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Airline pilots and their extremely rigorous training

 Rathke A few of you may have had the privilege of visiting the flight deck of a commercial airliner, and found yourself fascinated by the myriad levers, buttons, and other mechanisms surrounding the captain and co-pilot. After seeing that instrument panel, have you ever wondered what kind of training a pilot has? Of course, they must have a flight license, but how do you study for it? How long does it take? Are there other requirements along with flight training itself? Here's a quick…

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Started by Iberia Airlines
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6 tips for finding cheap airline tickets

  Travelers who are passionate about wandering to new destinations often put a hold on their exploration owing to expenses. In order to fulfill all their travel wishes, and to save money for their next trips, they need to cut down flight expenses. If your someone who wants to save on travels, cutting down on flight booking cost is one of the ways to reduce your expenses. Flight tickets costs vary depending on the day of the week, time of the week, and holidays. Follow these simple tricks to…

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Started by Tripatini
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Standing Tall, Guiding All: A Look at Air-Traffic-Control Towers

 Tiia Monto You’ve all no doubt noticed that building, at or near the airport, which  resembles a lighthouse. In fact, air-traffic-control towers are lighthouses of a sort, albeit much more sophisticated and with many more functions. But what's inside an air traffic-control tower? Does is have more than one floor inside? Why is it so tall? Are they all the same? Here's a post to clarify a few things about one of the most complex buildings at any airport.read post  

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Started by Iberia Airlines
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  • Tony Abreu September 22, 2011 at 4:42pm
    Buzzy, if you haven't done so already, here are the steps...
    Use your eCert to buy a ECONOMY UNRESTRICTED (Y) one-way ticket from Delta that is closest to $300 as possible. You may have to shell out additional cash to do this.
    A example for ECONOMY UNRESTRICTED fare is:
    CHIDTT-DL 22SEP11 *RULE DISPLAY* TARIFF 0011 RULE 9000
    013-FARE BASIS USD TAX TOTAL PTC FT
    Y0 502.33 37.67 540.00 ADT NL

    Book the ticket for date as far advance as possible. Let's day 331 days from now. I can see seats as far as 18AUG2012.

    DL2470Y 18AUG SA ORDDTW 700A 926A
    *OPERATED BY MESABA DBA DELTA CONNECTION

    The total ticket price is:
    TICKET BASE USD TX/FEE USD TKT TTL USD
    ADT01 530.24 50.46 580.70
    *TTL 530.24 50.46 580.70

    FBC ADT Y0
    ADT CHI DL DTT Q27.91 502.33USD530.24END DL ZPORD XT2.50AY 4.50XF ORD4.5

    So you need to pony up $280.70.
    But now you will be holding a fully refundable, changeable, exchangeable ticket worth $580.70. Note Delta might limit refund to vouchers.

    When you need to travel later on Delta (but before 18AUG12), just exchange this ticket with the one you really want and pay the difference.

    Note: the key is to buy an UNRESTRICTED ticket with your eCert with the least additional money out.
    -tony
  • Anil September 19, 2011 at 5:22pm
    Buzzy: yes I know DL does not fly to Antigua on that route pair, it does fly JFK-ANU seasonally. Nick is correct. You can book a flight with eCertificate, and in your case a Denied Boarding Compensation. You can use the Cert towards any fare. But do check the T&C and check flyertalk for recent strategies. There are many Frequent Flyers who have a similar situation, and some have used a combination of strategies.
  • Nick Walkland September 19, 2011 at 9:09am

    Taking frequent flyer points out of the equation, I think Anil is suggesting buying the most cost-effective fully flexible ticket with the voucher now - 300+ days in advance - and then, when you know where you want to go, exchange it for the desired flight in full.

    As these tickets are supposedly fully refundable/exchangeable (although Delta are unlikely to refund the voucher as cash) demand another voucher as you bought the fully flexible ticket in good faith.

    Of course, I don't have the T&Cs with their Delta 'get out clauses'.

  • Buzzy Gordon September 19, 2011 at 3:41am
    I do not understand this answer, Anil. I have an eCredit voucher (awarded for being bumped), not a miles award. $300 may not get me far, but it is a lot of money to let go down the drain. (BTW, DL does not fly the route you suggested.)
  • Anil September 19, 2011 at 1:55am

    I'd buy a hypothetical ticket on Sept 29, for LGA-ANU-LGA using pay-with miles for a journey starting the weekend of 4th of July, 2012 satisfying the 330 day and return rule.  Some FF on company dime, buy full fare ticket way far in advance, and then cancel towards the end and ask for redeposit of credits (with penalties waived in some cases). I would not advice you with skirting the good faith T&Cs. of DL.

     

  • Buzzy Gordon September 19, 2011 at 1:26am

    Hi Anil, Please see my original question: the voucher expires this Oct. and I have no current plans to fly.

     

  • Anil September 19, 2011 at 12:47am
    You could use the voucher for any ticket. Since online booking allows for only 330 days in advance, you could use that as a maximum. Is this evoucher ? DL vouchers expire one year after issue.
  • Buzzy Gordon September 19, 2011 at 12:07am
    The voucher is accepted like cash on any ticket DL sells. There would be no special or additional restriction.
  • Ed Wetschler September 18, 2011 at 11:48pm
    For how far into the future can the new ticket be valid? (My guess is one year, but I'm not sure about that.)
  • Buzzy Gordon September 18, 2011 at 11:42pm

    Advice on airline voucher requested:

    I have a $300 Delta Airlines voucher set to explore on 3 Oct. DL says it will not extend it, nor accept if for payment of anything else (VIP lounge, etc.) but a ticket. But the credit is transferable and good for a ticket after 3 Oct. Can anyone suggest how I might be able to salvage this situation, perhaps by "banking" it with an agent or consolidator?

    Thanks in advance.

     

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