Airlines are telling more late fliers, 'Sorry'

[Thom Little]

It's getting tougher for last-minute fliers to dash down the concourse and catch a flight just before the jetway door closes.

Airlines are increasingly enforcing stated check-in times, road warriors say, leaving disgruntled fliers at the gate waiting for the next flight. And depending on airline policy, that could add the insult of added costs to the injury of being left off your ticketed flight.

According to a USA TODAY survey of the check-in policies of 18 U.S. airlines, fewer than half guarantee that a late-arriving passenger who is denied boarding will be booked on the next available flight for free. Many require the passenger to pay a ticket-change fee, the fare difference or both.

But the added costs are at the discretion of airport agents who often waive them.

"They're absolutely getting stricter," says Terry Trippler, an air travel expert at Cheapseats.com. Airline agents, he says, are more often enforcing check-in times "to the letter." Airlines typically have policies for check-in times both at the airport counter and at the departure gate.


http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2005-11-21-late-to-gate-usat_x.htm?csp=22_dmr

[Deja Q]

1. Logical. Plane tickets are non-refundable.

Sickening.

And profiteering over slow "security" measures too.

[ComerPerro]

5. That's why you show up early

[GemMom]

13. But what happens if you are trying to make a connecting flight

and your earlier flight is late or delayed getting in?

We once had to make a mad dash in the Nashville airport to get to the next gate, where we were wanded because we were running and were late?!

If I could avoid flying altogether, I would do so.

[ComerPerro]

16. If its the same airline, they need to place you on the next flight

for no charge.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. exactly, a hidden tax.

Then again, a silly move to begin with.

We have spent billions on top of billions on airport security, and forced the already bleeding air transport sector to cough up billions on its own, without a noticeable increase in safety.

Yet, cargo remains uninspected ON THE VERY PLANES WE FLY.
Cargo into the US also is unchecked, but to make up for that lapse, 10,000 US citizens who criticize the HSA or the government are on a special watch list.

Boy, that makes me feel safe and secure.

It really struck home when a recent immigrant came to hire me. We chatted, she complained about new security problems, and the impact on her green card, and then she said something that will stay with me for a long time. "The US is becoming more and more like the old USSR. Fear, stupidity and mind control - we fought a revolution to get rid of it. But it looks like your country has invited it in to stay."

A Brave New World.

[mtnester]

9. You got that right...our story

We arrived at the airport two hours early. Waited in line to check our bags for almost one hour...that's right, 1 hour after they opened the ticket counter, and they did not open the counter until about 1 hour before the flight left (early morning). By the time we checked our bags, we had exactly 2 minutes to get through security, and to the gate. We were RUNNING through the airport. When we got to the gate, they had not communicated AT ALL with the ticket counter as to their issues with the baggage check line, and they had overbooked the flight and given our seats to someone else. We SCREAMED bloody murder...we had our tickets for months, this was a two week vacation so we had to check bags (snorkel gear, etc.).

We were eventually given seats in first class because the whole mess of us getting to the gate at the last minute was THEIR fault, not ours. I would be willing to state as many times as we have flown, that most people show up WELL in advance (hours) just in case, and the problem ends up being no coordination with the ticket counter and the gate (i.e. opening up too late for early morning flights, so a gazillion people hit security checks at the same instant, slowing THAT process down).

Let's not even talk about how long it takes to get through the line at some airports around the world, where your suitcases (ALL of them) are opened and searched right before you hit the ticket window.

[MarsThe Cat]

17. not all of them-

full fare tickets are fully refundable.

[bbernardini]

2. I agree that the fee sucks...

...but on the other hand, would it kill some of these self-centered people to show up on time? They TELL YOU to show up early. Plan ahead. It's not that tough.

I feel bad for those who are late for legitimate reasons, though.

[ComerPerro]

4. The only time they should compensate you if you miss your flight

is if you have connecting flights, and your first flight was late.

Because, that is a tricky situation and it is completely out of the control of the passenger.

But, yes, otherwise, you are absolutely right.

[ComerPerro]

3. I can appreciate that

[melm00se]

7. as a frequent traveler...

I have no sympathy for those who are run up to the gate at the last second...you know what time your flight is, you were told to arrive early (heck it is even printed on your e-ticket and itinerary a few times)...get your butt there on time...if you are late, you pay the penalty...

[newyawker99]

18. Hi melm00se!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[bluestateguy]

8. That should not apply to people whose connecting flight was late

I've had it happen before where my connecting flight into a hub city was late, making it a close call for me to make my connection. In cities like Dallas, DC, Atlanta or Chicago O'Hare you sometimes have to race across the concourse to get to your connecting flight. I have had to do some sprinting in airports to make it.

[Dr.Phool]

10. It is a sticky situation.

A few years ago, my wife and I were flying Cleveland to Tampa, with a stopover and almost 2 hour layover in Pittsburgh.

Weather conditions were a white-out in Cleveland, and we departed about 90 minutes late. When we arrived in Pittsburgh, we literally ran from one end of the airport to the other, and got to our flight just as they were closing the door.

[AngryAmish]

11. I'm on the no-fly list

Actually a fella with the same name is on the list. So I cannot do electronic check-in and have to speak with a ticket agent every time. It sucks. I have to be at the airport 2 hrs early every time because I can never guage how long it will take to check in, how long security and how long to walk to the gate (ORD especially).

If I take a business trip
1. Leave the house at 5:30 am
2. Arrive at ORD at 6 am
3. Fly at 8 am
4. Arrive at 10 am
5. Get in car at 10:45 am
6. Depositions noon to 5 pm
7. Airport at 6 pm
8. Flight at 8 pm
9. Arrive at ORD at 10 pm
10. In my bed at 10:45 pm

That is about an 18 hr day.

One can see why I am tempted to cut a few hours and run to gates late. But I have yet to miss a flight.

[Divernan]

12. NEVER let the airline book you with less than an hour to make connections

And if you're making the connection at the Newark airport, make that TWO hours. This way you allow for your plane being up to 30 minutes late and you can still make the connection. It takes twice the time at Newark because if you leave one terminal, you have to go through the whole security bit again - with long lines. On my next trip through Newark, I had a choice of a 50 minute layover or a six hour layover. I chose the longer one because I know I have to change terminals and if I missed my international flight, I'm stuck at the airport overnight.

[ProfessorGAC]

14. As One Who Flies Regularly, I Say, That's Ok By Me

Connecting flights are a problem, but the airlines know which people are late because the flight they were on was delayed. That can be fixed by not charging them extra and holding the plane.

But, if you're just late because you think you're James Bond dashing through the airport then tough. Far too many people wait until the last minute to leave, frankly, because THEY don't like to wait. Well, to those folks, i say, "It's not all about you!"

Get to the airport on time, or expect to be left behind. And if you do, tough cookies.
The Professor

[ReadTomPaine]

15. Once upon a time, flying was a pleasure.

Now I think nothing of driving 1000+ miles to avoid flying and what airports have become.

Amusingly, under many circumstances I arrive at my destination more quickly than I would if I took a plane under the current circumstances.

[Dora]

19. Huh.

We did some flying with our infant son last summer, with a plane change in Chicago.

At three of the four flight boardings we made, the airline staff began boarding EARLY, with NO PREBOARDING for the elderly or for parents with young children.

I don't remember what airline it was, but I was bitchin' mad. I actually had a "customer service" agent tell me to HURRY when I said I was going to use the restroom (when we had arrived at the gate early).