Thursday, March 28, 2024 -
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Tips to avoid flying snafus

I thought it couldn’t get worse than not receiving my luggage until the night before my return flight. That’s what happened when I flew to Azerbaijan. The drama spanned the four days I was there. When the bag finally arrived, there was cheering not only by me but the hotel and conference staff who had so diligently tried to assist me.

Well, it turns out it can get worse. What’s worse than your bag missing your flight? You missing your flight. That’s what nearly happened this past week when my husband and I were told we didn’t have seats assigned for our 9.5-hour flight from Frankfurt to Denver. One may think that after 23 years of flying internationally, you’ve seen it all. But no, there are always new experiences. Like being put on standby for an international flight. That had never happened to me before.

So here are a couple tips from my recent hard-earned experience overseas. I figured the one good thing that could come from the stress I experienced is to help others avoid it.

• As of 2016, Canada requires what’s called an eTA for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or even transiting through Canada. Fortunately, this is not required of US citizens, but is required of Green Card holders, Israeli citizens, etc. Approval can take up to 72 hours, so plan ahead. It doesn’t matter how short or long your layover is.

Always check in online. If the interface isn’t working, try again. If it’s still not working, try to contact the airline. This is the only way to ensure you won’t be on standby.

• One from Azerbaijan: Always pack a few useful and diverse spare items in your carry-on.

• Finally, try to identify the moment when you can no longer affect the outcome, and accept the situation. The “Zen” approach will come in handy when dealing with the inevitably escalating stress.

Shana Goldberg may be reached at [email protected].

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