Airline passengers are experiencing traveler fatigue as a result of the consistent and constant tug on security each and every time they go to the airport for a business trip. In America we knew we needed to improve airport security, even before 911 occurred.
The days of deciding to take a business and or leisure trip to a destination of our choosing is more involved than any period in the history of our country. Whether its having the proper identification, liquids in our carry on luggage or our name is on a watch list, due to no fault of our own, flying is not what it use to be.
My last long trip to Australia in 2001 was a piece of cake. I made airline reservations, hotel accommodations and purchased tickets for the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. The only thing I had to concern myself with was ensuring I had a valid visa for travel to the land down under. During the two week period of time I spent in Australia, everything went according to plan, leading up to my return to the United States on the evening of September 10, 2001.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, business and leisure travel as we knew it changed forever. When the hijacked planes flew into the World Trade Center travel and the resulting safety precautions changed overnight. Today if you plan to take a business or leisure trip to a specific destination you will likely encounter a long line at the boarding concourse, delayed flights, emergency evacuation, departure delays and a full body scan and or physical body search.
Grandmother and grandfather would likely drive to their next destination to avoid the airport today. The airline industry is under tremendous pressure to remain competitive in this economy, giving the fact the price of gas is at an all time high in the United States.
Congress is enacting legislation to ensure passenger rights, meaning airlines that delay flights will make concerted efforts to return to the gate, rather than sit on the flight line for hours without water, food and sanitary rest rooms. Make no mistake about it, take a business and or leisure trip today and you will have a unique and interesting experience as a airline passenger.
The best way to travel today is to plan your trip as far in advance as you possibly can, get the best rate possible. Ensure you speak with the airline carrier about what you can and cannot take on the flight, get a good nights rest and arrive at the airport early to prepare for departure.
In other words, be patient and resolve yourself to accept the reality, travel by air is not what it use to be, but you can still enjoy yourself. Here is to a successful flight during your next business and or leisure flight.