How to Find Cheap Flights Online

There are numerous resources available on the internet to find cheap flights online. This article discusses the primary resources available, the order in which you should use these resources and the pro's and con's of using each resource.

1. Begin Your Search at an online travel agency website. It is best to start your online search for cheap flights at an Online Travel Agency website. Online Travel Agencies (or OTA's as they are referred to in the travel industry) provide a good initial resource for searching for flights online. Most OTA's have access to all of the airlines flight inventory which provides a great place to see all of the airlines serving a particular destination. The benefit of using an OTA is that they typically do a-lot of volume with the airlines. This volume allows them to negotiate commission-able deals with the airlines so that they can reduce their service fees. The OTA's are then able to offer you the ability to search for flights on their sites and only charge you a minimal fee for this service. OTA's are a great place to begin your search for cheap domestic airline tickets.
2. Compare Your OTA Search Results To A Supplier Website: A supplier website is a website that is owned directly by the airline, such as American Airlines. As 50% of the airline tickets booked online are done through a supplier website, it should be no surprise that one of the best way to find cheap flights is to book directly through a suppliers website. If you know exactly where you are going, and you know that only a few carriers fly to certain destination, then you may just want to go directly to a supplier travel site and compare prices. This can be time consuming and cumbersome however if you are dealing with multiple airlines, require a connection or if you are traveling to an international destination. If you are looking for cheap International Flights, consider option 3.
3. Consider Wholesale Travel Websites For Cheap International Flights: Wholesale travel websites work a little differently than the traditional OTA website. Unlike the large OTA's that focus primarily on getting their commissions to reduce their service fees, Wholesale Travel Websites focus primarily on reducing the total cost of the ticket by a percentage, versus a commission. This is how certain Wholesale Travel Sites are able to offer a 20% to 50% discount off of the retail prices shown on the OTA's. Wholesale Travel Sites can save you more money than a retail travel site but their inventory is more limited. Wholesale Travel Websites are much more niche driven, meaning they focus on driving business to certain markets or destinations, primarily international destinations. By focusing on a specific destination, Wholesale Travel Websites can negotiate directly with the airline to get what the Airline Industry refers to as a "Net Rate" or "Net Contract". As these Net Contracts are based on market share, the airlines only give these contracts out to Travel Websites that focus on helping them sell flights to specific destinations. The Airlines also sometimes give out a Net Contracts for Business Class Flights, so wholesale travel websites are a good resource to consider for cheap international business class flights as well.
4. Consider A Meta Search Website: A Meta Search site is a website that allows you to search multiple travel websites from one website. The pro's of using a meta search site is they can provide you access to multiple travel sites at the same time. The con's of using a meta search site is that some of them are paid better by certain suppliers to list their information at the top of the page, so sometimes the information provided by a Meta Search Website may be a little biased. In addition, sometimes the Meta Search Websites do not have connections to some of the smaller suppliers or niche driven wholesale travel sites. So they may not always be able to find you the cheapest prices on airline tickets.

Tips

1. Use certain online travel sites for certain types of travel - If you know your destination and there are only a few airlines that serve that destination, consider going direct to a supplier website. If there are multiple carriers, use an OTA or a Metasearch website. Finally, if you are traveling internationally, business class or last-minute, consider a Wholesale travel site.
2. Book your flights as far out as possible - As anyone who has tried to book a flight home for the holidays in November has found, there are certain busy travel periods of the year that drive the price of airline tickets up. If you know that you are going to travel during a peak time of the year, book as far out as possible (a minimum of 60 days out if possible). If you insist on being a procrastinator, or if you cannot commit to a specific time period, put a reminder of at least 22 days in advance trip on your calendar to remind you to book your flights. As soon as you get within the 21 day window, the airlines yielding systems begin to raise the price of airline tickets, so it is best to book your flights outside of that window.
3. Know the best time of the week to buy your airline ticket - There actually is a best time of the week to purchase your airline ticket. The best time is Tuesday night at 12:01 am (Wednesday morning). The reason why this occurs is that airline fare wars usually start on a Fridays. The other airlines match these prices and the fares drop usually through Tuesday morning. As the airlines allow you 24 hours to cancel your ticket, all the flights that were booked on Monday but not purchased go back into the system Tuesday night at 12:01 am. These are typically the cheapest tickets available for the week.
4. Use a travel agent for complex flights - For complex itineraries, international flights and last-minute flights, consider using a travel agent. A savvy travel agent that knows how to use the Global Distribution System (GDS) properly will usually find you a better flight deal than you will find online. Especially if they have Consolidator relationships or happen to have good airline contracts at their agency. A travel agent has more control of the information they are receiving from the airlines and subsequently know how to work the system better than a computer (OTA) to find you the best deal on flights. Although it sounds old school, you never want to rule out the option of using a smart travel agent to find the best deal on airline tickets.
5. Sign Up for Flight Deals - Although some travel sites may send you deals that are either not bookable or do not match your travel dates, it does not hurt to sign up for travel deals on some of the supplier websites or OTA's travel sites. When they have discounted inventory, they will sometimes notify their members through an email.

American-US Air Merger Gets Court Approval

A judge on Wednesday approved AMR's plan to merge with US Airways, a step toward creating the world's largest airline.

AMR, parent of American Airlines and in bankruptcy since November 2011, must still construct a formal restructuring plan incorporating the merger that meets court and creditor approval before the airline can emerge from bankruptcy.

American Airlines announced the plan to combine with US Airways last month, a deal that also requires regulatory approval.

In a crowded Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday, US Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane declined to approve, for now, a planned USD$19.9 million severance package for Tom Horton, AMR's outgoing chief executive.

Lane said he was not sure whether the severance package requires his approval, or whether the matter is more appropriate for inclusion in AMR's formal restructuring plan.

That plan, which all debtors in bankruptcy must propose, will lay out how creditors will be paid back, and will require creditor approval.

The fate of the severance payment is unclear. The version of the merger agreement that earned the judge's approval may have to be amended to remove it.

In a joint statement, AMR and US Airways welcomed Lane's approval of their planned combination.

"We are gratified to know that he considers the merger an 'excellent result' for stakeholders," they said.

Jack Butler, a lawyer for AMR's creditors' committee, said after the hearing that it was too early to tell how the parties will deal with the severance issue.

"The companies said they were prepared to amend the merger agreement in any respect, and I expect that there will be an amendment," Butler said.

'WATERSHED EVENT'

AMR filed for bankruptcy, citing untenable staff costs after years of futile attempts to negotiate cost savings from its union workforce.

It had been the last major US carrier to go through bankruptcy, after its competitors underwent the same process in the last decade.

Stephen Karotkin, a lawyer for AMR, called the hearing a "watershed event" that moves AMR a step closer to exiting 16 months of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

AMR at first opposed merging while still in bankruptcy, but relented to pressure from its creditors' committee.

US Airways chief executive Doug Parker wooed AMR aggressively, taking advantage of AMR's labour relations problems to appeal to its unions.

US Airways hammered out a tentative deal with the unions last April, before formal merger talks between the two companies' management teams got into full swing.

The creditors' committee eventually convinced AMR to adopt a protocol to evaluate a merger, and played a large role in analysing the net savings and benefits from a merger.

AMR shareholders are expected to receive a 3.5 percent equity stake in the new firm, which would make it one of the few major bankruptcies in which equity holders earn some recovery.

Parker will serve as chief executive of the combined carrier, while Horton, who became AMR's CEO when it filed for bankruptcy, will serve as chairman until the first annual meeting of shareholders. After that Parker will take on the chairman role.

The merger is expected to close in the third quarter.

(Reuters)

Tourism Australia Gets Tactical Product Support from Down Under Endeavours

Tourism Australia is leveraging its strength in trade marketing partnerships as it moves forward on its “There’s nothing like Australia” (TNLA) campaign.

Together with Artisan Traveler and Down Under Endeavours, Tourism Australia is providing new packages as a tactical component of the TNLA campaign. Since before the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Tourism Australia (then the Australian Tourism Commission) has been extremely successful at working across the aisle with private industry partners.

“Tourism Australia is focused on branding,” says Shannon Bradley, Down Under Endeavors’ marketing and sales champion, “they create the excitement and we try to convert the excitement. It’s an excellent partnership.”

American arrivals to Australia grew steadily in 2012, with a more than 4 percent increase even as U.S. visitor expenditure grew 12 percent. The TNLA campaign is being pushed across broadcast, print, digital and social channels. In January, Tourism Australia unveiled a four month campaign push with Qantas to build momentum. That partnership and the subsequent packages being developed by tour operators are being promoted by the Travel Channel’s new Trip Flip program.

The program features Bert Kreisher, a professional travel expert, who convinces two random people to spontaneously agree to a three-day surprise vacation. The packages feature eight separate modular options that can be attached to the foundation segment of Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef. The eight modules come from around the country.

The Great Barrier Reef and Sydney package from Down Under Endeavors features economy flights on Qantas; four nights in a penthouse at the Port Douglas Sea Temple Spa & Resort; a Great Barrier Reef cruise to snorkel or dive; a 4 WD safari with an Aboriginal guide; four nights at the Shangri-La Hotel; a half day city and beaches tour, or bicycle with a local guide; a full day Blue Mountains tour with a picnic lunch; and private car transfers between airport and hotel.

 

By James Ruggia
March 25, 2013 5:32 PM

Priceline inks deal with United Airlines

Priceline.com has signed a new long-term agreement with United Airlines, with plans to implement the United Technology Application, powered and supported by Farelogix, as the primary connectivity between the two parties. 

Priceline.com customers will continue to have access to United fare content, and United and priceline.com will work together to develop innovative ancillary products and services to be delivered through the United Technology Application.

Booking of tickets using the United Technology Application began earlier this year.

“We are excited to roll out this new connectivity and strengthen our long term strategic relationship with United,” said Brigit Zimmerman, priceline.com Vice President, Air.

“We continue to develop our relationships with efficient and innovative partners like priceline.com and Farelogix,” said Tom O’Toole, United Airlines Sr. Vice President, Marketing and Loyalty.

America's coolest small towns, 2013

(Photo: Courtesy Smallbones/Wikimedia Commons)
This year’s winner in voting for America’s coolest small town has a population of 9,369 and a history of 257 years.

After 96,605 votes and 2,415 comments in support of 924 towns, the list of contenders was trimmed to 15. Among those finalists, Lititz, Penn., was the undisputed winner for 2013, unlike last year, when two other towns tied for No. 1.

What makes a coolest small town? The town must have a population under 10,000. It also needs that indescribable something: independent shops, a sense of energy, an epic backyard, culture, delicious coffee. In other words, cool doesn't necessarily mean quaint: We wanted towns with an edge and a heart.

Read on for more on Lititz and nine other nominees.

Winner: Lititz, Penn.(Photo: Amy Spangler)
(Population: 9,369)

Founded in 1756 as a Moravian community, Lititz takes its 250-year history seriously even as it embraces its vibrant present. This Lancaster County town's Lititz Springs Park has been a center of town life since the 18th century, when it was the site of public concerts, and houses a welcome center in a replica of a 19th-century Reading & Columbia Railroad depot. 

The Lititz Historical Foundation offers costumed guided tours and a museum that includes Native American artifacts, a replica of a Moravian home, and a heritage garden. But, of course, the past is only the beginning in Lititz, where visitors can quaff handcrafted ales at the Appalachian Brewing Company of Lititz, savor homemade ice cream at Greco's, or shop for furniture made by noted Lancaster County craftsmen. 

Bay St. Louis, Miss.(Photo: Courtesy Ellis Anderson)
(Population: 9,260)

You might call Bay St. Louis the little town that could. Hurricane Katrina made final landfall near this Mississippi Gulf hamlet in 2005, lifting homes off foundations, crumbling bridges, leveling businesses, and killing 12 people in its wake. But the storm didn't crush the spirit of Bay St. Louis. 

Evidence of renewal can be found at every turn, like at the Mockingbird Cafe. First opened to serve Katrina volunteers and locals, it's now a neighborhood mainstay in Historic Old Town, serving up frothy lattes and their belly-filling signature Mockingburger. Also calling the 300-year-old neighborhood home: a quirky mix of restaurants, galleries and Creole cottages and inns. 

Once a month, the district opens its doors for Second Saturday Artwalk, a day filled with art shows, live music and regional food specialties. Beach Boulevard's restored 19th-century waterfront homes are just a few blocks away, and the historic Bay Town Inn bed and breakfast is being rebuilt. Also under way: a $21.1 million harbor project that includes a 1,100-ft pier and a recreational beach, due for completion in 2014.

Camden, Maine(Photo: Kenneth Keifer / Dreamstime.com)
(Population: 3,570)

We've all been faced with the classic vacation dilemma: the mountains or the beach? But there's no need to settle, because Camden's got them both covered. This mid-coastal town located on Penobscot Bay is one of only two places on the Atlantic seaboard where the mountains meet the sea. 

Those gorgeous vistas have been attracting vacationers to this former ship-building town since the 1800s, when wealthy families snatched up properties to build summer homes. Today, many of those mansions and estates have been converted to inns and bed and breakfasts, most within walking distance of the harbor. 

Go ahead, it's not cliché to dine on Maine lobster paired with a local wine at Fresh, a waterfront restaurant on Bay View Landing. Afterward, browse the galleries, antique shops and general stores on Main Street for one-of-a-kind crafts, clothing and jewelry. When the ocean is calling, take sail from Camden Harbor on a tall-masted schooner cruise that explores the Maine coast, lighthouses, islands, and coves. Left your sea legs back at the B&B? No problem. Camden Hills State Park offers 30 miles of hiking trails in 5,700 acres of wooden hills including Mt Battie, an 800-foot summit with stunning views of the bay.

Elkhart Lake, Wisc.(Photo: Courtesy Elkhart Lake)
(Population: 967)

You might say Elkhart Lake runs on two speeds: adrenaline-pumping fast and good-ol'-days calm. Just outside of town, in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, speedsters can find Road America, a four-mile off-road race circuit built in the 1950s where racers have been known to pass the 200 mph mark. 

But back around the lake—crystal blue, spring-fed, cedar-lined, and 120-feet deep—the pace is decidedly more relaxed. At the three lakeside Victorian-era resorts, activities such as pontoon boating, wakeboarding, and summer bonfires will call to mind those long-lost memories of summer camp. 

Flagler Beach, Fla.(Photo: Flagler Chamber of Commerce)
(Population: 4,484)

Twenty miles north of Daytona Beach on A1A, Flagler Beach couldn't be more different from its party-hardy neighbor to the south. In fact, the area seems to attract more sea turtles and right whales than spring breakers. And it's not hard to see why: This thin strip of a beach town, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, has remained significantly less developed than its neighbors. 

The six miles of pristine sand—which boast an orange hue thanks to crushed coquina shells—are only interrupted by one fishing pier. In town, the vibe is laid back and retro, thanks to spots like Grampa's Uke Joint, which sells ukuleles, and High Tides at Snack Jack, a 1950s fish shack that attracts surfers with funky dishes like tuna reubens, ahi club sandwiches, and sake Bloody Marys.  

Glenwood Springs, Colo.(Photo: Glenwood Springs Chamber Report Association)
(Population: 9,614)

For a Rocky Mountain town, Glenwood Springs is surprisingly focused on water. Sitting at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, 40 miles north of Aspen, the town is home to the largest natural hot springs pool in the world, which has attracted the likes of Teddy Roosevelt, Doc Holliday, and Al Capone since the opening of a lodge in 1890.

 In addition to soaking in the steamy springs—even when there are feet of powder on the ground—you can try water-centric activities from whitewater rafting to fly-fishing to kayaking. As you can probably tell from the waters bubbling up under Glenwood Springs, there's as much going on underground as there is above it. Below the town are miles of caverns, filled with creatively named formations like cave popcorn, moonmilk, soda straws, and cave bacon. 

Greenville, K.Y.(Photo: Courtesy Greenville Tourism Commission)
(Population: 4,312)

That particularly Southern combination of down-home charm and old-fashioned grandeur is old hat in Greenville. Founded in 1799 and settled by Revolutionary War veterans, it grew over the next century into the seat of one of the South's most profitable coal-mining regions. That history is reflected in the enduring elegance of city landmarks such as the 105-year-old Beaux Arts courthouse and 111-year-old Palace Theater. 

On Main Street, laid-back locals and mom-and-pop establishments evoke the guitar and harmonica twangs of folk songs. You might even hear John Prine's "Paradise" as you stroll the streets—the renowned singer-songwriter penned some of his most famous lyrics about the coal-mining history of Greenville and the surrounding area. The town's musical legacy lives on at Rockford's Place Café: part eatery, part jam session venue, it adds a little funk to the Greenville scene.

Gulf Shores, Ala.(Photo: Gulf Shoes & Orange Beach Tourism)
(Population: 9,741)

Folks in this Gulf of Mexico beach town must get tired of hearing tourists do their best Bubba impersonations. But comparisons to Forrest Gump’s shrimp-loving sidekick are only logical: Each October since 1971, the town hosts the National Shrimp Festival, often attracting over 250,000 people with shrimp cook-offs, concerts, and sandcastle contests. If you don’t make it here during the three-day festivities, don’t fret. 

Shrimp shows up on menus all around town, including the dockside Lulu’s at Homeport Marina, which is owned by Jimmy Buffett’s sister Lucy. Like much of the Gulf of Mexico, the area was hit hard by the 2010 BP oil spill. But, ironically, the area’s powdery white beaches got an unexpected PR boost from the disaster and subsequent successful cleanup): For many Americans, it was the first time they learned Alabama even has beaches!

Quincy, Calif.(Photo: Kelly Mosinski)
(Population: 1,728)

This gold rush town on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where prospectors flocked in the rush of 1849, remains a mother lode of attractions for those who like to spend their days in the wild but welcome some culture and pampering in the evening. Nearby Bucks Lake Recreation Area is the kind of place you can visit every weekend and never quite do the same thing twice, including world-class fishing, water-skiing, hiking in warm weather, and winter snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. 

Back in town, the historic 1920s-era courthouse is just one of several architectural gems. Pick up a self-guided Heritage Walk tour pamphlet at the Plumas County Museum, behind the courthouse, and explore downtown's murals depicting scenes from the area's history. Then take your pick of excellent pub and café fare that, true to Northern California tradition, belies its small-town locale.

Watkins Glen, N.Y.(Photo: Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce)
(Population: 1,859)

Perhaps the most noteworthy thing about New York's Finger Lakes region isn't that it's home to stunningly beautiful and, yes, finger-shaped, bodies of water, but that there is so much else to see and do here. Award-winning wineries, awe-inspiring gorges and waterfalls, and a racetrack that draws visitors to auto-racing events are also front-and-center. 

If you want to spend a day (or two, or a week) in nature, Watkins Glen State Park offers a series of jaw-dropping waterfalls, and the Finger Lakes National Forest (the only national forest in New York State) is heaven for the trail-happy hiker. Watkins Glen International Racetrack draws crowds to NASCAR races and other auto events. To get a taste of the vineyards of Watkins Glen and its neighboring communities, set out on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, which includes 50 local wineries, many renowned for their light, crisp Rieslings.See more finalists for America's coolest small town.

AA, US Airways unions offer joint statement in favor of merger

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Five unions at American Airlines and US Airways filed a statement of support Tuesday the US Airways and American merger.

They sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee and Sen. Amy Klobucher, who chairs Judiciary’s subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights.

 

The five unions include the pilot and flight attendant unions at both carriers, plus the Transport Workers Union, which represents ground workers and other employees at American and several hundred US Airways employees.

The unions not signing would be the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, which represent just over 8,600 mechanics, fleet service clerks and other ground employees, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Communications Workers of America, which jointly represent about 6,100 passenger service agents.

Keep reading for the letter.

Dear Chairwoman Klobuchar:

As you know, the management teams of American Airlines and US Airways have announced their intention to merge the two companies to form the world’s largest airline. Employees of both airlines have welcomed the news with great excitement. In fact, the employees at American Airlines played a critical role in driving the deal. As the elected leadership of many of the companies’ workgroups, we can say with certainty that our colleagues are looking forward to the day our operations are combined. Not only will 100,000 employees benefit from the proposed merger, but so will the new American Airlines, the communities we serve, our companies’ investors, the commercial aviation industry, and the flying public.

Last year, as American’s unions were negotiating under Section 1113 of the Bankruptcy Code, we were approached by the management team of US Airways with a strategic alternative to American’s standalone plan of reorganization. US Airways’ plan detailed the tremendous synergies and savings that would be created by a merged network. With more routes to more cities throughout the country and abroad, the new American would once again be an attractive option to the business travelers our airlines have lost to Delta and United in recent years. These factors add up to increased revenues and a thriving airline that can break the duopoly currently controlling our industry.

In addition, the new business model will allow the new American to sustain industry-rate contracts for the employees of both carriers and mitigate the furloughs that had been proposed by American’s standalone plan. The employees at American and US Airways want our company to succeed. That is why we support the merger and why we worked together to effect it.

Together, our airlines can compete in the current market and compensate its employees fairly. Apart, they can do neither.

The most frequently cited argument against the merger is that both American and US Airways are succeeding financially and they do not need to merge to thrive. We reject this theory out of hand.

In the ten years leading up to bankruptcy, American lost approximately $1 billion annually. There is near-unanimous agreement in the industry and on Wall Street that American’s problems existed on both sides of the balance sheet. Unfortunately, Chapter 11 only allows the debtor to address its costs. If it were to emerge from bankruptcy on its own, American would remain at a competitive disadvantage in terms of generating revenue.

In fact, the principle difference at the airline would be a smaller workforce (trimmed by thousands of furloughs), a 17 percent cut in wages and benefits, and a frozen pension plan. Similarly, US Airways will continue to be hamstrung by the limitations of its network. The recently-approved mergers of United-Continental and Delta-Northwest have marginalized smaller carriers like US Airways, and their long-term viability is constantly in question. More than perhaps any other, our industry is subject to shocks like fuel spikes, acts of terrorism, accidents, and natural disasters. While large network carriers have the capacity to mitigate such volatilities, smaller airlines are disproportionately affected by them. Indeed, the only way to truly ensure a fair and competitive aviation industry is to allow our companies to combine.

The path forward will be challenging, of that we can be sure. However, with labor agreements in place at both carriers, some of the most difficult tasks are already complete. We believe that the benefits the new American will provide to the traveling public, our colleagues, and our membership are well worth the tremendous effort that merging these two carriers will require. We hope that you can share in our enthusiasm and optimism.

Sincerely,

Laura Glading
President, Association of Professional Flight Attendants – American Airlines

James C. Little
International President, Transport Workers Union – American Airlines & US Airways

Keith Wilson
President, Allied Pilots Association – American Airlines

Gary Hummel
President, US Airline Pilots Association – US Airways

Roger Holmin
President, Association of Flight Attendants – US Airways

Deborah Volpe
President, Association of Flight Attendants – US Airways

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/03/aa-us-airways-unions-offer-joint-statement-in-favor-of-merger.html/

Fly Guy: Why you should listen to the safety demo

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When was the last time you actually listened to an airline pre-flight safety demo? I mean, really listened. Admit it, you've heard it all before, and the last time you paid attention was probably when you were eight years old on your very first flight.

Not only does it make your flight attendant look foolish when nobody puts down their iPad or newspaper, but because so few people listen anymore, when there is an emergency people panic and don't follow even the most basic safety procedures. Did you know, for example, that only a small fraction of the passengers flying on that US Airways flight that landed in the Hudson River exited the plane with their life vests? It's true.

Part of the problem, I think, is that they never "freshen up" the safety demo language, and they don't tell you the reasons why you're supposed to follow certain safety procedures. And there's a lot of important stuff they don't tell you at all, perhaps because you'd listen even less.

Recently, I took the British Airways safety training course at London's Heathrow Airport. It's a modified version of the same training that flight crews go through, and not only did I learn the "why" behind some of the safety demo instructions, I came away a safer flyer.

WANT TO FLY SAFER?: There's a school for that

Here's what I learned:

Why do flight attendants dim the lights on take off/landing at night?

This is done so you can acclimate your eyes to outside conditions in case you need to exit the plane in an emergency.

Why do they make you put your seat backs in the upright position?

This makes it easier for you to get out of your seat, and in case the person behind you has to assume the brace position he'll have more room to do so.

Why do flight attendants on some airlines ask you to put your shoes on for landing (except high heels of course)?

Simple, if you're landing on a hot runway and have to jump out of the plane, you might burn your feet. High heels, as you probably know, might rip the slide.

Why do they ask you to take off your headphones upon landing?

This is done so you'll be able to hear safety instructions.

Why should you put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others?

Because in a cabin decompression, air will be sucked out of the cabin so quickly that you only have 30 or so seconds before the lack of oxygen will make you groggy and "euphoric"—making it harder to put the mask on. After 45 seconds, you'd probably pass out.

Why does the seat back pocket safety card illustrate the "brace position" with one hand over the other?

I bet you haven't looked at one of those in years, either. In a crash landing, something might fall down from above on your hands, so you want to protect your "strong" hand with your weaker one so you'll be able to unbuckle your seatbelt.

It may surprise you to learn that while your pilots are waiting for take off, they're probably doing a safety drill. What if this or that should go wrong on take off, which buttons would we push or steps would we take? So they actually go through the motions of various procedures, touching and even moving the actual controls. They call these touch drills. Safety experts suggest that passengers do the same thing just before takeoff, perhaps buckling and unbuckling their seat belts three times.

Sounds daft? "It's muscle memory," said Diane, one of the course instructors. "In an emergency, people panic. They think they're in their cars, and try to release the seatbelt by pushing a button rather than lifting a flap." Indeed, as the final report of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board noted following the crash of US Airways flight 405, which landed in the water after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport resulting in no loss of life, "Some passengers tried to move from their seats while their seatbelts were still buckled, and other passengers had difficulty locating and releasing their seatbelt buckles because of disorientation."

I left the course thinking that more passengers would listen to the pre-flight safety demo if airlines shared some of this insider information before each flight, maybe mixing it up from time to time so that the demo doesn't get overly long and cause more people to tune out. On one flight, the demo might include the finer points of opening the over-wing exits. On another flight, more information about why it's so important to put your oxygen mask on first (and quickly) before helping others. More passengers would probably do what they're told in an emergency if they knew the reasons behind these rules. And time and time again, in emergencies, passengers do not listen, do the wrong thing and increase their risk of becoming victims.

MORE: Why fliers really do need to turn off electronic devices

ASK THE CAPTAIN: Why can't I use my cellphone/iPad/Kindle in flight?

ASK THE CAPTAIN: A reader challenges in-flight electronics rule

ASK THE CAPTAIN: The debate about in-flight electronics continues

George Hobica is the founder of Airfarewatchdog.com. Airfarewatchdog features the best airfares on thousands of routes verified by a team of expert fare analysts.