Faster Security Check-in At Airports?

Are you willing to undergo a background security check to speed up going through airport security? If you are a US citizen you may get the opportunity! An article in an October issue of “AIRWISE” outlined a new initiative being developed by the Transportation Security Administration. Travelers who sign up for the “Precheck” program and qualify can avoid the hassle of removing hats and shoes when they go through security screening devices. In addition, your laptop and see-through liquid bag can remain in your suitcase during screening. You can actually avoid re-packing your suitcase after going through security! Imagine that!
Excited? Ready to sign up? Get “prechecked” before holiday travel? Not so fast! The program is currently being tested in Miami, Dallas, Detroit and Atlanta. So if you live in those cities check it out! If not, join the rest of us. Currently there are less than 10,000 travelers in the program. If the program is successful, it will be expanded to other cities.
The goal of the program is to focus TSA resources on high-risk individuals while speeding up the process for low risk passengers. The criteria include travel history and date of birth, however for security purposes, other criteria were not revealed.
Travel industry representatives voiced their approval of the efforts made by TSA to get away from the cookie cutter approach to security check-in. For frequent fliers this may be the answer to their prayer. If we can maintain a high level of safety and simultaneously move quickly through a security check point, sign me up!!

Cheryl Homer Wilson
Executive Director

When Money is at Stake, Will the Airlines Continue to Overbook?

A new federal rule issued April 20, 2011 states that US airline passengers can collect up to $1,300 if they are forced to give up their seat on a flight that is overbooked. This is an increase of 63% over the old penalty of $800.  However, to be eligible for the maximum penalty, a passenger must arrive at their destination more than 2 hours later than their originally scheduled time.

I recently took a trip to Atlanta and I think everybody in the United States was leaving from this airport! Security lines were long and people appeared to have brought far too many items for “carry-on”.  I arrived at my gate approximately one hour before my flight and I can assure you if the rest of the carriers are operating like the one I was on, no one will be capitalizing from the new federal ruling.  I reached my destination thirty minutes before the scheduled time. Talk about on-time performance, I was impressed!

I think the airlines are finally getting the message that if they overbook and bump a passenger, they may have to shell out.  I am looking forward to seeing the second quarter report for on-time performance reports for airlines.  Who knows, flying may once again become the way to go!

Cheryl Homer-Wilson, Executive Director

Child Free Flights?

I read an interesting article in the Travel section of the August 29, 2010 issue of The Washington Post titled “No Babies on Board”.  A travel site asked 2000 people “would you want to sit next to a crying baby on an airplane?”  This question was posed after a Florida woman sued Quantas Airlines claiming that a screaming baby on board a flight from Australia caused her ears to bleed. I had no idea you could sue a major corporation for such a thing!  I have always chalked up traveling with near screaming, sick or ill-mannered children as coing with the territory! Who knew you had a choice?

Don’t get me wrong, I am not anti-children, however, I do tend to attract the criers, sick to the stomach, ill- mannered under four year olds on a regular basis and it is not limited to flights!

In the survey, fifty-nine percent of the respondents said “they would prefer a ‘Families Only section onboard flights. It was no surprise that non-parents liked the idea (68%).  Almost 25% surveyed said they would prefer completely child-free flights!

Do I sense a new fee for airline travelers?  Will we soon have access to flights with or without children or an Adults Only section? Depending on the length of the flight, I might be tempted to pay the premium!

Cheryl Homer Wilson, Executive Director

LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation

Enough With The Nickel and Dimeing, Already!

I read an article that stated effective August 1, 2010, a US airline plans to charge for “carry-on luggage”!  Their rationale is that the charge will “discourage customers from bringing on carry-on luggage, improve safety and speed up the boarding and deplaning process”.  The airline stated that in addition to the surcharge, they plan to lower airfares. The surcharge would not apply to items that fit under the seat in front of you.  The article also stated that the other domestic carriers are taking a “wait & see” stance to measure customer reaction.  If they find that there is no “strong customer backlash” they may follow suit.  New York’s Senator Chuck Schumer thinks this is absurd and plans to introduce legislation to fight the surcharge!

Don’t get me wrong, I am truly in favor of improving safety and “speeding up the boarding and deplaning” process but why is it necessary to put a “charge” on something that I expect the airline to consider in their “operational efficiency stats”!

I think the airlines that are considering this move should sit in “our seats” to appreciate our priorities!  As for “improving safety,” I would prefer they concentrate on checking their equipment and where they rate in terms of on time performance.  In addition to trying to improve their revenue, they should also consider what impact increases will have on other travel services i.e. hotels, car rentals, tourism!”

I recently spent several days checking web notices about “airfare sales”.  When I found a price that I thought was a “bargain”, it did not include the price of “a seat”!  Now I ask you, short of finding another airline, is there anyway I can take advantage of this sale without a seat?  As a consumer, I would appreciate it if the airlines would stop trying to find ways to squeeze more money out of us.  To appear credible, I would advise them to include everything they can possibly think of in the price of their ticket and leave the demand to the market.  The law of “supply and demand” will determine who stays in the air and who gets grounded!

Cheryl Homer-Wilson