Boarding Group 6
Should I just travel naked?
Welcome everyone who has joined the ranks of Curious People. Last weekend I spent a super fun time responding to bookish posts on The Forest, a Facebook bookclub group where I talked about my debut, The Pelican Tide and gave away some pelican swag. I have a book report at the end of all of this if you ‘re interested, but for now, let’s hit the research road.
Mwah, Mwah, Mwah…Mwah (actual boarding announcement at Logan International)
I’ve been flying a lot lately. And while my significant other is closing in on a million flight miles on United (for real) I have zero status anywhere.
When I fly solo I cringe as I check in. Boarding group 6! Every. Single.Time. On my recent trip to Los Angeles, the gate agent announced that the plane only held 35 bags in the cabin “please” consider checking your bag. The hack is to volunteer and usually you’ll be allowed to board earlier than group six or you can ask and they 100% say yes. I was feeling pretty crappy about my status until they announced boarding groups 7 and 8!
On my next flight to Atlanta, and boarding group 6 again! on American, I said screw you. I packed for my 5-day trip in a carry on designed to fit under the seat. I would do laundry on the road.
I’m currently writing one novel and conducting research for the one to follow. That story features a female airline pilot.
I’m reading a collection of essays, Women Who Fly from the International Society of Airline Pilots.
The book is a collection of 36 essays written by women pilots and though they should have hired an editor (just saying, I’m available) most of the essays are honest and a few have made me say holy crap. These women were flying through the glass ceiling!
Highlights
The (female) pilot who was one of the first to fly a 747 and offered a job and her fiancé (also a pilot) who said she should take it and then leave his grandmother’s wedding ring on the kitchen table and make her own way to the airport. She left him.
The pilot who recounts being in the air during the 911 attacks and landing in Gander, Newfoundland Canada and whose account was used to write the musical Come From Away.
The NTSB investigator who was part of the team investigating the Miracle on the Hudson landing and who played herself in the movie.
When I am finished reading this book, I have others in the TBR pile (To Be Researched - which is not the same as To Be Read.) I’ll then seek out a female pilot for specific questions I have as I’m developing the pilot character.
**If you are a female commercial airline pilot or know one, please let me know!
Meanwhile, Back in Line
As I’ve been riding airport trains and standing in lines - you wait a lot for boarding group 6 - I hover within listening range of any flight crews I spot to eavesdrop on conversations.
Don’t be judgey. If you’re a writer, you do this too!
When I engage in anything new, I tend to seek out information. Here is a round up of travel resources I’ve been exploring. I have lots more travel coming. Next up this month is London.
Where have you been traveling lately and what’s your status?
What the Pilots Know
I knew all along most of what is announced is BS!
What Flight Attendants Know
Yes, they are sizing you up!
What’s on that tablet of theirs
What Shoes are you Wearing (again with the shoes)
Flight Attendant Tips and Tricks
Best Booking Hacks
Find the best seat, SeatGuru
Airport Lounge Access (I highly recommend the new Chase Sapphire lounge in Boston’s Logan airport.)
Plot Points
I’m not sure yet what my new novel will use from my research, but here are some real issues that can get you thrown off a plane!
Smelling bad!
Being Barefoot - I’m seeing a footwear theme in this newsletter
Having sex on the plane
Breaking the plane/opening doors
Touching another passenger’s belonging
Being a disrespectful jerk
Dressing inappropriately - so, no I can’t fly naked
Vaping or being too drunk (is a little drunk okay?)
Air Marshal needs your seat
Airline oversells - see PSA below
PSA if You’re Bumped
Airports are crowded as heck this summer. If you must be someplace for an important event, say a wedding or business meeting, experts recommend you don’t take the last flight of the day. Plan for possible weather issues and leave earlier.
Here is an excerpt from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) on what you are entitled to if you’re bumped - in some cases 400% of your one-way fare! KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
From the DOT Website Involuntary Bumping
Those travelers who don't get to fly are frequently entitled to denied boarding compensation in the form of a check or cash. The minimum amount depends on the price of the traveler's ticket and the length of the delay. DOT's requirements are the minimum but airlines may choose to provide a higher amount.
If you are bumped involuntarily and the airline arranges substitute transportation that is scheduled to get you to your final destination (including later connections) within one hour of your original scheduled arrival time, there is no compensation.
If the airline arranges substitute transportation that is scheduled to arrive at your destination between one and two hours after your original arrival time (between one and four hours on international flights), the airline must pay you, at a minimum, an amount equal to 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination that day, or $775, whichever amount is lower.
If the substitute transportation is scheduled to get you to your destination more than two hours later (four hours internationally), or if the airline does not make any substitute travel arrangements for you, the minimum compensation doubles (400% of your one-way fare, or $1,550, whichever amount is lower).
If your ticket does not show a fare (for example, a frequent-flyer award ticket or a ticket issued by a consolidator), your denied boarding compensation is based on the lowest cash, check or credit card payment charged for a ticket in the same class of service (e.g., coach, first class) on that flight.
You always get to keep your original ticket and use it on another flight. If you choose to make your own arrangements, you can request an "involuntary refund" for the ticket for the flight you were bumped from. The denied boarding compensation is essentially a payment for your inconvenience.
If you paid for optional services on your original flight (e.g., seat selection, checked baggage) and you did not receive those services on your substitute flight or were required to pay a second time, the airline that bumped you must refund those payments to you.
Book Report
The Pelican Tide is doing well its first few weeks in the world. For a short while I was the number 1 new release for Southern Fiction! My crown was knocked off but I’m thrilled to have cracked that category.
Thank you to everyone who has picked up a copy and posted a review. In addition to the beloved print version, you can also find it on Kindle Unlimited and Audible if you have subscriptions. The audio version came out great!
I’ve been featured on several podcasts - it’s been great fun, though I hate the sound of my own voice. Who’s with me on that?
I so enjoyed your article, Sharon! Having just returned from a trip to the Midwest involving many hours in airplanes, I could relate to many of the travel-related tips. I love your links! I purchased your book, and it is on my TBR. Can't wait to dive in. Best wishes on your book tour and with your latest research efforts.