Thread: Delta, China, Visas, and 72 hour transit.

I not familiar with this market - but that noted when and if I were to travel that route I would
take a look at TravelNet for several days to see how SPAV travel pans out. Review the airport
standby list for all the information that can be gleaned out it:
Number of seats available before standby clearing (somewhere between 1-3 hours before departure)
Number of seats and standbys (type and class) cleared at departure
Pay attention to the number of revenue upgrades moving from coach to comfort to business
These upgrades make seats available in the customers previous class of service
A lot of standbys left with open seats is an indication of a Load Opt (Wt & Bal) restriction
Are there alternate flights that the non-revs are taking - using the airport standby list look at the
seniority date and class of pass (also the 3 letter name abbreviation) and see what these folks are
doing when they can't get on their primary flight and subsequently how well that works out
If they change their class of pass - perhaps they bought a ZED fare ?
For those that have worked in the customer service (aka passenger service) field this should be
without much effort - you know the ropes. For others find someone to help you understand
the information and how the system works (go to renuions breakfasts parties etc.)
Sure it is a lot of work - but you can do your research at home under less stress than being out
at an airport with less communication information available and worrying a lot about how the
averages stack up against your travel plans.
If Delta is not working for you check out the partner airline(s) programs - now you will not get
the somewhat inside scoop that you would with Delta's TravelNet but maybe a call to that partner's
reservation office to see if this is a good travel time (non-seasonal/holiday ?) Be polite and if
bugged and they are busy ask when is a good time to call back (if any).
Closing note:
Go to the Delta.com website (or partner airline) and research the least expensive fare that
can be bought to rescue you from a decision gone bad or out of control. Know your options* !
* Think of travel to some other city to get home i.e. orginal plans were HKG-LAX-ATL think
HKG-NRT-SEA-ATL or something on that order - get your fixed travel thinking out of the
box - be flexible.

AND "GOOD LUCK NO MATTER WHAT" !

In Review -
EDIT ADD NOTE - SORRY NO VISA PASSPORT DATA the topic of the thread - as noted
I am not familiar with this market but was trying to assist with work-arounds with LOAD-OPTs.