L2 S U NDAY , N OV E M B ER 19 , 2 017 L AT I M E S.

C O M /T R AV E L

BEFORE YOU GO
NEED TO KNOW ON THE SPOT CATHARINE HAMM

Scotty’s Castle to offer

limited weekly tours
Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley National Park, which has
Each airline defines ‘late’
Question: I was flying out of San Luis Obispo on Sept. 16 on United. The flight was scheduled to leave at 9:35 a.m. I arrived
been closed since a flash flood in October 2015 seriously at the airport at 8:45 a.m. There was no one at the United counter to check me in. Because there was no kiosk, I walked over
damaged the building and road, will reopen Dec. 2 for to security to ask how I could check in. I was told I was too late. I looked around and noticed the airplane had not boarded
weekly tours.
and everyone was sitting around the gate. I saw a United employee on the other side of the security line and tried to get his
The sprawling Spanish Colonial-style house, with a tur-
ret that looks like a castle, was built by Walter Scott, known attention, but he ignored me. I then tried to check-in online, and I was not able to. I again tried to get the United employee’s
as Death Valley Scotty, starting in 1922. attention. He told me I did not get to the airport on time, and I was not going to be able to get on the flight. I was not
The flooding ruined parts of the house, the visitor cen- checking a bag, and there was no line. I couldn’t believe I had paid more than $350 for such terrible customer service. I
ter and the water system. It also washed away 20 power ended up renting a car and driving to San Diego.
poles. Ciani Sparks
National park rangers will lead tours for groups of up to San Diego
13 on Saturdays only through April 14.
Most of the tour is outdoors, but visitors can see furnish- Answer: Let’s start with me. It probably was fertilizer you’re flying out of Balti- plead ride-share witless-
ings and some architectural pieces that have been taken the good news: United made on my athletic shoes from more or San Juan, Puerto ness, airline triage, stringent
off-site for safekeeping. a “one-time exception” and the nursery and botanical Rico. (Not sure why those security or whatever other
For those who have never visited the landmark, rangers has ordered a partial refund gardens I had visited.) two cities.) If you have bag- misfortune befalls you, but,
will tell the “stories of this palace in the desert,” which isn’t for Sparks’ ticket. But I have never missed gage, you must check in well, good luck.
slated to reopen fully until 2020. But the story is timely as an originating flight because sooner than that at several Besides, do you really
The tours will be at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets cost $25 holiday travel approaches. I am obsessively early. I airports, which include LAX want to spend time figuring
a person, plus a fee, and reservations are required. You’ll find a lot of tips about would rather spend time in and Orange County. out which airports are the
Info: lat.ms/scottytours holiday travel on Page L4 of sight of my gate where I can And you must be at the exceptions? What’s the use
— Mary Forgione this week’s section, and chief check email, download gate 15 minutes before a of that info cluttering up
among them is to allow something on Netflix or domestic departure. If your head’s hard drive?
yourself plenty of time. read the latest Louise you’ve cut it close and you Instead, just be early.

Island Air has been grounded That’s true not only at

the holidays but any time
because anything can trip
Island Air, the carrier whose service linked four Hawai- you up. (If you’re flying out of
ian islands, has ceased operations. It served Hawaii Island, LAX you can change “any-
Kauai, Maui and Oahu.“For inquiries on refunds,” the air- thing” to “pretty much
line’s website says, “please contact your credit card com- everything.”)
pany.” Could be a ride-share
Island Air announced in early September it was adding driver who gets lost on the
new turboprops, but after a dispute with the lessors of the way to the airport. (Hap-
planes, Island Air filed for bankruptcy protection in Octo- pened to me.)
ber. Could be a line so long to
— Jay Jones check a bag that the airline
is doing triage by checking in
elite-level fliers first, which
you are not. (Happened to
Penny murder mystery than
spend time remaking reser-
have trouble at security,
you’re in trouble.
Because unless you know
the rules and can prove you
vations. Further, Letter E says, played by them, you’re
Besides my irrational “Passenger and baggage stuck.
fear, here’s my rational one: processing times may differ As Ian Gregor of the
Rule 5, Letter D of United’s from airport to airport. It is Federal Aviation Adminis-
contract of carriage (or its the passenger’s responsibil- tration told me in an email,
equivalent on any other ity to arrive at the airport when to close the airline
carrier) says this: “UA has with enough time to com- door is up to the airline.
the right to cancel reserva- plete any ticketing, check-in, It’s not the FAA’s call, and
tions [whether or not con- baggage and security it’s certainly not the pas-
firmed], deny boarding screening process and sengers’.
and/or refuse the acceptance boarding requirements Sparks got a refund, but
of checked baggage of any within these minimum time the time she spent driving?
passenger who fails to pre- limits.” No refund on that.
sent himself/herself within And finally, it says, “UA If you’re going to err this

1st/ BIZ Class Introducing the

free Hot Property
me, a non-elite flier.)
Could be a random swab
the applicable check-in
or loading gate time limits
is not liable for any conse-
quential compensatory or
holiday season, make it on
the side of caution.

70% OFF
that turns up what the for passengers and/or bag- other damages when it
newsletter.
Transportation Security gage.” cancels reservations Have a travel dilemma or
BEAT ANY PRICE Administration thinks is If you’re not checking a [whether or not confirmed] question? Write to
Sign up at latimes.com/HotProp
traces of explosives, and you bag on your domestic flight, of any passenger in accord- travel@latimes.com. We
818-889-7471 spend the next 45 minutes you must have your board- ance with this rule … .” regret we cannot answer
Discount Travel SOT#2039095-40
doing a pas de deux with the ing pass at least 30 minutes In other words, fliers, you every inquiry.
TSA agent. (Happened to before departure except if can argue the case, you can travel@latimes.com
thinking about a 2018
eurOpe river Cruise? FEEDBACK

7-NT Rhine or Danube* 14-NT Amsterdam/Budapest* Dragon Clock was surprised that she did
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otherwise traditional build-
ing on the square began to
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CALL: 1-800-281-7145
VISIT: your local Auto Club branch
1
Savings Offer: Cruise must be booked November 2 – December 3, 2017 (the “Offer Period”). Offer is per person, based on double occupancy, and applies to select 4-night and longer cruises departing December 10, 2017 – April
30, 2019. Offer excludes Galapagos, repositioning, Transatlantic and Transpacific cruises. Savings Offer amount is determined by stateroom category booked. Guests 1 and 2 will receive the following savings: $100 per person
(maximum $200 savings) for Inside staterooms; $200 per person (maximum $400 savings) for oceanview and Veranda staterooms; $300 per person (maximum $600 savings) for Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms;
$400 per person (maximum $800 savings) for Suites. Savings applied to cruise fare at checkout. Full deposit must be paid by deposit payment required due date. Standard full deposit penalty is applied if booking is cancelled
within final payment period; ask your AAA Travel Agent for offer details and full terms and conditions. Celebrity reserves the right to cancel the Offer at any time, correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, and change or update
fares, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice. Ships registered in Malta and Ecuador. 2Offer is capacity- controlled, availability varies by sailing, and eligible staterooms may sell out. Offer applies to 4-night and longer
cruises that depart December 10, 2017 – April 30, 2019. Offer excludes Galapagos, Transatlantic, Transpacific, repositioning, Asia, and South America repositioning cruises. Offer provides each of the first two guests in an ocean
view and above stateroom booking with a complimentary Go Big option, which includes a choice of one perk: Classic Beverage Package, Unlimited Internet Package, $150 per person onboard credit (“OBC”), or Prepaid Gratuities.
All guests in the same stateroom/suite must select the same options and notify AAA Travel of the option you choose at time of booking. One offer per stateroom. Taxes and fees are additional for all guests. Offer applies to new
individual bookings and to staterooms in non-contracted group bookings. A cruise that meets these criteria is an “Offer Cruise.” Bookings that meet all of these requirements are “Qualifying Bookings.” Offer does not apply to interior
staterooms, is not combinable with any other offer, promotion or discounted rate, including, but not limited to, Book & Go, Exciting Deals, Celebrity’s ChoiceAir®, Interline, Senior, resident rates, net rates, travel agent, and employee
rates. All Offers are non-transferable and applicable only to the Offer Cruise. No refunds or credits for unused options. Offers are subject to availability, cancellation and change without notice, and are capacity-controlled. Offers
not applicable to charters or contracted groups. Cruise portion of cruise tours eligible for Offers available to first and second guests, based on number of cruise nights. 3Classic Beverage Package includes beer up to $6 per serving,
spirits, cocktails, and frozen drinks up to $8 per serving, wine by the glass up to $9 per serving, all soda selections, fresh squeezed and bottled juices, premium coffees, teas and non-premium bottled water, server gratuities. All
Beverage Packages: Each guest must provide date of birth at the time of booking. Age restrictions may apply. 4Free Gratuities includes prepaid stateroom, waiter, assistant waiter and head waiter gratuities in the amount suggested
by Celebrity’s guidelines. Gratuities will be applied to reservation within 10 days of booking. 5Onboard Credit is $150 per person and applies to passenger one and two only. Maximum of $300 per stateroom. Onboard Credit has no
cash value, is applicable to cruise only, non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and expires 10:00 PM on the final night of the cruise. 6Unlimited Internet for one Internet account ($199 value for sailings of 9 days or less; $299
value on sailings of 10 days or more). Internet usage terms apply. Guests will receive instructions for internet access in their stateroom on the first day of the cruise. 7Additional guests (3rd/4th) 50% Off Savings: Savings applies to
the cruise fare of the third and fourth passengers booked in a triple, quad, or family ocean view, veranda, concierge class or suite stateroom. Not applicable to Cruisetours or Celebrity Explorations. 8AAA Vacations® Amenities apply
to all sailings in 2017 – 2019 excluding Galapagos sailings. Qualifying bookings must be made at least 30 days in advance to receive AAA Vacations® amenities. 9$25 per stateroom onboard credit applies to sailings of 1-5 nights;
$50 per stateroom onboard credit applies to sailings of 6-9 nights; $100 per stateroom onboard credit applies to sailings of 10 nights or longer. Onboard credit varies by length of sailing. Qualifying bookings must be made at least
30 days in advance. 10Priority check-in does not include priority embarkation (access to board the ship prior to start of normal boarding).
Unless otherwise indicated: rates quoted are accurate at time of publication, & are per person, based on double occupancy. Airfare, taxes, surcharges, gratuities, transfers & excursions are additional. Advertised rates do not include
any applicable daily resort or facility fees payable directly to the hotel at check-out; such fee amounts will be advised at the time of booking. Rates, terms, conditions, availability, itinerary, government taxes, surcharges, deposit,
payment, cancellation terms/conditions & policies subject to change without notice at any time. Cruise rates capacity controlled. Other restrictions may apply,
including, but not limited to baggage limitations & fees, standby policies & fees, non-refundable tickets & change fees with pre-flight notification deadlines,
& blackout dates. Fees & policies vary among airlines. Contact airline directly for any details or questions. Advance reservations through AAA Travel required
to obtain Member Benefits & savings which may vary based on departure date. Not responsible for errors or omissions. The Automobile Club of Southern
California acts only as an agent for Celebrity Cruises. CTR#1016202-80. Copyright © 2017 Automobile Club of Southern California. All Rights Reserved.