To assure that your bags will arrive at your destination you need to make sure that the bags are properly tagged BEFORE you leave the ticket counter. Some ticket agents may not print the correct tag or may put a previous passenger’s tag on your luggage. Ask them if you can take a look at one of the tags they are putting on your bag and watch them to make sure they put the correct tags on your bags.
You should always arrive at least 2 hours prior to your scheduled departure time. Each airline has a specific check-in procedure. Two hours should give you adequate time to check your bags, have them sequenced (especially on international departures), and resolve any problems that you may have. The kind of problems you may not know about until you are checking in. Most airlines don’t check passengers in if they are at the ticket counter a half hour before departure. Their seats have already been assigned to other passengers, and their bags will not be placed on the flight due to security reasons.
Electronic ticketing is usually the best way to go. People will always come to the airport and try to check in without a ticket in their hand. They lose their ticket and have to purchase a last minute ticket for an absurd price. They will wait about 6 weeks to get a refund (less the $50.00 to $100.00 fee for the lost ticket application and processing). If you buy an electronic ticket then the e-ticket will be stored in the computer. You don't have a ticket to lose. You simply show your passport or other documentation and you’re issued a boarding pass on the spot.
Book a seat when you book your flight. If you do then you won’t be in the middle seat in the back of the plane (unless that is where you want to be). This is especially useful if you plan to travel with someone and you want to sit together. If you don’t reserve your seat ahead of time then they will already be taken. You and your companion could be sitting on opposite ends of the plane.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Question: If there are obvious empty seats in first class, why can't the gate agent bump you up for free.
Answer: Since the service level in First Class is much higher (along with the costs of those services, meals, etc), the airlines are reluctant to give those services away for free. Most of the people who want the free upgrades to First Class are the lowest paying leisure travelers and the airlines are already losing money on them.
Question: What's the most annoying behavior you've ever encountered?
Answer: Anger has to be the most annoying. When the flight is delayed or there is any problem, people tend to think it is the gate agent's fault. Most passengers think that gate agents control the weather, the maintenance health of the aircraft, etc. In one instance an irate passenger tried to climb across the ticket counter towards the ticket agent. Luckily nobody was seriously injured but the passenger was arrested for trespassing.
Most passengers, even the frequent flyers, only spend a few days a week, and a few hours daily at the airport. They are not subjected to the same maddening crowds that airport workers see day in and day out so they don't realize how stressful it is to work as a ticket agent or anywhere in the airport. Most people don't realize that the airline workers hear the same stories and excuses given by customers every day and therefore tend not to react the way the customer wants them to. This causes the customer much stress and consequently they tend to get very angry at the employees of the airline.
Question: I'm not a frequent flyer but will be taking in a trip in October. Is there a way to get a better seat?
Answer: With that much time you have a good chance of getting your choice of a seat assignment from either your travel agent or the airline directly. If you can meet the requirements then ask for aisle seats on the emergency window exit rows as they afford the most leg room.
Question: What kind of stories do airline employees hear from the customers?
Answer: During Christmas with all flights on all carriers booked solid you will have plenty of passengers that come up to the gate with deaths in the family. Some of them will have bought stand-by tickets months earlier for that date. It seems like more than a coincidence they have relatives die when they are flying home on stand-by.
Question: Are there special rates that the ticketing agents know about, but won't tell you unless you ask?
Answer: While there isn't anything specific that an agent actually knows, there are so many fares it is possible they will have heard something. It's best to ask.
Question: What is the range of discretion that a gate agent has for accepting tickets that are not exactly for the flight being boarded...i.e. do they really have to reissue a ticket for the same destination when I've simply taken a later or earlier flight?
Answer: It varies from airline to airline but the reality is that it doesn't matter as long as it is the same airline and destination. The only difference will be the boarding pass.
Question: Why is it that the agent cannot easily find a tall person an aisle seat or better yet, an emergency exit row seat?
Answer: There is no consideration when assigning a seat for someone who is tall or overweight. The best answer is to make sure that, when you book the flight, you ask for aisle and exit row seating. Some airlines reserve these seats, or a percentage of them, for their frequent flyers.
Question: Does the gate agent have the flexibility to upgrade a coach passenger to first class?
Answer: Some airlines give their agents the flexibility and post notices at their counters when they do. Some don't. It's best to ask a supervisor for the airline's policy.
Question: What is the most important advice to give to an airline passenger?
Answer: Show up 1.5 hours before your domestic flight if you need to be ticketed, 1 hour if not. Show up 2.5 hours early for your international flight if you need to be ticketed, 2 hours if not. Be courteous to the staff and try not to take the little inconveniences as a personal threat.
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