No-Show Rate Highest on Early Morning Flights

By Amber Wahrnung

Oakland | Thu July 29, 2010 3:20pm

(REPREAL) – Disheveled and in tears, Melissa Sanders, 45, gathered her carry-on luggage and moved away from the Southwest Airlines ticket counter in Oakland, CA. She had just missed the cut off for flight #1263 departing at 6:00am from Oakland to San Diego.

Like many other travelers, Ms. Sanders thought she could actually be on time for an early morning flight. The no-show rate for flights departing between 6:00am and 7:00am is nearly 20% higher than the rest of the day and airlines often overbook in anticipation of tardy passengers missing their flights.

Survey Junky released statistics today painting a disturbing picture of Americans constantly setting themselves up for failure. Spokesperson Jeff Leer explained, “It ranks up there as high as the failure rate for activities such as completing a marathon, losing weight, and making money in a multi-level marketing venture.”

“It is inhuman to wake up early enough to make a 6:00am flight. Passengers must allow enough time to shower, pack, drive to the airport, park their cars in long-term lots, check-in at the counter, go through security, and find their gate. Schedule an extra hour if you are traveling with children.”

Mr. Leer continued, “Smaller, regional airports are little more forgiving with shorter check-in and security lines. But the drawback is you will likely need to make one or two connections to reach your ultimate destination.”

Passenger Thomas Paine, 23, who made it on flight # 1263, said it took extra planning to arrive on time. “I considered just pulling an all-nighter. It made sense, since I had the alarm set for 3:30am and was out with friends until 11:30pm. I got a little sleep.”

“I cut some corners, like not shaving and not changing clothes, but I made it!” he said gleefully.

“This is flight 1263,” asked Daisy Pato, 39, “Right?” Ms. Pato planned to go to bed extra early and wake up at 4:00am. “I tossed and turned all night wondering if I would miss the flight. Around midnight, I took a sleeping pill. That made waking up nearly impossible. My husband carried me to the car.”

Jen Bacchus, 62, Southwest Airlines crew leader in Oakland, conceded that 6:00am flights are brutal. “As an incentive, we offer the lowest prices for travel on these early morning flights, and we open up the most seats for free redemption to our frequent travelers at these times.”

When asked if Southwest Airlines employees were on-time for early morning flights, Ms. Bacchus reported “Yes, our crews have a low no-show rate, especially if they live locally. Strict FAA rules ensure flight crews have sufficient rest before a 6:00am flight - at least eight hours of continuous rest in a 24-hour period. Some pilots have opted to live in trailers and RV’s in the long-term lots at LAX, and that works marvelously for everyone.”

With a daughter’s dance recital the previous evening and an 8:00am sales strategy meeting in San Diego the next morning, Irene Potter had no other option. “I had to take this flight or miss my meeting. Once I have a Bloody Mary I will probably be OK, but at this moment I want to lay off the whole Western Region for scheduling this meeting.”

Ms. Sanders discussed her options if she expected to be in San Diego today. She could pay an extra $164 and leave on the next flight # 491 at 6:45am or go standby, with no guarantee of making it, on the flight # 652 at 12:15pm. “I chose to go standby at 12:15pm. I am going to take a nap near the gate and cross my fingers. Hope there is a Starbucks past security.”