Comunicating with others in your party arriving on different flights

Do you mean same day, same airport but different terminals (but maybe not)and different times. If so, and assuming no serious delays I guess I would do one of two things - agree to meet at a specific place in one of the terminals. This implies that one or more of you know of a relevant place but most terminals will have an information desk for example. Obviously the first to arrive can follow the arrivals board for the other flight(s). The other option is text or phone messages - this means you have to have international roaming on your phone or a UK SIM card. I am also unclear on whether you are staying in UK or not so the Plan B if flights are delayed would be to go to your accommodation but not sure that is workable for you. If you are talking different airports that would get somewhat tricky - I would either meet at the airport you are next departing from (if same day) or at the accommodation.

Thanks for the reply, all of those things are already in mind.

We do not want the expense of changing cell phones just for one situation.

We will be renting a car in Manchester and driving to Yourk for the first night.

I travel extensivly, internationally but have to meet my father who is coming in theoretically after I do into Manchester. My question is how do we connect if things go wrong. If all goes right then I will be at his arrivals gate when he gets off of plane.

The plan at the moment is to each have a long distance phone card and call my wife who will be in the states, if there are any problems.

Hey Terry, we are in the same boat (or airport as the case may be) and we have checked the terminal map at www.baa.com. Whichever airport you are coming into, you can check where to meet and just wait there. I've done this before when I was alone and had to meet the group. The wait seemed eternal just sitting in McDonalds waiting for their flight, but we had no problems meeting. I've also taken the shuttle bus from one to the other to meet my group. We've never had as much trouble as we imagined. Have fun.

I am not worried about me, I travel internationally extensivly. I am concerned that if my flight is cancelled communicating that and regrouping with someone who has not traveled as much. I thins so far my calling card idea is the best I can come up with.

Thanks for all the input

Got it. Also, if you father is like my mother, I'd suggest if he has any questions to go to the airline for help. Regardless of which airlines you and he are on, the one he flies would usually help him find out what is going on. Linda

I've got a similar problem. I'm flying on American Airlines from the States into Dublin on 6/21 - get there at 8:40am. My husband is in Iraq,flying on Turkish Air through Istanbul into Dublin at 1:35pm. The plan is for me to pick up rental car, drop stuff at B&B, and meet him back at the airport. But what if one of us gets "bumped" or misses connecting flight? Can you leave/pick up message via American Embassy or Red Cross? If I'm not there when HE gets in, all reservations are in my name. He'll need to know if something went wrong. And ditto for me. Help!

Susan, Why not just meet at the B&B and relax? That way there is no pressure and you get to rest while waiting rather than sitting in an airport or rushing around. You do not want a car in Dublin anyway. Get the car when you are leaving Dublin. There are buses from the airport or taxis to get you anywhere. Brian

I like the idea of meeting at the B&B but what if it is an hours drive out of town? The real question is not logistics of where to wait it is ideas on how to communicate with each other if one person is delayed due to the flight being late or canceled.

If the B&B folks are willing, perhaps you could leave messages for eachother at the B&B. You wouldn't have to be there, but you could always call the B&B to see if a message has been left.

Is internet a possibility? A lot of airports have internet access and it's cheap enough to log on for a few minutes to let someone know if you are late.

The other option is if you have an answering machine at home that each can access remotely to check for messages. That way you could call home from anywhere and leave a message and the other person be able to check in.

But, to answer your question about Red Cross and US Embassy - no. They are there for emergencies and passport matters, but don't have time, money or personnel to deal with day to day issues.

As to meeting at an airport - the best method is to agree upon a location outside security to meet. Airports will often page someone if you do get separated.

Kate

Have your travel companions go to the Airlines' Passenger Service Counter/Travellers Aid. Call ahead and brief the personnel. They can flag their passenger file. They will mark the file "SPAT" meaning "special attention passenger". Services can be pre-arranged such as special escort by Passenger Service Agents in co-operation with the Flight Crew. This service is not just for Unaccompanied Minors and the Elderly. Check ahead with the specific airline. Know the flight number, ETA and all relevent details. Have the number handy of the Passenger service desk and they can act as liason. Speak with a Supervisor and record their name for reference.

Have the Arrival/Departures number handy for reference.
Failing that, use the internet to exchange messages. Or call someone at home who can act as liason. Or get a hotel room at a hotel ajoined to the Airport. Check in, relax and let them call you in the room upon arrival. Make sure they have the number with them.

Leave it to a flight attendent to confirm all of the options. Had not considered the internet but it is an option, Dad is pretty good on it but using a foriegn one might be taxing.

thanks everyone

Terry - The Internet works the same everywhere. The only issue that your father may have is that some keys are in different locations. Our emails from France were very short, due to some difficulties navigating they keyboard. But if your Dad has been using email for a while, he should be fine in any European airport.

I would combine a couple of these plans (I may have to do something similar with my husband in October in Italy)Agree to meet at a certain place at the airport (look up the airport map on line) and agree to a wait time, like if he doesn't show up after 6 hours, meet at a B & B. You could chose something not far from the airport for the first night and then pick up your car later as the one guy suggested. and of course make sure your hubby has the phone and email addresses of the B and B. Also, the e-mail idea is good, you could e-mail each other if any thing goes wrong. I hope you guys have a great trip.