Fly the Friendly Skies

Very good post here from Varifrank (h/t Instapundit). It's concerning flight delays and the safety crews that sometime cause them. One of his flights was delayed for eight hours causing him to be four hours late for a meeting. His reaction? Calm.

But here's the real reason I am taking a position of peaceful zen like quietness. I want a flight crew who takes the time and effort to look at information and make clear headed decisions about whether we should fly or not. I do not want to help create conditions where the flight crew or the company feel pressure to fly when they probably shouldnt be.

I'd love to forward this to every corporate traveler we book for. It's too easy to lose perspective when faced with a flight delay. The safety of the flight must take priority over anyone's meeting.
Some things to keep in mind:

• Delays happen. They happen unexpectedly. They happen because of leaking fluids. They happen because of weather. They happen because the airline screwed something up. The more often you travel the more likely a delay will happen to you.
  
• Delays happen to everyone. The people you're meeting with have almost certainly been delayed themselves at some point. Turn it into a good story and have a laugh over it.
• Pad your schedule. If this is the most important meeting on your calendar, go in the night before. Or at least a few hours early. Just as important, give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. Some airports want you to be there two hours prior to flight time. If you're flying during rush hour times you must be there at least an hour early.
  
• Screaming at someone will do you no good. Try smiling and getting them on your side. People will work harder to help you when they like you. Time and time again I've seen agents slow down if they think a traveler is being unreasonable. This is human nature. Even if they don't actively sabotage you, they might become rattled and flustered.
• Most people in the service industry really enjoy helping people (no really!). If you're stuck, look for the desk agent with the nicest smile. Lay out your case and ask for help. If they can't help you, give them the sincerest thank you possible and drop it. It's very very possible that they'll keep working on the problem and track you down with the solution.
  
• If there's nothing that can be done to help, then wait patiently. Keep perspective. Eight hours of waiting at the airport is better than going to your own funeral.