Text 8468, 58 rader
Skriven 2006-12-05 22:08:18 av Carol Shenkenberger (6:757/1)
   Kommentar till text 8447 av MICHAEL LOO (1:123/140)
Ärende: Re: Airline Woes 622
============================
*** Quoting MICHAEL LOO from a message to CAROL SHENKENBERGER ***

 CS> Well, that makes sense and doesnt upset me.  I've had a few minor
 CS> 'battles'  with military ticket offices when they left the connecting
 CS> flight too short and made it very possible to miss the next hop.

ML> It's best to go with a comfortable connection and then
ML> stand by for earlier (see below) if time permits.

Yes.  I feel uncomforatble with a less than 1.5 hour minimum between
connections.  Experience has taught me that a 45 mins can be dang tight if
there is any delay.


ML> And you can ask to be put on an earlier flight if one is
ML> available. Some airlines will try to charge you (probably
ML> not if you are in uniform!), but if you ask nicely, and
ML> there are lots of seats on the plane, there's nothing to
ML> prevent the agent at the gate from putting you on it. Do
ML> not ask at the ticket counter, though! These people are not
ML> empowered to waive fees and often get huffy if you ask them
ML> to do something that shows off their helplessness.

Hehe I just ask right up front 'if it wont cost more, can you get us on an
earlier flight?'.  Normally they can with JAL and ANA (2 Japan ones for the
rest of you). US lines were less helpful.

When traveling under orders though to Bahrain from Norfolk, the US lines had a
plane go down and I sorta got redirected.  I think (not sure) someone else got
bumped to make room for me.  It was the line to Singapore from Norfolk. 
United I think it was.  BTW, we dont travel in uniform anymore.  Since my
travels in the USA have been rare since 9/11 I am not sure if that is obvious
where you are but it is obvious to me.


ML> US carriers and US-trained employees are inclined to give a
ML> break to active service.

True.  It shows too when I check in.  Warm smiles when they see the ID card
instead of a drivers license.

 CS> they have  to fly me to Darwin and put me up in a hotel for 2-3 weeks

ML> Not to mention the practical issues on the navy side. I don't
ML> think a ship's captain would be particularly happy sailing
ML> short some technical staff.

That too!  UAL is particularily good about helping out with crossing issues
from their lines to others for sailors who got stranded.  Got one in just days
ago after he'd been stranded due to some snowstorm back stateside.  They flew
him to Atlanta to cross him to another line to get to Korea then from there to
Japan.  He was waiting at the gate as we pulled in.  Wee bit rumpled <g>.  He
was supposed to arrive at Osaka 2 days earlier but got shuffled around then
put in a hotel in Atlanta.
                                       xxcarol

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