5 Ideas For Flying on Southwest as a Touring Photographer

As a touring photographer who works primarily in the USA and the Caribbean, I spend most of my time flying on Southwest Airways. Since I often journey for photograph shoots and weddings, I usually discover myself at my most well-liked airport—Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall Worldwide (BWI)— anyplace from two to a few instances per 30 days. I used to be truly at dwelling over the Christmas holidays once I noticed the studies of individuals stranded throughout the nation. At first, I considered leaping off the Southwest bandwagon. Then I remembered that I’ve many flights booked by shoppers who count on me at their occasion or location in 2023, and rebooking on one other airline is one other headache I wish to keep away from. So I got here up with some primary tips for myself and others as we enterprise deeper into 2023 within the pleasant, or generally unfriendly, skies.

Southwest Airlines travel disruptions
Southwest Airways passengers stand in strains throughout delays and cancellations at LaGuardia Airport, Friday Dec. 23, 2022, in New York. (Picture by Richard Jones)

Ideas for the Touring Photographer Flying Southwest (and Different) Airways:

1. Talk with Your Consumer: As quickly as you already know concerning the delay, please attain out to your buyer to allow them to know what is going on and once you anticipate arriving.

2. In case your flight is considerably delayed, it’s best to look into different flight choices to see if you could find one that may get you to your vacation spot as quickly as attainable. Attain out to a journey agent or airline to seek out out if different choices can be found.

3. Take into account different modes of transportation: If no different flights get you to your vacation spot on time, take into account a rental automotive or prepare. 

4. Create a contingency plan: In the event you can’t arrive on the marriage ceremony on time, you have to to make a contingency plan forward of time. Discovering a further photographer to cowl the marriage or occasion ought to be a part of this plan.

5. Be prepared for additional prices: Delays can typically imply further expenses, like resort stays or meals, so it’s best to plan for that. You need to be ready to pay for these bills or negotiate together with your consumer to see if they are going to pay.

Traveling photographer on Southwest
Picture © Chip Dizard

General, staying calm and being proactive about discovering options to issues are important. You possibly can preserve what you are promoting and your relationship with the consumer from being harm by the delay in the event you preserve the consumer knowledgeable and are prepared to be versatile.

Let’s hope the 2023 journey season is best than the way it ended.

Upward and onward, touring photographer!

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