delta           800-221-1212      Northwest       800-225-2525      TWA             800-221-2000      United          800-241-6522      USAir           800-428-4322 3.  HOW DO I FIND A GOOD TRAVEL AGENT?     Ask your friends for recommendations.  Or, look in the phone book.  Choose one for convenient location, as it is preferable to visit the agent in person than to make lengthy inquiries over the phone.  Many agents will get to know you and record your preferences for seat selection, meals, etc. so that you do not have to remember to ask for these each time.       If you do not like the service you are receiving, try another agent.  Do not blame the travel agent for fare and schedule craziness — blame the airlines.  And please do not take up the travel agent’s time with lengthy inquiries, only to buy the ticket direct from the airline.  This does not benefit you in any way, and hurts the travel agent.  The job may seem glamorous, but there are so many agents that most do not make a fortune in their jobs (witness the sometimes shabby offices).   4.  WHAT ARE TICKET CONSOLIDATORS AND BUCKET SHOPS?     Ticket consolidators buy up blocks of unsold seats and sell them at a discount.  They are not the same as travel agents and these tickets will not usually be available through travel agents.  The tickets are usually on regularly scheduled airlines.  Many consolidators will not take credit cards, since their profit margins are presumably slim.  Most consolidators are located on the coasts.  If you buy a Sunday

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Response: