How to never get screwed by a cancelled flight again

by Jerry Guo on

This works for all canceled flights except in cases where it’s due to “weather.” And even in those cases, make sure it’s really canceled because of weather, as I’ve written about before. (One easy way to do this is to check if flights to your destination on other airlines are also canceled.)

Anyways, once you’ve told the ticket agent that no, in fact, the weather at your destination is a sunny 85 degrees, here’s how to avoid sleeping over at the airport or standing in a line for the next six hours.

It’s known as Rule 240. Just mentioning this little-known clause to the ticket agent may open doors. But here’s how it really works: Rule 240, a remnant of the days before deregulation, stipulates that your airline must book you on another airline’s flight if that is available and will get you to your destination quicker.

The great news is that most airlines, at least the ones that have been around before deregulation, still honor Rule 240, though it’s not officially valid anymore. Only the new airlines like JetBlue, Southwest, and Air Tran refuse to honor most of these requests. Just remember, make sure to actually say the words “Rule 240” the next time you’re at the counter.

Showering at the airport makes the flight so much easier

by Grant Martin on

Traveling with an airport lounge membership for the past few months, I’ve been struggling to figure out whether or not the investment was actually worth it. Iva’s had some trouble with her Continental Airlines President’s Club membership, but I’m still on the fence. On one hand, I get free wireless internet, free drinks and a comfortable quiet place to work while waiting for my flights. But is the two hundred and fifty dollars really worth it?

Well, yesterday on the way to London, I decided that it is.

First, a little background: it’s about 5 degrees in Detroit, as it usually is around this time of year. I’m on my way to London to take care of a little work on the Focused Ion Beam at Loughborough University then I’m bouncing down to Paris to visit my sister and Eleanor Beardsley. I’ve got my favorite Arc’teryx long weekender pack, am wearing my favorite pair of travel jeans and pretty much the thinnest pair of boots I’ve ever purchased (I had to JB weld the sole to the leather last season).

Needless to say, I was pretty much freezing on my short shuttle ride between the off-airport parking lot and Detroit’s McNamara terminal. On the way in, however, I recalled that the Detroit airport lounge had a couple of showers. Nothing feels better than a hot shower after being out in the cold. And despite my fears that the lounge shower would be akin to the boys high school locker room, it was quite pleasant. Free towels and soap were waiting for me when I showed up, and soft classical music played in the background as I warmed back up to temperature.

Now, sitting in 14J on my way to London I have to admit, I feel a lot better than I did on the way in. On a flight that’s booked with about 50 out of about 250 passengers, I look over at the vacant row of seats next to me and think about the decent night of sleep that I’m about to get. It’s nice to be traveling again.

How to still fly if you’re on the no-fly list

by Jerry Guo on

There’s been countless stories, here at Gadling and elsewhere, of people mistakenly added to TSA’s no-fly or terrorist watch lists. In fact, the lists currently hold 700,000 names–which simple logic should tell you means more than quite a few are just hapless law-abiding citizens.

Even names like John Thompson and James Wilson are on the lists. Scary! If you’re on it, you face a multitude of hassles: no online check-in, no use of the airport kiosks, incessant questioning by ticket agents, extra pat-downs at the security checkpoints, and sometimes even detention (which means missing your flight).

So what’s the easiest way to avoid all this? Not the official Traveler Redress Inquiry Program, or TRIP, which was started last year and serves as the formal process for getting yourself off the list. Surprisingly, the best solution is the easiest: use your middle name. Most often the watch lists do not include middle names and you’re allowed to fly with just middle name – last name.

TSA hops on the blogging bandwagon

by Anna Brones on

Yesterday I wrote about a CNN video that documented an undercover Transportation Security Administration official making it past security with a fake bomb. After a lot of comments in reference to that post, I got the general sense that the recent mishaps at airport security checkpoints have started to make people question the TSA’s legitimacy.

Don’t think that the TSA doesn’t know it has made some serious foul-ups in the past few months. In response to the CNN video, the TSA wrote a long explanation on their website regarding covert testing — what it is, how it is done, etc. It was a gentle reminder that the much talked about government organization wants us to feel safe.

Today the TSA stayed on that track when it took a small step as an administration, but a giant leap for traveling kind: it started a blog.

What? Yes, you read correctly, the TSA launched its Evolution of Security blog, possibly making it one of the hippest and tech savvy arms of the government. Why call it the Evolution of Security? because as the blog’s motto states, “Terrorists evolve. Threats evolve. Security must stay ahead. You play a part.”

Don’t worry, there’s some entertainment involved. Beyond playing a part in the evolution, you can also meet the bloggers to find out some fun facts: Ethel loves ice cream and Bob is a record collector. They’re not just TSA officials; they’re people.

Much like we here at Gadling encourage comments on our posts, the TSA blog is set up in order to “facilitate an ongoing dialogue on innovations in security, technology and the checkpoint screening process.” Forget risking having your frustrations lost in the maze of cyberspace on lesser known blogs; make your way straight over to Evolution of Security and tell the TSA what you really think.

Superbowl Sunday in Phoenix with the corporate crowd: How is a jet like a donut?

by Jamie Rhein on

Reading about the lavishness of life for the Superbowl crowd who heads to Phoenix on Superbowl weekend makes me think of jets and donuts.

I’ve tended to pick jobs where free donuts are a treat. With coffee and half and half instead of creamer, it’s a celebration. Throw in pizza for lunch and it’s a holiday. I think perhaps I’ve aimed a bit low. But, don’t get me wrong, I love the jobs I’ve chosen. I just notice the contrasts between donuts and a corporate jet. Donuts are round for one thing–even the part that’s the hole.

For those who work in high flying corporate America a celebration is a different scene entirely. This scene is where the jets come in. According to this New York Times article, as of last Friday, 400 private jets filled with people are scheduled to land in Phoenix for the weekend to take in the excitement of being at the Superbowl. Many of the jets are chartered by companies looking to show their clients (and themselves) a good time. Others are jets owned by the companies. This is 50% more private jet traffic than last year.

Sixty thousand dollars equals 10 hours worth of jet travel, in case that sounds like a good time to you and you may want to rent a big jet yourself. Car rentals look cheap now, don’t they? Throw in a three-night-stay in a hotel and we’re talking serious cash. Three nights at the Ramada in Phoenix over the weekend is $2,382.78–and that’s the least expensive.

For those of us in the donut eating crowd, while we’re eating our glazed version of a good time, chew slowly and think about how long it’s going to take for all the private jets to leave Phoenix. It’s going to take awhile–longer than it takes to eat a donut. Some people may even have to hang out on a runway for awhile. Even money can’t speed up air traffic. How is a jet like a donut? It’s not.