Discovering Extremely Cheap Last Minute Flights

Extremely cheap last minute flights are available if you're willing to make a few compromises and search dilligently. You might not get your seating preference and have to make a few plane changes but if you are dedicated and adaptable you shouldn't have any problem finding those extremely cheap last minutes flights that you want.Follow the following tips;

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Begin by calling the airline in question because the operators that answer the phones have up to the minute information about cancellations and seat vacancies. You won't find the best seating arrangements or ideal conditions going straight to the airline, but when your coming in at the latest possible second you'll have to make some concessions to get extremely cheap last minute flights.
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It never hurts to poke around online and see what kind of extremely cheap last minute flights you can find and many times this will turn out to be beneficial. Print out a confirmation of your flight and ticket if you do this, especially if it's done at the last minute. This will avoid any glitches or confusion once you get to ticketing at the airport, and provide you with proof that you actually have the flight because mistakes can easily happen when things are done with little time before departure.
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You really have to be ready to leave at a moments notice when you're looking for extremely cheap last minute flights, so don't be too strict on your departure times. Sometimes vacancies pop up and you really don't want to miss an opportunity because you weren't prepared. Basically, your bags need to be almost packed when you are looking so if you find a great deal you can jump on it.
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The last step that you can't forget about is vigilance, and how important that is to getting extremely cheap last minute flights. This means that you need to keep looking constantly until you find what you need, both online and by continuing to call airlines. By adopting this attitude, and being ready to leave at the drop of a hat, you'll be in the best position available to have success finding your flights. 

CONTACT THE D.O.F FOR PROBLEMS

If you have any problems with oversold compensation, involuntary bumping, complaints about the way you were treated by the airline, or airline personnel, your baggage was mishandled, or flight delays that you feel you were misinformed about, contact the Department of Transportation at the following site:

CLICK HERE

THANKS AND MORE PAGES ABOUT TRAVEL WILL BE DROPPED IN SOME DAYS.STAY TUNED AND REMAIN BLESSED! !!

BILL OF RIGHTS FOR AIRLINE TRAVELLERS

Truth in advertised prices, schedules and seat availability.
Airlines should attract consumers on the basis of fair representations about prices and services that are generally available in the marketplace. They should not lure consumers with offers that are available in such limited quantities that more consumers are misled or disappointed than benefited.

Equal access to unbiased, comparative travel information and all fare and service options.
Air transportation services should be available to everyone on an equal basis. Consumers must have access to the same information to make intelligent travel choices. The service a traveler receives, and the price paid, should not depend on owning a computer or preferring to receive information through other means.

TRAVEL SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

If you don't know what you're doing when you book your travel, you could become a victim - of travel scams. Here are some helpful tips:

Be wary of travel companies that offer terrific vacations at low prices. If you have been offered a great bargain on a cruise or a vacation and you can't seem to get all the details about it unless you pay the company, then you may be dealing with a travel scam. When you get the information there may be restrictions and conditions which make it more expensive (and sometimes impossible) to take your trip. If you think you've been scammed, contact PassengerRights.com, your local Better Business Bureau, state Consumer Affairs Office, or state attorney general's office.

When you purchase travel, whether directly or through a travel agent, you enter into a contract with the travel provider. This is an actual printed contract and you may have to request it. All airlines, for example, have "Conditions of Carriage", which include their rules covering limits of liability for lost baggage, check-in deadlines, responsibility for delayed or canceled flights, compensation for injuries and many others. Knowing what these contracts say could save you a lot of hassle if you run into any problems.

An airlines passenger service manual dictates what airlines can and cannot do for passengers. Because your airline ticket is actually a "contract" between you and the airline, many of your rights are governed by the terms of this contract.

COMPLAINNING CAN PAY OFF

First We Should Mention What "NOT" To Do

If you have ever traveled, or will ever travel, you will have heard or will hear the FAA security Questions. The two questions are as follows: "Has anyone unknown to you asked you to carry anything Aboard the aircraft?" and "Have any of the items you are traveling with today been out of your control since the time you packed them?" Everyone traveling is supposed to answer the questions. Most of the time, when someone is checking in their entire family, they will give the agent all of the tickets and all the passports at once. Everything may be so busy around the airport that the question does not get asked to everyone who boards the aircraft. Does anyone answer the questions wrong? Does anyone say, "yes, the bags were out of my possession." The answer Is yes. It doesn’t happen very often, but it does happen. Some people will say "yes, the bags were out of my control, they were in the hotel room with some people we didn’t know."

If the questions are answered incorrectly the agent has to call security and someone usually comes within 15 minutes. The security agent takes the bags and the passengers to the security checkpoint. The bags are opened, put through several security and x-ray machines under the supervision of the security supervisor, and fully checked. If the passenger answers NO to the security questions, they usually end up missing their flight because of the length of time it takes to have their bags checked.

Another thing that should be avoided when answering the security questions is joking. Many people tend to think that the questions are annoying or funny, and when they are asked the questions they will laugh and make jokes. This is strongly not advised. Joking about the FAA security questions is a felony, and doing so could lead to your arrest. Jokers may say, “oh yes, there’s a bomb in my bag.” Answering in this way is illegal, and you could be punished for it to the fullest extent of the law. Depending on the agent you Find, they could immediately call security or the port authority police (police within the airport) and have you arrested. Something else you should not joke about is killing an agent or blowing up the airport. This may sound kind of absurd at first but you’d be surprised how often it happens. Passengers who come to the airport late and can't make their flight tend to become extremely hostile. Some people who miss their flight will threaten that if they

aren’t on the flight that is taking off, they will blow up the airport. Instances like that are sure to be reported as soon as they occur and the person will most likely be arrested.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Of course, with international travel, you’ll need certain documents and sometimes inoculations, etc. To find out what is required of you before you go, check out the United States Customs website

CLICK HERE

PASSENGER PROFILING

Passenger profiling has been a burning topic for quite some time and civil rights groups have been hot on the issue. Under the current system, passengers who "fit the profile" are selected for heightened security procedures. These measures can include a thorough search of their luggage in front of other passengers, intrusive personal questioning, tagging of luggage with orange tape, a physical escort from the check-in counter to the airport gate by security personnel (in full view of other passengers), and being strip-searched.

A House panel heard from two female U.S. citizens that were strip-searched and forced to consume laxatives when returning from overseas. Customs agents decided that these two women "Fit the Profile". Another woman, upon her return from Hong Kong, was strip-searched, X-rayed, hospitalized, forced to drink a laxative, and then released. Her ordeal lasted 25 hours.

Profiling criteria is kept secret for "security reasons". A "profile" is a stereotype and when potential criminals may find the profiling system easy to evade.

New legislation will try to limit the time a passenger can be detained before being granted access to an attorney. In the meantime, the American Civil Liberties Union is compiling a database of passengers who feel that their rights were violated due to passenger profiling.

Passenger Profiling on International Flights

What are the agents told to do if someone comes up and hands them a passport and they look Suspicious? The airline cannot, by law, keep someone from boarding a plane; even if they look suspicious. There is something called a PPBM tag that the agents are advised to put on the passengers bag. The tag, "positive passenger bag match," is used to make sure the passenger is on the same plane as his bags.

Here’s how it works. The passenger checks in and an agent thinks he looks suspicious. The Agent places a PPBM tag on the passengers bag. A number is written on the tag known as the sequence Number. This number is also written on the passenger’s boarding pass. When the passenger goes to the Gate, this bag tag makes sure the suspicious passenger gets on the plane. If the passenger checks in but misses the flight, the bags he checked in with the PPBM tag are removed from the plane (in case they Contain explosives). Next time you check in for a flight (for an int’l destination), check to see if your Tag says PPBM or has an extra tag (usually very bright in color) with a sequence number. The tag can mean one of two things—either the computer randomly chose you to have a PPBM tag, or you looked suspicious to the agent that was checking you in.

AIRLINE EXCUSES

Have you ever boarded a flight that went nowhere? Maybe the plane just rolled out onto the runway and then returned to the gate, or worse still, it never even moved?

It happens all the time. Neither the Department of Transportation nor the Federal Aviation Administration collect statistics on mechanical delays, experience tells that roughly 5 percent of all scheduled flights are hampered by some kind of "technical" trouble.

Take a look at an airline's delay numbers, discount the weather, and you will have a good idea of the kind of havoc mechanical problems can wreak on a carrier's schedule.

Mechanical Semantics
Nobody would be in favor of taking off with broken engines or flaps. Is that what they're talking about when they tell you that your flight has been grounded because of mechanical trouble?

Often it's not. It seems that some carriers have begun adopting a very generous definition of "mechanical" trouble. When an apologetic flight attendant gets on the PA system and announces that you're stuck because the aircraft is experiencing mechanical problems, it might not be your flight that is having trouble. The problem might not be the kind that you would think would ground a plane—a clogged toilet, perhaps, or a button that's not illuminating.

Airline insiders say that carriers have canceled flights for everything from a broken coffeemaker to wet glue under the windshield to rather vague (read nonexistent) "engine irregularities".

"They call it mechanical trouble," says Frank Kogen, president and chief operating officer for corporate travel agency Advanced Travel Management in New York. "But it isn't. Not the way we think of it."

Well then, what is it? It could be a couple of things. According to Paul Hudson, executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action Project, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., "there's an interest in exaggerating mechanical delays, because they're excluded from on-time performance statistics kept by the FAA."

So if a plane is running late then the best thing for an airline to call it is a mechanical delay. Then it won't go on the airline's record. They could cancel the flight and it wouldn't even be on the record.

Convenient Excuse
Airlines routinely cancel under-booked flights for "mechanical" reasons, and send travelers out on a later flight. What the airline won't tell you is that your plane works just fine. It's another aircraft—perhaps one that has more passengers on it that has the problem.

"It's a joke," admits an airline crewmember. "We're telling passengers that the flight is canceled because of a mechanical problem, but what we really should be saying is that their plane is needed elsewhere."

If you're a skeptic then check out the "departures" screen on your next layover in Denver or Atlanta. Try this on a day when the weather is quiet and there are few passengers in the terminal (Saturdays and Sundays are best). Count the number of cancellations and think about the odds of that many flights having mechanical trouble at the same time?

Worst Offenders
Charters are the worst. Mostly because they only operate a limited number of aircrafts.

Not all airlines do this. Last year, after one of its flights from New York to London broke down, British Airways offered to re-book the stranded passengers. Only one traveler, who happened to be related to a flight attendant, refused to go. He wasn't in any hurry and he would gladly take the flight once it was fixed. He ended up being the only passenger on the Boeing 747.

"It was a little embarrassing, to be honest, having only one passenger on that flight," says British Airways spokeswoman Margie Vodopia. Her carrier's rule is simple. It operates the flights whether they're overbooked or under-booked.

DELAYED AND CANCELLED FLIGHTS

The Department of Transportation considers a flight "on-time" when it arrives at its destination within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time. If your flight is delayed longer you can run into problems like missing a connecting flight. If your fight is delayed or canceled, your rights are determined by the airline's "Conditions of Carriage". It is important to obtain and read a copy of these conditions so you don't get taken advantage of.

Generally, airlines are not obliged to provide any compensation if forces of nature such as bad weather cause a delay, diversion or cancellation. They are also not responsible for air traffic congestion at a particular airport.

If the problems are due to tardy crewmembers or bad scheduling, they may be required to compensate you depending on their "Conditions of Carriage".

If you don't feel that you have been compensated satisfactorily, you can challenge the airline by taking them to court. You need to be aware that the "Conditions of Carriage" are usually upheld in court.

If you have been mislead about the span of delay, a court can rule in your favor.

Dealing With Delays

Know your rights. Mechanical trouble is the carrier's responsibility. The airline still has to get you to your destination and usually must cover meals and lodging if you're stuck somewhere longer than expected. Get a copy of the rules and don't be afraid to use them. One good place to find the rules is the Web site 1travel.com.

Avoid the prime cancellation times. Weekends and evening flights are the prime cancellation times.

Bigger is better. Stick with the largest carriers. Even if your flight is cancelled, chances are you'll end up getting to your destination the same day, instead of having to wait. Your patience might be tested with a smaller airline or a charter.

ASTA TRAVEL AGENTS

People us an ASTA Travel Agent for savings and convenience. Planning a trip today can be confusing and time consuming. A travel agent not only arranges the various modes of transportation, but also may be able to save you money with early booking discounts, special fares, accommodation details and travel advisories.

ASTA travel agents are knowledgeable professionals that uphold a strict code of ethics. The Society provides education, training, and resource materials to its members. Their members are given the tools they need to offer you the highest quality of service. ASTA travel agents stay informed by attending industry events that offer educational seminars and networking opportunities.

The ASTA membership includes over 18,000 travel agencies across the U.S. and around the world. Most ASTA member agencies offer one-stop shopping for all travel arrangements. To find the ASTA member agency nearest you, search the ASTAnet Travel Directory.

ASTA's priority is fighting for your best interests. They have a long-standing record of fighting for consumer rights. Should you ever encounter a problem with an ASTA member, their Consumer Affairs Department is there to help you. They want you to have a safe and happy trip. Start by seeing your local ASTA member travel agency.

HOW TO FIND A GOOD TRAVELLER AGENT

Choose a travel agent like you would choose a doctor or lawyer. Get advice from friends and relatives who use an agent they trust. Since travel choices are personal decisions that reflect individual desires and lifestyles, you will want to visit or call several agencies to find the one that best suits your needs. Consider everything from the appearance of the office to the agent's willingness to listen and to answer questions. The best agents want to establish a long-term relationship with a client, not just make one sale.

Your agency should belong to the American Society of Travel Agents, Inc. (ASTA). With over 26,500 members in 168 countries, ASTA is the largest and most influential travel trade association in the world. Membership includes travel agencies, airlines, hotels, railroads, cruise lines, tour operators, car rental companies and travel schools. Through its continuing education and training programs, ASTA prepares its members to operate high-caliber, competitive businesses. Members also have the ASTA Travel Agent Manual, the only comprehensive guide to operating a travel agency. Due to the Society's on-going educational programs, resource materials and stringent Code of Ethics, ASTA travel agents are known as dedicated, hard-working professionals who provide superior service to their customers.

As the industry grows more competitive, travel agencies increase the quality and type of services they offer. Agents can arrange all types of domestic and international travel, from hotel and resort accommodations to air and ground transportation, including car rental needs and tour packages. They can provide assistance with insurance protection, passport and visa applications, inoculation procedures and other foreign travel requirements. Many have toll-free phone numbers and offer meeting planning and incentive travel services. Some agents maintain automated individual profiles that include the client's frequent flyer number, airline seating preference, smoking or non-smoking designation and other specifications for a custom-designed trip. Boarding passes are often issued in advance as an added convenience. Arrangements can also be tailored to suit business and vacation objectives, personal interests and budget concerns. Although most provide a wide range of services, some agencies
may specialize in areas such as family travel, group travel, adventure travel, eco-tourism, the mature market, incentive travel, or travel for the disabled.

Membership in ASTA is a sign of consumer awareness. The Society works on behalf of its members to support pro-consumer issues. In addition to lobbying for consumer protection on issues like airline bankruptcy and travel safety, ASTA has an active Consumer Affairs Department that monitors travelers' problems and helps to find solutions. The Society works closely with other travel organizations to continually upgrade service and technology to better serve the traveling public.

Ask about your agent's professional background. Many have been trained in business management, travel and tourism or geography. Others have supplemented their agency experience with extensive education and training courses, such as ASTA's Travel Management Academy, one of the most intensive programs in the industry. Some travel agents are Certified Travel Counselors (CTC), having completed an educational program with the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.

Travel agents are the leading distributors of travel products and services. Agents book 80 percent of all air travel, 30 percent of all hotel reservations and 95 percent of all cruise reservations. Agents are the only unbiased professionals who can sort through nearly 100,000 daily changes in airfares alone. Experience, constant industry interaction, and computer reservations systems make travel agents the only source savvy enough to engineer a relaxing trip out of the fluctuating complexities of t ravel offerings. If you are planning on using a travel agent, here are some benefits:

* Save Money!--Strong working relationships with travel suppliers and the latest in computer reservations technology enable ASTA agents to access the most up-to-date information on how to get you the best value.

* Traveler Advocates--Your best interests are the priority. ASTA has a long-standing record of fighting for consumer rights and ASTA travel agents are required to adhere to a stringent Code of Ethics.

* Convenience--The ASTA membership includes over 18,000 travel agencies across the country, most of which offer one-stop shopping for all travel arrangements.

* Service--ASTA travel agents are knowledgeable and active in the industry. The Society provides education, training and resource materials to its members to equip them with the tools to offer the highest quality of service.

Here’s an Open Letter to Travel Editors from Joseph A. Watters, President, Crystal Cruises
June 11, 1998
Dear Travel Editor,
Why should I use a travel agent? As a veteran travel executive, that's a question I'm often asked. Today, with the overwhelming number of sources for travel information (the Internet, cable television, newspapers, magazines, guidebooks, etc.), it's no wonder the consumer is confused. Yet that's precisely why the services of a professional travel consultant are more valuable than ever.
In January, the television news magazine, 20/20, reported the results of a test in which travel agents beat consumers at uncovering the best airfares. However, it is much more than the "lowest fare" that provides the compelling argument for a good travel agent.
The best thing an agent can do is to match up a traveler with the vacation that's right for them. The professional travel consultant builds relationships with their clients to learn their interests and lifestyles, as well as their dispositions. Below is a list of some of the important services, which are either provided free or for a nominal charge, by travel agents:

1. Distilling the product information: Through an on-going and time-consuming process of familiarization, continuing education and customer feedback, the agent becomes a travel expert.
2. Investigating and supplying competitive information: No single supplier is going to advise a consumer that a better route or a better fare is available on a competing carrier.
3. Staying abreast of the most current and timely promotions: Via daily faxes, agent-only e-mail transmissions, and their relationships with their district sales managers, agents are obtaining the most current promotional information.
4. Analyzing the current promotions: The cheapest is not always the best.
5. Clarifying the fine print, such as cancellation penalties and restrictions: Again, the benefits of a professional's experience can save a traveler money . . . and headaches.
6. Making recommendations for travel-related options: Travel agents share the experience and knowledge they accumulate about a variety of travel topics --- from where to eat, where to shop and what to pack.
7. Simplifying the research and subsequent transaction: Like a personal shopper, agents can provide one-stop shopping for travelers who require air arrangements, rental cars, cruise accommodations and hotel stays --- with suggestions that are in the best interest of the client, not the supplier.
8. Enhancing the trip with value-added benefits and amenities: Agents can add to the clients' experience by sending a bottle of wine, providing a special land package, a specific escort or other customer amenities.
9. Using their clout to obtain the best possible in seemingly impossible situations: Whether it's airline seats, hotel rooms or cruise space, the travel agent has more buying power than the consumer.
10. Getting problems resolved: The agent serves as the consumers' advocate in the event something inadvertently goes wrong.

The use of outside service providers for many transactions, such as tax preparation, isn't questioned. Similarly, if one is going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, as well as a good chunk of valuable leisure time, it makes great sense to use a professional.

COURIER TRAVEL

What is courier travel?
Courier companies often find that shipping material in the luggage space of an aircraft passenger is more reliable, timely, and economical than sending the shipment unaccompanied. The courier company begins by purchasing a coach class airfare. They then resell the ticket to you and, in exchange for your luggage space, give you a discount on the airfare. The courier company uses your luggage space for the material it is shipping.

Are there any other limitations to courier travel?
Aside from having an adventurous spirit, you must also be at least 18 years of age to fly as a freelance courier. Because courier companies use only one courier per flight, you must also be willing to travel alone. Occasionally, if you are trying to travel with a companion, a courier company may be able to arrange for flights on consecutive days. Of course, you always have the option of buying one ticket at standard fare, or using some tricks I showed you before for last minute fares.

How much will I save traveling as a courier agent?
You will find that prices for courier flights change often. Typically you will pay between 25% and 50% of the Standard, full fare ticket price. However, those who travel at a moment's notice have been known to get discounts up to 85% off standard fare! Courier airfares, as is the case will all airfares, fluctuate with the season and the demand for the particular destination.

Where can I go as a courier?
Many of the world's major cities of commerce are serviced by couriers. To find out specifically what destinations are available from cities near you, I suggest that that you call up the various courier companies that I have listed below. Because freelance couriers are needed solely for the purpose of speeding the customs process, travel opportunities are available only on international flights. Courier flights are almost always round trip.

Here is a short list of destinations you can travel to with courier travel.

Boston departure
Destinations available: London

New York City departure
Destinations available: Amsterdam, Aucklund, Bangkok, Bangkok, Beijing, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Capetown, Caracas, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Madrid, Manila, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, Montevideo, New Delhi, Paris, Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tel Aviv, Tokyo

Washington DC departure
Destinations available: London

Miami departure
Destinations available: Buenos Aires, Guatemala, Guayaquil, Lima, London, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago

Chicago departure
Destinations available: Bangkok, Brussels, Hong Kong, London

San Francisco departure
Destinations available: Bangkok, London, Manila, Singapore

Los Angeles departure
Destinations available: Aucklund, Bangkok, Brisbane, Cairns, Hong Kong, London, Manila, Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney

Current Sample Airfares for non-courier flights:
Europe from/to the East Coast       $169 Each Way / Flexible Stay
Europe from/to the West Coast      $249 Each Way / Flexible Stay
Europe from/to the Northwest      $199 Each Way / Flexible Stay
Europe from/to the SE and Midwest $219 Each Way / Flexible Stay
Hawaii from/to the West Coast      $119 Each Way / Flexible Stay
Hawaii from/to the Pacific Northwest    $129 Each Way / Flexible Stay
Mexico/Caribbean from Northeast      $159 Round Trip / 1 week stay
Mexico/Caribbean from/to Midwest    $209 Round Trip / 1 week stay
Mexico from/to California    $189 Round Trip / 1 week stay

Here are the names and contact information for the various courier companies:

Air Facility
153-40 Rockaway Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11434
(718) 712-1769

Halbart Express
147-05 176th Street
Jamaica, NY 11434
(718) 656-5000

Halbart Express
1000 W Hillcrest Boulevard
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 417-3048

International Bonded Couriers
8401 NW 17th Street
Miami, FL 33126
(305) 597-5331

Jupiter Air
460 S Hindry Avenue, Unit D
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 670-1197

Micom America
220 Howard Avenue
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 298-3850

Now Voyager
74 Varick Street, Suite 307
New York, NY 10013
(212) 431-1616

UTL Travel
320 Corey Way
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 583-5074

VOLUTEER FOR OVERBOOKED FLIGHTS

All airlines are allowed by law to overbook their flights because jet fuel is expensive. The airlines have to make sure the flight goes out as full as possible every time. The airlines actually have people that monitor how many people fly on every flight on each day of the week. They use this data to determine how overbooked the flights should be. Most people wonder what happens when everyone who is booked for the flight shows up. That is when there’s a problem. First the airline begins to ask passengers if they will voluntarily stay off the flight for compensation, usually very little initially. If nobody volunteers, then the agents are told to increase the amount of compensation, or offer the passenger first class on the very next flight. This is an opportunity for you to negotiate. Airlines do not want to tell passengers that they cannot fly because the flight is overbooked and they will usually give you what you ask for within reason. Overbooked flight compensations go from $150 to $500 within a few minutes. When the airlines have reached their maximum compensation they will begin to involuntarily bump passengers. This means that passengers who have seats will be told that there isn’t enough room on the plane and they will have to go on the next flight available. These are the people that will get the highest Compensation. The airline knows that these people will be upset because they have a confirmed ticket and they are being told to stay off the plane. This is when most of the altercations occur between passengers and airline workers. There are people called “professional volunteers” who go to the airport with the sole purpose of getting compensation. They study flights and know which flights are full and which will give them the best chance of getting a travel certificate for compensation.

There are many ways to find out which flights are overbooked. You could call the airline’s toll Free number and ask them (they won’t tell you every time). You may find out that if you call a few Times different agents will give you different information. A good way to find out is to call the Airline’s toll free number and tell them you are an agent and you are planning on flying. Tell them you would like to know if it is possible for you to make the flight. The agent may ask you where you are stationed but they won’t get into much info so you need not worry. Since employees fly standby they call the Airlines' toll free number all the time to ask how a flight looks. If the agent tells you (the pretend employee) that there are plenty of seats open then you can be sure you will get on the flight. If they tell you that there isn’t a good chance you’ll make the flight, then you could how overbooked it is. Even if they don’t give you an exact number they will hint at how oversold the flight is.

SAFETY TIPS FOR ALL TRAVELLERS

As one of our greatest freedoms, travel adds knowledge and pleasure to our lives and is a great force for international goodwill and peace. ASTA recommends that to enjoy your journeys to the fullest extent and become an informed traveler. Work with an ASTA travel agent on your individual wants and needs for the best travel experience possible.

Here are Some General Safety Tips:

* Work with your travel agent to get as much information as possible about the destination, especially if you will be traveling alone.
* If you are unfamiliar with the local language, carry a card or matchbook with the hotel's name and address. You can show them to a cab driver or police officer in the event you get lost. Before leaving the United States, make up several pocket cards with key phrases in the local language. (i.e., "Which way is the airport?" and "Where are the restrooms?")
* If you will be renting a car, get maps in advance and clearly write out the directions from the airport to your hotel. If you need to stop for directions, go to well-lit public areas. Keep the phone numbers of your destinations with you.
* Lock your car doors while driving. Do not pick up strangers or stop for people you don't know. Police cars will have blue and red lights; do not stop for cars flashing their high-beams.
* Close and lock your hotel room door at all times. Check sliding glass doors, windows and connecting room doors.
* Don't answer your hotel room door without verifying who it is. If someone claims to be a hotel employee, call the front desk to verify.
* When returning to your hotel at night, use the main entrance. Be observant before entering parking lots.
* Don't carelessly display keys in public areas, such as restaurant tables or swimming pool areas, where they can be stolen.
* Don't draw attention to yourself by displaying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive-looking jewelry.
* Don't invite strangers to your room.
* Put valuables in the hotel safe. Do not leave valuables in your car.
* If you see suspicious activity, contact hotel security.
* Acquaint yourself with the location of stairways, fire escapes, exits and alarms.

Air Travel

Plan to arrive at the airport at least an hour before domestic flights and two hours before international flights. To avoid standing in line, ask your travel agent to include your boarding passes with your ticket when possible. Consider joining an airline's private lounge club, which may offer several amenities that will make your wait more comfortable and/or productive.
Do not leave your luggage unattended or with someone you don't know. Never agree to carry anything on board or in your luggage for someone else. If you see an unattended briefcase, suitcase or package, notify security.
Dress comfortably and inconspicuously; leave flashy jewelry at home. When deplaning, claim your baggage immediately and leave the airport quickly. Beware of drivers in unmarked cars claiming to be cab drivers.
Some materials are prohibited in checked or carry-on luggage, including: mace, tear gas, aerosols containing flammable material, loaded firearms, gunpowder and ammunition, propane, any equipment containing fuel, scuba tanks if pressurized, fireworks, flares, corrosive, radioactive or poisonous material, and infectious substances. Electric wheelchairs may only be transported as checked luggage. (This information is not all-inclusive; check with the airline for more details.)

Ocean Cruises

Many travelers have found that cruising is the most relaxing and comfortable of vacations. If, however, you are particularly sensitive to motion, choose a mid-section cabin, the most stable area. Here are some shipboard safety tips.

* In doorways of older ships, look out for raised ledges.
* In your cabin, close and secure your closet doors.
* If the lock on your cabin door requires use of a key from the inside, leave the key in the lock when you are in the cabin. In case of power failure or nighttime emergency, you don't want to have to hunt for your key or search for the keyhole.
* Do not attempt to enter or leave the upper berths without using the provided ladder.
* Never throw smoking materials overboard, even if you think they are extinguished.
* Ship stairs are different from ordinary stairs, and the decks may be damp from sea mist. Walk cautiously and use handrails. Wear rubber-soled (not crepe) shoes for extra traction on decks.
* On deck, a cool breeze can mask the effects of the sun. Use plenty of sunscreen or lotion, and don't overexpose yourself to the sun.
* If you think you may be subject to motion sickness, check with your personal physician before your cruise. Medication is available to prevent this problem.
* You will be required to participate in a lifeboat drill. Be sure to cooperate in familiarizing yourself with the procedure.

Packing

Try not to pack more luggage than you can carry. To avoid misdirection of your luggage, cut off all old destination tags. Mark luggage with colored tape to avoid confusion in the claim area. Mark luggage inside and out with your name, business address and phone number. If possible, use tags that conceal your name and address. Make sure you have a complete list of the contents of your bags in case they are lost. Put liquids in plastic bottles that leave enough room for expansion.
Remember to lock your luggage. Keep carry-on bags with you at all times. Be sure your luggage is correctly tagged for your destination. Carry all medication, important business papers, valuables and a change of clothing in your carry-on luggage in case your checked luggage is misplaced. Be sure to check with your travel agent about baggage allowances on international flights and restrictions for carry-on luggage.

Documents and Papers

Make several copies of your passport, traveler's checks, credit cards, itinerary, airline tickets and other travel documents. Leave one copy with a relative or friend back home and carry one copy with you. Take most of your money in traveler's checks and record the serial numbers, denominations and date and location of the issuing agency. Remove all unnecessary credit cards from your wallet. Be sure to carry your credit card company's telephone number in case your card is lost or stolen. Always report losses immediately.

Securing Your Home

Advise police and a trusted neighbor of your trip. Ask them to check your home while you are away. You might consider having a friend "house-sit" for you. Buy a timer device that will automatically turn lights on and off during evening hours. Cancel newspaper service and stop mail delivery. During summer months, arrange to have your lawn mowed; in winter, arrange to have snow cleared. You may even arrange to have a neighbor share trash bins on pick-up day. Pay bills in advance so utility service will not be interrupted. In the case of longer trips, make sure your homeowner's policy remains in effect during your absence. Leave valuables in a safe deposit box. And, never announce a trip in the newspaper's social column.

Staying in Good Health

Before you leave on an extended trip, consider having a physical check-up. Get your "shots" and start any new medication well in advance of your departure. Carry an extra supply of medication, labeled and in the original container, with a copy of each prescription. Be sure to pack all medication in your hand luggage so it will be available if your bags are lost or stolen. (Check with your travel agent or the appropriate consulates to be sure your prescription drugs can be taken into countries you plan to visit.) Also, take your eyeglass prescription with you, as well as an extra pair of glasses.

Take along a small first-aid kit. Depending on your destination, bring medication for upset stomach or motion sickness. Other useful items include nasal spray, sunscreen and insect repellent. Check with your local health authorities for further suggestions. Be careful about drinking the water in some foreign countries--avoid ice cubes too. Drink bottled water or soft drinks. Check with your travel agent for guidelines. When visiting developing nations, ask your doctor for advice on inoculations, and take along a record of your blood type. If you become ill overseas, consult the American consulate for suggested medical or hospital services. The Center for Disease Control has information on dire health situations around the world, phone 404-639-3311.

Illegal Drugs

Be aware that drug laws in most foreign countries are stricter than those in the United States. If you are arrested abroad on a drug charge, you are not protected by U.S. laws. Foreign laws often make no distinction among various illegal drugs, or between possession of a small amount and drug trafficking. Frequently, bail is not granted in drug cases and you are guilty until proven innocent. The average sentence for possession is seven years. The penalty for drug possession in some countries is mandatory death by hanging.

Traveling in the United States

It is as important to be prudent while traveling in the United States as it is abroad. Drive carefully, wear seat belts, obey traffic laws, be sure your car is serviced properly and get a good map. Your travel agent is a valuable resource whether you are planning a stateside trip or travel abroad.
Research the cities you are visiting. Get the latest information on safe areas and good hotels from your travel agent. You may want to tour by cab, bus, or in your own car. Public transportation is a good way to travel in many U.S. cities. Be sure to inquire about correct routes and schedules.

Traveling Abroad

Visiting other countries can be exciting and educational. Here are a few prudent precautions to help you travel with confidence:

* Once your itinerary is set, make as many advance reservations as possible. Make sure someone knows where you are at all times.
* Ask your travel agent about State Department information on the countries you will visit. The agent's computer reservations system should list travel advisories. For details, call the State Department at 202-647-5225.
* If you are renting a car abroad, reserve it here through your travel agent. At your destination, ask the rental agent to explain the car's features, which may be different from cars at home. Know the international traffic signs and rules of the road. Ask your travel agent whether you need an International Driver's Permit. Also, ask about insurance coverage in each country; U.S. insurance may not be valid in all countries.
* Carry the address and telephone number of the U.S. embassy or consulate for each country. In case of difficulties, contact U.S. authorities promptly. If you plan to stay in a foreign country for an extended period, register and leave your itinerary with the embassy or consulate.
* When traveling abroad, avoid being alone. If you carry a shoulder bag, keep it closed at all times, clutched between the arm and body. Do not carry a wallet in your hip pocket or inside jacket pocket. Empty the wallet of all unnecessary items and carry it in your front pants pocket. If you find yourself near a civil disturbance or other dangerous situation, move away quietly and inconspicuously. Do not run. If this is not possible, take cover behind the nearest shelter and stay there until danger passes.

VALUABLE TIPS

To find the cheapest fares anywhere go to www.airtech.com You will need to be flexible if you want the cheapest fare because they offer space available passes. Space available passes are passes that allow you to travel on major carriers as the employees do, on standby. If the flight is full then you get bumped to the next flight. The fare could be hundreds or thousands of dollars of dollars less than a confirmed ticket.

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.

SENDING YOUR PET AS LUGGAGE

Before you place your pet into the cargo hole, you should know that the Humane Society has received numerous complaints regarding the airline's system of pet shipment. Over 100 animals have died on four major carriers due to the extreme heat or extreme cold.

Courts have ruled that a pet traveling in cargo is considered "checked baggage". You may want to think about an alternate means of transportation or finding a place to leave your pet if you plan on returning within a week or two.

If you do decide to ship your pet, you need to know the general rules that airlines follow. (Each airline has its own rules for pet transportation so it is important to check directly with the carrier).

Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and have a clean bill of health. (As evidenced by a required health certificate from a veterinarian).

Cages and shipping containers must meet the proper requirements. (Some airlines provide these at a charge).

Food and water must be provided along with written instructions on dispensing.

LOSING YOUR LUGGAGE

The best way to avoid losing your luggage is to carry your it on the airplane with you. When you must check your bags...

* Place the name-and-address tags on the inside and outside of each bag. You should use your business address rather than your home address. Remove all old baggage-check tags. Place some form of instant identification on your bags to set them apart, like a brightly colored ribbon.

* Place a note inside each bag that tells where you are heading on your trip and the dates you will be there.

* Lock your bags. It probably won't prevent theft, but it will keep a bag from opening accidentally.

* Carry medicine, jewelry, your contact-lens equipment, and any other small, irreplaceable items on the plane with you.

* When you check in at the airport, make sure correct baggage checks (destination and flight number) are attached to your luggage.

* Avoid flights where you must change planes and/or airlines. Transfers account for about 40% of lost baggage. If this proves impossible, don't check your baggage through - make arrangements to recheck it between flights.

* To minimize the risk of having your baggage stolen, get to the baggage claim area as soon as possible after landing.

DO YOU CHECK YOUR RIGHTS WITH YOUR BAGS?

When looking at how many pieces of luggage are handled every day and how many conveyor belts the luggage hits and many hands touch it - it is a wonder that more luggage is not lost or damaged. Most of the time the baggage does reach its destination in the same shape it was sent.

Most airlines choose to limit their maximum baggage liability to $1,250 per passenger. It is important to be familiar with the airline's "Conditions of Carriage" so you don't get taken advantage of.

There are two other ways to protect your luggage. You can declare a higher value on your luggage for a fee that is generally based on the declared value. Most airlines limit this declaration to under $5,000. You should also find out about baggage insurance, which is sometimes covered on insurance policies or credit cards. Some homeowner's policies even cover it. Don't assume -- you must check your policy before you hand that suitcase over to the counter agent.

You should always keep hard-to-replace or irreplaceable items on your person. Never pack important medications, family mementoes or expensive jewelry in your luggage. Don't take the chance!

HOW SAFE IS THE AIRPORT YOU ARE FLYING TO ?

We accept x-ray machines and metal detectors because we know that without the inconvenience, a weapon or even a bomb can wind up on our flight. What happens when the detector doesn't go off, or the hand scanner doesn't work, or the security guard skips right over the gun in a briefcase. It has happened according to The Detroit News. In 1999 they reported on the Northwest Airlines security breaches at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The following incidents were cited after records were released under the Freedom of Information Act:

* An undercover FAA agent successfully smuggled bombs through the security checkpoints.

* An unidentified man who avoided a security checkpoint walked through an exit only door and was not stopped by any guard.

* An FAA agent's checked luggage successfully made it to Toronto; however, the agent was never on the flight - or any other flight for that matter.

In another incident, CNN reported that a US Airways agent at the Kansas City airport allowed an FAA agent to board a flight (even check his luggage) after he advised her that a stranger gave him something to carry on the flight. FAA agents were also able to sneak explosives and nine other firearms through Dallas-Ft. Worth security checkpoints.

REQUEST SEATS,SPECIAL MEALS,OR SERVICES

Will you get the aisle seat, the vegetarian meal, or the wheelchair assistance that you ordered? It is important to find out what guidelines the airline has to get your request granted.

Have you checked the fine print on the back of your airline ticket lately? If you do then you will find just one of the contracts you have entered into by purchasing your airline ticket. These are only the terms you have agreed to that you can actually see. There are a whole lot more that you need to be aware of.

Each airline files a series of statements (regarding their obligations to travelers) with the U.S. Department of Transportation. These statements are the airline's concealed rules known as "Conditions of Carriage". The Conditions of Carriage will cover things like limits of liability for lost baggage, check-in deadlines, responsibility for delayed or canceled flights, compensation for injuries and many other regulations. You will probably not be handed one of these statements. You have to ask for it. These concealed terms can make a considerable difference in your rights as a passenger. Conditions of Carriage vary from airline to airline and it is important to look for subtle differences that may be important to you because these concealed terms are non-negotiable.

If an airline violates your contract (the ticket) or the Conditions of Carriage then you may be able to recover compensation from the airline for breach of contract. Your rights to recover compensation are restricted by:

1.) The Federal Aviation Act, which governs your rights on domestic flights in the United States, and/or
2.) The Warsaw convention, which governs your rights on international flights.

You can obtain a summary of the hidden terms and conditions of most major airlines' contracts by requesting a copy of the United States Air Carriers, Conditions of Carriage, Summary of Incorporated Terms (Domestic Air Transportation) - From:

Air Transport Association
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20004
800-497-3326 or visit our section on Bill Of Rights For Airline Travelers.