The 12 Delays Of Christmas
(December 13, 2001)
On the 12 delays of Christmas my
airline gave to me…12 ID-checkers checking, 11 luggage
searches…three delayed connections, two cancellations, and a long
line for checking in. I thought I'd bring seasonal tidings and
advice to America's airline passengers, who must endure the airport
delays of the holiday season.
Worst Airports for
Congestion and Weather
During a snowstorm, you just might
find "six-thousand passengers a-laying" all around Chicago's O'Hare
airport while the proverbial "O'Hare-lock" of airport congestion is
sortetd out. Congestion also wreaks havoc at New York City's three
major airports where, on average, forty percent of arrivals and
departures are delayed. According to the Department of
Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, here are the
worst airports for congestion:
- Chicago (O'Hare)
- Newark
- New York's (LaGuardia)
- Los Angeles
- Boston
- San Francisco
- New York (JFK)
- Seattle-Tacoma International
- Philadelphia
We can't control the weather, but there is
good news. Because many airlines have cut flights and reduced their
fleets by twenty percent or more, there will be fewer congestion
delays all across the U.S.—for at least awhile anyway
Worst Airports for Security Delays
Don't be
surprised if you find "eleven pipers piping" in Baltimore. The
security delays are so bad that the airport has hired professional
entertainers to soothe passengers' frayed nerves. Here are the rest
of the worst:
- Los Angeles (LAX) Terminal 1 (Airlines: Southwest, America
West, US Airways)
- Denver
The problem with these airports is that
passengers have to funnel through one large checkpoint area. At many
other airports, security screening goes faster because the airlines
have their own screening areas, so people are spread across more
checkpoints.
Survival Techniques
Here's some
advice for those traveling by air this holiday season, especially
for those finding themselves at any of the airports mentioned
above.
Take an Early Flight
When booking
your flight, remember that a departure early in the day is less
likely to be delayed than a later flight, due partly to the "ripple"
effects of delays throughout the day. In addition, if an early
flight is delayed or canceled, you may have more rerouting
options.
Book a Nonstop
In general, you
are least likely to be delayed on nonstop flights. A connection
(change of planes) always involves the possibility of a
misconnection. On a direct flight (intermediate stop with no change
of planes), the second leg could be delayed or canceled. If you
choose a flight with a stop or connection, try to select the one
stopping at the least-congested airport possible.
Check the Status of Your Flight Before Leaving
Home
Check your flight's status well ahead of your
departure time with the airline by calling or going online before
you leave for the airport. If there is a problem, try to rebook over
the telephone. While airlines often try to notify you of schedule
changes by phone, they might not be able to if the delay occurs
shortly before the flight.
Leave
Early
Leave for the airport early enough to allow
extra time for potential airport traffic, parking delays, and longer
luggage check-in and security screening lines. Arrive at the airport
at least two-and-a-half hours before your flight is scheduled to
leave, three-and-a-half hours for international flights. Two-and
three-hour waits are common, particularly at the busy mid-morning
and mid-afternoon times.
Ticketing
Check with your airline for
its e-ticket policies. If you have an e-ticket, bring a printed
confirmation or the passenger record locater number. Have your
tickets, boarding passes, and ID readily at hand because they will
be required at checkpoints and airline gates. Make sure that names
on tickets and IDs match.
Have Proper
ID
Passengers must travel with a valid photo ID and
keep it with them within reach at all times. Valid ID includes
driver's licenses, passports, or official state IDs. College IDs are
not acceptable in many cases. If you do not hold a driver's license,
get a state ID.
Understand Airport Drop-Off and
Pick-Up
Only immediate drop-off and pick-up of
passengers will be permitted at terminal curbside locations. Check
with your airport for special rules.
Utilize Curbside
Check-in
Curbside baggage check-in is available again
at most airports. If you can check your luggage at the curb, or plan
to fly with only carry-on bags, you shouldn't have to stand in line
at airline ticket counters.
Don't Pack These Items in
Your Carry-On
Many everyday items may seem harmless,
but are considered potentially dangerous by airlines. These items
include, but are not limited to, all cutting and puncturing
instruments (knives, pocket knives, box cutters, ice picks, straight
razors, metal scissors, and metal nail files), corkscrews, athletic
equipment that could be used as a weapon (bats, golf clubs, pool
cues, ski poles, hockey sticks, and ice skates), and flammable
liquids or solids (fuel, paints, lighter fluid, lighter refills, and
matches). Matches and lighters may only be carried on your person
with the exception of "strike-anywhere" matches or lighters with
flammable liquid reservoirs.
Don't Wrap
Gifts
If you are traveling with gifts, don't wrap
them because they may get unwrapped at security screening.
Here's wishing you and your family delay-free travel and
above all a safe and happy holiday season!
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