When you think you have planned your business trip and organized the schedules, hotel and ticket bookings and appointments, along comes a snow storm or other weather element that can ruin all your business travel plans!
Unfortunately, there are just some events we cannot plan in business dealings. However, we can learn how to deal with them.
Although we cannot rule the weather conditions, we can avoid being helpless when having to deal with bad weather.
Winter can be long and treacherous but this does not mean you have to stand and wait for hours at the mercy of a bad airport organization or impossible blizzard conditions.
First of all consider the responsibilities of the inconvenience you are sustaining and you will find that in most cases airlines are taken off the hook when the weather is concerned, this is why you have to take action and take care of your own interests.
When planning your travel during winter always opt for a non-stop, single itinerary solution. The more connecting flights you have, the more likely you are to miss them.
The time of day is also important when you want to try and avoid delays. It has statistically been proven that airports operate better in the mornings, this is because the delays have not had a chance to line up, which often is the case in the afternoon.
You will also be able to reschedule your flight for the afternoon if you have a hitch on a morning flight.
Some airports are better equipped for bad weather conditions. You may tend to choose one airport to avoid bad weather due to its location and find yourself stranded because that airport just does not know how to handle with the problem or does not have the equipment needed.
So choose your airport keeping in mind that a few inches of snow may not cripple the air traffic as much as it could do elsewhere.
Always have a second and third plan ready if you are stranded. Plan out two additional strategies you can fall back on if you have a setback.
Most airlines now are part of three global alliances the Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star that can help you plan alternatives on your original route.
Lets face it money can make a difference when there is a crisis and few places available. Although you may in fact have a right on complimentary re-routing and accommodation, if you pay upfront you will have immediate access to what you need.
You can worry later about being reimbursed, getting quickly on another flight or finding accommodation may make your business deal and save time and money.
Pack your bags strategically. Whenever you can, avoid checking luggage in, for if you do have to quickly change airports of itinerary you do not want to have to wait for your bags to be unloaded from the plane; that can take hours.
If you are connecting on another flight, chances are your luggage will get lost anyway, so pack sensibly and take a carry-on bag with you at all times.
However, if you really are stranded, the best solution can be to simply surrender to Mother Nature and contact your business contacts in time, this will avoid you the stress of trying to obtain what at times is impossible, plus you can re-schedule your meetings on time and with the right frame of mind.
