Frank Luntz is a road warrior with a serious flying resume (He is a 1K member on United, Executive Platinum on American, Platinum on Continental, Gold on Delta, and Gold on US Airways). I read his article at www.businessweek.com and I found the information useful enough to pass on.
His 5 tips in no particular order (with my comments):
- Know your airport. (I just make sure to get to the airport with at least an hour before the flight is scheduled for take-off if you have no check-in baggage. Even if the security line takes 20-25 minutes, you still have time make it to the gate.)
Big airports are as different as the cities they’re in. Las Vegas is by far the worst, with long security lines that often take 45 minutes, particularly at the newly expanded D Gates (serving American, United (UAUA), and Delta (DAL)). New York’s JFK is the toughest airport to navigate if you’re switching carriers because there are nine separate terminals.
Also, most airports let you check in and check luggage up to 30 minutes before takeoff. But don’t show up a mere half-hour early in Vegas or at LAX in Los Angeles. You’ll miss the 45-minute cutoff, and you won’t get a boarding pass. Denver and Miami also have a 45-minute pre-flight deadline to check luggage but require only 30 minutes if you just need a boarding pass.
- The shortest airport security line is not necessarily the fastest. (This is a good one - I use this subconsciously all the time. I spot the business travelers by their suits and laptop bags.)
Look at the type of people waiting in a line, not the number. A dozen businesspeople will move through security much faster than two families with young children or a tour group of senior citizens. Just remember this equation: One baby carriage equals four typical passengers.
Another tip for moving through security: Aim for the far left or far right scanner lanes. Most people just walk straight ahead and end up waiting longer as a result.
- Early boarding is not desirable. (I am not a fan of this tip - getting your carry-on into the overhead is CRITICAL to avoid having to check it in.)
On crowded flights, the big planes can take 40 minutes to fully board, forcing you to spend all that extra time in a cramped seat. Unless you’re afraid there won’t be room in the overhead bins for your carry-on, wait.
- Planes sometimes close the door to passengers before the posted departure time. (Remember - airlines CAN and will do this because flights are considered delayed if they are at the gate past their scheduled departure time. They can sit on the tarmac for 20 minutes after the scheduled departure time and not communicate the flight as “delayed”.)
Many carriers would rather have a flight pull away 10 minutes early and leave a customer or two behind than arrive at its destination 10 minutes late. Personally, I have missed more flights this way than for all other reasons combined. The worst offender: US Airways
- Frequent fliers get no preference when flights are canceled. (Call up your travel agency AS soon as you think your flight may be canceled. Your travel agent can hold a seat on another flight without making the reservation and release the hold if your original flight takes off.)
If you are a frequent flier with a particular airline, you’re supposed to have an advantage in getting on that carrier’s next flight. But it’s first come, first served, baby. The person who gets to any gate agent for the airline first, anywhere in the airport, snags the first empty seats. So if you’re standing in a long line at your assigned gate waiting for rebooking, look for an agent at an empty gate.
Here’s hoping travel in 2008 turns out better than 2007 for all road warriors and their families..