Before Traveling, Seniors Should Know their Rights

For most seniors, traveling is getting more and more difficult. Long lines, searches, taking off shoes, and removing clothing are just a few of the issues that younger travellers are taking for granted but seniors find to be a real issue.

If you are a senior, and have any medical problem whatsoever, such as oxygen needs, walkers, canes, for example, that help a senior ambulate, also, become a burden because of the difficulty of getting through an airport today. Understandably, many seniors are simply choosing not to fly, not to visit their children or families for the holidays. And , I understand this... The lines and searches have become a necessary evil one that I would not want to give up...if it was up to me..I wouldnt want anyone to carry anything on board a plane. I know I would travel safer and not worry as much as I do. I am sure it wont be long until new competitive airlines start to offer everything we need on the plane so we dont need to carry anything with us. For instance, i cant wait until I can start using outlook and surf the internet on a plane without carrying my lap top with me. That will be great and i am sure the airlines know this.

But, this article isnt really about that, what it is about , is to point out the "rights" you have as a traveler, all of the airlines, http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/default.aspx , http://www.southwest.com/, http://www.united.com/ , http://www.aa.com/

a recent article in the USA today, http://www.usatoday.com/ describes these very well and i will summarize...

1. If your flight is cancelled, the airline only has an obligation to find you another flight on the next available flight. There will be no compensation for lost time or inconvenience.
2. If your flight is delayed, the airlines have two different prongs of approach: If the delay occurs because of a mechanical issue or staffing issue, then they usually provide hotel or meal vouchers. But if the delay occurs for the more common scenario, force majeure delays (weather or traffic control), then dont expect any perks.
3. If You miss your connection, the airline that caused you to miss your connection is responsible to assist you with rebooking so that you can make your original itinerary. The airline that you missed the flight on has no obligation to help you.
4. If you are bumped because an airline has oversold your seat, then you are entitled to a voucher or compensation, this is calculated based upon how much of a delay your bump causes you. For instance, if you are delayed 2 hours, then you might receive up to $200 or if you are delayed up to 4 hours, you might receive up to $400.
5. The airlines will bump the passenger that typically checked in the latest, so make sure you check in early , if you are concerned about this possibility.
6. If your luggage is lost (10,000 bags were lost last year), dont worry, as 98 % of all lost luggages is found withing a few hours. But, do not leave the airport without first filing a lost luggage report and dont leave the airport without a file number and phone number to call to track your bags progress. If your luggage doesnt turn up within 45 days, then you might get up to $2800 per person for lost luggage on domestic flights. There will be no coverage for jewelry or photo gear. This is the max you will get , no matter how valuable your contents were. If you are waiting for your luggage, and you need to buy necessitities,the airlines will reimburse you $25 a day to a max of $125 a day... but you must provide receipts...so good luck with this.

Unfortunately, since the state of air travel and the plight of the airlines is "up in the air" , with so many operators in and out of bankruptcy, or hemorrhaging just to stay alive, you wont have much leverage with them. I do understand this.

Here is a great sight to review your rights..http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/flyrights.htm

Do you have any concerns regarding your rights on airlines? What are your thoughts on how to improve your flight experiences? What do you think would be a better way for airlines to become more profitable