This week's e-mail from a local TA (long)

[Luv2Roam]

I thought some points were interesting:

"Here is the real scoop on air travel today….I just returned from a weekend trip with my staff to Orlando and here are my observations from that trip. This past Friday I arrived at the Omaha Airport 2 hours before my 4:35pm flight on Northwest Airlines. This historically should have been one of the busiest times of the day for travel. I was completely checked in and at the gate within 10 minutes. So much for arriving at the airport 2 hours before flight time. In Lincoln or Omaha I would suggest allowing between 60 and 90 minutes ahead of your flight time. Figure 90 to 120 minutes at the large hub airports for domestic travel and at least 120 minutes for international travel. Keep in mind as air travel picks up these times may need to be lengthened.

Talk to the shoeshine man to find out what is going on in airports…. They are my best source of information of what is really going on with the airlines and the economy. After all about 95% of the people they talk to are business executives that tell them first hand about the airlines and their companies (economy). George at the Omaha airport said things are getting better every day with the number of business travelers. It appears the business traveler is quickly putting the tragedy behind them and starting to travel again.
The worry of layoffs is also starting to be discussed a lot according to George.
Travel is almost enjoyable again….One of the many benefits of arriving early at the airport was that no one was in much of a hurry. The smaller crowds made travel feel like it did 20 years ago. The flight attendants and crew were all smiling and pleasant and everyone acted like ladies and gentlemen. Perhaps the tragedy has shocked us into being a more civilized civilization.

My list of losers and winners this week.

Last week’s losers become this week’s winners
Lincoln airport parking garage – Was closed the last two weeks but opened on Friday.
Electronic tickets – After all the confusion E-tickets are still the preferred method of ticketing by all the airlines.
Carry-on luggage – Airlines still allow 2 pieces of carry-on luggage. I was surprised to see how liberal the airlines were in allowing carry-on luggage. They are checking all bags more carefully however.

Winners
Travel agents – Those that make it through the next few months will have a bright future as travelers are reminded how valuable it is to have a professional coach them through these difficult times.
Ticket prices this fall – You’re going to see a whopper of a sale to try to get people back on airplanes.
Private jet business. Look for growing use in flying employees on critical business trips.
Amtrak...Passengers ducking airplane flights will look at this option.
Videoconferencing services – Businesses will take a more serious look at ways to cut travel costs.

Losers
Eating steak at an airport – New security means no more knives in airports. Even at airport restaurants within the security zone. I tried to get a knife at Chilli’s Grill at the Minneapolis Airport to butter my toast and learned of the new rule.
Airline stocks – Wallpaper continues to be more valuable than a room full of airline stocks.
Airline tickets bought on the internet – The dot.bombs are becoming the no-service.bombs.
Hotels – They were having a "hayday" with stranded travelers last week but will go begging until travel picks up.
Paper tickets – Confusion led many people to want a piece of paper in their hand last week. This week is different.
Car rental companies – They made a short-term fortune the last 2 weeks but will now suffer with everyone else.
International travel – People that do travel will stay closer to home."

 

[Beverly Lynn]

I can't say that I agree with all of it but I have found that skycaps are good for info too. we also have no knives at our airport in pit and I had to put jelly on my toast with my spoon but in MCO they had the plastic knives to use. go figure.