• Home
  • About Us
  • What We Do
  • Autism Flies
  • Tips & Suggestions
  • Travel Industry
Autism Double-CheckedAutism Double-Checked
Autism Double-CheckedAutism Double-Checked
  • Home
  • What our certification means
  • The directory of certified providers
  • Autism Passport and Autism Concierge
  • Autism Flies
  • Autism Stays
  • Travel Industry
  • In the News
Eliminating unneccesary transitions

Eliminating unneccesary transitions

Posted by Alan Day Managing change

Some transitions are easily avoided. There is one big one that you really should avoid.

Let’s start with those easy ones:

Long-term parking at the airport. Unless you are really lucky and your airport offers inexpensive parking directly adjacent to the terminal, you could end up at the long-term lot that requires a shuttle bus to the terminal. This is one unnecessary transition and should be avoided.

You will be better served by going straight to the terminal door whether you use car service, Uber, Lyft, or you have a friend or relative to take you. Don’t forget that you are saving the parking fees! Depending upon distances and rates, it may not cost much more to avoid this transition.

Car rentals. At many of the bigger destination airports, car rental companies fall into one of two groups. Those with the desk and the lot inside the airport and those that are off-site. If using the latter, you’ll have to take a shuttle bus to get to the lot. This is an avoidable transition.

What is the cost/benefit calculation on this? Off-site rentals may sometimes be a little less expensive than their on-site competitors however the difference is unlikely to justify the transition inconveniences.

 

Now for the big one:

Connecting flights give you a all kinds of of extra transition pains and, if possible, should be avoided at all costs. Here are just a few of the issues:

  • If going through one airport is a challenge, you double the pain with connecting flights.
  • If aircraft ascents, descents or both are difficult, you double the number of each.
  • If your first flight is delayed but the second flight departs on time, you may miss that second flight.
  • If the first flight is only delayed a little, it may force a frantic rush to make the connection and….
  • If you’re really unlucky, you may still miss the second flight although your checked bags may not!.

 

Scheduling your flights. Sometimes it may seem that the only way to get from where you are to your destination is to use connecting flights. That said, they really are worth avoiding if possible. For instance, you may only be able to reach your destination from your local airport with a connection but if there is a larger airport within driving distance that has non-stop service, drive and use that. The same thinking may be applied to your destination: Can you get non-stop service to somewhere within driving distance of your final destination?

If you really have no choice and it has to be connecting flights, make sure that you have a good amount of time at the intermediate airport. A short connection time gives you no margin of safety for making it to the second flight.

Our next post: Things that can stay the same.

Share
1

About Alan Day

Alan Day – Co-Founder of Autism Double-Checked is an accomplished travel agent who began his career with Liberty Travel in 1999, then on moving to Connecticut in 2005, he formed his own agency. Alan’s son has Autism Spectrum Disorder: When considering the impact that his son’s Autism had on their own family vacations, Alan decided to refocus his agency and specialize in providing assistance and support for families impacted by Autism. For this purpose, he founded ASD Vacations to exclusively a serve such families. In addition to assisting individual families, Alan produced a unique program called ‘Magic for Autism’ that enables groups of families to travel together with support for flights and at the destination. Alan also wrote a ‘Guide to Flying with Autism Spectrum Disorder’ and the Autism Passport as a means of communication between parents and destination resorts. Alan also writes a regular blog with tips and resources for families traveling with Autism.

You also might be interested in

Autism Double-Checked and Breeze Airways Help Families Soar with Autism Flies Event at T.F. Green Airport

Autism Double-Checked and Breeze Airways Help Families Soar with Autism Flies Event at T.F. Green Airport

Feb 7, 2025

Traveling with neurodiverse children often feels like navigating a maze[...]

Autism Double-Checked Featured on CBS News’ The Uplift – A Special Look at Autism Flies

Autism Double-Checked Featured on CBS News’ The Uplift – A Special Look at Autism Flies

Feb 7, 2025

We’re beyond excited to share some amazing news! Autism Double-Checked[...]

Mexican resort chain is now even better prepared
Beach & Property

Mexican resort chain is now even better prepared

May 17, 2022

Autism Double-Checked, the leading on-line Autism training company for the hospitality industry, has announced that most Mexico-based properties in the Karisma Hotels & Resorts portfolio are now certified as Autism Ready.

Tips and Suggestions

Let's get in touch

Send me an email and I'll get back to you, as soon as possible.

Send Message

About us

Founder Alan Day, and his partners have more than 100 years of collective experience in the travel industry. They also have special needs children and understand first-hand what precautions are necessary to create a safe and enjoyable space for individuals with ASD while away from home.

Find us here

  • Alan Day
  • Autism Double-Checked
  • Stamford, CT
  • (203) 750-0000

Our latest posting

  • Taking Flight, One Practice at a Time: April Events Celebrate Autism Appreciation Month with Confidence-Building Experiences
  • From Practice to Takeoff: How Autism Flies Helped Jake Soar
  • Shining a Spotlight on Rachel Morelli: A Travel Advisor Making a Difference for Families with Autism
  • Bradley International Airport Becomes First in U.S. to Earn ‘Autism Double-Checked’ Certification – A Seamless Experience for Travelers with BermudAir

© 2025 · autismchecked.com.

  • Home
  • What our certification means
  • The directory of certified providers
  • Autism Passport and Autism Concierge
  • Autism Flies
  • Autism Stays
  • Travel Industry
  • In the News
Prev Next