The savvy traveler: Tips of the trade (Part 1)
Story and photos by Bob Schulman
Whether you're booking flights online or on the phone to reservations agents, knowing the lingo of the travel industry can help you save a lot of money (and sometimes avoid some unpleasant surprises).
For example, never ask for a “direct” flight when you want a flight that doesn't stop between “A” and “B.” That's a “nonstop” flight. In airline talk, “direct” means the flight stops one or more times between “A” and “B,” but you don't have to
change planes along the way.
Rating the airlines: Don't pay too much attention to government reports showing how often each carrier flew on time, how many times they “bumped” passengers, how many bags they lost and so on. Why? Because the monthly stats don't factor in the weather. Take away hurricanes, snowstorms, heavy rains, fog and the like, and an airline that scored low on the list might otherwise have been a top performer. And vice versa.
Gone to bag heaven: On the subject of luggage, you should know that some published figures show “mishandled” bags while others show “lost” bags. There's a big difference. In airline lingo, a bag that went to Botswana instead of Boston but eventually made it to Bean Town was simply “mishandled.” A bag is only “lost” if it never shows up again (airline employees say it went to “bag heaven”).
No room in the bin: If you're planning to put your carry-on luggage in the overhead bin, try to get on the boarding line as soon as you can. When the overhead bins fill up, and if you can't fit your bag under the seat in front of you, airline staffers will put it in the belly of the plane with the checked luggage. After landing, you'll have to wait to pick it up it in the baggage claim area along with all the people who checked their bags at the ticket counter.
VIP rooms for everyone: If your flight plans call for a connection at Dallas/Ft. Worth, there are some little-known places around the airport where coach passengers can enjoy – free – one of the perks of first-class flyers. A reporter for WatchBoom found several such spots where anyone can sit back and relax in overstuffed chairs and couches normally just found in VIP rooms. So if you've got some time on your hands at DFW, head for Gate 28 in Terminal B, Gate 2 in Terminal C, Gate 24 in Terminal D or Gates 21 or 32 in Terminal E – you'll find “comfort lounges” there, right out in the open off the main walkways.
Stay tuned for more “Tips of the trade” in the next issue of WatchBoom.com.
