From: autry@sgi.com (Larry Autry)
Subject: Re: here's a stab at a FAQ post -- comments/additions solicited
Organization: Silicon Graphics, St. Louis, MO
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1992 03:39:44 GMT

First of all, it's a very good base to build on.  I have added some missing
details and whatever.  Secondly, it's U.S./North American based.  Perhaps 
while not limiting distribution to "na" it should be labelled as such.  
Europe, Asia and Pacific Rim, etcetera, would need their own.

In article <1992Apr10.203404.11940@ryn.mro4.dec.com> bechtler@asdg.dec.com (Laurie Bechtler) writes:
>
>(Note -- I have never done this before so I am not sure of protocol
>other than it's supposed to be posted once a month.  I do not wish
>to archive any information at my site.  Where I knew information
>was incomplete or possibly inaccurate, I put ??--> as an invitation
>for comment.  But please comment on any parts.      ---Laurie)
>
Whoever decides to post and maintain this probably doesn't have to archive
it themselves, but since they make a commitment to maintain it, then they
should post it regularly.  (personal opinion)
>
>
>1.  WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST FARE FROM X TO Y ON (DATE)?
Good stuff.
>
>2.  WHAT OTHER OPTIONS EXIST FOR FINDING SCHEDULES AND FARES?
>
>    The Official Airline Guide (OAG) is published monthly and costs $?

The pocket edition costs US$75 per year.

>
>??-->
>are subscription fees for each bulletin board (what's the right word
                                ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^
								on-line services was ok
>     American        800-433-7300
> ...
>     USAir           800-428-4322
Forgive any duplicates, I edited before I added.
Note: TDD lines are available for most every airline. (They are listed in
my pocket OAG guide but I'll list them at a later time.
Aeromexico					800-237-6639	(Except Houston TX.)
Air Canada					800-776-3000	48 US except selected areas of the 
											No.US (23 800 lines varies by 
											region and language (Fr/Eng).)
Alaska Air					800-426-0333	N.A., HI, Puerto Rico and USVI
America West 				800-247-5692	N.A. (exc. Mexico), HI, PR and USVI
Canadian Airlines			800-426-7000	Cont.US, HI and PR
Continental (Dom.)			800-525-4280	N.A.
Continental (Int'l)			800-231-0856	N.A.
											French, German, Japanese and Spanish
											Lines available
I attempted to list the lines with the greatest coverage.  For the sake of
the hearing impaired, I could go back and list the TDDs.

>
>
>3.  HOW DO I FIND A GOOD TRAVEL AGENT?
>
Good advice.
>
>
>4.  WHAT ARE TICKET CONSOLIDATORS?
>
Also good.
>
>
>5.  WHAT ARE AIR COURIER SERVICES?
>
Again, good.  I like the idea of the bibliography.
>
>
>6.  WHAT IS AIRHITCH?   
>
Interesting.  Since I've never read an explanation it makes good reading.
>
>
>7.  WHERE CAN I ADDRESS COMPLAINTS ABOUT AIR TRAVEL?
>
You are welcome to edit the below paragraph for content, grammar and
spelling.
Ask the ticket agent politely how you can communicate to the airline to
comment on service.  Sometimes, it's nice to write to the airline about
someone who is doing their job and it shows.  When complaining it's really
best not to get offensive or personal.  If you keep the conversation
professional and logical, you will have better luck at gaining
satisfaction.  The individuals that you deal with are instructed to keep
their composure at all times, but they too can be hurt personally.  When
writing, be specific about dates, times, people, places and flight numbers.
Keep records and receipts of expenses incurred due to missed or delayed
flights.  It is possible that the airline may be inclined to reimburse you
to the extent they decide is appropriate.  Before deciding to relent to the
airline's schedule, ask them to check for other available flights.  At
their option, they can validate even a restricted ticket for travel on
other airlines.
> 
>8.  WHAT IS THE USUAL BAGGAGE LOSS LIABILITY?
Each airline has their own limit I believe.
>
>9.  IS IT OKAY TO SELL A TICKET OR USE ANOTHER PERSON'S TICKET?
In addition to what you said:
It's done all the time, frowned upon by the airlines.  The ethics of this 
are up to those involved.  Here are two of several possible reasons.  
1.  The ticket could be a frequent flyer award inappropriately used 
	by someone other than the frequent flyer.  
2.	The passenger manifest will be incorrect, the name won't match
	the true identity of the passenger who misrepresents his/herself.  
	This could unnerve relatives in the event of an accident.
>
>10.  HOW SAFE ARE CHARTER FLIGHTS?
Perhaps the question should be "How financial secure are charters?".
The question about safety could be asked of any flight.  I don't have the
answer for either.
>11.  HOW MUCH DO PILOTS/STEWARD-PERSONS MAKE?
I don't agree that this is a question for this FAQ list.
>12.  WHICH IS THE BIGGEST AIRPORT?
How about the 10 "busiest" commercial airports as opposed to the biggest.  
KCI is quite large but not much traffic.  Van Nuys is real busy, but no
commercial traffic (lately?).
>13.  HOW MANY VARIETIES OF 747 ARE THERE?
How about a quick list of the top 25 aircraft in service and their MAJOR
differences.  I just jotted down some SILLY notes, to be filled in later by
someone who knows.
B747-400		Has xxx seats (varies by airline)  and payload xxxx
			Known by it's xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
B747-XXX
B707		Still a couple around?
B727
B737-100
B737-200
B737-300
B757		Long skinny thing.
B767		Long fat thing.
DC8			Is this a/c still around???
DC9-10		Itty bitty ........ Typically 2 seats port 3 seats starboard.
			Payload xxxxx
DC9-80		Another long thing ........ Payload xxxxx
DC10		Three engines........
DC11
A300-xxx
A300-xxx
>14.  HOW ABOUT THAT CRASH IN (PLACE)?
Timely information not easily updated.
>
>--FOR FURTHER READING:
Again, good idea.  Netters suggestions could expand this list.
>
>Two monthly newsletters containing tips on discount travel (1990 prices):
>
>Travel Secrets: $30 for 12 monthly issues, Box 2325 New York, NY 10108
>Travel Unlimited: $25 for 12 monthly issues, Box 1058,  Allston Mass. 02134
>

Perhaps some specifics about timezones?  (the number of hours + GMT)
Some simple devices to avoid jetlag.

Some notes about airline etiquette?  It's hard to cover everything, but
here are some of my favorites.
Why you should avoid stuffing your bag in the overhead against some guys 
coat that shouldn't be there anyway.  (Your carry-on is packed too full
to go up there anyway.)
Or, why you should not stand up before you are at the gate to get your 
bag before everyone else?  
Another one, even if the seat DOES go all the way back, why you shouldn't 
assume that you deserve all the room you can get.  
The time honored; if I'm sitting in the middle, am I still entitled to 
at least one armrest.
Why it's ok to lower your window shade during a movie.

I think that it's almost there.  It shouldn't be all things to all people
though.  Where being too specific would enlarge to much, point to a
reference.  Perhaps my suggestions might cause it to grow to large.  If, so
can them or abbreviate them.
--
Larry Autry
Silicon Graphics, St. Louis
autry@sgi.com