- Messages
- 53,696
- Reaction score
- 7,873
- # of dives
- 500 - 999
Being an active Scuba divers often requires lot of travel, at least for those of us who dont live close to good diving areas, and it was fortunate for me that I was already well traveled and experienced in the skills at least compared to most West Texans. Exp: Whered yall go on vacation? Oh, we drove down to Dallas, then San Antonio.
I try to make my skills available to family and friends, and my brother had known for a month that he and his wife wanted to fly to Jackson Hole WY on July 15 to see their daughter, but he didnt call me until 36 hours before the cheapest ticket deadline. Jeez, Louise. I didnt want him to have to pay too much though, so I promised to get on it as soon as I could.
Mid-week mornings are the bet times to book plane tickets, but it was already noon, and I was still working in the field, so I just started calling the two airlines that serve West Texas and Jackson, checking possible fares from Lubbock and Amarillo. Its a seasonal destination, with few flights, and the best I could find of the possibilities was $658!, so I put that on overnight courtesy hold. It was a busy day at the office, and I wanted to post here some, too, so I didnt get to shopping the sites until night. By then, the lowest was no $886 with other possibilities to $1200+! Okay, I have the print outs. Let me call around in the morning, after some courtesy holds are released and inventories replenished. I did that, and all of them had gone up $20.
One problem with internet plane ticket shopping is that it checks origin to destination fares only, so I then tried one more trick breaking the fare in Dallas-Ft.Worth? $597 each sold! They were at the hospital at the time, she in OR actually, but that went well, too !!
Since he flies maybe once a year, I typed up these for his possible use
I try to make my skills available to family and friends, and my brother had known for a month that he and his wife wanted to fly to Jackson Hole WY on July 15 to see their daughter, but he didnt call me until 36 hours before the cheapest ticket deadline. Jeez, Louise. I didnt want him to have to pay too much though, so I promised to get on it as soon as I could.
Mid-week mornings are the bet times to book plane tickets, but it was already noon, and I was still working in the field, so I just started calling the two airlines that serve West Texas and Jackson, checking possible fares from Lubbock and Amarillo. Its a seasonal destination, with few flights, and the best I could find of the possibilities was $658!, so I put that on overnight courtesy hold. It was a busy day at the office, and I wanted to post here some, too, so I didnt get to shopping the sites until night. By then, the lowest was no $886 with other possibilities to $1200+! Okay, I have the print outs. Let me call around in the morning, after some courtesy holds are released and inventories replenished. I did that, and all of them had gone up $20.
One problem with internet plane ticket shopping is that it checks origin to destination fares only, so I then tried one more trick breaking the fare in Dallas-Ft.Worth? $597 each sold! They were at the hospital at the time, she in OR actually, but that went well, too !!
Since he flies maybe once a year, I typed up these for his possible use
Suggestions & Ideas
Call American on the way to the airport each way to confirm your flights & on-time status, and inquire for gate numbers & terminals in DFW. (You may have to change terminals in DFW.) 800-433-7300. Every time their compute asks a question, say Operator, and youll get a real person in three tries. At the Lubbock airport Shelter Park, make a U-turn to the right after entering, then park in the reserved area, and tell them youre my brother.
Luggage: You are allowed the following at no extra charge:
Two 50# checked bags each, unlocked. Be sure to put you pocket knife is in one of these, or youll lose it at the security entrance. TSA approved locks are available for checked luggage, but they dont seem to work well in the real world. The bags will go to a TSA agent in front of the counter after you check in, and he will tell you that you can go to the gate, but dont. Watch him go thru your bags, and then ask him to secure the bags pockets with cable ties (enclosed) to discourage pilferage. If another TSA agent opens them en route, he is supposed to insert a notice and replace the tie. Also a good idea to tie orange yarn to them in several places, so they will be easy to identify.
One roll-on bag each, in which you should pack all clothes and other items legal to carry-on that you would want during the first 36 hours in case the airline delays your bags. You can and should lock this bag, as you have to gate check it when you board the regional jet between Lubbock and DFW or return, then reclaim it by the plane when you get off. Also a good idea to tie orange yarn to it in several places, so someone else wont grab it by mistake.
One small back pack, in which you carry everything you want on the plane and everything you really must have, including meds. Also carry a pair of blunt scissors (enclosed) to cut the cable ties on arrival.
You have lousy seat assignments: Sorry, its the best I could do on short notice. Ask for changes to Emergency Row when you get to the airport, where an agent can confirm that you are able bodied.
On arrival at DFW
each way, youll be met by a Greeter Agent. Ask him for a golf cart ride to your next gate; youll glad you did.
No meal service: Pack your favorite snacks in your backpacks, even a sandwich to eat with the drink service offered. I like equal parts of mixed nuts, raisins, and M&Ms. I also carry a travel pack of tissues and one of Wet-Ones.