Recent visit to the airport! Be prepared for the worst!

Saturday morning I had to meet an inbound FIT client coming in from Asia - the update from the airline was wrong and I arrived one hour early. That's okay this will give me time to check out the airline counters, security and other elements of airport.

SURPRISE, the airport is out of control; mayhem everywhere and it's Saturday morning. I saw lines for Southwest Airlines wrap around the terminal beyond the miles of ropes in front of the customer service counter. Why? I can only guess this many people don't know how to check in on line - a lesson on this latter, maybe the amount of luggage, as Southwest advertises No Fees Fly With US, that isn't true of course, they say no fees, but read carefully, both the travel agents and passengers should be aware, Southwest has eliminated their commissions to agents on packages for the air portion (very quietly) and the do charge for the third bag that is checked - visit their site and you will see this!

ANOTHER SURPRISE, Alaska implementing the "self service" ultra modern check in terminal with their staff behind glass screens several feet away from you so you can't ask for assistance. Another future of cutting costs and services. Does this work? All I can say is that there must of been 1400 plus people standing around hitting LCD screens, fanning themselves with their e-tickets and yelling at their significant other. My how glamorous air travel has become!

The days of real dishes, fillet Mignon and a nice glass of wine are long gone, now we are just herded on and off like a cash machine dispenser, we only get attention when we have cash in our hands or a credit card at hand.

Now you might say, Michael why now are the lines so long and complicated - it hasn't changed that much from last summer, as a matter of fact a few thousand fliers a day less due to the higher air fares? Well in the airlines wisdom, they have made it a requirement that if you are checking bags you must check them at the airport and pay cash at the time of checking in your bags, you can't prepay your baggage charges and have them loaded at curb side! Hm, which fat ass in the office decided on this policy?

Okay, it is bad enough the service desks (if that's what you want to call them) are over worked and bombarded (I feel for these agents working here), but next after two hours waiting for someone to take your money for your luggage and tell you to go on to security, then you have another hour to two hour processes - I have a great IDEA, let's build sleeping kiosks or a mini hotel for all fliers and that way they can be at the airport the night before and plan the days events around just getting to the retail section to buy food and supplies to survive a possible 8 hour delay or longer on the tarmac!

We are really moving forward in the airline world!

Tips to help you avoid this entire scenario!

1). Fly charter or private! (okay, still a little expensive, but how cool is that)
2). Learn to pack and live with less - RULE: "Less is more"
3). Don't take cruises that require formal dress - who wants to pay an extra 300 for bags
4). Ship you luggage with a luggage service to your destination or cruise ship - hell it's a deal
5). Fedex or UPS you own luggage if you wish to save money - average bag is $70, not bad
6). Check in on line always, if you have a question call your travel agent - you did use an agent?
7). With issues, leave them to your agent, not the poor clerks at the airline service counter.
8). Follow the 3 - 1- 1 rule and know they will stop you if you don't, buy it at your destination
9). Have your ID and your pre-printed boarding pass in hand and ready to go
10). Don't pack you computer, have it out and ready to open
11). Don't carry half your electronic gadgets in your pockets, put them on the ex ray tray and go
12). Don't try to carry on large luggage, it won't work and you will be delayed at the boarding
13). No one cares about your designer stuff - travel light, smart, minimal extras is requested
14). Don't fly on your cruise day, damn you are adding crazy amounts of stress to yourself
15). Arrange private transfers to and from the airport, it is so much easier then the buses/vans
16). Have your travel agent arrange for activities if you have down time, don't sit at the airport
17). Have local currency at hand upon arrival, the rates and fees at airport kiosks is very high
18). Never travel without leaving your itinerary and ID copies, Passport copies w/ your agent
19). Don't expect more then you are offered on vacation, go with the flow, go early and relax
20). Rule number one "Fly charter or private"! what can I say!

Happy travels, always use a travel agent and let us help you get your vacation off to a great start and not a shouting match between you and your partner or children.

Travel can and will be a fun adventure if planned right! Says I:

Michael