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