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Location: Alerts for 6/02/08
Discussion: Have you decided not to fly recently?
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 jimglab |
Have you decided not to fly recently?
May 30 2008, 2:06 PM EDT A study by the Travel Industry Association found that U.S. air travelers have avoided some 41 million airline trips in the past year due to the hassle factor of flying these days (see this week’s story). What about you? Have you decided not to take certain air trips because you just couldn’t stand the thought of a travel experience fraught with possible delays, lines and inconveniences? Post your comments here. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Have you decided not to fly recently?
Jun 2 2008, 12:06 PM EDT Definitely. For any trip under 300 miles we will drive rather than fly - even with gas at $4.00 a gallon. Too much time is wasted at the airport and there are far too many delays. Do you find this valuable? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Have you decided not to fly recently?
Jun 2 2008, 2:25 PM EDT Absolutely! It's such a hassle. I live in a rural area in California and flights out of local smaller airports are practically non-existent. If there was fast and efficient train service to major airports it would be so much better. Most of my business trips are international which makes it more difficult to travel already (long, uncomfortable flights, immigration, customs, etc.) so I will not travel unless I absolutely have to and will avoid trips altogether because of the expense and inconvenience. Do you find this valuable? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Have you decided not to fly recently?
Jun 2 2008, 2:53 PM EDT Same here. From Central Florida to South Florida, Georgia and Charleston area, Flying no longer makes sense. Used to be lable to eave the office 40 minutes prior to departure. Now it is 2-3 hours. Add in the flying time, car rental costs, driving from ATL to where ever and it takes longer to fly 400 miles that to drive. TSA and ticket prices completely changed our travel policy. The company purchased a couple of nice pool vehicles for us to use. Now we can work the phones and if two of us are traveling, switch off driving and do email, etc on the road. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Have you decided not to fly recently?
Jun 2 2008, 3:18 PM EDT For any trip of 500 miles or less we drive. Do you find this valuable? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Have you decided not to fly recently?
Jun 2 2008, 4:30 PM EDT Yes, as well as multiple family members. 1) The tipping point is the total parinoia of the TSA and 3-1-1. I cannot even carry eyeglass cleaner or a small swiss army knife to cut hang nails if I travel by air. Now, if I want to carry the swiss army knife in my checked luggage I will need to pay extra $$'s. 2) Are there any other processes in travel, leisure or entertainment where you have as many ques, inspections, and showing of your ID? 3) On our last trip we had 4 water bottles conficated. All of which were either purchased or provided by the airline(s). 4) Last week my daughter needed to visit the restroom to dump out the half bottle of formula she had before checking in with our one year old granddaughter on her return trip home. She didn't want to put up with the hassle of the "special inspection services" of TSA and she needed the bottle for probable in-flight or waiting time use. 5) None of the previous are "Acts of God"........which are understandable......they are acts of a paranoid government which are readily accepted by a spineless airline industry. P.Ritt ( a 40 year very frequent user of O'Hare, who has finally reached his tipping point for all of the non Acts of God) 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Have you decided not to fly recently?
Jun 4 2008, 1:43 PM EDT Yes , no! In the late 1970s, as a management consultant, I flew Delta every week from Philly to Florida destinations non-stop, with empty seats, where I could make a bed in the back. Those non-stops don't exist on Delta anymore. Most of the last 9 years, I was flying Northwest, all over the world, until a few years ago...some empty seats to streatch out too, now lucky to get a isle or window seat. See me now mostly on Southwest, NS, usually and isle or window, and all it's staff treat me 10 times nicer than those of the "legend?" carriers. I have not experienced the delays and inconveniences you mention with Southwest, but the long lines...your at the counter within 15 to 20 minutes...they really move poeple well. Also, Southwest planes, which I don't comprehend (often wonder if the Air Traffic Comtrollers are on the Southwest payroll?) close the door, push back from the gate, taxi down the runway and take off, almost immediately. The legentds, you sit, sit, sit, it could take 20, 40, 60 minutes or more to actually take off, after the doors are closed. I now avoid legends, but not my trips. I recently learned, on average 40 percent of the ticket price is now for fuel, up from about 15 percent five years ago, luggage is weight critical, I am 290lbs...what next? 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Have you decided not to fly recently?
Jun 4 2008, 1:47 PM EDT I miss my Swiss Army knife too...used to be recommended for all travelers to take along too. Do you find this valuable? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Have you decided not to fly recently?
Jun 4 2008, 8:55 PM EDT How many times have we postponed or deliberated on trips because of delays/ travelling thru ORD or just personal issues. This has been a chronic and continuing issue for the past few years. Prior to this as UA premier traveller, even after retiring from active business, we cut back on trips around the world due to the hassle, congestion and small full aircraft. It has gotten so bad that we could afford (given up on previous trips) to use charter aircraft to get to/from major airports. We travel less and now have decided to expend large sums to avoid regional aircraft and transfer/delays from originating airports. It is expensive but a pleasure again to travel by air. Might mention that with longer distance travel you have the choice of Bus Class rather than tube travel on regional jets from place to place. Not so sanguine, JES Do you find this valuable? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Have you decided not to fly recently?
Jun 24 2008, 2:51 PM EDT "A study by the Travel Industry Association found that U.S. air travelers have avoided some 41 million airline trips in the past year due to the hassle factor of flying these days (see this week’s story). What about you? Have you decided not to take certain air trips because you just couldn’t stand the thought of a travel experience fraught with possible delays, lines and inconveniences? Post your comments here."As if flying was not already bad enough, now we have to endure strip searches by the body scanner machines at many airports. When does the public say "enough!" Apparently, never. My days of flying commercially are over. It is inconvenient, uncomfortable, unreliable and now, degrading. Do you find this valuable? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Have you decided not to fly recently?
Jun 28 2008, 7:54 AM EDT Yes indeed. I have found that Boston - NYC is an easier, roomier and shorter trip by way of first-class bus service. It's cheaper than flying or the Acela, limited to about 2 dozen people and has wireless available en route. No taxi to/from the airport and smiling attendant service with decent food. Not as many weather concerns. The hell with the flying hassles for this short hop! Do you find this valuable? |