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Delayed flight? Why bother checking in on time?
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Current posts | CategoriesDelayed flight? Why bother checking in on time?
Q. If I check the status of my flight before leaving home, and see that it's been delayed by two hours, is there any real reason I should stick to the original check-in time? According to the airline, yes, but if they themselves are late, then I just don't see the point. What do you think?
A. As tempting as it is, we think you're better off playing it safe. Whatever the cause of the delay (mechanical? late incoming flight?), there's always the slim change it could suddenly and miraculously be corrected. Your airline could switch things up and use an alternate plane, or that incoming flight could very well make it on time. In the end, status is just an estimation, and you'll probably have a much smoother trip if you show up on time/early rather than risk missing the flight and scrambling to get on the next.
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Thank you for posting this, George. I just wanted to point out where you had written ". . . always the slim change" it should actually be "slim chance."
by Grammar on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
I had a flight delay just this week emailed to me--2.5 hour delay. Since it was a connecting flight for me, I was in the airport anyway, but i wondered what would happen to a person who came late because of the email/phone announcement. The plane departed with only about an hour delay!
by lmerklin on Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Yes, you must stick to the original check in. I got a two-hour delay notice on a flight from DCA to ATL via email. I decided to go late to the airport. I checked in after the original departure time. The airline (Northwest) said I had forfeited my ticket. It was easter rush and seats were completely taken. I pleaded and begged and finally got another flight but had to pay a hefty fee.
I argued about - why send a delay notice if you penalize a person who follows the advice? But they said it is simply advisory so you can bring a book or extra food.
Flyer beware.
by bikedude on Wednesday, March 17, 2010
If you have been in a scenario where you're at the airport during flight delays, you know that the flight can suddenly be ready. It's happened twice to me, already, in the last five months. The first time, the posted flight time was two hours late; an hour and fifteen minutes before that, we suddenly were told to board, so we could be first in line when flights could take off. The second time, just a couple weeks ago, you couldn't see 10 feet in Denver for the fog. Within a half hour the fog suddenly lifted, our plane landed and was ready for boarding in 15 minutes. Get to the airport. Worst case scenario, you can flip through magazines at one of the shops.
by mickisue on Wednesday, March 17, 2010
This happened to us once. We were delayed about 2 hours and so we went about 30' from our gate to a bar and had a drink. Abuout 15 - 20 min. later a man ran in and said to his group that his plane wasn't delayed any longer and just throw enough money on the table to cover the bill, they didn't have time to wait for the check and they were on the fial boarding call. I had no idea who they were but it made me wonder about our flight, sure enough we were the next group that threw our money on the table and made a mad dash to the gate. At least we announced to the rest of the poeple what plane we were on just in case there were others waiting. They fixed the problem very quickly and I guess didn't make the announcment except at the gate. Better safe than sorry. We were the last ones on the plane and took off shortly after we got on. I always play it safe, and I thought walking to the nearest place to get a drink would be safe!
by StevenP138 on Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Experienced flyers know that everything is subject to change when it comes to air travel(including delays being suddenly shortened or disappearing altogether). If you are not at the gate within 20 minutes of scheduled departure (longer on international flights), your seat will probably be given away to a standby passenger (with little recourse on your part). In the circumstance you described, you can wait at home (and take your chances, with odds that are not in your favor) or eliminate the luck factor and wait at the airport. You can always plan to take a book, do some shopping, eat a leasurely meal -- even go to the observation deck. If your airport doesn't have some distractions that suit you, then take your own. Short of skeet-shooting, you can do just about anything at an airport you can do anywhere else.
by StanScan on Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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