Introduction by 99 Health Network: With the arrival of National Day, it's once again time for the Golden Week tours. Due to several malfunctions in EMUs (Electric Multiple Units) and subways, many people choose to take flights for their travels. So, what are some safety precautions when taking a flight? Come and learn to ensure you have a happy and safe journey.
**Check-in Procedures**
The general order is as follows:
1. Take your ticket and ID card (there was an additional health declaration form during the SARS period) to the designated counter (usually, upon entering the waiting hall, you can see a large screen that shows the corresponding check-in counter number for each flight). Hand over your documents to the staff, who will give you a boarding pass and ask if you have any luggage to check in. Remember to keep at least three things: your ID, ticket, and boarding pass.
2. Buy insurance (20 yuan, not mandatory, depending on personal needs).
3. Security check: Here, you need to present three items: ID, ticket, and boarding pass.
4. Go to the designated boarding gate and wait for the announcement. The boarding gate code is indicated on the boarding pass.
**Precautions**
1. Make sure to complete all procedures at least half an hour before the plane takes off. Therefore, it's best to arrive at the airport in advance, especially during peak times like the Golden Week or Spring Festival travel rush. Some airports are very strict; once the time is up, they won't allow late check-ins, such as Beijing Airport.
2. If you prefer a window seat, you can request one when exchanging your boarding pass. Usually, this isn't a problem unless you arrive too late and all seats have been assigned.
3. At some airports, there may be an insurance fee (around 10 yuan) for checked luggage, such as Fuzhou Airport. If your luggage doesn't have a lock, some airports may require you to buy a small lock for 5 yuan, such as Guangzhou Airport.
4. It’s better to pack fruit knives in your checked luggage; otherwise, there's a 90% chance they will be confiscated. Also, small animals cannot be brought onto the plane and must be checked with a quarantine certificate, which can be quite troublesome. Potted plants and flowers are generally allowed.
5. The baggage check receipt is usually attached to your ticket. After arriving and collecting your luggage, airport staff will check whether the tags on your luggage match the receipt. Be careful not to take someone else's luggage or lose yours.
**(I) Flight Delays or Cancellations**
In most cases, if the flight is delayed during mealtime, the airport will provide free drinks or meals (evening seems to offer more consideration than noon). If the evening flight is canceled on the same day, it depends on the situation. If the reason is due to aircraft maintenance or flight scheduling, the airport will provide food and accommodation. However, if the cause is weather, unexpected events, or air traffic control, you can only get a refund or reschedule the flight. In such cases, the airport does not cover meals or accommodations.
**(II) Oversold Flights**
This happens when a flight sells more tickets than the number of available seats. To maximize profits, almost every airline has a certain percentage of oversold tickets to ensure seat utilization. International airlines typically control the proportion of oversold tickets to about 3%, while China's regulations stipulate that the oversold tickets cannot exceed 5%.
People might wonder, wouldn’t this mean some passengers can’t board? Yes, that's correct. In such situations, the airport’s usual practice is to first look for volunteers among passengers willing to switch to another flight. If there aren't enough volunteers, then some passengers will be denied boarding. Airlines will issue compensation certificates and related route discount plans for those who are forced to change flights. Passengers who are denied boarding will receive cash compensation, though they can also opt for round-trip ticket compensation certificates and relevant route discount plans instead of cash compensation.
If denied boarding, passengers have the right to request compensation from the airline. The specific compensation will be handled immediately at the check-in counter, and a waiver agreement will be signed to relinquish the right to hold the airline accountable in the future.
*Source: www.zp-nmg.com - Articles on school smoking inspection letters, peak season strategies for summer sales, and modern employee management techniques.*