Most savvy travelers prefer flight travels over the other means of transportation. The reasoning behind it is that air travel is safer and more convenient. Even in the longest of flights, it seldom takes you more than 24 hours. Air travel has made the world more accessible. For those pursuing higher learning, especially in developing countries, air travel has made their dreams a reality. But no matter how hard you try, you’ll still experience some hiccups and frustrations at the airport or midair. This has become a common phenomenon that may need to be addressed by airline companies. Let’s now take a look at the common hassles you may encounter in your flight.
1. Delayed Flights
Aren’t delayed flights such a bummer! Imagine the thousands of people who, after planning for months for a family vacation, are told that their flight to Hawaii has been delayed. This is the same experience that millions of people face every day. The thing is, flight delays are so unpredictable. They may be as a result of poor weather, mechanical issues, or other unforeseeable circumstances. When this happens, it’s important for you to know your rights. As a routine, most airlines will inform their clients earlier of the delays. However, if it’s a case of neglect, the airline is required to provide some form of compensation. Steve Hill from Delayed Flights ) says that surprisingly, only 38% of passengers who are entitled to compensation from airlines actually claim their compensation. This means that most of them don’t actually know their rights, are negligent or are too busy to pursue compensation. Luckily, there are professionals that can help you get compensated for delayed flights.
2. Overbooking
Overbooking is the other problem that at some point in your traveling experience has encountered. It may be legal for airlines to overbook, nevertheless, it’s the inconvenience that comes with it that’s annoying. In most cases, the airline will ask beforehand for those willing to volunteer their seats, when this happens, you don’t want to be on the list.
3. Loss of Passports
You only have two days to travel then you realize that your passport is missing and can’t locate it. It’s a stressful ordeal that many people face each and every passing day. To be on the safe side, digitize your travel documents or copies of each. The other thing is to file a missing id report to the relevant authorities or with your embassy.
4. Overweight Suitcases
Most airlines charge an extra buck for overweight luggage. This will dramatically increase your cost of traveling. It’s irritating if you had not prepared earlier for such additional costs. Days before the flight, you may need to do a short research on the airline rules and luggage limits. In addition to this, instead of using heavier suitcases, invest in ultralight carriers to make up for the weight. But a smart traveler, you need to have a handy portable luggage scale at home. This will save you from these common embarrassments.
5. Lost Luggage
Although most people might use this as an excuse to buy new stuff, it’s really not something to be proud. This is especially true if you had valuable items in your suitcases. This is a situation where you really don’t need to panic. When found, most airlines go the extra mile to bringing it to you. This means that you don’t need to go back to the airport for collection. This is the reason why you are advised to always clearly label your luggage before boarding the flight. Also, avoid packing your valuables in one place. You may have a designated purse that will be with you all the time. Here are some other useful tips to avoid losing your luggage.
- Track your luggage
- Check into the airport in time
- Compensation
6. Illness
Now, this is a case that may need intervention. In most cases, due to flight anxiety, your bowels may start to misbehave. It’s not a cause for alarm. All you need are some laxatives to calm you down. However, you don’t want this to happen when the plane is already airborne. You’ll be the talk of the flight. Luckily, you will not be alone. This is a common problem that affects many travelers. So sit down, relax, and enjoy the flight.
7. Gate change
Just as soon as you’ve cleared at the counter, an announcement is made informing all the passengers that they are at the wrong gate. This happens a lot. It’s the reason behind those mad rushes in many airports. They may announce it, but it’s usually displayed on those huge confusing boards. When this happens, you’ve got no choice but to follow the crowds.
Whether you’ve got oversize bags, are having stomach cramps, or reading the huge boards, one thing is for sure, you are not alone. There are millions of passengers who are experiencing the same hassles. Additionally, these are solvable problems while at the same time should be avoidable.
