#airlines name change policy

[allindiaproperty]

How to Change Name on a Flight Ticket: A Step-by-Step Guide

Booking a flight ticket is often a thrilling experience, but it can quickly turn into a headache if you notice an error in your name. Whether it’s a simple typo, a legal name change due to marriage or divorce, or any other reason, correcting the name on your flight ticket is essential. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to change the name on your flight ticket, complete with tips and steps to make the process smoother.

Importance of Accurate Names on Flight Tickets

Airlines prioritize accuracy when it comes to names on tickets. The name on your ticket must match exactly with the name on your identification documents, such as your passport or driver’s license. Failure to do so can lead to complications, including denied boarding. Therefore, it’s crucial to address any discrepancies promptly.

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Common Reasons for Name Changes

There are several scenarios that may necessitate a name change on your flight ticket:

Misspelled Names: A common mistake, often due to typing errors.

Legal Name Changes: Changes resulting from marriage, divorce, or other legal reasons.

Order of Names: Sometimes, the first and last names may be swapped.

Using Nicknames: Traveling under a nickname instead of your legal name.

Typographical Errors: Mistakes during the booking process.

Steps to Change Your Name on a Flight Ticket

Changing the name on a flight ticket can vary based on the airline and specific circumstances. Here’s a detailed step-by-step process:

1. Review the Airline’s Name Change Policy

Before you take any action, familiarize yourself with the airline’s policy regarding name changes. Some airlines allow minor corrections without charge, while others may have strict policies and fees. Visit the airline’s official website or contact customer service for specific information.

2. Contact Customer Service

After reviewing the policy, reach out to the airline’s customer service. When you call, have your booking reference number and personal information ready. Explain the situation clearly and provide details about the name change needed. The representative will guide you through the process.

3. Prepare Supporting Documentation

If the name change is due to a legal reason, such as marriage or divorce, you will likely need to provide supporting documents. Common documents include:

Marriage certificate

Divorce decree

Court order for a legal name change

Updated identification (e.g., passport or driver’s license)

For minor corrections, documentation may not be necessary.

4. Be Aware of Fees

Some airlines charge a fee for name changes, especially for more significant alterations. The cost can vary widely—from $25 to $200—depending on the airline and the type of ticket purchased. Make sure to ask about fees upfront to avoid surprises.

5. Get Confirmation of Changes

Once the changes have been made, request a confirmation email or updated itinerary. This will serve as proof that your name has been corrected and can be crucial for your travel plans. Always keep this documentation accessible during your journey.

What If Name Changes Are Not Allowed?

In some cases, airlines have strict policies that do not permit name changes at all. If that’s the case, you may have to cancel your existing ticket and purchase a new one. This can be more costly, so always check the airline’s policy before booking, especially if you anticipate needing to change your name.

Tips to Prevent Future Name Change Issues

Double-Check Details: Always verify your name and other personal details before finalizing your booking. Ensure everything matches your identification.

Use Your Full Legal Name: Avoid using nicknames or shortened versions of your name when booking flights.

Have Documents Ready: If you expect a name change due to marriage or legal issues, keep your supporting documents handy for easy reference.

Book Through Reliable Channels: Use the airline’s website or well-known travel agencies to minimize the risk of errors. If a mistake is identified soon after booking, contact the airline immediately.

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Last-Minute Name Changes: What to Expect

While it’s best to make name changes as soon as an issue is identified, you might find yourself needing to make changes close to your departure date. Many airlines have specific deadlines (usually 24 to 48 hours before departure) for name changes. Attempting to make a last-minute change can be challenging, so it’s always advisable to act swiftly.

Overview of Airline Policies on Name Changes

Each airline has its own rules regarding name changes. Here’s a brief overview:

Delta Airlines: Allows minor name corrections without a fee. Significant changes may incur charges.

American Airlines: Offers one-time free name correction for minor mistakes. Legal name changes may require documentation.

United Airlines: Charges a fee for most name changes unless it’s a minor correction.

Southwest Airlines: Generally allows minor corrections for free, but complete identity changes are not permitted.

JetBlue: Typically allows minor corrections and may require documentation for legal changes.

Conclusion

Changing the name on a flight ticket is a manageable process if you act promptly and understand the airline’s policies. Always double-check your details during booking to minimize issues. If a change is necessary, contact the airline’s customer service as soon as possible and be prepared with the required documentation. By following these steps, you can ensure a smoother travel experience. Safe travels!

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[workbusiness]

How To Change Name & Date China Eastern Airlines Flight?

Can I change to a China Eastern flight?

According to the China Eastern Airlines flight change policy, you can make changes to the date, time, seat or flight class according to the fare conditions of your ticket. All changes are subject to seat availability, fare differences, and service charges, as indicated in the fare conditions of your ticket.

China Eastern Airlines is headquartered at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, China, and is considered one of the world’s leading airlines. The airline is primarily known for its exemplary services, such as China Eastern Airlines’ hassle-free flight change policy. World class services pamper their passengers with the best possible facilities. Say no to the tedious change process and book your China Eastern Airlines ticket right away. If you would like detailed information on China Eastern Airlines’ flight change policy, be sure to read the entire guide carefully.

China Eastern Airlines Flight Change Policy

Passengers can choose to book the tickets online or offline. You can visit the official website of China Eastern Airlines to get the tickets. If passengers want to book it offline, they can call the customer service center or visit the airport. Tickets can only be changed in the way they were booked, if you booked them online you can only make the relevant changes online. If you got your ticket from the agents and you want China Eastern Airlines to change the name on the tickets, you can just ask your agents to do it.

According to China Eastern Airlines’ flight change policy, passengers are free to make any desired changes to their tickets within 24 hours of booking without having to pay any fees. If the passenger is missing the free change window provided by the airline, they will be charged a China Eastern Airlines flight change fee to make the changes.

China Eastern Airlines Change Name On Ticket

Passengers can make the name change on their ticket within 24 hours if they do not wish to pay any fees. The name change is an easy process. If you are willing to do it online, you can visit the airline’s official website, scroll down to the “Manage Reservation” section, and press Booking Inquiry/Flight Change. Now you can enter the first and last name of the passengers and click on the save option. The changes will be made and you will receive a new ticket at the contact details provided.

How To Change China Eastern Airlines Flight?

You can make the changes both online and offline. The airline has a large number of options for the comfort of its passengers, follow the steps mentioned below to choose the most suitable option for you.

China Eastern Airlines Change Flight Online

Browse through the official website of China Eastern Airlines

Enter the flight details in the “Manage Reservation” section on the home page which will redirect you to a different page, dedicated exclusively to Changes and modifications.

Enter your name and ticket number before pressing the ‘continue’ button

Click on the link provided to go to the China Eastern Airlines flight change option

Don’t forget to check your data before making the changes. Then click on the Continue button

Now the process is finished, you will receive an email or SMS on your registered mail id or contact number

Flight changes are subject to:

Make flight changes within the time limit prescribed on your ticket

Seat availability on the desired flight

Pay the difference in fees and taxes (if any)

You can request a flight change without paying a flight change fee if the flight you are traveling with your pet does not accept your pet due to extreme weather conditions on the day of departure, that is, if the temperature forecast on any flight segment is > 30°C or < minus 12°C (both inclusive).

Whether you wish to request a carrier change after purchasing your ticket will depend on the fare conditions of your ticket.

If the fare conditions of your ticket are free of endorsement restrictions, China Eastern will endorse your ticket in favor of the chosen airline.

If the fare conditions of your ticket do not allow a change of company, you must travel on China Eastern Airlines.

If you want to request a change of carrier on a ticket that contains a flight segment not issued by China Eastern Airlines:

China Eastern may, subject to the fare conditions of your ticket, process the endorsement within the same class of travel with an airline that has an agreement with China Eastern Airlines. Rate differences, if any, are at your expense.

Important Guidelines on China Eastern Flight Change

You can make your China Eastern flight change within 24 hours of purchasing the flight ticket without paying the flight change fee; however, you will need to pay the fare difference between the original and new airline tickets.

In the event that you change your flight tickets after the 24-hour risk-free period, you will need to pay both the China Eastern Airlines flight change fee and the fare difference.

The flight change fee will vary depending on the fare type, routes and other details of the China Eastern Airlines reservation.

In the event that your fare difference is greater than the original ticket than the next fare ticket, the remaining amount will be refunded to your original mode of payment and vice versa.

How to Change a Flight Ticket on China Eastern Airlines?

Visit the China Eastern Airlines official website in your web browser, then navigate to the Manage Reservation tab to get your reservation details

Now, enter the Ticket Number, Name and Surname of the Passenger in their respective data.

Next, press the Manage Booking option to get your booking details, and then follow the on-screen instructions to choose your new flight.

Then follow the on-screen prompts again to make the flight change, confirm it by paying the flight change fee (if applicable) and the fare difference.

Also, if you have any further inquiries about China Eastern flight date change and other relevant details, please contact the airline’s customer service and talk to the experts.

What is the China Eastern name change fee?

Generally, airlines charge around $100 to $200 per change. The fee varies due to several factors, including destination, fee, and date. For more precise details, passengers are suggested to follow the fare conditions mentioned on their tickets.

How to contact customer support?

To resolve your concerns, you need to speak with a live representative. You can contact the customer service agents through a contact number or at the airport.

At the airport:

Suppose you are at the airport. You can reach the terminal mentioned on your ticket. Contact your airline’s assistance service. They will help you to change the name on your ticket, but you need to share the flight details. After that, you can print the boarding pass and enter the plane.

Customer support:

If it is not available at the airport, then please dial China Eastern’s phone number +1 1–888–875–0388. Work hours are Monday through Friday from 09:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to 05:30 p.m. m. Pacific time. to talk to the airline. You must choose your language and follow the IVR instructions to reach the right representative.

[airlineinsights]

Fly with Confidence: American Airlines Complete Guide

American Airlines is one of the major airlines in the United States and a prominent player in the global aviation industry. Founded in 1930, it has a rich history and has grown into one of the largest airlines in the world. With its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, American Airlines operates an extensive network of domestic and international flights, serving destinations across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and beyond.

American Airlines had a fleet size of over 870 aircraft, consisting of various models from manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus. The airline offers a range of services to cater to different travel needs, including first class, business class, premium economy, and economy cabins.

American Airlines is a founding member of the global airline alliance, Oneworld, which allows it to provide seamless connections and reciprocal benefits to passengers traveling with its partner airlines. It also has codeshare agreements with numerous other airlines, further expanding its reach and connectivity.

The airline has faced various challenges over the years, including economic downturns, competition, and the impact of events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly affected the aviation industry. However, American Airlines has continuously adapted and innovated to navigate these challenges, implementing initiatives to improve customer experience, enhance operational efficiency, and prioritize safety and sustainability.

Overall, American Airlines has established itself as a prominent player in the airline industry, offering a wide range of services and connectivity options to travelers across the globe. With a focus on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement, it continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of air travel.

How to make Reservations for American Airlines?

When it comes to making easy American Airlines reservations, there are a few key points to keep in mind. Here are the main aspects to consider:

Booking Options: American Airlines provides multiple channels for making reservations. You can book flights online through their official website or mobile app, by calling their customer service hotline, or by visiting one of their ticket offices or airport counters.

Flight Selection: American Airlines offers a vast network of domestic and international destinations, allowing you to choose from a wide range of flight options. They operate numerous daily flights to popular destinations, ensuring flexibility in scheduling.

Fare Classes: American Airlines offers different fare classes to suit various travel needs and budgets. These typically include First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy. Each class comes with its own set of amenities and services.

Additional Services: During the reservation process, American Airlines provides options to select additional services like seat upgrades, preferred seating, checked baggage, in-flight meals, and Wi-Fi access. These services may have associated fees.

Loyalty Program: American Airlines has a frequent flyer program called AAdvantage, which rewards loyal customers with miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other benefits. It's worth considering joining the program if you plan to fly frequently with American Airlines.

Flexible Booking Policies: American Airlines has implemented flexible booking policies that allow passengers to make changes or cancel their reservations under certain conditions. It's advisable to review the specific terms and conditions associated with your ticket, as they may vary based on fare type and booking channel.

By considering these main points, you can ensure a smooth reservation process with American Airlines, tailored to your preferences and travel requirements.

What is the American Airlines Cancellation Policy?

Here are the main points of the American Airlines cancellation policy, however, please note that policies and terms may have changed since then, so it's always advisable to check the most up-to-date information on their official website or contact American Airlines directly for the latest details.

24-Hour Cancellation Policy: American Airlines allows passengers to cancel their reservations within 24 hours of booking without incurring any cancellation fees, regardless of the ticket type. This applies to both refundable and non-refundable tickets.

Non-Refundable Tickets: If you cancel a non-refundable ticket after the 24-hour window, you may not receive a refund. However, the value of the ticket may be eligible for future travel credits, subject to certain conditions and fees.

Refundable Tickets: Refundable tickets offer more flexibility. If you hold a refundable ticket and decide to cancel, you can typically receive a full refund of the ticket's value, regardless of the cancellation timeframe.

Cancellation Fees: For non-refundable tickets, if you cancel after the 24-hour window, a cancellation fee will usually apply. The fee amount varies depending on factors such as the fare type, destination, and ticket class.

Basic Economy Tickets: Basic Economy tickets, which typically have more restrictions, may have stricter cancellation policies. It's essential to review the specific terms and conditions associated with Basic Economy tickets before making a purchase.

Elite Status and AAdvantage Members: Passengers with elite status or AAdvantage membership may have additional benefits and flexibility regarding cancellations, such as waived fees or enhanced refund options. These benefits depend on the member's tier and the specific terms of the program.

It's always recommended to consult the official American Airlines website or contact their customer service directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding their cancellation policy.

American Airlines Manage Booking with the Official Website

When it comes to managing your booking with American Airlines, there are several key points to be aware of. Here are the main aspects of American Airlines manage booking feature:

Online Access: American Airlines provides an online platform where you can conveniently manage your booking details. Visit their official website or mobile app and navigate to the "Manage Reservations" section.

Retrieve Booking: To access your booking, you will typically need to provide relevant information such as your last name and booking confirmation number. Alternatively, you may log in to your AAdvantage account if you have one.

Itinerary Review: Once you have accessed your booking, you can review the details of your itinerary, including flight dates, times, routes, and passenger information. Ensure that all the information is accurate and up to date.

Seat Selection: American Airlines' manage booking feature allows you to select or change your seats, subject to availability. You can choose seats that suit your preferences, such as extra legroom or seats together with your travel companions.

Upgrades: If you are interested in upgrading your seat to a higher class, such as upgrading from Economy to Business or First Class, the manage booking feature may provide options to explore and request upgrades. However, availability and eligibility for upgrades may vary.

Special Requests: You can use the manage booking feature to make special requests, such as dietary requirements, wheelchair assistance, or other specific accommodations. Ensure to provide the necessary details well in advance to allow the airline to make suitable arrangements.

Flight Changes: Depending on the fare type and specific conditions associated with your ticket, you may be able to make changes to your flight details through the manage booking feature. This includes modifying travel dates, routes, or even canceling and rebooking flights.

Baggage Additions: If you need to add checked baggage to your booking or modify your existing baggage allowance, the manage booking feature often provides options to do so. Note that additional fees may apply for excess or overweight baggage.

Check-in: Some manage booking features also allow you to check in for your flight online, saving time at the airport. You can select seats, receive electronic boarding passes, and complete the necessary check-in process ahead of your departure.

Payment and Refunds: In certain situations, you may be able to process payments for outstanding amounts or request refunds through the manage booking feature. However, refund eligibility and processes may vary based on fare type and specific circumstances.

It's important to note that the available options in the manage booking feature can vary depending on factors such as ticket type, fare rules, and the specific services offered by American Airlines. Therefore, it's always advisable to review the details and instructions provided on their official website or contact their customer service directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding managing your booking.

How to Rebook American Airlines?

When it comes to rebooking your flight with American Airlines, here are the main points to consider:

Flight Changes: If you need to modify your travel plans, American Airlines allows you to rebook your flight. You can change your flight date, time, or even the destination, subject to availability and fare rules.

Change Fees: Depending on the fare type and the specific conditions associated with your ticket, rebooking may incur change fees. Non-refundable tickets generally require payment of a change fee in addition to any fare difference.

Fare Differences: When rebook American Airlines, fare differences may apply if the new flight has a higher fare than your original booking. Conversely, if the new fare is lower, you may be eligible for a refund or travel credit for the price difference, depending on the fare rules.

Flexibility Policies: American Airlines has implemented flexible policies, particularly during unforeseen circumstances or exceptional events. These policies may provide additional flexibility for rebooking without change fees, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic or severe weather conditions. It's essential to review the current policies and any associated timeframes or limitations.

Booking Channels: You can rebook your flight through various channels, including the American Airlines website, mobile app, or by contacting their customer service. The specific options available may depend on the fare type and the original booking channel.

Elite Status and AAdvantage Members: Passengers with elite status or AAdvantage membership may have additional rebooking benefits, such as waived change fees or enhanced flexibility. These benefits vary depending on the member's tier and the specific terms of the program.

Timeframes and Restrictions: It's important to be aware of any timeframes or restrictions associated with rebooking. Some fare types may have limitations on how far in advance or close to departure you can make changes. Additionally, certain promotional fares or discounted tickets may have specific rules and restrictions regarding rebooking.

Contacting Customer Service: If you encounter any difficulties or have specific requirements for your rebooking, it's recommended to contact American Airlines' customer service directly. Their representatives can provide guidance, assistance, and information regarding available options and any associated fees or requirements.

Remember that the rebooking process and associated policies can vary based on ticket type, fare rules, and the specific circumstances. It's always advisable to review the details and instructions provided by American Airlines on their official website or contact their customer service directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding rebooking your flight.

American Airlines Change Flight Policy 

Here are the main points of the American Airlines change flight policy. However, please note that policies and terms may have changed since then, so it's always advisable to check the most up-to-date information on their official website or contact American Airlines directly for the latest details.

Change Fees: American Airlines typically charges change fees for modifying your flight. The amount of the fee depends on factors such as the fare type, destination, and ticket class. Non-refundable tickets generally require payment of a change fee in addition to any fare difference.

Fare Differences: When changing your flight, fare differences may apply if the new flight has a higher fare than your original booking. Conversely, if the new fare is lower, you may be eligible for a refund or travel credit for the price difference, depending on the fare rules.

Change Options: American Airlines offers various channels for changing your flight. You can make changes online through their official website or mobile app, by contacting their customer service, or by visiting their ticket offices or airport counters.

Timeframes and Restrictions: It's important to be aware of any timeframes or restrictions associated with changing your flight. Some fare types may have limitations on how far in advance or close to departure you can make changes. Additionally, certain promotional fares or discounted tickets may have specific rules and restrictions regarding changes.

Flexible Policies: American Airlines has implemented flexible policies, particularly during unforeseen circumstances or exceptional events. These policies may provide additional flexibility for changing your flight without change fees, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic or severe weather conditions. It's essential to review the current policies and any associated timeframes or limitations.

Elite Status and AAdvantage Members: Passengers with elite status or AAdvantage membership may have additional benefits when changing their flights, such as waived change fees or enhanced flexibility. These benefits vary depending on the member's tier and the specific terms of the program.

Refundability: The refundability of your ticket depends on the fare type and its associated rules. Non-refundable tickets typically do not qualify for a refund, but the value of the ticket may be eligible for future travel credits, subject to certain conditions and fees.

Booking Channel: The availability of changing your flight through specific channels may vary based on the original booking method. For example, if you booked through a third-party website or travel agency, you may need to contact them directly for changes.

Remember to consult the official American Airlines website or contact their customer service directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding their change flight policy.

What is the Change Name Policy on American Airlines Tickets?

American Airlines did not have a specific policy regarding name changes. However, airline policies can evolve over time, so it's best to refer to the most up-to-date information on the American Airlines website or contact their customer service directly for the latest details. That being said, here are some general points to keep in mind regarding American Airlines name change Policy:

Name Correction: Airlines typically allow minor name corrections free of charge, such as fixing a misspelled name or correcting a typographical error. These changes are usually made to ensure that the name on the ticket matches the traveler's identification documents.

Name Change: Most airlines have restrictions or fees associated with changing the name on a ticket. In many cases, name changes are not permitted or are subject to specific conditions. This is primarily to prevent the misuse of tickets or fraudulent activities.

Transferability: Airline tickets are generally non-transferable, meaning they cannot be transferred to another person's name. This policy helps prevent ticket scalping or unauthorized reselling.

Flexibility: Some airlines offer more flexible ticket options that allow for easier name changes, typically at a higher price. These may include refundable tickets or tickets with flexible change policies.

Documentation: When requesting a name change, airlines may require documentation, such as a copy of the passenger's identification or a marriage certificate in the case of a name change due to marriage.

Remember, these points are general guidelines, and specific policies can vary between airlines. It's always advisable to consult the airline directly or refer to their website for their specific name change policy and any associated fees or requirements.

How to Get Help through American Airlines Customer Service?

American Airlines customer service can be contacted through phone, online support, social media, or at airport service desks. For specific contact information and assistance, visit the American Airlines website or refer to their social media accounts, here are some general ways to contact American Airlines customer service:

Phone: You can reach American Airlines customer service by phone. The specific phone numbers may vary depending on your location and the nature of your inquiry. Visit the American Airlines website and navigate to the "Contact Us" or "Customer Service" section to find the appropriate phone number for your region.

Online Support: American Airlines provides an online support portal where you can find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and submit specific inquiries. Visit the American Airlines website and look for the "Contact Us" or "Customer Service" section. There, you may find options to submit a form, start a live chat, or access self-service tools.

Social Media: American Airlines maintains an active presence on various social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. You can try reaching out to their customer service team through these channels by sending them a direct message or tagging them in a public post. However, keep in mind that social media responses may not be as prompt or comprehensive as other customer service channels.

Airport Customer Service: If you're already at an airport, you can visit an American Airlines customer service desk or counter for assistance. The staff there should be able to address your concerns or provide you with relevant information.

Remember that these methods are subject to change, and it's always a good idea to check the American Airlines website or contact their customer service for the most up-to-date information on how to reach them.

[macgyvermedical]

Moving vs Fleeing (and what you need to flee)

I was on a call last night with a very reputable LGBTQ+ organization in my state that discussed the difference between moving and fleeing.

Essentially, moving is planned. You get an apartment and a job in another city- hopefully you visit that city to scope it out. Then you move your life. It takes, at minimum, months.

Fleeing is unplanned. Something is happening that is so bad in your area that you have to cut and run. It may not be police at your door. But it might be legislation that prevents you from using restrooms without the risk of being killed or arrested. It might be lack of access to medications and something that makes it illegal to get those medications in a different state. It might be the classification of your life (as someone gay or tans) as a sex crime, and sex crimes being punishable by death (a goal of project 2025).

And, they recommended, get things together before it gets to that point, even if you aren't sure that it will happen, so fleeing is as easy as possible if you need to do it.

Here's what you can do:

Pick a location you can get to either by bus, train, or car that has a good track record for your needs and that you think you could live. Do your research- are there jobs there in your field? Housing?

Then get yourself a bag or large backpack.

Get a file folder and put your documents in it. I mean things like your passport, your birth certificate, your social security card, copies of any professional licenses you have, a checkbook, name change documentation, copies of financial documents like mortgages, copies of insurance cards and policies, copies of marriage licenses, and a copy of your driver's license. These are things you might need if you have to prove your identity or get a job or apartment. Then print out maps of several routes to your destination. Put the file folder in the bag.

Add to that: a couple of changes of clothes for each person including a hat and a cloth or disposable face covering (people don't question them as much since the pandemic, and they're convenient to hide your face). Lightweight, caloric foods for at least 3 days that don't require cooking (protein bars work great for this). A month of medications and an emergency script for each medication for each person (get a paper prescription from your doctor that is good for a year or the max allowed for each medication) if you can get it. Pay out of pocket with a coupon card if your insurance won't cover your refill early. 1-2 containers of baby wipes so you don't necessarily need to shower. An empty water bottle for each person. A phone charger.

Buy a gift card that can be used for anything. I won't say how much because I don't know your situation, but make it enough that you can pay for gas or bus/train/airline tickets to your destination and (if you can) temporary lodging/food once you get there. Gift cards are less traceable than debit/credit cards and aren't easy to cancel. An alternative is cash, but that can be an easier target for theft if people see you with it.

Finally, bring something of comfort, like a blanket or memento or stuffed animal.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

How plausible sentence generators are changing the bullshit wars

This Friday (September 8) at 10hPT/17hUK, I'm livestreaming "How To Dismantle the Internet" with Intelligence Squared.

On September 12 at 7pm, I'll be at Toronto's Another Story Bookshop with my new book The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation.

In my latest Locus Magazine column, "Plausible Sentence Generators," I describe how I unwittingly came to use – and even be impressed by – an AI chatbot – and what this means for a specialized, highly salient form of writing, namely, "bullshit":

https://locusmag.com/2023/09/commentary-by-cory-doctorow-plausible-sentence-generators/

Here's what happened: I got stranded at JFK due to heavy weather and an air-traffic control tower fire that locked down every westbound flight on the east coast. The American Airlines agent told me to try going standby the next morning, and advised that if I booked a hotel and saved my taxi receipts, I would get reimbursed when I got home to LA.

But when I got home, the airline's reps told me they would absolutely not reimburse me, that this was their policy, and they didn't care that their representative had promised they'd make me whole. This was so frustrating that I decided to take the airline to small claims court: I'm no lawyer, but I know that a contract takes place when an offer is made and accepted, and so I had a contract, and AA was violating it, and stiffing me for over $400.

The problem was that I didn't know anything about filing a small claim. I've been ripped off by lots of large American businesses, but none had pissed me off enough to sue – until American broke its contract with me.

So I googled it. I found a website that gave step-by-step instructions, starting with sending a "final demand" letter to the airline's business office. They offered to help me write the letter, and so I clicked and I typed and I wrote a pretty stern legal letter.

Now, I'm not a lawyer, but I have worked for a campaigning law-firm for over 20 years, and I've spent the same amount of time writing about the sins of the rich and powerful. I've seen a lot of threats, both those received by our clients and sent to me.

I've been threatened by everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Ralph Lauren to the Sacklers. I've been threatened by lawyers representing the billionaire who owned NSOG roup, the notoroious cyber arms-dealer. I even got a series of vicious, baseless threats from lawyers representing LAX's private terminal.

So I know a thing or two about writing a legal threat! I gave it a good effort and then submitted the form, and got a message asking me to wait for a minute or two. A couple minutes later, the form returned a new version of my letter, expanded and augmented. Now, my letter was a little scary – but this version was bowel-looseningly terrifying.

I had unwittingly used a chatbot. The website had fed my letter to a Large Language Model, likely ChatGPT, with a prompt like, "Make this into an aggressive, bullying legal threat." The chatbot obliged.

I don't think much of LLMs. After you get past the initial party trick of getting something like, "instructions for removing a grilled-cheese sandwich from a VCR in the style of the King James Bible," the novelty wears thin:

https://www.emergentmind.com/posts/write-a-biblical-verse-in-the-style-of-the-king-james

Yes, science fiction magazines are inundated with LLM-written short stories, but the problem there isn't merely the overwhelming quantity of machine-generated stories – it's also that they suck. They're bad stories:

https://www.npr.org/2023/02/24/1159286436/ai-chatbot-chatgpt-magazine-clarkesworld-artificial-intelligence

LLMs generate naturalistic prose. This is an impressive technical feat, and the details are genuinely fascinating. This series by Ben Levinstein is a must-read peek under the hood:

https://benlevinstein.substack.com/p/how-to-think-about-large-language

But "naturalistic prose" isn't necessarily good prose. A lot of naturalistic language is awful. In particular, legal documents are fucking terrible. Lawyers affect a stilted, stylized language that is both officious and obfuscated.

The LLM I accidentally used to rewrite my legal threat transmuted my own prose into something that reads like it was written by a $600/hour paralegal working for a $1500/hour partner at a white-show law-firm. As such, it sends a signal: "The person who commissioned this letter is so angry at you that they are willing to spend $600 to get you to cough up the $400 you owe them. Moreover, they are so well-resourced that they can afford to pursue this claim beyond any rational economic basis."

Let's be clear here: these kinds of lawyer letters aren't good writing; they're a highly specific form of bad writing. The point of this letter isn't to parse the text, it's to send a signal. If the letter was well-written, it wouldn't send the right signal. For the letter to work, it has to read like it was written by someone whose prose-sense was irreparably damaged by a legal education.

Here's the thing: the fact that an LLM can manufacture this once-expensive signal for free means that the signal's meaning will shortly change, forever. Once companies realize that this kind of letter can be generated on demand, it will cease to mean, "You are dealing with a furious, vindictive rich person." It will come to mean, "You are dealing with someone who knows how to type 'generate legal threat' into a search box."

Legal threat letters are in a class of language formally called "bullshit":

https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691122946/on-bullshit

LLMs may not be good at generating science fiction short stories, but they're excellent at generating bullshit. For example, a university prof friend of mine admits that they and all their colleagues are now writing grad student recommendation letters by feeding a few bullet points to an LLM, which inflates them with bullshit, adding puffery to swell those bullet points into lengthy paragraphs.

Naturally, the next stage is that profs on the receiving end of these recommendation letters will ask another LLM to summarize them by reducing them to a few bullet points. This is next-level bullshit: a few easily-grasped points are turned into a florid sheet of nonsense, which is then reconverted into a few bullet-points again, though these may only be tangentially related to the original.

What comes next? The reference letter becomes a useless signal. It goes from being a thing that a prof has to really believe in you to produce, whose mere existence is thus significant, to a thing that can be produced with the click of a button, and then it signifies nothing.

We've been through this before. It used to be that sending a letter to your legislative representative meant a lot. Then, automated internet forms produced by activists like me made it far easier to send those letters and lawmakers stopped taking them so seriously. So we created automatic dialers to let you phone your lawmakers, this being another once-powerful signal. Lowering the cost of making the phone call inevitably made the phone call mean less.

Today, we are in a war over signals. The actors and writers who've trudged through the heat-dome up and down the sidewalks in front of the studios in my neighborhood are sending a very powerful signal. The fact that they're fighting to prevent their industry from being enshittified by plausible sentence generators that can produce bullshit on demand makes their fight especially important.

Chatbots are the nuclear weapons of the bullshit wars. Want to generate 2,000 words of nonsense about "the first time I ate an egg," to run overtop of an omelet recipe you're hoping to make the number one Google result? ChatGPT has you covered. Want to generate fake complaints or fake positive reviews? The Stochastic Parrot will produce 'em all day long.

As I wrote for Locus: "None of this prose is good, none of it is really socially useful, but there’s demand for it. Ironically, the more bullshit there is, the more bullshit filters there are, and this requires still more bullshit to overcome it."

Meanwhile, AA still hasn't answered my letter, and to be honest, I'm so sick of bullshit I can't be bothered to sue them anymore. I suppose that's what they were counting on.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/07/govern-yourself-accordingly/#robolawyers

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[callsignspark]

change your ticket home

a top gun maverick AU

pairing: Bradley Bradshaw x Sherrie McHone (fem!OC)

summary: After a successful business trip on the West Coast, two Wells Corporation engineers have problems getting back home. Thank god for Bradley Bradshaw, a man who is determined to make their hours waiting in the terminal as enjoyable as possible. And if he and his pretty travel companion (and colleague) get closer along the way? Well that’s just a bonus.

warnings: difficulties of being a woman in a male-dominated field, minor misogyny from coworkers, yearning, pining, Bradley being an absolute sweetheart, it's vaguely alluded to but Sherrie is named after the Steve Perry song, American Airlines bashing bc this fic is based on a real and horrible experience I had a few years ago. and yes, the title is from the one direction song.

word count: 9.8k | masterlist

note: happy saturday! this has been in the works for almost a year and I'm so thrilled to finally be sharing it! this is dedicated to @gretagerwigsmuse, who gave so many wonderful ideas and has continually been a cheerleader for this fic. happy birthday!

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 06:36 AM PST | San Diego, CA

“If I fake a heart attack, we can get out of this meeting, right?”

She looks over at Bradley sprawled in the uncomfortable café chair in his navy suit, his arm slung over the back of her chair. He’s down to just his crisp, white button-up, jacket, and tie abandoned within the first ten minutes of the call.

“Suck it up, we’re almost done.” She rolls her eyes. “And Martin knows you’re a supremely healthy thirty-two-year-old, so no, I don’t think that will work.”

“Sherrie…” His whine is cut off by her hand covering his mouth as she unmutes her microphone and mentally praises his decision to sit so close to her. Not having to pull out both laptops was just an additional perk on top of her ability to silence him.

“That’s correct, Sean. We got them to agree to a small batch trail run for the connectors. We’ll be working together on running them through environmental testing before committing to a full contract.”

“And why are they agreeing to that? Because frankly, it makes no sense to me why they would want to do that.”

Bradley straightens up, his eyes narrowing at the Teams box showing the older man’s initials. “Well, Sean, as Sherrie explained before. Harris hasn’t produced connectors like this before, and they’re interested in the test results, specifically the shock data. So they agreed to take on half the burden so they can use the information for their own use. If this works how we think it will, this will be a huge boost for their business, even if the patent is shared.”

She looks at him, half admonishment and half appreciation, always a little bit amazed when he had her back, no matter how many times he had done it. “The contracts team is drawing up the final agreements and negotiating with their team next week, so best case scenario is we have reports with usable data by the end of the summer. Worst case, it’ll drift into the middle of Q1.”

“That’s great work you guys did out there, thank you. Alright, I think that covers everything we had to talk about today. McHone, Bradshaw - have a safe flight back, and everyone have a good weekend!” Martin ends the call before anyone can add anything.

Bradley laughs. “God, he’s just as sick of Sean as I am. I can’t wait until he retires.”

“He’s not that bad; you’re just grumpy because you had to dress up for the staff meeting, and then Martin said cameras off today.”

“I am upset about that! I will be logging yet another suggestion that we should have casual Fridays and casual travel policy. But I’m more upset because he talks down to you all the time! Like you haven’t been carrying this department on your back since we started ten years ago!”

“Carrying is an exaggeration, Bradley.” She looks up from where she’s putting her laptop away. “I think you have time to change into something comfy before we board.”

“American Airlines Flight 2307 from San Diego to Charlotte, Boarding Group A can now board.”

“Or not.” She giggles as he groans, reaching over to pull her other air pod out of his ear. “Come on, it’s a long flight; you can sleep on the plane. Just be thankful you’re not wearing an underwire bra and heels.”

“I don’t know how you do that.” He mutters, shooing her away when she tries to pick up her carry-on, throwing it over his shoulder alongside his own.

“I don’t either. I’m going to get a massage when we get back to Boston.”

“Ohhh, a massage sounds nice.” He subtly sticks his elbow out for her grab, which she gratefully does, letting his tall frame guide her to their gate. “You know you didn’t have to wear heels, right?”

“You should shut up while I’m still thankful you yelled at Sean for me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Sherrie leans her head on his arm as they wait in the priority boarding line, one of the perks of traveling on the company’s dime. Normally, she would worry about being more professional while carrying her work bag that had the Wells Corporation logo embroidered on it, but she can’t bring herself to care. Yesterday’s meetings ran late, and the following client dinner had kept them out until almost midnight. After packing, going to bed late, and having to get up at 3:30AM to get to the airport, she was exhausted.

She takes her bag before they scan their tickets, not fighting when he grabs it again on their walk down the jet bridge.

“Where are you sitting again?”

“I’m in 16C.” She snorts at Bradley’s pout. “What? You knew we weren’t going to be sitting together.”

“But I’m going to be bored all the way back in 21D by myself.”

“Bud, you’re going to fall asleep in the first 30 minutes like you always do, and then I would be stuck for the next four hours with you leaning and drooling on me.”

Bradley whips his head around, “That is a baseless accusation. I do not drool!”

“You 100% definitely do drool, I’ve seen it.” Her smirk widens when his attempt to fight back is cut off by the flight attendants greeting them.

He ushers Sherrie on first, politely nodding to the flight crew before following her down the aisle, ducking down to whisper. “I do not drool.”

“You absolutely do drool. You also snore.”

She can feel eyes on them as they shuffle down the aisle, making eye contact with an older woman who raises her eyebrows in appreciation at the hunk of a man behind her.

This happens everywhere they go.

Bradley is such a gentleman, always opening doors and carrying her bags, that people never believe the two are just friends and coworkers. She’s had complete strangers fight with her when she says there’s nothing between them. Unable to accept that it’s just platonic.

As much as she wishes it could be more.

After years of learning all the little details of each other, she knows they would be good together. Their decade-long friendship allowing her to thoroughly analyze how well their personalities would mesh. They share the same beliefs and have the same interests; they even have overlapping friend groups. They’re made for each other.

On paper.

In reality, it will never happen.

She won’t let it.

“Is this good here?” Bradley’s question interrupts her weekly internal spiral; his big brown eyes blink at her over his shoulder as he puts her bag into the overhead compartment.

“That’s fine. Can you grab my water bottle out of the side pocket?

“Here ya go, ma’am. I’ll meet you by the water foundation when we land, okay?”

She nods, smiling as he hustles back to his seat to avoid a family almost flattening him in their haste to get to their assigned seats.

Her seat neighbors haven’t arrived yet, so Sherrie sits down without bothering to buckle, tucking her work bag under the row in front of her after pulling out her plane kit. Her pencil case from college that she’s repurposed to hold her headphones, phone charger, gum, hand sanitizer, and a few other small necessities.

Her phone buzzes as she’s storing her water bottle and the little bag away in the pocket of the seat in front of her.

Bradley is woken up by his seat neighbor hitting his arm as he reaches to grab a drink, nodding at the guy’s apologetic face before trying to get comfortable again. Alan talked way too much at dinner last night, and it was a struggle to stay awake during the project manager’s third round of gushing over how brilliant and profitable Sherrie’s proposal would be for both companies.

“Sir? This is for you, do you want it?” The muffled question is accompanied by someone shaking his shoulder. He peels open his eyes to see the flight attendant holding out two packets of Biscoff cookies.

His face must be confused enough for the short woman to take pity on him. “Your friend up there said these are your favorite and asked me to give hers to you.”

His heart warms up, taking the treats and saying thank you. He enjoys the cookies, washing them down with the ginger ale he also got, thinking about how well Sherrie knows him. He forces himself to wait for them to finish snack service before he gets up to use the restroom.

“Thank you.” Bradley revels in the way Sherrie jumps when he pops her headphone out, purposefully brushing his lips against her ear. “Hmmm, you were right, your seatmate is cute.”

She glares up at him, a smile threatening to break through. “Isn’t he? He fell asleep five minutes after take off, just like you.”

“Yet, another baseless accusation!”

“I heard you snoring.”

“You shouldn’t lie in front of small children.”

“His mom said he’s seven months old; I don’t think we have to be concerned about teaching him to lie while he’s still in a car seat.”

“Probably shouldn’t chance it, though. Say I don’t snore.”

“You just said I shouldn’t lie. Should probably go to the bathroom before you start holding up traffic.” She puts her headphone back in, wiggling her fingers at him before going back to reading on her phone.

It gives him the strangest sense of déjà vu.

Tuesday, March 25, 2005 | 10:43 AM EST | Charlottesville, VA

“…and he said you had already-” Bradley cuts himself off, realizing she can’t hear him. He chuckles; he should have known better than to just walk up and start talking.

He doesn’t know Sherrie McHone very well. They had taken all the freshman intro to engineering requirements together, and this year their classes had split into their chosen disciplines. His mechanical, hers electrical. But he knows her well enough to know that she can pretty much only be found without her headphones during class.

He remembers the first time they spoke last semester after he accidentally walked right into her. He had told Danny it’s because she’s so much shorter than him, but it’s really because he wasn't paying attention.

Sherrie had only taken one earpiece out to make sure he was okay before continuing onto her class, seamlessly weaving between upperclassmen as she shoved her headphone back in.

“Sherrie?” No response.

He lets out a tiny huff and checks his watch. Normally, he wouldn’t care that she’s clueless to his existence even as he’s right beside her, but he’s got a class soon, and he’s still two buildings away. So he does the only thing he can.

He pops her headphones out and steps back for fear of getting smacked.

Her head whips up, narrowing in on him freakishly fast. “What the fuck, Bradshaw?”

He’s surprised to learn that she knows his name.

“Sorry, Sherrie! I’ve been trying to talk to you for like five minutes, and you somehow haven’t noticed, but I’ve got class in 15 minutes, so I needed to get your attention.”

“Oh…” Her green eyes widen in surprise, the apples of her cheeks turning a light pink. “Sorry about that. What did you need? Wait. How did you find me?”

A fair question.

“Khondker told me where you sit.” He partially fibs.

All semester he had been watching her disappear after EE221, the one class they shared. It had taken him a while, but he was pretty sure he had found her secret study nook in the electrical engineering wing of the building. Their TA had only confirmed Bradley’s theory of where he could find his fellow sophomore.

“I don’t understand this last section we’ve been learning, and Khondker said you had already finished the homework and could help me. So could you?”

“He didn’t help you?” Sherrie raises an eyebrow in disbelief.

“He tried.” Bradley scratches the back of his head, remembering how frustrated the patient man had been after his third attempt at explaining. “I just really don’t understand circuit loops. And he thought having a classmate explain it to me would make it stick. That or he was just so sick of me, he’s pawning me off.”

He watches her think, her pencil rapidly tapping against her notebook, making him nervous.

“I don’t want to be rude, but if you don’t understand current loops, I’m not sure how much help I can be. I understand the material, but I’m not a miracle worker.”

Her bluntness makes him smile. “I’m not expecting miracles, just help with the homework. If you have time.”

“Okay, just as long as you don’t get your hopes up too much.” She grabs a bright pink notebook and opens it up. “So, I’m usually free-”

“I don't want to interrupt, but I do have to get to class, so could we figure out a time later today?”

“Sure, I’ll be here until my class at four. Feel free to sit down if I’m not here; it just means I’m grabbing food.” He nods, backing away. “Wait! Bradley! Go down this hall and out the side door. You’ll be like halfway there already.”

“Awesome, thanks!” He starts to jog down the hallway, looking back to see her putting her headphones back in. Waving back when she smiles and wiggles her fingers at him before going back to her homework.

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 3:16 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“Our flight got delayed, and I’m hungry.”

Sherrie jumps, not expecting Bradley to get that close to her face three seconds after she exited the bathroom.

“Okay, I could eat. Where do you wan-”

“Auntie Anne’s.”

He’s walking away before she can even process what he said. She allows herself one second to appreciate the way he looks, walking through the concourse - navy slacks fitting his legs perfectly and all their bags thrown over his broad shoulders - before she’s clicking along after him.

“Bradshaw!” He freezes and turns, almost taking a lanky teenager out with her backpack. “Oh my god, Bradley! Be careful! You almost took that kid’s head off.”

His smile is sheepish as she shuffles them over to the wall. “I did not do that on purpose.”

She giggles and takes her backpack from his shoulder. “Yeah, I kinda figured. But you should have seen his face. His life flashed before his eyes. All sixteen years.”

“I can carry that Sherrie.”

“That’s okay, I got it. No! Bradley!”

He ignores her, smiling at her frustrated little stomp when he hands over her tan, cross-body purse out of her work bag. “You just carry that and make sure I don’t take out any toddlers or old ladies.”

“How am I supposed to do that if I’m ahead of you?” She snarks as he steers them toward the food stands.

“You’re smart; I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Bradley laughs when she mocks him under her breath. “I can hear you, smartass.”

“You were meant to, Bradley.”

His heart flutters at the teasing wink she sends over her shoulder. It’s been twelve years since they became friends, and he still feels like that 20-year-old kid who was nervous to talk to the pretty red-headed girl he had a crush on.

He can feel eyes on them as her heels catch people’s attention, and he finds himself glaring at men who are shamelessly staring. Her shoes aren’t loud as they click along on the tile floor, but it’s hard to ignore the beautiful woman striding along in business casual.

It happens everywhere they go.

Sherrie has always been beautiful and painfully unaware of her effect on men. It never matters where they are - at work, the rare baseball game he forces her to attend, happy hour with their friends from school - she always catches attention. It doesn’t bother him because she never reciprocates, and he’s always the one to give her a ride back to her apartment.

Even if he wishes it was their apartment they were going to.

He’s watched her change over the last decade, seen her grow as a person. He’s risen through the ranks with her professionally, the two of them matching each other step for step with each promotion and raise. He’s publicly assured her that her hair still looks good as it’s deepened color with age, now less red and more auburn. He’s privately appreciated the way her body has changed, softer and curvier than when they were kids. Her wide hips are a frequent star in his daydreams.

It's the only place where they’ll ever be in a relationship.

He knows they’d be perfect together. Old friends who know each other so well they don’t even have to talk to communicate sometimes. Whose attitudes fit together like puzzle pieces, perfectly in sync with each other. He knows it won’t happen. Can’t happen.

“Grab us a table, and I’ll get the food.”

“Okay.” He doesn’t fight her about paying, knowing this will be covered under their per diem. “Don’t forget my-”

“You’re frozen lemonade, I know!”

Bradley rolls his eyes at the hand that waves over her shoulder, settling their bags at a table and keeping an eye on Sherrie while sending an update to Mav.

His thumbs hover over the keyboard. He wants to tell his uncle the whole situation - that he’s not afraid to flirt with Sherrie.

“Everything okay?”

Bradley looks up to find her eyebrows furrowed as she sets a tray down.

“All good. Just sending my family an update that we’re delayed.”

She nods, sitting in the chair across from him. “Here’s your mini pretzel dogs, with mustard and a frozen lemonade. This is my pretzel nuggets, cheese sauce, and Diet Coke. Oh! And I got us these cinnamon sugar pretzels to share!”

“Thank you for remembering the mustard.”

“Bradley, when have I ever forgotten the mustard? Here, take some napkins.”

He shoves an entire mini pretzel dog in his mouth in lieu of answering her question, which they both know the answer to. Never. She has never forgotten his love for pretzels with mustard.

They eat in comfortable silence, the way only two friends can, occasionally dunking into each other's sauces as they scroll through their phones.

“Hey, how is your da- oh Bradley! You got mustard on your shirt!” His head snaps down to his shirt, groaning when he sees the yellow blob on his white button-up.

“Fuck! This is new, too!”

Sherrie dives into her bag, muttering about a stain stick, a triumphant noise escaping when she comes up successful. Scooting closer to him, she’s hit with a wave of nostalgia as she helps him clean his shirt.

Friday, April 6, 2007 | 10:12 PM EST | Charlottesville, VA

“You should’ve been gone, knowing how I made you feel!”

Sherrie’s head pops up from the lab reports she’s grading.

“And I should've been gone, after all your words of steel!”

She knows that voice.

“Oh, I must've been a dreamer! And I must've been someone else!”

She knows that voice very well.

“And we should've been over!”

She rushes for the front door, hoping and praying that the idiot she’s become close friends with this year isn’t actually outside her townhouse.

“Oh! Sherrie, our love holds on! Holds on!”

She whips the door open and, sure enough, drunkenly singing to her neighbor's house is Bradley Bradshaw.

“Bradley!” She hisses at him, ignoring the flutters in her stomach when he points his big, goofy grin towards her and not the tulips the soccer girls next door planted in front of their bay window. “What are you doing? It’s 10 PM!”

“You didn’t come.”

“First man to ever care about that.” She mutters, snorting at her joke.

“What’s funny?”

“Nothing. What are you doing here?”

His puppy dog eyes are vicious, and she has the urge to slap her hand over her eyes so she doesn’t succumb to their power. “You didn’t come to the party!”

Sherrie sighs, she thought he might be disappointed she didn’t come to the annual Sigma Chi Easter Bash, but she never thought he would actually notice her absence. Or that it would result in a drunken serenade.

“Bradley, I told you I had a lot of grading and might not make it tonight.” She gently reminds him, stifling a laugh when he trips over his own feet while standing still. “You okay?”

“I have to pee. Can I come in?”

She’s pretty sure he’s just making excuses but lets him in any way; she doesn’t need to deal with him getting a public indecency charge on top of everything else. “Shoes off, Bradshaw. Bathroom is right here; I’ll be in the dining room.”

“Yes, ma’am!” He sloppily salutes her, losing his balance and thunking against the wall, one shoe still on.

Sherrie just blinks at him before returning to her spot at the dining room table, holding in the laugh threatening to escape. She settles in her chair, focusing on the mediocre reports her students had turned in.

“I washed my hands!” Bradley’s abrupt entrance startles her. “Can we have a snack? I’m hungry?

She watches in amusement as he shuffles to her fridge, riffling through the shelves before opening the freezer and gasping.

“I love pretzels. Can we make these? Please?”

The box of pretzels belongs to her roommate, but she’s not strong enough to deny Bradley’s big brown eyes two times in a row so she makes a mental note to buy Amna a new box the next time she goes to the store. “Yeah, we can. But no touching the oven when you’re drunk. Go sit down.”

“I’m not drunk!” He argues even as he follows her directions, plopping himself at the table and nosily leafing through her done pile. “Wow, lots of red here.”

“Bradley! Don’t look at those!”

“Why not?”

“Would you want some random student looking through your homework?”

His rebuttal gets cut off by the oven beeping, announcing it’s up to temp. After she pops the tray in the oven, she turns and catches him appreciating the pj shorts riding up her shapely legs.

“What?” Her head cocks in confusion.

“Nothin'… cute shorts.”

“Thank you.” He watches in fascination as she snips at him even while her cheeks turn pink. “It’s almost like I was dressed for comfort and not planning on being interrupted.”

“But you’re glad I’m here, right?”

“I’ve had worse company on a Friday night.” She nudges him out of her chair. “While those are baking, go find something to watch, and I’m going to finish grading this report.”

“Such a responsible TA.”

Pride fills his chest as Sherrie snorts at his joke and goes back to work. They’ve officially been friends since last year, but he still tries his hardest to make her laugh. She's always so busy and stressed, and she does the cutest little snort-laugh when he catches her off guard.

He puts on a random movie, just grabbing a VHS case with the Disney logo on the side, before plopping on the couch. “Is there a reason you have so many kids movies?”

“Those are Jayla’s, she collects them.” Sherrie answers, never looking up from the table. “What did you choose?”

“It’s a surprise!”

“You don’t remember, huh?”

“Nope! I’ll be quiet now.”

She hums a thank you in his direction, and Bradley keeps his promise, watching her work and staying quiet until the timer goes off. His chin hooked on the back of the couch; he follows her movement through the kitchen as she pulls the pretzels out and transfers them to a plate.

“Can I have mustard, please?”

“Sure can.” Sherrie smiles at his dopey smile as she makes her way to the couch. “Here, take these, then we can eat.”

He gulps down the painkillers she drops in his hand, chugging the rest of the apple juice after they’re gone, smiling when she absentmindedly praises him for listening. He shoves a bite of pretzel in his mouth and mashes the play button, and is pleasantly surprised to find A Bug’s Life was the mystery choice.

“I love this movie,” he garbles through a pretzel. “I love how Flick wins over the princess just by getting a chance to show off his true self.”

“That was shockingly wise for the drunk man sprawled on my couch.”

Bradley thanks her, already a bit more sober but not enough to pick up on her teasing. “So, why didn’t you come? Grading really couldn’t wait?”

“It probably could have, but I’m not a partier, Bradley. You know that.” She dips a piece of pretzel in the mustard. “Besides, I really didn’t think you would notice I wasn’t there, Mr. Popular.”

“You’re the only person I invited; of course, I noticed when you didn’t show up.”

“Really? No one else? Why?”

“I know it’s almost finals, but I wanted to hang out without any books in front of us; that’s all we do lately. Study. Plus, you’ve been extra stressed about something that you don’t want to talk about, and I just wanted you to relax since you won’t talk to me about whatever is bothering you.”

“That’s sweet of you, Bradley. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you; it’s just that my family has been…” She waves a hand through the air, a deep sigh escaping. “It’s complicated. I’m trying not to think about it too much.”

“Well, I’m here if you do want to talk.”

“Thanks bud. How about you? How’re your parents?” She takes one last chunk before nudging the plate in his direction and settling back into the corner.

“Mom is good; she’s close to being considered cancer-free. I think we’re gonna throw a party when she gets there.”

“That’s awesome, Bradley! I’m glad she’s doing so well. How’s your dad?”

“Mav isn’t my dad.”

A record scratch plays in Sherrie’s head as she freezes. She knows she’s heard Bradley talk about his dad, and she’d seen photos of his parents the one time she had visited his frat house last year. He had specifically pointed the photo out, telling her it was his parents. She had even been next to him when he was on the phone when he said “dad” to the person on the other end.

“My dad died when I was three. Mav is- was his best friend. I call him dad sometimes because he’s the closest thing I’ve got.”

Sherrie feels her heart break as Bradley sniffles and sadly shoves a mustard-covered pretzel in his mouth, unshed tears clumping his eyelashes. She’s never seen her friend like this before; she’s experienced many other emotions - frustration, joy, confusion - but the pain creasing his brow is new.

Comforting crying people has never been her forte, but instinctively - almost like they moved without her permission - Sherrie’s fingers run over his hair. Gently stroking the sun-streaked waves as a few tears escape down his cheeks and she scoots closer, letting her body press into his side and hoping the proximity helps.

“I’m sorry for crying on you.” He quietly apologizes after a few minutes of tears.

“S’okay. Family can be hard sometimes.”

“Complicated.”

“That too.” She hums, not moving as he swipes at his eyes and leans against her more, his head resting on her shoulder in a slouched position that can’t be comfortable.

“I love Mav; he’s my dad in all the ways it matters. It just sucks that my actual dad won’t be here for graduation. Like, I know he’s missed so much of my life already, but something about him missing college graduation is worse than everything else. It’s just so unfair; I barely remember him, but I just- I just miss him so much, Sherrie.”

Her heart cracks in half at the whispered confession. She can’t even imagine the pain of losing a parent at such a young age. The inability to remember one of the people responsible for giving you life, all memories fuzzy and most built from second-hand recollections of those who can remember. So she says the one thing she would want to hear.

“Tell me about him.”

Sherrie knows she said the right thing when his red-rimmed eyes brighten, and he immediately launches into a beloved story detailing his father’s love of pranks. She listens dutifully — laughing at the right moments and asking questions when Bradley gets carried away, forgetting that she doesn’t know all the people in his story — and feels her heart warm more and more. She’s always liked Bradley, probably more than she should, but it’s hard not to like him. He’s considerate, smart, and funny, not to mention handsome.

Thankfully, before she gets lost in thoughts of broad shoulders and strong jawlines, a big glob of mustard drops on Bradley’s t-shirt, abruptly cutting him off. The two stare in silence at the yellow condiment sitting on the black cotton shirt, somehow surprised at its appearance, before breaking down into giggles.

“C’mon Bradshaw,” Sherrie grabs his hand, pulling him off the couch. “I have a Tide pen we can use on that mess.”

Bradley follows her up the stairs and into the bathroom, teasing Sherrie about the way her tongue pokes out when she focuses. She takes the gentle taunts, grateful he’s focusing on that and not on her pink cheeks or the way her eyes keep darting to his toned stomach. She’s not sure it was completely necessary for him to strip his shirt off, but she won’t be complaining.

“Well,” A few minutes later, she interrupts his rambling story about a slip and slide. Or she thinks that’s what it’s about; she missed the first part. “I think this is as good as I can get it.”

“That’s okay; it’s not like it’s new or anything. Thanks, Sherrie.”

She steadfastly ignores the pounding heart in her chest as miles of golden skin gets covered back up, trying to not feel too disappointed by its disappearance.

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 3:56 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“Oh, this is ridiculous!” Bradley complains a bit too loudly, ears going hot when several pairs of eyes curiously dart toward him, but his focus doesn’t stay on that for very long when he catches the face Sherrie makes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing!”

He squints suspiciously as she avoids eye contact. He usually takes her at her word and doesn’t push, but the frown pulling down the corners of her pink lips sets off bells in his head. “Sherrie, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, Bradley. I’m fine.”

He grumbles at her lack of response but settles again in the spot they had claimed after finishing their snack. The gate was still packed, but they had found a prime location with outlets; the only downside was having to sit on the floor, something that is getting harder the older they get.

Bradley scans the area, trying to scout out some open chairs for them to grab, while Sherrie goes back to the movie they’ve been watching on his phone. His eyes drop away from the chairs in surprise when she scoots closer and leans on his shoulder. It’s not uncommon for them to sit close like this at home in Boston, sides pressed together, but she makes a point to be professional when they’re on travel.

“Hey,” he gently nudges her side, concern rising when she doesn’t lift her head, choosing to tilt her neck back, looking up at him with tired eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Panic grips his chest when tears start forming, clouding her green eyes. “Sherrie?! What’s wrong?”

“We were supposed to be halfway home by now, and I’m so uncomfortable. I’m sorry, Bradley, I’m just so tired.” She whimpers, hiding against his bicep.

It hits him like a glass of cold water. Of course, she’s uncomfortable. She’s been walking around in heels and her pantsuit since 4AM California time after getting maybe three hours of sleep. His suit and shoes are comfortable and easily wearable for twelve-plus hours, not to mention the jacket and tie that were ditched sometime after the mustard incident.

“Oh, Sherrie, it’s okay. Let’s go change, yeah? Then we’ll find a quieter place so you can close your eyes and maybe get some sleep.”

“But the policy…”

Bradley resists the urge to roll his eyes at her insistence on rule-following. “In the nicest way possible, Sher, fuck the policy. You’re uncomfortable, and I care about that way more than I could ever care about a stupid, archaic policy.”

He stands, unplugging their phones and gathering their bags on his shoulder before turning to his best friend, who is still on the floor. “C’mon, we’re putting comfy clothes on.”

“But Bradley-”

“No arguing.” He interrupts, helping her off the ground and directing them back towards the restrooms. “We’re not going to sit in our suits for god knows how much longer.”

“But Bradley, I don’t have anything to change into. We had such a packed schedule I didn’t bother to bring normal clothes.” He ignores the thumping of his heart when her hand grabs his forearm, warm fingers slipping under the edge of the rolled-up sleeve as she tugs to slow his pace. At that information, he slides them out of the flow of traffic and over to the wall, Bradley pressing her against one of the columns lining the concourse atrium.

“You don’t have any regular clothes? What about your pajamas?”

“I have a pair of leggings because I was going to do a training run in the gym last night, but that’s it. I can’t wear my pjs because… well, they’re not appropriate for public.”

“Your leggings are clean, though, right?” He asks, ignoring the thoughts of what non-public appropriate pajamas might look like.

“Well, yeah, dinner went so late I barely had time to sleep before we had to be up. I guess I could buy a shirt at one of the SmartShop- what are you doing?”

Bradley peers up from his knees, where he had started digging in his bag. “I’m grabbing one of my shirts for you. Would you prefer a t-shirt or a sweatshirt? Actually, you’re definitely gonna get cold, sweatshirt for you.”

He pulls the worn, gray crew neck out, shaking it out before handing it over.

“You still have this?” The disbelief in her voice makes him laugh.

“Of course, I still have that! Relay was always my favorite event of the year. And that year was my favorite one.”

As the philanthropy chair of Sigma Chi, part of his job was to sign the brothers up for volunteer events and fundraisers. With his mom’s diagnosis, he ensured their schedule included the campus’ annual Relay for Life event, pouring as many resources as he could into the fundraiser that directly helped advance cancer research.

“Wait, but why was junior year your favorite?” She asks, brushing her fingers over the cracked, screen-printed logo.

“Because that’s the reason we became friends, Sher.”

Surprised green eyes meet sincere brown eyes, a thousand words said in the silence of their stares, both remembering the lead-up to that day in April so many years ago.

Bradley’s eyes widen in panic as everyone at the gate starts moving as a herd. They had finally found seats to relax in after changing, the group of passengers waiting with them shrinking as time went on. And now, with only ten minutes until boarding, their gate has changed again.

“Sherrie, wake up!” He feels bad shaking the snoozing woman off, but they have to move with the group to make it to the new part of Terminal A in time for their flight. “C’mon, honey, they changed the gate again — we gotta go!”

“What are you- again?! Shit!” She wipes the bleariness from her eyes, slinging her bags over her shoulder and grabbing the hand he holds out.

The two coworkers, along with fifty of their fellow passengers who have stuck this out, speed walk down the first branch of the terminal. The entire group picking up the pace when turning the corner towards the second branch where the new gate lives. By the time they hit the second branch, everyone is practically running — time ticking down to boarding — no one wanting to miss this flight.

As if the blob of Flight 1121 passengers racing toward the end of the terminal didn’t garner attention from other gates, the entire terminal is staring by the time they reach gate A28, and several people start yelling in frustration.

“This is unbelievable!” An older gentleman’s unhappiness is interrupted by three simultaneous updates pinging everyone’s phones.

Bradley’s head drops back in disbelief, wrapping his arm around Sherrie when her head thunks against his chest. He doesn’t even get a chance to comfort her before the gate agents are making announcements about getting people on other flights, providing hotel rooms, and the vouchers that will be shared.

“Again, we apologize, but if you have flexible travel plans, we ask that you please go to the end of the line so those with time constraints can be taken care of first. Thank you for your cooperation, folks!”

“Well, that’s us, huh?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Sherrie blows air out of her lips, a mischievous smile taking over her face. “Hey, at least this means extra per diem money.”

Bradley laughs as they move to the back of the squiggly line that’s forming, letting her take the bags so he can step away to call to update their supervisor and then his pet sitter. It only takes a few rings for his boss to pick up. “Bradshaw! What’s up? You okay?”

“Hey Martin, all good. Just wanted to let you know that our flight has gotten supremely delayed. We won’t be home until tomorrow morning sometime.”

“Jesus, do you guys need anything?”

“Nah, we’re good. The airline is putting us up in a hotel for the night and giving vouchers for a bunch of stuff. Just called to let you know and for a heads up on the expense report.”

“Well, that is the most important part!” Martin’s honking laugh makes Bradley chuckle as he glances to check on Sherrie’s progress in line. “How’s Sherrie? She good?”

“Yeah, she’s good. She’s holding our spot in line for getting new tickets and stuff.” And it looks like she’s made friends already, he silently adds, smiling at her interacting with the elderly couple in front of her.

“Good. Alright then, I’ll see you on Monday, but let me know if you guys need anything. And hey! If you two end up in the same hotel room — remember what I said on your first day!”

The line goes dead, and so does Bradley’s smile, his stomach churning like it does every time he remembers his first day at the Wells Corporation.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 | 11:15 AM EST | Boston, MA

“Will you calm down?”

“I can’t, Bradley. What if no one likes me? What if I fuck up?!” She hisses, working to appear calm as they wait for their supervisor to show up, but failing.

“First of all, we’re starting together, so you have at least one person that likes you. And you’re great, everyone will like you. Second, there will be mistakes, but we just graduated — they’re not going to let us do anything alone because we don’t know anything yet.”

Sherrie nods, tucking her hands under her legs and trying to breathe. Bradley’s words are encouraging, but he doesn’t know how difficult her internship was last summer. The older engineers she shadowed treated her like a glorified coffee girl and secretary. Even when she had pointed out a mistake they all had missed, there was no change — just the addition of making her type their reports to see if she could catch something the non-engineer tech writers would miss.

This is a brand new company, but misogyny wasn’t unique to Waite Green Construction. Every woman has to work twice as hard to prove her worth and intellect, no matter her age or experience. She’s just hoping her onboarding mentor will be the only other woman in the department; it would be the perfect way to gain a professional mentor once she’s out of the probation period.

“Good morning, kids! How was orientation?” Mr. Teresi walks into the conference room.

Bradley shakes his hand first, “It was good, sir. Nice to see you again.”

“Good to hear! Learn lots of new things.”

“Yes, I think we can be considered experts on trade secrets now.” Sherrie jokes, focusing on making sure her handshake is firm but not too firm.

“Wonderful. So, I’m guessing you two have been introduced, but just in case you haven’t. Bradley, this is Sherrie McHone; she’s an electrical engineer. And Sherrie, this is Bradley Bradshaw, a mechanical engineer.”

“We actually went to school together, sir.”

“We’re friends,” Bradley adds, the two of them exchanging small smiles.

“Oh, great! Well, that makes things easier getting started. Now let’s go over my plan for the two of you, and then we’ll get lunch, my treat for your first day.”

Their supervisor talks for half an hour, going over things they’ll need to be trained in and their first assignments. By the time he’s done, several notebook pages have been filled and highlighted with things that need to be looked up.

“Alright!” The older engineer claps, rubbing his hands together. “I’m sure your brains are overloaded with information, so go drop your things at your desks, and we’ll head to lunch.”

The recent graduates gather their notes and head for the door, quietly talking about a training they’ll be attending next week when he stops them. “One more thing, guys. They never mention it during R&D orientation, but I feel it’s necessary to mention it to new people. Here at Wells, there isn’t a fraternization policy among non-management coworkers or between any employees in different divisions. But we are a fairly small department, so keep in mind who you interact with and what impacts that may have at work.”

Sherrie feels the blood drain from her already pale face as her brand new supervisor stares at her the entire time he speaks, ignoring Bradley completely. She’s going to be sick. Less than four hours into the first professional role of her career, and it’s already happening.

This is the moment it starts, she thinks, her heart pounding in her throat as she robotically nods. It’s never the men that get these warnings. It’s always the women. Always us. Always me.

“I don’t care about that. But there are some people who will, even though they shouldn’t. And I want you guys to have the best experience here you possibly can. You’re both extremely bright, and I’m excited about your futures. I don’t want you to get bogged down by the opinions of others. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.” They answer in unison before filing out of the conference room.

“Sherrie, don’t worry about that. He’s just-”

“Trust me, Bradley. I know exactly what he was saying. I’m going to use the restroom, and then I’ll meet you guys at the elevator.”

“Sherrie…”

But she ignores her friend, shrugging her purse over her shoulder and keeping her face neutral as she heads for the single-stall ladies’ room. Fighting to hold the tears back until she’s inside for fear of being perceived as emotional. A quality no woman can afford to have in a professional setting.

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 8:05 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“Hey, everything? Martin says hi.”

“We’re good! This is Mr. and Mrs. Ludden; they’re going to visit their newest granddaughter. How’re Sophie and Louis?” Bradley smiles at the excited way she introduces them, putting a steadying hand on her back when she bounces up on her toes.

“Oh, congrats! They’re good; Marie can watch’em one more day, problem.”

“Good, we’ll have to get her a thank you present for the short notice.”

“You didn’t tell us you guys had kids!”

Bradley and Sherrie freeze in place, eyes widening in surprise at the older woman’s words.

“Oh- uh- we-” Sherrie giggles awkwardly. “Sophie and Louis are our cats; we don’t have kids.”

“I’m so sorry!” Mrs. Ludden gasps, hand covering her mouth in shock while her husband groans her name.

“Louise, how many times do we have to do this before you stop making assumptions?”

“It’s okay, innocent mistake,” Bradley assures them.

“Well, they’re such a cute couple. I just thought they would have adorable children, too!”

“Actually… we’re not…”

“Oh, lord. Let me guess. You’re not dating. You’re just friends.”

“Coworkers too, but we were friends first.” Sherrie suppresses a laugh when the older gentleman rubs a hand over his eyes in exasperation.

“Don’t even start, Clayton!”

“I wasn’t going to, dear.”

Bradley can’t help the laugh that escapes at the comfortable ribbing they give each other; it reminds him of his friendship with Sherrie. The easy way they tease, never going too far.

“Would you two like to join us after we get rebooked?” Bradley asks. “We’re going to use our food vouchers tonight to grab dinner before we head to whatever hotel they put us up in.”

The four adults move through the line, chatting about small things and comparing pictures of grandkids and cats. It’s a nice way to spend the time, especially when they get to share judging looks when a woman throws a tantrum and yells at the gate agent. But soon enough, they’re walking back to the main concourse and deciding what food to get.

“No, stop. You just sit here with the bags, and I’ll grab the food.” Bradley gently pushes Sherrie back into her chair, rolling his eyes as he talks over her protests. “I know. You want mac and cheese, Diet Coke, and whatever pulled pork flavor looks best.”

“He’s sweet,” Louise says, watching the two men make their way over to the BBQ place.

“He’s annoying.” Which makes her companion laugh. “Yes, he’s very sweet. I’m lucky to be such good friends with him.”

“Can I ask why the two of you aren’t together? He even knows what food to bring you.”

“It’s just never been like that between us. We’ve always just been friends. And he’s annoyingly smart, so he always remembers what I order.” Sherrie half smiles, pushing down the pain in her chest at the harmless curiosity, watching Bradley laugh at something Clayton says as she remembers the first time he remembered one of her favorites.

Saturday, March 4, 2006 | 1:34 PM EST | Charlottesville, VA

“Thanks for meeting me on a Saturday, Bradshaw. It’s just such a busy semester.”

“No problem. You know you can call me Bradley, right?”

“Oh, sorry. Do you not like being called Bradshaw?” Sherrie blinks when a bottle of Diet Coke and a small bag of Skittles is set on the table in front of her. “What’s this?”

“Your favorite snack.”

“Right… but why?”

“Because you have that about 50% of the time when we meet up to work on this project. Now, I finished transcribing the interview with Commander Buck last night. Did you want to- Sherrie?”

She shifts her focus from the food to the boy across from her in the study nook they’ve claimed as theirs for the semester. “Why do you remember my favorite snack?”

“Because we’re friends?” Brown eyes look into hers, equally confused.

“We’re friends?”

“I hope so; otherwise, this is gonna get awkward when you hug me in a minute.”

“Why am I going to hug you?!”

Bradley laughs at her flabbergasted expression, but it doesn’t hurt her feelings like it does when other people laugh at her. Something about the tone of the laugh makes it feel like he’s laughing at her, but rather with her, and she just doesn’t know the joke yet.

“Because as team captain, I am happy to announce to the Relay Chair that Sigma Chi has officially raised $5,000 thanks to your idea.”

“Bradley, that’s incredible!” She doesn’t feel silly when she bounces around the table to hug his neck, rocking them back and forth in excitement.

“Well, if you think that’s good - let me show you what we’re anticipating to raise this month…”

Friday, July 15, 2016 | 10:12 PM EST | Charlotte, NC

“I just don’t understand how we’re having such bad luck!”

Sherrie rolls her eyes as he unlocks the door. “Bradley, breathe. You’re being very dramatic right now.”

“How is “we’re out of rooms” a legitimate reason for the hotel to give? Not that I mind sharing with you, but like how is that possible? The airline specifically works with them to book rooms for things like this! And the airline! That gate agent who wanted to book us to fly into Hartford and then drive the rest of the way to Boston! That's insane!”

“I don’t know, the Bradley flying into Bradley joke was pretty funny.” She mutters, clicking the lights on as she checks the cleanliness of the room.

“It wasn’t.” Bradley pouts, flopping onto the bed closest to the door. “Do you want to shower first?”

“No, go ahead, but I’m going to wash my face first so I can do a face mask. I’m so dry from the airport air.” He listens to the sounds of water running and the quiet humming as she carefully applies the drenched sheet to her skin. “All yours!”

“Thanks, Sher. I won’t be long.”

He showers quickly but takes extra time cleaning his teeth, his mouth feeling gross after the long travel day. When he comes out, he’s surprised at how cozy the room feels. With only one lamp on, the air conditioning set low to keep the fan running, and an old movie on the TV, it almost feels like they could be at home in his living room. They silently move around each other, Sherrie heading to the bathroom with a pile of things while Bradley organizes his things for the morning, wanting to get as much rest as possible before their early alarm.

He scrolls through emails and texts while he waits for her to shower, turning the television off since he knows there’s a small chance of either of them making it five minutes after they kill the lights. He's updating Mav on tomorrow’s travel plans when Sherrie comes out of the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel. Bradley sees her packing things out of the corner of his eye, not fully paying attention until he plugs his phone in.

“That’s what you wear to bed?”

“Bradley!” He laughs at how she jumps, her hands coming down to cover her shorts.

“What? They’re cute! Very pink.”

Her face goes as pink as the pajama set she’s wearing. “Stop making fun of me!”

“I’m not! You know, I love strawberries.” He can’t help the way his eyes roam up and down her body, admiring from the spaghetti straps on her smooth shoulders to the scalloped edge of her shorts. “I see why you didn’t want to change into those at the airport.”

“Oh my god…” She huffs, climbing into her own queen bed and stuffing herself under the sheets. “You set an alarm, right?”

“Yes, ma’am. Want me to turn the light off?”

“Please. God, this day cannot be over soon enough.”

He chuckles and turns the lamp off, listening to her shuffle around in the sheets as she gets comfortable. It’s quiet for a few minutes, and he can hear her breathing leveling out, but he can’t keep quiet; the conversation at the airport running through his mind.

“Sher?” It takes a second, but she quietly hums in response. “We have to talk about it again.”

“No, we don’t.”

“Sherrie-”

“No, Bradley. We talked about this two weeks ago. Nothing has changed since then.”

“Yes, things have changed since then. You interviewed for that principal engineer position. Which if you get-”

“I’m not going to get it. They’re going to pick Trevor.”

“They’re going to pick you. You’re the best person for the job!”

“That’s not how it works, and you know it.”

He’s silent, the crushing weight on his chest feeling heavier when he hears her sniffle.

“Oh, Sherrie…” He slips out of his bed and into hers, wrapping the woman he loves in his arms. He lets her cry, knowing she’s frustrated and exhausted, only speaking up again when she’s calmed down. “I’m sorry, honey.”

“No, I’m sorry, Bradley. It’s not fair that we’ve been dancing around this for so many years, and I keep saying no. You deserve someone who isn’t afraid to be with you. Not a coward like me.”

“You’re not a coward; you’re one of the bravest people I know, Sherrie Anne McHone. I know how critical people are of women, in this field especially. And I love you, so I don’t mind waiting until we’re in a position that you’re confident won’t jeopardize your career. So, we’ll wait to hear about the job, and once you hear that you’ve gotten it, I’m treating you to the nicest dinner in Boston.”

“Bradley, we don’t know-”

“I know we don’t know. But think about how it would be if it does. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

“But what about-”

“Doesn’t matter, honey.”

“You don’t even know what I was gonna say.” Sherrie mumbles, cuddling further into his side, making it clear that he wasn’t allowed to leave.

“I know, but it doesn’t matter, whatever it is — we’ll figure it out.”

Saturday, July 16, 2016 | 10:32 AM EST | Somewhere over Virginia

“She’ll take a ginger ale; thank you so much.” Bradley balances his apple juice, the two packets of Biscoff cookies, and the bubbling soda he got for Sherrie. The smiling flight attendant moves past their row as he turns to his row companion.

They’re finally on their way home after waking up to more delay announcements. The additional time meant there was time to get coffee and some fruit from the hotel before their taxi back to the airport arrived, and the Luddens had even stopped to chat for a second at the gate, excited that they had gotten bumped up to first class since the flight was nearly empty.

All things considered, it had been a good morning even though Sherrie was insisting on working during the flight. Bradley is sure it’s an attempt to ignore their talk from last night, not wanting to dwell on the emotional moment when things are still so up in the air.

He looks over at the woman he’s known since he was eighteen, overwhelmed for a moment by how little things have changed since the first time he ever noticed her. Bradley fondly watches as she furiously types, hunched over her laptop with headphones, playing what he knows is eighties hair bands.

Her nose wrinkles in frustration, and suddenly it’s 2003 again, and he’s trying to get the attention of the red-haired girl whose table has the only empty chair left, something he desperately needs since this book can’t leave the library. He’s unable to get her attention and resorts to knocking on the table, heart skipping a beat when the prettiest green eyes he’s ever seen blink up at him. Bradley gestures at the empty chair, silently asking if he can sit, and is grateful when she nods because her smile is making his knees wobble. For the next hour, he tries to take notes for his paper, but he keeps getting distracted by the beautiful girl across from him. Bradley isn’t sure if he’s upset or happy when she packs up her stuff and leaves, giving him a little wave when she notices him watching her.

That had been thirteen years ago, and her intense focus still distracts him, but he’s not afraid to interrupt her this time. Fingers rub her arm that is covered in his sweatshirt again, but this time, he knows it smells like her shampoo instead of his cologne. Her smile still sends his heart skipping when she looks up at him, her pretty eyes widening in joy when she catches sight of the red snack packaging and the plastic cup holding her second favorite soda.

“Thank you!” She whispers, leaning across the empty middle seat in their row to kiss his cheek. “Oh, and we should go out to lunch when we get back! I want to try that new noodle place that opened in Southie.”

He just smiles when she immediately gets back to work; cheek puffed out from the cookie she stuffed in her mouth.

Maybe she’s not avoiding our talk from last night.

Thursday, August 11, 2017 | 2:15 PM EST | Boston, MA

“You got a minute?” Bradley knocks on the edge of her cubicle. It may be a different floor of their building, but all of the office space is the same dated stuff from decades ago.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“First of all…” He ducks down and presses a swift kiss to her plush mouth, still trying to make up for all those years he couldn’t. “And don’t say anything because I already checked before I did because I wanted to kiss my girl.”

He chuckles at the pink spots that shine on her cheeks. It’s been a year since Sherrie snagged the promotion, and they officially became an item, but she still turns a little red whenever he says something sweet.

“Second, you are all packed, right?”

“Yes, why?”

“I was gonna swing by the apartment and get our bags so we can head straight to the airport after work.”

“You took the afternoon off? Why?”

Bradley was expecting this question and smoothly fibs. “I worked the hours out with Martin for this week so I could run a few last-minute errands. Do you want me to grab snacks?”

“Okay, Mr. Secrets. When you’re at home, could you water the ivy? I forgot this morning, and I don’t want it to die while we’re gone.”

“Of course! Need me to do anything else?”

Sherrie hums, staring at the ceiling as she thinks. “One more kiss?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Bradley happily complies with her request.

“Okay, now you have to go. I have to finish prepping for this meeting where I get to yell at Sean.”

“That’s my girl. I’ll pick you up later. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Have fun with your mysterious errands.” Sherrie teases, and Bradley smirks back, knowing how much she would be freaking out if he knew what he would be doing while she professionally reamed out their least favorite colleague.

“Thanks, honey. Text me if you think of something.” Sherrie waves over her shoulder, already zoned back into her work.

Bradley doesn’t dare look at his buzzing phone until he’s safely on the elevator, pleased to see confirmation texts from their hotel and the airline. Would it be cheesy to quietly propose in the airport that was a catalyst in their relationship? Maybe, but he knew Sherrie would love it. He’s just hoping the TSA didn’t call out the ring that would be hiding in his carry-on.

#deltasupremacy I also want to give a special thanks to @sometimesanalice, who gave so much encouragement through the texts despite having no idea what I was writing - you're the best! tagged some friends and most those who interacted with the original announcement post for this fic all those months ago!

tagging: @gretagerwigsmuse @sometimesanalice @laracrofted @theharddeck @hangmanbrainrot @hangmanssunnies @thesewordsareallihavetogive @princessphilly @katieshook02 @atarmychick007 @kmc1989 @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby @misfitpeach @luckyladycreator2 @scarlettwidow19 @mini-bee-bee @midnightstarqueen @shamelessghostwagonwobbler

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[brookstonalmanac]

Events 9.6 (after 1940)

1943 – The Monterrey Institute of Technology is founded in Monterrey, Mexico as one of the largest and most influential private universities in Latin America. 1943 – Pennsylvania Railroad's premier train derails at Frankford Junction in Philadelphia, killing 79 people and injuring 117 others. 1944 – World War II: The city of Ypres, Belgium is liberated by Allied forces. 1944 – World War II: Soviet forces capture the city of Tartu, Estonia. 1946 – United States Secretary of State James F. Byrnes announces that the U.S. will follow a policy of economic reconstruction in postwar Germany. 1952 – A prototype aircraft crashes at the Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire, England, killing 29 spectators and the two on board. 1955 – Istanbul's Greek, Jewish, and Armenian minorities are the target of a government-sponsored pogrom; dozens are killed in ensuing riots. 1962 – The United States government begins the Exercise Spade Fork nuclear readiness drill. 1962 – Archaeologist Peter Marsden discovers the first of the Blackfriars Ships dating back to the second century AD in the Blackfriars area of the banks of the River Thames in London. 1965 – India retaliates following Pakistan's Operation Grand Slam which results in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 that ends in a stalemate followed by the signing of the Tashkent Declaration. 1966 – Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, the architect of apartheid, is stabbed to death in Cape Town, South Africa during a parliamentary meeting. 1968 – Swaziland becomes independent. 1970 – Two passenger jets bound from Europe to New York are simultaneously hijacked by Palestinian terrorist members of the PFLP and taken to Dawson's Field, Jordan. 1971 – Paninternational Flight 112 crashes on the Bundesautobahn 7 highway near Hamburg Airport, in Hamburg, Germany, killing 22. 1972 – Munich massacre: Nine Israeli athletes die (along with a German policeman) at the hands of the Palestinian "Black September" terrorist group after being taken hostage at the Munich Olympic Games. Two other Israeli athletes were slain in the initial attack the previous day. 1976 – Cold War: Soviet Air Defence Forces pilot Viktor Belenko lands a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 jet fighter at Hakodate in Japan and requests political asylum in the United States; his request is granted. 1983 – The Soviet Union admits to shooting down Korean Air Lines Flight 007, stating that its operatives did not know that it was a civilian aircraft when it reportedly violated Soviet airspace. 1985 – Midwest Express Airlines Flight 105 crashes near Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, killing all 31 people on board. 1991 – The Soviet Union recognizes the independence of the Baltic states Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. 1991 – The Russian parliament approves the name change of Leningrad back to Saint Petersburg. The change is effective October 1. 1995 – Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles plays in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking a record that had stood for 56 years. 1997 – The Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales takes place in London. Well over a million people lined the streets and 21⁄2 billion watched around the world on television. 2003 – Mahmoud Abbas resigns from his position of Palestinian Prime Minister. 2007 – Israel executes the air strike Operation Orchard to destroy a nuclear reactor in Syria. 2013 – Forty-one elephants are poisoned with cyanide in salt pans, by poachers in Hwange National Park. 2018 – Supreme Court of India decriminalised all consensual sex among adults in private, making homosexuality legal on the Indian lands. 2022 – Boris Johnson resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and is replaced by Liz Truss. Their meetings with Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle were the Queen's final official duties before her death two days later. 2022 – Russo-Ukrainian War: Ukraine begins its Kharkiv counteroffensive, surprising Russian forces and retaking over 3,000 square kilometers of land, recapturing the entire Kharkiv Oblast west of the Oskil River, within the next week.

[piscesseer]

Pluto Enters Aquarius

Pluto is entering Aquarius on March 23, 2023 and will remain there until March 8, 2043. When Pluto changes signs, it’s a big deal because it only happens every 12 to 30 years! We can expect some huge changes while the planet of transformation visits Aquarius.

Pluto can be a dark planet. It rules over death, transformation, renewal and taboos. When Pluto was discovered, it was named for the Roman god of the underworld. When this mysterious planet changes signs there is a huge cosmic shift.

March 23, 2023 - Pluto enters Aquarius

June 11, 2023 - Pluto Retrograde enters Capricorn

January 20, 2024 - Pluto enters Aquarius

September 1, 2024 - Pluto Retrograde enters Capricorn

November 19, 2024 - Pluto enters Aquarius

March 8, 2043 - Pluto enters Pisces

August 31, 2043 - Pluto Retrograde enters Aquarius

January 19, 2044 - Pluto enters Pisces

Why are there so many dates involved? Pluto is slow-moving and with retrograde activity, it only advances so far per year, depending on the sign. Pluto spends anywhere from 11.5 to 30.5 years in a single sign and is in retrograde half of the year. While Pluto is trying to enter Aquarius in 2023, it won’t be consistently there until late 2024. We’re truly getting a preview of what this transit has to offer.

Since 2008, Pluto has been in Capricorn, the sign of government, structure and the practical. As you might have noticed on the dates above, Pluto will be retrograding back to Capricorn as early as June. 

Aquarius is concerned with thought, intellect and reasoning as well as how we communicate information. Aquarius is the sign of progress, community and the collective. There is a unique rebellious vibe present with this sign.

The shift of bringing about transformation in the practical to bringing it about with progress will be sure to have an effect on all of us.

How could this Pluto in Aquarius transit affect us as a whole?

During this long transit, we may see some beliefs that were long held turned on their head. Aquarius challenges the status quo. It’s a time to seek change and overhaul in society through the mind. With Pluto in Aquarius, we take social structures and policies seriously. We seek major reform in those areas. There will be a transformation of rules and social norms.

Worldwide changes in technology, science and space travel wouldn’t be surprising while Pluto is in Aquarius, since Aquarius rules technology, including television and the internet. The internet is a communication that could become more powerful. It can create a place for deeper secrets, criminal operations, black market, drug dealing and human trafficking. There are risks of powerful cyberwar with powerful hackers. We must figure out where our ingenuity, creativity and humanity fit into our increasingly automated world.

We may see major realization about our phones, computers and things that sync, update, download, or feature like and follow buttons. We should expect to see the conflict between people and the technology they use, dissolutions in the industry, and power struggles between government and big tech. Government institutions will create a stricter regulatory device to protect against or eliminate online corruption. More surveillance of everyday life is to be expected.

Many jobs could become replaced by technology, which could hurt the labor market. Libraries, medical care, pharmacy, banking and travel are just a few things that could become completely digitized. Humans will likely make artificial intelligence advances. 

Aquarius sees the big picture and has a bird’s eye. We might see a much-needed change in airline travel. We’re moving into a new era of space travel. This could mean space’s long-term effects on the human body being studied. We’ve also heard a lot about aliens lately, so it wouldn’t be surprising if we saw even more about extraterrestrials during this transit. Aquarius is open to the unknown.

Back to Earth, we could learn new information about disease and treatment.

We will see a shift in civil rights and humanitarianism. Pluto in Aquarius is bound to be a revolutionary time. Only good things can come from taking action to make movements, whether the change is slight or major. We can hope that we will see as many of us as possible for the ideal of equality and community and working together to build a better, fairer society.

Pluto exposes and unearths things, like secrets and lies. During Pluto in Capricorn, we saw uncovering of government corruption and secrets thanks to data leaks, special interest groups and brave whistleblowers. With Pluto in Aquarius we might see secrets of big tech companies being exposed.

It’s interesting that in the US we’re looking at banning drag in some states. Society deems gender expression and queerness as a taboo subject. The truth about queer people is being skewed by conservatives with their own agendas. Secrets could be revealed with the authenticity that is reflected where the LGTBTQ+ community is honest, and those who are conservative are distorting their image.

We’re likely to confront issues of control and power related to individuality, equality, friendships and group associations. Unusual, intense or dramatic things may happen with friends or networks. On a higher level, we are destined to see a huge transformation in how we communicate with strangers, such as internet culture, and group identities. We could see a revolution of the working class.

Collective upheaval is rarely comfortable, but it reminds us of the resilience and power of our communities. 

What can we expect in our personal lives?

Pluto teaches us that life is an unstoppable force and growth can emerge from the dark night of the soul. This planet gives us lots of time to absorb its profound lessons. When you start to work with this planet, you will feel in tune with your innermost self. It asks you to trust the voice inside. 

It’s not possible to fully predict what humanity will look like during and after this transit. While some things may be out of your control, it’s important to stay grounded and present. It's very important to check in with your body and instincts.

Gather your networks, your fellow activists and group chat as changes unfold. Have people to connect with and lean on. Give back to communities. If you’re unsure of how to help, check your local online communities. Do your research before joining in on some mass movement. Use common sense and trust your gut.

Pluto can bring transformation, evolution and revelation. This can be the death of something in your life and the birth of something completely new, or bringing forward something that is long hidden. If you think back to a time in your life of irreversible change, it’s likely that Pluto was active in your chart. 

Look out for being more intense than usual. Pluto is deep, dark and mysterious. You may find intensity in unique areas of your life, in your friendships and networks or even in love. Pluto in Aquarius may lead to erratic behavior, thinking and emotions. 

Weird secrets might come forward. You might have weirder sex. Pluto draws us to the things that are deemed ‘taboo’, and sex is something we aren’t always comfortable talking about. Aquarius can make us feel like thinking outside the box in the bedroom. Be cautious though, because this is when our darker desires could surface.

Pluto in Capricorn reveals the truth about the societal structures that we live in, and this structure will die. We can look at this from a bigger picture and see activism make this happen on a large scale, yes. You can also look at your life. It is our responsibility to create a new world from our heart’s content - create art and music, invent, innovate and use personal healing powers. Create your own personal world with your heart’s desire by building a family or community from the ground up. Be responsible for yourself and your true desires without basing it on societal expectations. Explore your subconscious fears, blocks and shadows especially surrounding power, change, group dynamics and letting go. Imagine a life of freedom and collective fairness and watch it manifest in real time.

Authenticity might be a theme that comes forth in your life. Being your true self doesn’t always mean aligning with what society sees as ‘normal’. Thinking the way you don’t normally can lead to ideas and thoughts that can transform your life in a positive way.

[airlinespolicy567]

Virgin Australia Change Flight Date: A Complete Guide

Travel plans can often change, and when they do, Virgin Australia provides flexible options for adjusting your flight date. Whether it’s an unforeseen event or a change in your travel schedule, Virgin Australia makes it easy to reschedule your trip. Understanding the Virgin Australia change flight date policy ensures a smooth transition, avoiding any unnecessary stress.

How to Change Your Flight Date with Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia offers multiple ways for passengers to change their flight dates. Here’s a quick rundown of how to do it:

1. Change Flight Date Virgin Australia Online

The most convenient option is to manage your booking online. To do so:

Visit the Virgin Australia website.

Go to the Manage Booking section.

Enter your booking reference number and last name.

Select the flight you wish to change.

Choose a new flight date from the available options.

Confirm your new flight and proceed with any applicable fees (if required).

You will receive an email with your updated travel details.

This method is quick, user-friendly, and available 24/7, making it the best option for most travelers.

2. Change Flight Date Virgin Australia via Customer Service

If you need help with the rescheduling process, you can call Virgin Australia’s customer service at +61(1800) 407-707 (OTA). Their team is available to assist with changes, including checking availability and rescheduling. They will guide you through the process, ensuring everything is sorted out. Keep your booking number and personal information ready when calling.

3. Change Flight Date Virgin Australia at the Airport

For passengers who prefer to handle changes in person, Virgin Australia allows you to modify your flight at the airport. Simply approach an airline representative with your booking details. They will check for available flights on your preferred date. Note that a service fee may apply when making changes at the airport.

4. Change Flight Date Virgin Australia Through a Travel Agent

If you booked your flight through a travel agent, you can also contact them to request a change. Travel agents can assist in finding a new flight for you. However, be aware that agents may charge a service fee for making the change.

Virgin Australia Change Flight Date Fees

If you change your flight date after 24 hours of booking or if your ticket is non-refundable, you may be subject to a Virgin Australia change flight date fee. The cost will depend on your ticket type and the route you are flying. Additionally, if your new flight is more expensive than your original booking, you’ll be required to pay the difference in fare.

Virgin Australia Change Flight Date After 24 Hours

Yes, you can still change your flight date after 24 hours, but there will likely be a change fee and possibly an additional fare difference. To avoid unexpected charges, it’s always best to make changes as soon as possible.

Contact Virgin Australia for Help with Flight Changes

If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact Virgin Australia’s customer service team at +61(1800) 407-707 (OTA). They are happy to help you with rescheduling your flight, checking availability, and answering any questions about fees and policies.

Conclusion

Virgin Australia’s change flight date policy offers travelers multiple ways to adjust their plans, whether it’s online, through customer service, at the airport, or via a travel agent. Understanding the process and potential fees ensures that you can reschedule your flight with ease. For additional support, always feel free to call +61(1800) 407-707 (OTA) for prompt assistance.

[flightsreles1234]

How to Change Name on United Airlines Ticket: A Step-by-Step Process for Quick Corrections

When you’re preparing for a flight with United Airlines, every detail matters. One key detail is making sure your name is correct on your ticket. If you ever wonder How to Change Name on United Airlines Ticket, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process quickly and simply.

Introduction

Mistakes happen when booking flights—typos, misspellings, or even legal name changes can cause discrepancies. The name on your United Airlines ticket must match your government-issued ID. Inaccuracies can lead to boarding delays, denied entry at security checkpoints, or even missing your flight. This guide explains everything you need to know about How to Change Name on United Airlines Ticket, whether you’re fixing a simple error or updating your name after a major life event.

Why Accurate Ticket Information Matters

Avoid Travel Hassles: The name on your boarding pass must match your ID. A mismatch can result in additional screening or even a denial of boarding.

Follow Security Regulations: United Airlines must comply with TSA guidelines, so every detail on your ticket is verified before you fly.

Save Money and Time: Correcting your ticket before your travel date can prevent costly rebooking fees and last-minute stress.

Enhance Your Travel Experience: With accurate details, you can move through check-in and security smoothly, enjoying a stress-free journey.

If you’re asking How to Change Name on a United Airlines Ticket, it’s important to act promptly.

Understanding the Types of Name Corrections

United Airlines distinguishes between minor corrections and major legal name changes. Knowing which category your issue falls into is crucial:

Minor Corrections

Examples: Correcting a typo (e.g., “Jhon” to “John”), adding or removing a middle name, or fixing a small spelling error.

Documentation: Generally, a copy of your government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license) is enough.

Fee Structure: Minor corrections made within 24 hours of booking are often free. Later requests might incur a fee ranging from $75 to $200.

Major Name Changes

Examples: Changing your full legal name due to marriage, divorce, or other legal reasons.

Documentation: You’ll need legal documents such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Processing Time: Major changes may take longer—sometimes up to two weeks—and additional fees may apply.

Understanding these differences is the first step in learning How to Change Name on United Airlines Ticket.

Step-by-Step Process to Change Your Name

Follow these simple steps to correct your ticket details:

Step 1: Verify Your Ticket Details

Review Immediately: As soon as you receive your booking confirmation, check every detail. Look for typos or errors in your name.

Compare with Your ID: Make sure the spelling and order of your name on the ticket match exactly with your passport or driver’s license.

Step 2: Familiarize Yourself with United Airlines Policies

Read the Rules: Visit United Airlines’ official website and review their name change policy. Knowing the guidelines helps determine whether your correction qualifies as minor or major.

Note Time Limits: Most corrections must be requested before the check-in process begins. Do this as early as possible to avoid complications.

Step 3: Gather Your Documentation

For Minor Corrections: Keep a clear, legible copy of your government-issued ID handy.

For Major Changes: Prepare the necessary legal documents (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree) along with your updated ID.

Step 4: Contact United Airlines Customer Service

Online Option: Log into the “Manage Booking” section on the United Airlines website. Look for the name correction or “Edit Booking” option.

Phone Option: If you prefer personal assistance, call United Airlines’ customer support. Clearly state How to Change Name on United Airlines Ticket and provide your booking reference.

At the Airport: In urgent situations, visit a United Airlines ticket counter for in-person help.

Step 5: Submit Your Request

Online Submission: Complete the form with your corrected name, attach the necessary documents, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Over the Phone: When speaking with a representative, provide all requested details. Ask for a confirmation number or email once the change is processed.

Confirm Fees: Inquire about any applicable fees so you’re prepared to pay if required.

Step 6: Confirm and Double-Check the Change

Receive Confirmation: After your request is processed, United Airlines will send you an updated ticket confirmation.

Review Details: Ensure that every detail on the updated ticket matches your government-issued ID.

Keep Records: Save digital and printed copies of all correspondence and documentation for future reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What if I spot an error after I’ve checked in?

A: If you notice an error after check-in, contact United Airlines immediately. Changes might not be possible online, so visit a ticket counter or call customer service for urgent assistance.

Q2. Can I correct my name more than once on a single ticket?

A: Typically, only one name correction is allowed per ticket. Additional changes may require a new booking or incur further fees.

Q3. Are there differences in the process for international flights?

A: Yes, international flights require extra caution. The name on your ticket must match your passport exactly, so double-check before booking.

Q4. How long does it take for a name change to be processed?

A: Minor corrections can be processed quickly—often within 24 hours. Major legal changes might take up to two weeks.

Q5. Is it possible to update my name over the phone?

A: Yes, many travelers ask How to Change Name on United Airlines Ticket by calling customer service. Representatives can guide you through the process and confirm your changes over the phone.

Final Thoughts

Making sure your ticket has the correct name is vital for a seamless travel experience. By following this guide and acting promptly, you can easily learn How to Change Name on United Airlines Ticket and avoid unnecessary delays. Whether it’s a minor typo or a major legal name change, understanding the rules and gathering the right documents are key steps. If you ever have questions, United Airlines’ customer service is available to help.

Plan ahead, double-check your details, and travel with confidence—knowing your ticket is exactly as it should be. Safe travels!

[irancharterirsite]

Your Ultimate Guide to Airline Tickets: Everything You Need to Know

Booking an airline ticket is often the first step in your travel adventure, but the process can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. With so many different ticket types, airlines, and fees to consider, it’s important to know how to navigate the booking process effectively. Whether you’re flying for business or leisure, understanding the basics of airline tickets can save you time, money, and a lot of confusion. Here’s your ultimate guide to all things related to airline tickets.

What Are Airline Tickets?

An airline ticket is a document (or digital confirmation) that confirms a passenger’s reservation on a flight. It includes essential details like the flight’s departure and arrival locations, flight number, dates, passenger name, and sometimes even seat assignments. Most tickets today are electronic (e-tickets), which means you’ll receive a digital version via email or on your phone, instead of a physical paper ticket.

Different Types of Airline Tickets

Not all airline tickets are the same. Depending on your travel needs, there are different types of tickets to consider:

One-Way Ticket: This ticket allows you to travel from one location to another without a return journey. It’s ideal for travelers who have flexible plans or who may be visiting several destinations.

Round-Trip Ticket: A round-trip ticket includes both your outbound and return flights. This type of ticket is often cheaper than buying two separate one-way tickets and is the most common option for travelers with set plans.

Multi-City Ticket: If you’re planning on visiting multiple destinations on one trip, a multi-city ticket is the best option. It allows you to book several legs of your journey, often at a lower cost than booking each leg separately.

Open-Jaw Ticket: An open-jaw ticket lets you fly into one city and return from another. For example, you can fly into London and return from Paris, which is a great option for travelers who want to explore a region without retracing their steps.

Non-Refundable Ticket: These tickets are typically less expensive but come with restrictions. If your plans change and you need to cancel or modify the flight, you may not be able to get a refund, or you could incur a significant change fee.

Refundable Ticket: Refundable tickets offer flexibility. If you need to cancel or change your flight, you can receive a full refund or adjust your travel dates (with some possible fees), making them a better option for those with uncertain plans.

Award Ticket: For frequent travelers or loyalty program members, airlines often offer award tickets, where you can use accumulated miles or points to pay for your flight. These tickets can offer substantial savings and special perks.

Booking Your Airline Ticket

Booking an airline ticket is a simple process, but knowing the steps involved can make your experience smoother. Here's a quick guide:

Search for Flights: Use flight search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak to compare flight options. Be sure to search across multiple platforms to find the best deal. These tools allow you to compare prices across airlines and look for flexible dates to get cheaper options.

Select Your Flight: Once you’ve narrowed down your search, choose the flight that fits your schedule and budget. Be sure to check the baggage policy, as some airlines charge additional fees for checked luggage or carry-ons.

Enter Passenger Information: After selecting your flight, you’ll need to provide personal details, such as your full name (exactly as it appears on your ID), passport details (for international flights), and any special requests (such as meal preferences or seat selection).

Make Payment: After reviewing your flight details, proceed to the payment page. You’ll typically pay with a credit or debit card, but some airlines may also offer PayPal or other options.

Receive Your Ticket: Once the payment is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with your flight confirmation and e-ticket. This will include all of your flight details, along with a booking reference number.

Check-in Online: Many airlines allow you to check in online 24–48 hours before your flight, saving you time at the airport. You’ll also receive a boarding pass that you can print out or store digitally.

Tips for Finding the Best Deals on Airline Tickets

Everyone wants to score a good deal on airfare, and luckily, there are plenty of ways to save money. Here are some tips for finding the best deals on airline tickets:

Book Early: The earlier you book, the cheaper your خرید بلیط هواپیما ticket is likely to be. Ideally, book at least 3–6 months in advance for international flights and 2–4 weeks for domestic travel.

Be Flexible with Dates: Airfares can vary dramatically depending on the time of year, day of the week, and even the time of day. Traveling on weekdays (Tuesday–Thursday) is often cheaper than flying on weekends. You can use fare comparison websites to see how the prices change on different dates.

Use Fare Alerts: Set up fare alerts on search engines like Google Flights or Skyscanner to get notified when prices drop for specific routes. This way, you don’t have to check every day, and you’ll be alerted when a good deal comes up.

Check Alternative Airports: If you’re flying to a large city, see if there are nearby airports that might offer lower fares. While this may add a bit of travel time, the savings could be significant.

Take Advantage of Airline Promotions: Keep an eye on airline sales, special promotions, and limited-time offers. Signing up for airline newsletters or following them on social media can give you access to exclusive discounts.

Consider Connecting Flights: Direct flights are usually more convenient, but they can also be more expensive. If you’re willing to make a stopover, you may be able to save money by booking a flight with one or more layovers.

Understanding Airline Fees

While the price of the ticket is usually the biggest expense, there are many other fees you need to be aware of. Here are some common additional charges:

Baggage Fees: Most airlines charge for checked luggage, and some even charge for carry-ons, especially budget carriers. Always check the baggage policy before booking to avoid surprises.

Seat Selection Fees: Many airlines charge extra for selecting specific seats, such as aisle or window seats, or seats with extra legroom.

Change and Cancellation Fees: If you need to change or cancel your flight, most airlines will charge a fee—especially for non-refundable tickets. Refundable tickets offer more flexibility but usually come with a higher price tag.

In-Flight Service Fees: Many low-cost carriers charge for meals, snacks, and entertainment during the flight. While some services may be included on full-service airlines, it's important to check in advance.

Priority Boarding Fees: Some airlines offer priority boarding for an extra fee, allowing you to board earlier than general passengers. This can be useful if you want to secure overhead bin space or avoid long lines.

Additional Travel Tips for a Smooth Flight

To ensure your travel experience is as stress-free as possible, consider these helpful tips:

Arrive Early: Arriving at the airport at least 2 hours before your domestic flight and 3 hours for international travel will give you plenty of time to check in, go through security, and prepare for your flight.

Download the Airline’s App: Many airlines have mobile apps that allow you to check in, access your boarding pass, and track your flight in real time. This can be very convenient and save time at the airport.

Pack Smart: Be mindful of luggage restrictions and pack accordingly. Make sure you know your airline’s baggage allowances and avoid packing prohibited items to speed up the security process.

Stay Informed About Flight Status: Flight schedules can change due to weather, technical issues, or other reasons. Make sure to monitor your flight’s status via the airline’s website or app for any updates.

Airline tickets are your gateway to exciting travel opportunities, but understanding the nuances of booking and the associated costs can help you make better choices. By being strategic about your ticket type, booking in advance, and staying aware of additional fees, you can save money and enjoy a hassle-free travel experience. Whether you're jetting off for a weekend getaway or embarking on an international adventure, a little knowledge goes a long way in making the most of your airline ticket purchase. Safe travels!

[airlinesinfos]

There may be a number of reasons when passengers need to change or correct their names on their Delta Tickets. The Delta Name Change Policy is designed to accommodate any name changes, including misspellings and changes to first or last names. Significantly, it is against the law for people to board their flight with the wrong name on their tickets. Delta Airlines has a flexible name correction policy because it understands the needs of its customers. By providing a simple anime change procedure, it protects the interests of the passengers.

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What is Expedia's cancellation policy?

To speak with Expedia customer service call (US) (⑴)-⑻⑻⑻-(⑹⑼0)-(⑹⑴⑴⑻).Expedia' cancellation policy is customer-friendly. Tickets are fully refundable within 24-Hours of booking, provided the departure is more than two days ahead. For more details, call 52-800-953-9005  ( MX)(Spanish) (Spanish) (OTA).

What is the cheapest day to buy tickets on Expedia?

Expedia is known for offering its cheapest flights on off-peak days, particularly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays (US) (⑴)-⑻⑻⑻-(⑹⑼0)-(⑹⑴⑴⑻) or (US) (⑴)-⑻⑻⑻-(⑹⑼0)-(⑹⑴⑴⑻). These days tend to have fewer travelers, allowing the Airline to offer discounted prices 52-800-953-9005  ( MX)(Spanish) (Spanish).

What day of the week is Expedia the cheapest?

Expedia flights are generally cheapest on weekdays, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays (US) (⑴)-⑻⑻⑻-(⑹⑼0)-(⑹⑴⑴⑻)) (MX) 52-800-953-9005  ( MX)(Spanish) (Spanish).

How do I change the name on my Expedia ticket?

To modify a passenger name on an Expedia ticket, please contact Expedia Customer Care or call (US) (⑴)-⑻⑻⑻-(⑹⑼0)-(⑹⑴⑴⑻) (OTA) or (US) (⑴)-⑻⑻⑻-(⑹⑼0)-(⑹⑴⑴⑻). Please note that Expedia generally does not permit full name changes. However, minor corrections or edits may be possible with appropriate documentation and a fee 52-800-953-9005  ( MX)(Spanish) (Spanish).

Can You Change Your Name on an Expedia Ticket?

To update the name on an Expedia ticket, you can either visit the official airline website or contact their customer service at (US) (⑴)-⑻⑻⑻-(⑹⑼0)-(⑹⑴⑴⑻). Expedia allows passengers to request different types of name changes, from minor spelling corrections to more substantial name adjustments, by calling 52-800-953-9005  ( MX)(Spanish) (Spanish).

How do I speak with someone at Expedia?

To speak to someone at Expedia, call their customer service at 1-888-EXPEDIA ((US) (⑴)-⑻⑻⑻-(⑹⑼0)-(⑹⑴⑴⑻)). For additional support, you can also reach them at 52-800-953-9005  ( MX)(Spanish) (Spanish). Alternatively, visit the "Help" section on their website for more contact options.

How do I speak to someone on Expedia? 

If you find yourself in a dispute with Expedia, the first step is to contact their customer service team ((US) (⑴)-⑻⑻⑻-(⑹⑼0)-(⑹⑴⑴⑻)). You can easily reach them at 52-800-953-9005  ( MX)(Spanish) (Spanish), where a representative can assist you with resolving the issue promptly.

[marcellablogs]

How Easy Is It to Book Flights and Hotels on Expedia?

Discover how easy it is to book flights and hotels on Expedia! Find great deals and plan your next trip effortlessly with user-friendly options.

Booking Flights on Expedia

How to Book a Flight on Expedia Booking flights on Expedia is quite easy and fast. You only need to put in your destination and travel dates. Expedia shows many flight options. You can compare prices, times, and airlines. You can select your flight with just a few clicks. It is very easy to change dates or times if needed.

For example, when I wanted to fly from New York to Miami, I performed the search by entering the dates. Expedia provided me with several options from different airlines. The following flight offered an excellent deal with a convenient layover. And it all took less than five minutes. Apart from making booking faster the next time, Expedia saves your details.

With Expedia, you can sort flights by price, airline, or flight time. You can also choose to fly either direct or with stops. The website provides more information, such as baggage policy and seat preference. Once you have chosen the flight you like, pay, and you're done. The whole payment process is safe and straightforward. I received my flight information via email instantly.

Booking Hotels on Expedia

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