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Article #401: Traveling "Stand-By"

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Traveling "stand-by presents continuous for you.
opportunities for creativity and Upon missing three flights out of
fortitude. This is an "extreme" waiting Atlanta, Georgia, and one out of
game not for the faint of heart or the Cincinnati, Ohio, in a row, and being
easily discouraged. It can be fun and required to stay overnight while awaiting
financially fulfilling if both understood new options, we came up with our own
to start with and then endured well. plans.
Now, don't misunderstand, here. We have On this particular occasion, we wanted to
traveled stand-by a number of times over end up in Salt Lake City, Utah. Salt
the past couple of years. The airlines Lake seemed to be booked solid.
personnel on board the planes, at the We decided to take the morning flight to
gates, and on the phones have always been Los Angeles, California, (from
friendly and helpful. They have been as Cincinnati) and then a connecting flight
accommodating as they possibly can. into Salt Lake from there.
There is a hard reality, here. Traveling We inquired, in the morning, as to the
"stand-by" puts you at the bottom of the status of Cincinnati to Salt Lake. It
seating priority list. That's just the was still booked solid. We asked if
way it is. There is no point in getting anything came open if they would please
upset, or angry, or swearing at the gate let us know. We told them we were
agents (as we have seen, from time to currently booked from Cincinnati to L.A.
time). If you fly "stand-by", you are to Salt Lake.
taking the risk. No one else. It's your To our surprise, we were informed that
choice, completely, so assume the two seats had become available and we
responsibility. were able to fly directly to Salt Lake.
Sometimes, you will make the flight. A couple of things to keep in mind. Be
Sometimes, you will barely get on by the flexible. Be prepared. Be willing to
skin of your teeth. consider options. But most importantly,
Sometimes, you won't make the flight. Or KEEP YOUR HEAD and be considerate and
the next....or the next....or the friendly. It is not the agent's fault
next....or the next....which is what that flights are cancelled or full.
happened to us on our most recent You will get more satisfactory results
experience. Large numbers on seating with honest kindness than you will get
availability do not mean you will be from thoughtless rudeness.
seated. We have watched 33 seats When traveling "stand-by", remember
evaporate in mere minutes! patience and kindness. You may have
At some point, sometimes you need to take glitches along the way. You may have to
matters into your own hands. You need to re-think your itinerary. But going in
devise your own alternative itineraries with your eyes wide open to reality will
and inquire about travel options on your make the experience more tolerable.
own. Reservation agents are friendly and Maybe, even more satisfying.
willing to check into suggested options






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