|
Grounded by Weather, Don't Lose Time
By Jana M. Kemp
Fog at the Boise Airport, only at the airport. Arrive on time. Check luggage. See the fog roll in so thick that the planes are not visible from the gate. Lose time or make some time?
Hear that the arriving flight is still on time. Listen to announcements that other planes are being diverted to Twin Falls, Idaho Falls. Finally hear that no planes can land in Boise, my incoming plane has been diverted to Seattle. Seattle, that's where I'm suppose to be so I can reach my client in Billings. My flight has been cancelled until tomorrow. Lose time or make time?
If you travel by air, this or similar weather related delays and cancellations have thwarted your life. Over the last two years, I've run into more weather and mechanical delays than in the combined previous years of traveling. Here are some of the discoveries I've made that can save and even make time when traveling.
Making Time Strategies when traveling by air:
Reading Material. Catch up on trade-journal reading and industry publications. Leisure book and magazine reading also works. When I'm too tired to read, but need to stay awake to hear changing announcements I do crossword puzzles and word searches.
Work Material. Rare is the day we can't catch up on work paperwork. Memo reading, memo writing, report reviews, report drafting, expense reports, presentation preparation and the list goes on.
Creative Time. Sometimes the buzz of activity and retail scenes in airports sparks my creative thought. Travel time can be a quiet yet inspired time for creative mental work. Brainstorm on paper. Doodle. Create a new product or service based on the ideas you gather.
Cell-phones. Cell phones are not allowed to be in use on the airplane. Besides, wouldn't you rather reach your destination than mess up the plane's flight? In airports, judicious cell-phone and phone time can help you get work done, information shared and messages returned.
Computers. Although I see people actively emailing, writing reports and working on computers while waiting in the terminal and on the plane, I focus on not turning mine on. Why? Distractions that cause me to miss announcements. I choose not to advertise my hardware nor my intellectual property.
Delayed and Cancelled Flight tips for making time:
Keep moving. Sometimes you can find alternate routes to your destination and still arrive on time.
Know your options. You can study the options in advance. While on the road you can call your travel agent for help. Sometimes your agent can rebook you faster than a gate or ticket agent can.
Work with the gate agents. In small airports go back to the ticket counter and avoid the gate line.
Be polite. Nice people do get better service in airports.
Ask questions and offer ideas. During cancellations and delays, the agents are dealing with hundreds of people and thousands of alternate flight combinations. Building on tips one through three you can interact helpfully to get where you are going.
You can ask for: meal vouchers, travel delay packets (calling card, frequent travel mileage) overnight kits, your luggage, and information on where to stay at a discounted rate. Each airline offers different goodie-packs.
Next time you find yourself faced with delays and changes, be polite and make the most of how things unfold. Here's my mantra for delayed and cancelled flights: I'd rather be safe on the ground than questioning my safety in the air.
# # #
Jana M. Kemp is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and meeting facilitator, headquartered in the Treasure Valley. Join Jana every Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. on the KBOI Saturday Morning GO Show. Jana also hosts MomentumT every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. on KBOI 670am. Thursday mornings at 5:55 tune in to KTVB Channel 7 to see Jana's business tips. To reach Jana: www.janakemp.com or 367-1701.
Now online...Better Meetings for Everyone.
Get easy to implement tips on how you can improve your meeting,
decision making and time management skills by subscribing here
to Jana Kemp's quarterly e-newsletter. Click
here to subscribe.
|
