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