On Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:59:17 -0800, "Calif Bill"
wrote:
>
>"Alan S" wrote in message
>news:qohpj39ohifdoav65u90gf6da73v6mtmvo@4ax.com...
>> On Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:12:29 GMT, kangaroo16
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Of course, it was a simpler and more trusting world in those
>>>days. :-)
>>
>> Maybe. However, "standby" was very much in evidence with AA
>> in the USA last year at ORD and LAX. There were monitor
>> screens at the boarding lounges showing who was top of the
>> standby list.
>>
I find this intriguing as per TSA rules, no-one without a boarding
pass can gain entry to the departure lounges.
I had a hell of a time earlier this year in having a special pass
issued for my daughter to accompany me through the security check and
to the departure lounge, which she is entitled to so and has done many
a time, because of my disability. We got it in the end but only
because I demaned to speak to a supervisor.
Did you have boarding passes for a later flight but were wait-listed
for 'Space A' [space available] on an earlier departure?
Note if this is the case, and you have asked for a seat if available
on an earlier flight, be very aware if it happens again that you are
deemed a 'voluntary seperation' and your bag/s may not go on the early
flight. Most airlines will not delivery i.e. you will be required
to pick them up from the airport.
>> I remember thinking that it may be wise to buy shares in US
>> airlines at that time as every flight seemed to be 100% full
>> and just prior to final boarding they would announce that no
>> standby seats were available. Nor did I see any empty seats
>> on the plane.
>>
Try it at the moment - it's a nightmare with too many passengers
fighting for too little number of seats!
And with Thanksgiving next week, I am just so glad I am not working in
the industry at the moment!
>> Cheers, Alan, Australia
>> --
>> http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
>> latest: Slovenia
>> http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/
>> latest: Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest
>
>And those standby's are on tickets that allow changes. So they may be a
>business man trying be get out on an earlier flight. Not like the olden
>days of Standby, where you got a cheap fare at the last minute.
>
Air New Zealand tried 'standby fares' back in the early 1980's as a
means to fill seats on a relocater 747 between Auckland and
Christchurch daily [early am flight] and the return flight late
afternoon/reverse route.
At the time, the standby fare was NZ$49 each way v $96 discounted
fare.
Unfortunately they discontinued it as it was attracting the clients
they were not trying to attract. During the week the business
travellers used it with a ressult NZ was loosing money on 'regular
flights'.
We used to take advantage of it by flying out from Auckland on a
Sunday am; just purchase the ticket and be told to go straight to
check-in. Return, I'd be at the airport 8am on a Saturday morning to
purchase a ticket [first in/first served loading basis] and never had
a problem - one flight there were no more than 10 people in economy!
Cath |