A Dear Miss

Missing a flight can be a traumatic experience especially when plans have to be cancelled or delayed or even missed.

Why are flights delayed?

The most common reasons for the delay of the flight are mechanical problems on the plane, too many flights waiting on the tarmac before takeoff and inclement weather conditions.

Is scheduled takeoff of flights a myth?

Not necessarily. The schedule is often adhered to and some airlines like British airways are known for their punctualities. However accidents will happen to the best of schedules especially with over a hundred flights taking off in a day from an airport.

What happens if a connecting flight leaves?

If the connecting flight is a domestic one, you are sometimes whisked to your destination by a coach. This can sometimes pose a problem. A passenger had a tale of flying from Toronto to New York, arriving late at the airport and being taken to New York by a coach driven by a driver who did not know the way. The worst part of the problem is missing luggage. This is aggravated if the passenger is attending an important function and is not traveling as a tourist.

What are the problems caused to the passenger by flight delays?

The passenger is sometimes not able to call friends or family who are waiting to meet him or her at the airport. Some airport staffs are helpful and assist the traveler but most often getting through is a major hassle. The trauma at the tarmac is perhaps the worst part of a traveler’s journey through the air.

When you think of going to see a famous landmark or plan on whizzing round a city taking all in a day, a coach trip seems to be the most organized way of doing it all. If you are not careful coach trips can be an added expense and a disappointment.

How do coach trips fail to deliver?

Coach trips promise to show all the landmarks of a city. It is however important to carefully see the wording of the brochure. Very often visitors to Paris who dream of seeing the Eiffel Tower find half way through their coach trip that it is not on their itinerary. They find they have to pay the added expense of taking the trip on their own braving a confusing metro subway sometimes without knowing the local lingo. When they return from this additional trip, their coach tour companions have finished the organized meal and food becomes the next big expense.

What are the other hassles in a coach trip?

Coach trips are tome bound. The coach is not likely to wait for you even if you are a minute late. Coaches give a shopping and food break based on averages. Some considerate guides maintain a list of passengers and do not leave till all arrive. Food services are not always quick. Getting through the maze of exchanging currency in a foreign country while shopping can also be a trail. Coach guides are known to be inconsiderate to a passenger who is delayed within reason. There are also instances when there is combination transport rides. The coach drops you at a steamer dock as in the case of the Rhine in Germany. You are expected to get off at a certain stop and meet the coach. Those who are not conversant with the German language could find that they have missed the stop on the journey. Some considerate guides will take the coach to the next stop and pick you up. Indifferent guides will remind you of the rules.

A coach often spells convenience. A guided quick tour of all you wants to see. The important thing is to see what they show you and how the coach tour company guide will help you on the way by questioning the brochure or asking questions in writing by a letter and using the reply as your contracted terms. The trick is to look before you embark.