Do you still carry the OAG?
Feb 4, 2004, 9:19 am
#1
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Do you still carry the OAG?
After all these years, I still carry a hard copy of the North American OAG with me when I travel. I like to be able to access the breadth of its flight info for when it's not convenient to access the info on line (like when I sneak it out during a meeting that's running early or late to figure out what alternative flights are available).
Do others still carry it, or have you stopped doing so? For those that do, what changes to its format do you like/dislike?
I like that the North American OAG has been expanded to include direct flights between North American and international destinations. On the other hand, I wouldn't mind if they eliminated the "connection" listings: they're incomplete (my understanding is that connections only are listed for airlines that choose to pay for the listing), most of us know how to build convenient connections on our own, and the book would be a lot thinner without them, making it easier to carry.
Do others still carry it, or have you stopped doing so? For those that do, what changes to its format do you like/dislike?
I like that the North American OAG has been expanded to include direct flights between North American and international destinations. On the other hand, I wouldn't mind if they eliminated the "connection" listings: they're incomplete (my understanding is that connections only are listed for airlines that choose to pay for the listing), most of us know how to build convenient connections on our own, and the book would be a lot thinner without them, making it easier to carry.
Feb 4, 2004, 9:39 am
#4
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
I have the OAG as part of my Worldmate application, not all schedules are there so I just sync my PDA through my cellphone when I need routes that are not loaded.</font>
I have the OAG as part of my Worldmate application, not all schedules are there so I just sync my PDA through my cellphone when I need routes that are not loaded.</font>
Feb 4, 2004, 9:43 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2001
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I use Electronic Travel Desk by Goldenware Software, a PC-based product that does a monthly update over the web. It has some useful features like being able to see all schedules to an airport on one scrolling page, sort, select, drop data out to an Excel spreadsheet, and the ability to refer to this all when off-line. It also has a very succinct and readable style, even better than the printed OAG and far better than their screen-based products that take for ever to show all flights.
I think its advantage is that it was actually designed for presenting timetable information. These are the people that do the downloadable system timetables on the OneWorld and Star websites, and this product is an extension of that to all the major airlines. It is not a variation on a booking system.
I think its advantage is that it was actually designed for presenting timetable information. These are the people that do the downloadable system timetables on the OneWorld and Star websites, and this product is an extension of that to all the major airlines. It is not a variation on a booking system.
Feb 4, 2004, 7:36 pm
#7
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I use the paper Skyguide, instead. While its structured differently then the OAG it works fine, and is much cheaper. About four times a year a paper Skyguide or OAG saves my @ss. The cost is worth it.
You can get it through this link for $37.95 for the first year, if you use an Amex card. Note that this sets up an auto-renewal at the then going rate after the first year, but it can be easily cancelled:
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif...kyguidemag0903
You can get it through this link for $37.95 for the first year, if you use an Amex card. Note that this sets up an auto-renewal at the then going rate after the first year, but it can be easily cancelled:
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif...kyguidemag0903
Feb 6, 2004, 10:26 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2001
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Billiken:
For the sake of space and weight, I stopped using the OAG a couple of years ago.</font>
For the sake of space and weight, I stopped using the OAG a couple of years ago.</font>
Feb 7, 2004, 7:46 am
#10
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Blumie:
Do others still carry it, or have you stopped doing so? </font>
Do others still carry it, or have you stopped doing so? </font>
Was happy to see I was just recently targeted with a three free issues to get my biz back. I'll treasure the last copy sent to me as my current copy is from Feb '01 !
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Feb 8, 2004, 12:38 pm
#11
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Blumie:
Do you find it as convenient as the hard copy? Obviously it's more convenient not to have to lug the book around, but I kind of like being able to see everything all laid out.</font>
Do you find it as convenient as the hard copy? Obviously it's more convenient not to have to lug the book around, but I kind of like being able to see everything all laid out.</font>
I agree, paper is easier to read, but I don't like carrying around 100's of pages of schedules I'll never need.
Feb 8, 2004, 3:18 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2004
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I find that ITAsoftware.com is a more than adequate substitute for the OAG book. Most of my travel planning gets done from my office or a hotel room where I have web access, and on the rare occasions when I've needed to do a re-route while at an airport (invariably as the result of weather or a 120 or 240 reroute), I've always had good luck with ticket agents telling me what all my flight options are.