‘Pack for a disaster’ and five other tips on how to survive an airport crisis – The Irish Times

1. Please keep calm. Now, we all know that nobody within the historical past of the world has ever stayed calm after being instructed to keep calm, however it’s important in case you are coping with a delayed or cancelled flight, or misplaced or broken baggage. Your stress ranges might be off the charts, however you’ll obtain little by shouting and screaming. In truth it might be counterproductive. Things can go very significantly flawed in transit – as many 1000’s of Irish individuals found to their appreciable value this yr – however it’s not often, if ever, the fault of the frontline workers you can be coping with.

2. Know your rights. EU-wide laws offers you very clearly outlined rights if a aircraft is cancelled or delayed for many hours. It is at all times useful to have an understanding of what you might be entitled to, and what you aren’t, so as to shield your self and cease you taking place rabbit holes that lead nowhere. The Commission for Aviation Regulation has a web site – flightrights.ie – which offers you a steer when issues go flawed.

3. Pack for a catastrophe. We use the phrase catastrophe loosely right here however it’s at all times a good concept to pack a change of underwear, spare socks, a toothbrush and any medicine you may want, both once you get to your vacation spot or en route, in your hand baggage. You might be glad of it in case your checked-in baggage go lacking, or if a flight is considerably delayed.

4. Take a image of your passport and your entire flight documentation, and electronic mail it to your self. While a image of a passport is not going to permit you to cross worldwide borders, it would make getting a substitute a lot simpler ought to the doc get misplaced. Having all the documentation saved on your electronic mail server as properly on your cellphone and in your pockets might be of some aid. Before you journey, dig out your journey insurance coverage documentation and electronic mail that to your self, in addition to a image of your driver’s licence in case you’re renting a automotive. Better to have copies of all of your paperwork to hand than be making an attempt to discover them when one thing goes flawed.

5. Think lengthy and laborious about taking the refund choice if a flight house is cancelled. When you get a refund, an airline’s obligations to you successfully finish at that time, however in case you maintain out for a re-routing then they’ve to care for you till they will convey you house. That means an airline has to cowl your cheap lodging and sustenance bills.

6. Keep receipts for all the things that your spend as a results of a delay or cancellation. Photograph them as properly, and maintain a cautious report of all of the correspondence and communication you’ve with the airline so you’ll be able to deal with any points that come up afterwards head-on, and with documentation on your facet.