Flying-Sucks.com

Here are a couple of very good articles posted at ABCNews.com, with helpful advice on what to do if you’ve been a victim of airline flight cancellations or delays:

Avoid Being Stranded at the Airport

Trapped at the Airport: What to Do

If you don’t want to take the time to read both articles in full (each has multiple pages), here’s the gist of them:

1. Book through a Travel Agent - and yes, online Travel Agencies are every bit as good as bricks-and-mortar agencies, but be sure you get to speak to them (via a toll-free number). Travel Agents are able to check many flights on many airlines at once, and help you reschedule or rebook quickly if your flight does get delayed or cancelled, but they do this as part of their service when you book through them. It’s what you’re paying for, so don’t expect to book a ticket yourself directly at the airline’s site, then call a Travel Agent when you get into a situation needing help - if you didn’t book through them to begin with, they’ve made no commission on you, and won’t make anything for helping you, so don’t be surprised if they are ‘busy’.
2. Book a flight early in the day. It will be much less likely to be subject to delays or cancellations, and if that does happen there would be a number of later flights as options for rebooking, so it’s less likely you’ll have to overnight at an airport somewhere.
3. Travel Insurance is good, but be sure you know the details of your policy - some don’t cover airline flight delays or cancels, some do, so check the fine print.
4. If your flight does wind up getting delayed or cancelled, BE NICE to the gate agent(s). It’s not their fault, and since they are the ones who can help you get on another flight, you want to be FRIENDS with them. How motivated to help you do you think they will be if you yell at them? Not much, hum?
5. If your flight is cancelled, the airlines will generally try to get you on a later flight of their own. However, you can ask them if they will transfer your ticket to another airline with an earlier flight - many will do this as they have “reciprocal arrangements” to help each other out. But you have to ask for it if that is what will work best for you.
6. Use your CELL PHONE number - not your home phone number - when you book online, since the airlines use automated notification systems to let you know about schedule changes and cancellations. It won’t do much good if that message is left on your home voicemail while you’re on the road.
7. Sign up for “alerts” when you book - if the airline you’re booking with doesn’t offer it at their own website, you can sign up at FlightStats.com - using your cell phone number, to be sure you get the most current flight information available.

And here’s a last tip not shown on the above articles: ALWAYS carry a few essentials in your carryon in case you’re stranded without your luggage. Just a few basics - toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, maybe a clean shirt or t-shirt, etc. Whatever you couldn’t make it through a night without should be with you, not in your checked bags.