The Perpetual Tourist

Every time I go to the airport, which is about once a month, something has changed. There are new policies in place, different procedures to go through, and lots of hurdles between me and my destination. Even though I’ve been through dozens of airports already this year, I still get caught off guard from time to time. I imagine air travel must be a real shock to the casual traveler. The changes that followed 9/11 seem minor compared to all that’s happened in this economic downturn.

Money is the driving force behind all of the recent changes. The airline industry is getting hit from all sides as fuel prices make it much more expensive for them to operate at the same time fewer people are flying because their own finances have taken a beating lately. Airlines simply can’t raise fares enough to fully offset rising operating expenses, so they’re taking advantage of every opportunity to boost their bottom lines. What that means for you, ultimately, is more fees for fewer comforts. Here’s a breakdown of some of the major changes we’ve seen over the last few months:

• Airlines going bankrupt, out of business.  Since the beginning of the year, several airlines have shut down.  All of the major carriers are still surviving, though all are hovering just above bankruptcy.  Lots of regional and discount carriers have gone under, which means fewer choices for travelers.
• Airlines cutting routes. Those airlines that haven’t folded yet have been forced to cut out some of their less profitable routes.  If you’re used to flying out of a small local airport, you may find there are no more flights, and you either will be paying much more for the tickets you buy, or you’ll have to travel to a large airport.  There’s an airport just a few miles from my house, but the flights are so expensive that I hardly ever fly in and out of there.  Instead, I drive several hours to DC, Baltimore, or Norfolk, where I can find cheaper flights.  When looking for tickets, expand your search to include as many airports as you can.  The best deals may mean you have to give up the convenience of your local airport.
• Planes are slowing down. I wrote about this back when the airlines first announced that they would be slowing their planes to conserve fuel.  This is something that doesn’t actually affect you as much as you might think.  Most flights are only a few minutes longer as a result of these changes.
• Fewer deals available. Have you tried redeeming your frequent flier miles lately?  It’s not as easy as it used to be.  Airlines are upping the miles required to redeem for free flights, they’re tacking on fees wherever possible, upgrades are almost never available, and you’ll find that so many flights are full that it’s nearly impossible to book the “free” flight you’ve earned.  Plan well in advance when you attempt to redeem your miles, and be flexible, or you may not be able to fly.
• Luggage fees. Almost all major airlines have started charging for checked bags.  Most allow one bag for free, but expect to pay at least $25 for your second checked bag.  This doesn’t just mean passengers are trying to pack lighter — in most cases it means people are pushing their limits even more when it comes to carry on luggage.  And this adds up to big delays at the gate when no one’s bags fit in the overhead bins and you have to wait while the flight attendants check 30 extra suitcases.
• Airport lounges closing. Some airlines have closed their executive lounges to cut costs.  That expensive membership fee doesn’t get you very much anymore.
• Nothing is free. Long gone are the days of a free meal for your cross-country flight, but now you can expect to pay for everything from drinks and snacks to blankets and pillows.  If you want it on the plane, either bring it yourself, or bring a lot of extra cash.  (You don’t want to use the airplane blanket anyway.  According to a flight attendant friend, it’s probably been puked on.)

Everything boils down to money.  The worse it gets for airlines, the more expensive it will be for you to travel, and since fare prices are already as high as the market will stand, the additional charges tend to come in the form of hidden charges.  The best way to avoid unexpected costs is to pack lightly and bring the things that you will need with you instead of planning to ask the flight attendant.  Or take the train instead.