Photo by Flip Barrientos
Two weeks ago I officially began my career in the airline industry. Working at the ticket counter, I have already come across enough people experiencing travel faux pas that I feel inspired to write this blog, covering several helpful hints and guidelines for you to be aware of before you plan your next vacation. Knowing the facts will mean you can get to the airport later free of worries, and will minimize the risk of you missing your plane.
Check and double check your itinerary, even if you booked through a travel agency. They make mistakes! You have no idea how many people come in trying to check in for flights that left two days ago. They then think that because their travel agent messed up, not them, that they should not be charged. But you are responsible for knowing your reservation! You will be charged to change your flight because it was not the airlines fault.
Know the policies and fees associated with the airline you a flying. Do they charge for a second bag? For a first? How many pounds are considered overweight? What is allowed to be in your checked/carry-on luggage? What happens if you miss your flight? These are all things you should know before you arrive at the airport. My airline charges $50 for any bags over 50 pounds and I can’t tell you how many times I hear “FIFTY DOLLARS!?!? Are you KIDDING me?!” every day. I always let people try to take things out and rearrange so they can avoid the fee, but weighing your bag before you leave in the morning can expedite the entire situation.
You are not an exception no matter what your situation is. Although you are the customer and we want you to be happy, just because you are you does not mean we will magically waive the fee. Be prepared if you know you may have to pay a little extra.
Check in online if you are able to. Then your time at the airport is so much quicker. At my airline, we have a bag drop line, so if you check in online (or at the kiosk) and already have your boarding pass, we just check your ID, scan your boarding pass, take your bag and you’re done! Quick!
The airlines do not control the weather and no matter how much you yell at your ticket agent, if ATC tells us we aren’t flying, we aren’t flying! Do you really want your plane to hit turbulence and go down in a field in Iowa? We know how frustrating it is to have a delay, we’ve flown too! But there is literally NOTHING we can do about it.
We won’t hold the plane for you, sorry. I didn’t know this before I started working, but the airline is fined for every minute that the plane is late taking off that is their fault (not due to weather or ATC, etc). If you’re late, you’re late. If the jetbridge door is closed, it’s not opening for you. If that planes takes off late because of you, that throws off flights for the entire day.
We can’t boot someone from their aisle seat just becaue you want it. Seats are first come, first serve. We get that you may need to get up to pee 6 times during the flight, but that is something you have to work out with Mr. Aisle Seat Holder. If you have a middle, you have a middle. Someone has to sit there.
That’s all I can think of right now. If I think of any more I will let you know.
The Ponz
Aimee "The Ponz" Pontius is just a simple girl from New England who moved to the south for college. From there she spent a summer in Northern Kentucky partying, made some bad decisions (and some good ones), dropped out of college, moved back in with her parents and now...well now this blog. Her friends call her The Ponz, Ponzy, Pontavius, Cuntius, Raponzal and various other forms. She likes cuddling, eating with chopsticks, and playing in the rain. 