Navigating Air Travel
By Celia C. Peters, AOL BlackVoices
These days, air travel is a very different ball game. Homeland Security measures have changed the landscape of how traveling by air is done. Also, upheavals in the airline industry have been just as powerful in changing the dollars and cents of flying.
The combination of the sharp rise in the cost of aviation fuel and the advent of low-cost carriers have dealt a crippling blow to airlines. As a result airlines must cut costs to regain revenue they've lost due to the higher cost of flying and the lower-cost competition -- so that means consumers have seen prices go up, amenities eliminated, and high-salaried, veteran airline staff laid off.
What does all of this mean for you? The quick answer is that your best bet is to prepare ahead of time.
VALUE
Airlines are constantly (as in thousands of times a day) adjusting fares based on how fast a flight is filling up, so timing is critical. Online booking is now extremely popular, thanks to its ease, convenience and low fares. Air travel today most often involves e-tickets (electronic tickets) as the primary record of your purchase instead of traditional paper tickets. Be sure to print out e-tickets, but if you are filing an expense report for business, you'll need to request a separate receipt.
Travelers are better off deciding what their priorities are -- airfare or departure time. Other factors that can affect cost may be travel dates and the number of layovers. Flying at prime times (morning, at noon or around 5PM) means paying prime fares; flying in late morning, early afternoon or evening could save you money. Also, premium economy, economy and extra-low coach fares will cost you the least -- and provide the least frills.
By the way, travel agents are still very much alive and kicking. If you purchase tickets online and later have a problem, a travel agent can be a direct connection to the airline and serve as your advocate.
SECURITY
At this point, security issues in air travel should be a no-brainer. Some do's and don'ts are obvious: Do bring your government-issued ID and boarding pass, but don't carry items on the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) prohibited list or joke about blowing up the plane. There are other things you can do to make your trip through security a little easier -- and hopefully a lot quicker…
1. Don't wear an outfit full of metal, and leave your pocketfuls of change at home. Any metal detected at the checkpoint must be identified, which means additional screening -- and additional time.
2. If you're bringing gifts, do yourself a favor and don't wrap them first. Security personnel may need to inspect them, depending on their contents.
3. If you want to lock your luggage, use a TSA-approved lock.
4. Smokers: Clear your pockets of lighters and matches at the security checkpoint, before you go through any metal detectors.
Also: According to the TSA, many footwear styles require extra screening -- even if the alarm on the detector doesn't go off. Thin-soled shoes such as flip-flops are ideal to wear if you want to move things along.
YOUR TRIP
Your next challenge is making it aboard the plane. First and foremost, make sure to allow yourself enough time. For international flights, it is recommended that you arrive at the ticket counter at least three hours before your flight; for domestic flights, arrive at least two hours before to allow time for checking in and security. Also, allow sufficient time for getting through the airport. Many are so large that you need a shuttle to ride from one terminal to another.
Hungry? Gone are the days of airline meals, and they're not likely to be back anytime soon. Check to see what kind of food service is available on your flight (if any), and it's not a bad idea to bring your own bottled water and snacks.
Now, where will you sit? Of course, the best seats on the plane are in first class. The chances of getting an upgrade are much better if you're part of a frequent flyer plan -- or willing to pay top dollar from the outset. Industry experts advise making nice with the gate agent, because they have lots of discretion and can make your trip heaven… or not. Otherwise, many airlines allow you to choose your (coach) seat if you check in at a kiosk. If either you or your travel companion is disabled, find out your airline's policies and capacities for accommodating disabilities.
Bon voyage!