Originally Posted by
Intrance
Not retired, I just plan my vacation with a buffer day or maximum two on each end and usually plan travel via airports with scheduled traffic from multiple of the airlines that we have agreements with (not too hard to do, without detours mostly).
While that might work traveling as a couple or alone, it get's pretty nerve-wrecking with a family unless everyone is old and mature enough to be sent and wait alone and maybe even do part of the trip alone. It has admittedly become a lot easier with online ticket booking but even traveling alone I've ended up on the last jumpseat and prefer a bit more expensive booked staff tickets. A day here or there for flexibility is quite a lot if summer vacation is limited to two weeks. Airport fees are quite a big part of ticket costs here (and charged for SBY as well), which reduces the difference between SBY and confirmed.