Jaunted

WHAT IF I FORGET MY ID?
Prepare to run the gauntlet called "secondary screening," but don't panic. Official TSA policy does not automatically deny you boarding unless you refuse to provide ID, but you will be wanded, your bags will be searched and you will be "interviewed." If you are planning to refuse, note that the mythic Sen. John Warner letter, which supposedly provided for ID-less flying, is no longer valid.

Remain calm as you explain to the security personnel that you forgot your ID (at home, at work, wherever) and be cooperative: TSA now has the right to ask you questions based on public records, including questions about your family, previous addresses or wedding anniversary (if you happen to be married), to verify that you are the Throckmorton Q. Public who is trying to get to Baltimore.

Remember, the odds are in your favor: In the first month of the new TSA policy's going into effect, only three percent of ID-less fliers were eventually denied boarding.

WHAT IF I LOSE MY BOARDING PASS?
Go to the airport ticket counter and request another one. If you are accident-prone, print out two copies of your itinerary before you leave home and keep them in separate places; it's not a binding document but it may help a recalcitrant check-in employee locate your reservation. Already through security? First, try the airline employees at your gate--if there are any. Second, ask at your checkpoint if a pass was found: It's where you're most likely to set one down. If neither of those work, suck it up and go back to check-in. Prepare to grovel. If you actually followed the two-hours-ahead rule, you are reaping the benefits now.

WHAT IF I GET BUMPED?
Remember this: Part 250. This is the Department of Transportation's current policy on overbooking, and if carriers don't follow it to the letter, they will be administered a smackdown. (NB: If you don't hear the airline asking for volunteers to get bumped, that is a violation.) Your airline must arrange transport (on whatever carrier available) or compensation for you within 24 hours of your being denied boarding. But the airlines are going to make this really difficult on you, so take down these notes:

AirTran: Consult section L in Rules on Reconfirmation of Reservations, Check In Times and Refusal To Carry; 800/247-8726

American: Props to American for being one of the only airlines whose contract of carriage is not posted in PDF (Hawaiian, below, is the other); 800/433-7300

Delta: Rule 245 says Delta will put you on any airline it wants--but in the event of an overnight stay, will provide hotel accommodations at no cost; 800/221-1212

Hawaiian: Loses points for not having its phone number readily available (i.e. within 10 seconds of browsing) on its website; 800/367-5320

JetBlue: Jackpot! If they can't rebook you, you get $1,000; 800/538-2583

Northwest: Rule 0245 offers you no damages, just rebooking; 800/225-2525

Southwest: Check Article 105, 800/435-9792 (gets extra points for being available 24/7) or 214/792-4223

United: Refer to UA Rule 0245; 877/228-1327

US Airways: Quote Section X, "Denied Boarding," of the contract of carriage; 866/523-5333 or 800/428-4322

Virgin America: Up to $800 if not re-booked to arrive within two hours of original travel time, "accommodations on a case-by-case basis," no guarantee that First Class passengers will get reseated in First Class; 877/359-8474

If it gets really bad: Call the Aviation Consumer Protection Division, 202/366-2220.

HOW DO I GET A TERMINAL PASS?

Grandpa's coming for Thanksgiving! His jokes have never sounded better, but his eyesight is not as sharp as it used to be when he was in the Air Force. (Or maybe he can hear your phone calls, but not announcements at the gate.) Airlines offer escort or terminal passes so you can greet Grandpa at the gate (like we all used to do before 9/11) or make sure he boards his flight on time, but they usually don't advertise this for fear of widespread gate-rushing.

Before you leave the house, make sure you don't have anything that would get you flagged through security; edit your stuff just as if you were actually flying that day. Don't forget your ID. On the pick-up, take Grandpa's confirmation number, flight number and full name to the regular check-in desk and ask for further instructions. Sending him back to Sarasota? Follow people with oversize luggage and pets to the special requests check-in desk and ask for your pass there. (Yes, we tried this at Chicago O'Hare; it works.)

Caution: Some airlines will try and offer your relative a gate pick-up in a wheelchair instead of granting you a pass. Stand your ground! Appeal to the supervisor's fears of an airport being understaffed because an army of seniors needs transport from gate to gate, and stress that your loved one will be looking for you--implication being Great-Aunt Margot won't be pushed around by just anyone. There's nothing wrong with politely making your case that you alone can handle your relatives. Margot never has to know.

Related Stories:
· TSA: ID Requirements for Airport Checkpoints [TSA.gov]
· Press Release: TSA Announces Enhancements To Airport ID Requirements To Increase Safety [TSA.gov]
· Flying Without ID? Know What's In Your Files [Wired.com]
· The Final Word On Rule 240 [Consumerist]
· Rule 240 Revisited [Airfare Watchdog]
· 4 Secrets About Rule 240 [Elliott.org]
· Delta Makes Woman With Muscular Dystrophy Crawl Off Plane[Consumerist]

[Photo: iansand]

Tags: Thanksgiving / Airports / Travel Hacks / WiFi / Rule 240

by egw