Increasingly, the Air Traffic Control nightmare doesn’t appear to be limited to just Newark Airport.
Courtesy Wikipedia
Issues snowball, and who knows how overworked and stressed air traffic controllers will react? The problems are still going on as you read this. This means irritated controllers, plus radios and radars, at Newark Airport are still going out.
So, what should you do in such an air traffic control nightmare?
1. Have your travel advisor on speed dial (or their contact number in your email list). Can we reopen airports and fix the weather? No. And sometimes, alternatives are sold out. But travel advisors have more ways to look, more creativity, and access to help desks. Regular phone lines have hours-long waits.
2. If you booked your own flights, a travel advisor can’t access your booking due to airline rules, even if we’ve booked your cruise or tour. But if it’s critical, it might be worth contacting an advisor to see if they can book you a new ticket. Sometimes flights are canceled well in advance, so you might be able to get a refund and an agent might be able to find a similar fare. If it’s the last minute, the fare might be higher, even a lot higher. But if you HAVE to be somewhere and the flight issue could mean missing a cruise, or a wedding, it’s likely to be worth it.
3. When customer service lines are insane, consider a lounge day pass to the airline involved. First, it’s a more relaxing place to wait, and there’s some free food and beverages, maybe even adult beverages, which can offset the cost. Also, there are customer service agents in the lounges, and the lines are usually shorter.
4. Again, try to be creative if you booked your own flights and can reach an airline person. Ask for a nearby airport if that’s an option. Ask for another airline, even. (Most airlines don’t want to put you on a competitor, but in some cases, they will. It never hurts to ask.
5. When you return, if the problem costs you serious time and money, write a polite letter to the airline customer service department. You probably won’t get a free ticket, but you might get some compensation (especially if the airline itself is to blame due to a mechanical or crew issue).
6. Have your travel advisor on speed dial. Also, consider booking your next trip through an agent. The service fee may save your trip.
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Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
