Your flight instructions guide


Traveling "Stand-By"

Traveling "stand-by presents continuousare friendly and willing to check into
opportunities for creativity andsuggested options for you.
fortitude. This is an "extreme" waitingUpon missing three flights out of
game not for the faint of heart or theAtlanta, Georgia, and one out of
easily discouraged. It can be fun andCincinnati, Ohio, in a row, and being
financially fulfilling if bothrequired to stay overnight while
understood to start with and thenawaiting new options, we came up with
endured well.our own plans.
Now, don't misunderstand, here. We haveOn this particular occasion, we wanted
traveled stand-by a number of times overto end up in Salt Lake City, Utah. Salt
the past couple of years. The airlinesLake seemed to be booked solid.
personnel on board the planes, at theWe decided to take the morning flight to
gates, and on the phones have alwaysLos Angeles, California, (from
been friendly and helpful. They haveCincinnati) and then a connecting flight
been as accommodating as they possiblyinto Salt Lake from there.
can.We inquired, in the morning, as to the
There is a hard reality, here.status of Cincinnati to Salt Lake. It
Traveling "stand-by" puts you at thewas still booked solid. We asked if
bottom of the seating priority list.anything came open if they would please
That's just the way it is. There is nolet us know. We told them we were
point in getting upset, or angry, orcurrently booked from Cincinnati to L.A.
swearing at the gate agents (as we haveto Salt Lake.
seen, from time to time). If you flyTo our surprise, we were informed that
"stand-by", you are taking the risk. Notwo seats had become available and we
one else. It's your choice, completely,were able to fly directly to Salt Lake.
so assume the responsibility.A couple of things to keep in mind. Be
Sometimes, you will make the flight.flexible. Be prepared. Be willing to
Sometimes, you will barely get on by theconsider options. But most importantly,
skin of your teeth.KEEP YOUR HEAD and be considerate and
Sometimes, you won't make the flight.friendly. It is not the agent's fault
Or the next....or the next....or thethat flights are cancelled or full.
next....or the next....which is whatYou will get more satisfactory results
happened to us on our most recentwith honest kindness than you will get
experience. Large numbers on seatingfrom thoughtless rudeness.
availability do not mean you will beWhen traveling "stand-by", remember
seated. We have watched 33 seatspatience and kindness. You may have
evaporate in mere minutes!glitches along the way. You may have to
At some point, sometimes you need tore-think your itinerary. But going in
take matters into your own hands. Youwith your eyes wide open to reality will
need to devise your own alternativemake the experience more tolerable.
itineraries and inquire about travelMaybe, even more satisfying.
options on your own. Reservation agents



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