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The Department Of Transportation has published a new set of updated rules regarding passengers who are denied-boarding, aka bumped from a flight they have a confirmed seat.

The basics of the DOT rules haven’t changed. The airline must ask for volunteers when a flight is oversold before bumping any passengers off the flight involuntarily.

Compensation for involuntary bumping is twice the one-way fare including tax, up to a maximum of $800, plus alternative transportation. The compensation is halved to a $400 max if the airline can get you to your final destination within two hours of the original flight for domestic, or four hours for Int’l flights. Old caps, created in 1978, were $400 and $200 respectively.

I’m a consistent denied-boarding volunteer, and have had dozens of free flights as a result. If I’m flying a popular route I’ll go to the desk at the flights gate and ask to be placed on the volunteer list. Over the years I’ve discovered some tips to help with the process.

• Because you volunteer you won’t get the maximum compensation noted above.
• It works best with non-stop flights with no connections.
• Book your travel on a flight that you suspect will be overbooked.
• I try and fly early in the day. This gives me plenty of flight options later in the day to get to my destination.
• Your luggage should be carry-on only.  Don’t expect checked bags to follow your changes.
• It also works best if you are traveling alone, sometimes my Wife isn’t interested in working the system.
• It also works best when you are returning to your home airport, you then aren’t required to get to a reserved car or hotel.

My best outcome was LAX to Phoenix, I was bumped three times in a row.  I think I got $100 flight credit each time, on a flight that cost me around $60.

It was a bad sign early this morning when we arrived at the LAX terminal 5 Delta check-in kiosk.  The touch screen computer knew exactly what to do, but the six uniformed Delta employees standing nearby didn’t. 

After our boarding passes printed out did any of the six Delta workers come over and process our luggage?  No they kept on chatting it up.  Maybe, since we were headed to Hawaii I should say they were “talking story”.  After a about 2 minutes, just as i started to lean over and interrupt this gab fest I noticed that a woman who was working six or seven kiosks away was headed toward us. 

She apologized for making us wait and glanced over at her fellow employees who kept up their conversation for another minute or two.

But hey, your headed to Hawaii, your early for your flight, life is good and the security check point was a breeze.  We were all set for an on-time departure, but then we sat the gate for 90 more minutes. The flight crew made announcements saying that it was due to problems calculating the weight of the cargo that they had loaded on the aircraft, but who knows.

Thanks to favorable winds our filled to capacity 767-300 arrived into HNL only 60 minutes late.  The 2-3-3 seating was comfortable and the hot breakfast meal was acceptable.

Tomorrow I’ll be on a 5 hour flight and I was wondering….what are my chances of getting sick from being on this flight???

From my online research it appears that airplanes pose no more of a danger of germ exposure than a any other public place. But it would probably be a good idea to wash your hands often and drink plenty of water.

If someone sneezes near you that is most likely the most vulnerable situation you will be exposed to. The spay particles can easily enter your body via your nose or eyes, so avoid wiping or rubbing your eyes. If the person next to you is sneezing up a storm ask to be reseated. If they have room they will find another seat for you.

If you need a blanket grab one that is wrapped in plastic. That is the best way to ensure that you have a clean one. Blankets and pillows can go for long periods of time between cleaning. Pillow cases might be changed during overnight cleaning.

In 2004 the EPA tested the tap water quality in airplanes to see if it was contaminated. They found that 12.7% of the planes tested positive for total coliform bacteria.  Most airlines use bottled water for their beverage service, but if bottled water runs who knows what they might use?   I would suggest bringing bottled water on your flight.  It will keep you hydrated and healthier.

As for the air on passenger planes, now that smoking is banned, it can be cleaner than in many tight new super insulated homes.  Airlines have been know to reduce the amount of fresh air they feed to the cabin because doing so extracts heat, energy, from the engines.  But it shouldn’t really make you sick, the basic filters they use should remove any infectious material.  Many new aircraft are using HEPA filters to clean cabin air.

Delta says that by the middle of next year their entire domestic mainline fleet of aircraft will offer broadband wireless Internet access. First to get the WiFi service will be Delta’s MD88/90 aircraft. The service called GoGo will be provided by Aircell allowing laptops, smartphones and PDA’s unlimited access for $9.95 on flights of less than 3 hours, longer flights will cost $12.95.

American Airlines already has activated GoGo on some of it’s longer 767 flights.  Read More

Even with the recent declines in crude oil prices, airlines appear to be continue set with their plans to reduce the number of flights they operate.

Finally, airlines are starting to think like real businesses!  Can you believe it? They are actually going to pursue profits! 

Now that the massive overstocking by China, as they prepared for the Olympics, is over and prices have moved down around $20 per barrel you might think that the airlines would delay their flight reduction plans.  But no, and Wall Street is predicting that the major carriers could soon return to profitability.

Based on the Official Airline Guide (OAG) estimats it looks like US domestic flights will be reduced by 20 million seats from Nov-Dec.  Worldwide it looks like a 7% drop in capacity will result in almost 60 million fewer seats during the same period.  OAG said this decrease could result in “the most widespread crisis to hit the aviation industry in recent memory.”

Some airlines had planned on expanding flights during 2008, but high fuel costs have put a damper on those plans.  Continental wanted to grow 5-7% this year  but is now looking at maybe a 2-3% growth rate.  The fast growing JetBlue CEO David Barger expects a 10% year over year decrease.

Routes Dropped:  Nov 2007 -VS- Nov 2008:

• Midwest Airlines = 43%
• Delta = 24%
• US Airways = 15%
• Continental = 14%
• American = 10%
• United = 4%
• Southwest = 0.5% 

But many of these reductions are not due just to increased fuel costs, some of it is the result of a reduced demand for air travel.  The steady annual growth since 2002 appears to be coming to an end, an abrupt end as the US and global economies effect travelers and business spending habits. 

Many vacationers are becoming aware of what is now called the Stacation option and are saving fuel, reducing the environmental impact and saving money during this economically sensitive time.

UPDATE:  Southwest has just announced they will be jumping on board the flight cutting bandwagon.  This year Southwest was able to control fuel costs because they had made several long term supply contracts at lower prices.  But next year they plan on cutting nearly 200 flights.  Southwest still plans on adding 14 new planes in 2009 with older aircraft being retired.

So your planning on talking your pet with you on your next flight. So how do you do get your pet into the cabin with you?  Note that rules are different for international and Hawaii flights and for pets flying as cargo.  Check with your airline for specifics. 

Here are some tips.

• Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old. It’s a USDA rule.
• Make sure space is available for your pet.  Some flights limit the number of pets allowed on board.  So before you buy your ticket make sure space is available. 
• Bring your pets health records with you.  You may not need them, but it’s good to have them.
• Your pet must be able to stand and turn-around in the carrier.  It must also be leak proof and ventilated.  It must also meet size guidelines.
• Don’t feed them for several hours before your flight.
• Walk or run your pet before the flight, it may tire them out.
• Take some treats with you to help you maintain control of your pet.
• As your Vet for medication if you think it will be needed.
• Keep your pet in it’s carrier under the seat.  Your whole pet must be inside, head and tail.
• Upon arrival don’t let your pet out of the carrier until your outside.
• Don’t for get to give them some water. Flying can dehydrate.
• Most airlines take Dogs, cats and birds.
• No pets on Southwest.
• No Birds on American or JetBlue.
• Fees run $75-$100.

Several airports are considered pet friendly, Here is a list.

Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) fined American Airlines $7.1 million for alleged safety violations due to a deficient drug and alcohol testing program.  Read More in the Washington Post.

You might think airports are busy, but they are nothing compared the the huge amount of flights that operate out of General Aviation airports.  But the vast number of these smaller airports means they are much more enjoyable, an in many cases more convenient.

Ever wonder how many of those small planes are flying with empty seats?  Well, so did James Tomaszewski who has recently launched Share Your Flight, www.ShareYourFlight.com, a site which allows members of the public to connect with pilots.

Not only does it allow members of the public to connect with pilots, but it allows pilots to connect with each other.  If your a pilot and want to check out a specific type of aircraft, or get some practice this is a great resource.

This resource also allows you to fly right from an airport in your area with no ‘big airport’ hassles. 

Check out the site. www.ShareYourFlight.com

If your plane is going down, do you know what to do?  It is up to you, you can’t count on the flight crew to help you in your time of need. First thing is to start thinking about it before you board the plane.  Get started at home as you dress for your flight.

• Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants.  Covering your skin protects you from exposure to flames and also prevents friction burns when you evacuate down the emergency escape slide.  When choosing your clothes avoid polyester / synthetic fabrics.  In a high heat environment these fabrics can readily melt and cause serious injury.  Natural fibers are a better pick. 
• Wear laced shoes.  The last thing you want to do is loose your shoes during an emergency.  Slip on shoes can easily be pulled off if someone steps on your feet as you all exit at once.
• Note how to open the cabin doors.  Check the seat back emergency instructions card and learn how the main and emergency door work.  Also if your the one opening the door, always check for fire outside the aircraft before opening the door.  If fire is present use another exit.
• Count the rows to the main and emergency exit doors.  Knowing where you are in relation to the exits can improve your chances of getting out alive.
• Keep your seat belt buckled at all times.  Unexpected turbulence or rapid decompression can cause serious injuries.  Standing in the isles is also a bad idea.  If you are not strapped in your seat your exposed.
• Don’t breath smoke.  Most airlines have lowered the toxic levels of the plastics used on airplane interiors.  But if you can hold your breath for the short period of time it may take you to exit the plane or move to a smoke free area. 
• Don’t inflate your life vest inside the plane.  Many people will put on their life vest and immediately inflate it.  It’s a BIG MISTAKE.  It can make it very difficult for you and others to exit the plane.  Don’t inflate your vest until you have exited the aircraft.
• Leave your luggage behind.  I know it may seem important, but it isn’t.  Leave your bags behind.
• Watch the safety briefing.  Boring?  Yes!  A life saver?  Yes!

Many of us have forgotten the good old days of air travel. When seats were comfortable and food was something that was expected. Now the legroom and the food are almost gone. But it’s not so for every airline. ANA, All Nippon Airways, has recently been ranked as having the best long-haul first-class seats. Great seats are not that special if service is lacking. And ANA has not forgotten that. They were also selected as having the best long-haul food service.

Check out this review of the ANA first-class seats.

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