Check-In
Times
For domestic flights, you should be at the airport at least two
hours before your flight is scheduled to leave. International
flights require a three-hour check-in before leaving. Curbside and
off-airport check-in are no longer available in the United States.
Only ticketed passengers will be allowed beyond security
checkpoints. No knives or "knife-like" items are allowed
on flights. Even if you have already checked in for your flight, an
airline can cancel your reservation if you are not at the departure
gate on time. Even if you have an advance boarding pass, or have an
advance seat assignment, your seat may be given to another
passenger. If you do not check your baggage in sufficient time for
it to be loaded on your flight, the airline is not responsible for
any delay in the delivery of your baggage to your destination.
Got Your ID?
You may be subject to a physical or electronic search throughout
your travel. Airport security may have random identification and
luggage searches before you depart, and sometimes even when you
arrive at your destination. If you refuse to provide identification
as required or refuse a physical or electronic search, you could be
denied boarding, or removed from a flight at any point. The airline
is then obligated to refund your ticket, even non-refundable
tickets.
Delays/Cancellations
Before you leave for the airport, you should call the airline and
check to see if your flight is leaving as scheduled. There will be
many delays, so use available resources for checking flight
schedules, calling the airline directly, or checking online at the
airline's Web site. Airlines are not required to compensate
passengers for delayed or canceled flights. Each carrier differs in
its policy, and there are no federal requirements. Most will book
you on the next available flight. If your plane is delayed, the
airline may pay for meals or a phone call, so ask. Some will offer
no amenities if the delay is caused by bad weather, or other
conditions beyond their control. Compensation is required by law
only if you are "bumped" from a flight that is oversold
(discussed below).
Although it is not required by law, many airlines are beginning to
inform passengers to the causes for delays in their flights, through
their own programs.
Overbooking/Bumping
Overbooking is legal, and most airlines do it. They are, however,
required to ask people to volunteer to be bumped. If you are bumped
involuntarily, you must be given a written statement describing your
rights and explaining how the carrier decides who gets on an
oversold flight and who doesn't, and you may keep your ticket and
use it on another flight. If you choose to make your own
arrangements, you can request an "involuntary refund" for
the ticket. You are also entitled to compensation, with a few
exceptions. For example, if the airline arranges substitute
transportation that is scheduled to get you to your final
destination (including later connections) within one hour of your
original scheduled arrival time, you get nothing.
Delayed/Lost Luggage
If your bags are delayed, airlines usually agree to pay
"reasonable" expenses until they're found. The amount is
subject to negotiation, and you may have to fight for it. If your
bags are not found, you must file a claim, which takes some time to
process. It is normal to wait six weeks to three months for
reimbursement; although some airlines are much more efficient than
others. When Continental lost my bags, I had a check in five weeks.
If your bags are delayed, lost, or damaged on a domestic trip, the
airline can invoke a ceiling of $1250 per passenger. On
international trips, the liability limit is limited to $9.07 per
pound ($20 per kilo) by the Warsaw Convention, unless you pay for
extra liability. Beware of deadlines! If you miss the check-in
deadline, the carrier is not responsible for your bag if it is
delayed or lost.
To find out how a
particular airline or airport fares in these and other
performance-related areas, read the Air
Travel Consumer Report, put out by the Department of
Transportation. Read up on the new security
measures for all airports. |
