"NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The dysfunctional air travel system is causing many Americans to avoid air travel and the economy is suffering as a result, according to a survey released Friday. [...]The airline industry has been progressively putting out a poorer and poorer product, and they're now reaping what they sowed. The majority of survey respondents mostly blame the air travel process and not the airlines per se, but I don't think the airlines have been doing anything to help the situation. American Airlines is now charging $15 for the first check-in luggage -- how many more passengers are now going to board with multiple over-sized carry-ons? The overhead bins are already crowded enough. I have no doubt airlines will continue to pile fees upon fees.
"Many travelers believe their time is not respected and it is leading them to avoid a significant number of trips," said Allan Rivlin, a partner at Peter D. Hart Research Associates, which interviewed 1,003 air travelers for the survey. [...]
"The air travel crisis has hit a tipping point, " said Roger Dow, president and CEO of TIA. "More than 100,000 travelers each day are voting with their wallets by choosing to avoid trips."
[...] inefficient security screening, flight cancellations and delays were the top frustration among air travelers surveyed.
[...] 60% of respondents think the air travel system is deteriorating. But travelers are most irritated with the air travel process, not the airlines. [...]"
Expensive, crowded, cramped, over-booked and delayed flights have been my recent experiences with air travel. I normally fly a single round-trip once a year, and during that one trip, 50% of my flights were canceled due to mechanical problems.
With that kind of record, no wonder people are avoiding air travel.
And don't get me started on the inefficiencies and hassles of airport security; that deserves another post all on its own.
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