Jaunted

We asked Christopher Elliott, who sifts through contracts of carriage the way we obsess over The Amazing Race, what he thinks of the mythical Rule 240:

The problem with the latest batch of 240 stories (mine, too) is that readers could be left with the impression that all they need to do is read the article in order to understand their rights. In fact, they have to pull up the actual rule [in the contract of carriage] and read it for themselves.

Delta and United still call it Rule 240; Southwest calls it Rule 85. Other airlines, no doubt, call it something else. It's up to you to check the airline's contract--which should be easily available on its website--for the specifics. Print it out and pack it in your carry-on.

That said, the real rule is to always be polite, even if you're tired and miffed that your flight just got cancelled. If you simply ask nicely like a decent human being, your gate agent will likely do his or her best to help you out. And if it doesn't happen that way, you'll have the contract in-hand to help the situation.

Related Stories:
· Invoke Rule 240, Get Yourself Arrested [Elliott]
· Stranded? Don't Forget Rule 240 [MSNBC]
· Rule 240: Dead, Mythical or Alive and Well? [Upgrade: Travel Better]
· Flight Delays coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: JenniferWoodardMaderazo]