Combat winter flight cancellations with these simple tips
2011-01-28
This winter has been wreaking havoc on the aviation industry, as heavy snowstorms have lead to a plethora of flight cancellations, inconveniencing travelers all over the world. In preparation of future blizzards, the New York Times has offered some tips on ways to combat this unfortunate, often unavoidable event.
The news source suggests being painfully perseverant and using "everything at your disposal," including social media. Travelers can take to their Twitter accounts to find real-time flight notifications and even lament about delays, as airlines often have customer service representatives combing through tweets to assist with any difficulties.
If the flight is canceled after travelers have checked their baggage, they should make sure to alert personnel immediately and request a copy of a luggage-loss report. Claims lose their validity after a certain period of time, so customers should also make sure to write down a phone number where they can follow up on its status.
When several other flights have been canceled, the ones that do make it in the air can become crowded. Passengers can avoid being bumped off the flight by checking in online within 24 hours before takeoff; those who check in early are the least likely to be moved.
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