The recent revelations of the end of a paper ticket have put us in mind of the way travel is going.
Recently, Walletpop.com listed as #5 of 25 on Comebacks We’d Like to See as Pleasurable Air Travel. As they put it…
Once upon a time, a traveler flying from Columbus to Denver arrived at the airport 45 minutes before his flight was scheduled. He stood in a short line at the ticket window, and a courteous, friendly TWA counter attendant weighed and tagged his backpack. He had time to visit a few of the airport shops before strolling to his gate, without passing through any screening checkpoints, without taking off his shoes and belt, without having his carry-on dumped or being patted down.
Waiting at the gate were the family members of arriving passengers, who hugged their loved ones as they emerged from the plane. Once the plane was empty, the traveler boarded, carrying a cup of coffee. He found his seat, wide enough and with enough leg space to accommodate him, and had a pleasant flight, including a nice meal. Once in Denver, he claimed his baggage without incident and, two hours later, was backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The post-9/11 environment, rising fuel and other costs, have taken away the glory of air travel. The excitement of travel has been replaced by dread. Airlines are reducing domestic capacity, bringing back restrictive rules, taking away previously included amenities.
And where is the government in this? We are not saying the government should be regulating to the degree they did pre-Reagan. We are not saying it is our inalienable right to receive free drinks, full meals, etc. But the government screening process is not making things any more pleasant.
Regulation to give us(the passengers) a series of rights has been overturned or stalled. We do not seem to have the right to be transported to our contracted destination in a reasonable period of time(or at all). We have not the right to receive timely information, or even refreshment in the event of delay.
People are already, due to high fuel prices, opting to take fewer trips. When will things become so horrid that someone will do something about it.
We still have faith. We still think their are things in the system worth experiencing and preserving.