When I wrote this I was sitting at Gate A18 in the Calgary International Airport at 2:00am waiting on a delayed flight after coming in from Toronto with my ultimate destination being Vancouver. Our departure was to be at 3:45am, an 11 hour delay from the original flight time. My flight from Toronto to Calgary was delayed 6 hours. That's two flights, two different airlines, both telling the same story that’s been plaguing the airline industry since the pandemic that literally grounded the Big Birds, and essentially sent the world of air travel into a tailspin, of which it’s struggling full-throttle to pull out of. A little backstory, my husband was a commercial pilot for 32 years and I, in my earliest of careers, was a Travel Agent. I received a college diploma after a 2 year full-time course to learn about the worId and the world of travel. I loved it. I believe now the position is referred to as a Travel Advisor, Destination Specialist or Certified Travel Associate. Those handles sound much more professional don’t they? I was proud of my diploma and what I did for a living and I like that Travel Specialist are now being considered professionals. As a professional I was once asked by a client where the bus stop was. I directed him to walk out of my office and toward where he could catch the bus. He stopped me and said, “no, I mean the bus stop outside my hotel in Honolulu.” I laughed and told him he would have to consult the hotel concierge for that information. I’m good but I’m not that good.
My career was short-lived but, as the spouse of a Pilot the travel industry has been my constant bedfellow so, I do know a thing or two when it comes to making my way around airports, standby flights, delayed travel and the virtue of a bottomless well of patience when navigating what is now an industry with badly broken wings that are not healing well.
When the world shut down so too did air travel which meant all airport and aircrew staff were left in limbo, waiting for the day things would take off again. Sadly, that was much longer coming than expected and consequently thousands and thousands of people lost their jobs, my husband included. Now, here we are today with travel deprived folk desperate to venture out after lockdowns and the airlines are unable to staff their aircraft and ground crews, airports cannot manage the masses, maintenance and baggage staff is sorely understaffed, reservation systems are crashing because they are old and outdated or there is just too much volume and the travelling public is being shunted around like cattle. Line em up in lanes, pat em down, check the goods, then have them linger for hours waiting for flights, left with more questions than answers.
Will the flight be on time? Will it be at the same gate or will it change without notice? Will I get the email that says it’s been delayed or show up at the airport on time only to wait 10 hours? Should I check a bag or will that end up in another galaxy far, far away? If I buy air tags will they still lose my bag and deny the reliability of my tracking device? Will I have to wait a year plus to be compensated for loss of luggage? Will security lines extend beyond Guinness world record holdings for longest line-ups? How many times should I be scanned to be sure I have no metal on my chest? I was scanned three times... no jewellery on, no underwire, just a good old triple XXX-ray after having to make sure I pulled my bra band in place in front of the line-up behind me and the three guards watching me. You know, in case I was carrying a nail clipper between my boobs. I get it, security is important and my personal space and dignity isn't when in an airport. It should be, but it isn't.
The whole experience of flying was once a pleasure. It started as a means of transport for those who had the money. It was glamorous, first class luxury and eventually, over time, it became more affordable for most people. We were fed meals and given complimentary drinks, were made cozy with blankets and pillows and all travellers were treated first class. I was always giddy with the thought of heading off to unknown destinations and I always felt like my holiday started the second I sat down in that airplane seat.
As it stands now, flying has essentially become a bus ride, just with wings. When airlines were deregulated the competition was on and they could charge what they wanted and have access to more routes.Today discount airlines are the popular choice and with that comes discount service. Now we are not fed or watered unless the flight is over a certain number of hours. If we are traveling economy we have no pillows or blankets, no cutlery when we do purchase food on board and because we are a captive audience in the airport or on the flight, the prices charged are at a premium.
Back in the day, airfares were published all in and yes, they were expensive. Then regulations said they must show the breakdown, fair enough. With one ticket price plus taxes you got one seat, a personal item, a carry on item and a checked bag. In today’s competitive arena we now have super low fares and then come the taxes and the checked bag costs, the carry on bag costs, the seat costs, which vary depending on where you sit in the aircraft and those are the must buys. If you travel without any luggage, then you are golden but, you still have to buy your seat. Then there is cancellation insurance and guaranteed change of flight costs, should you need to switch days or times. Again, these are not required and yet it’s usually the smarter choice to make. At this point the super low fare is now not so much.
In the past you had an economy fare, a business fare, and a first class fare. The economy fares were cheaper depending if you booked months or weeks out. Some were 100% non-refundable and some were $100 non-refundable and some fully refundable. If you had excess bags you paid a price and if your bags were overweight, you paid a price. That was it. Today, most of the major airlines still allow a free checked or carry on bag and don't charge for the seat but, the fare is higher, which makes sense right? I found it much easier navigating the booking process when everything was included. Now, don’t forget, I started in the days of hand-writing tickets and taking payment with the credit card slider. There are some things that have definitely improved and yet, it doesn’t come across as much easier of late.
The tragedy of 9/11 was an unspeakable act and a pivotal moment in our history that changed the future of air travel forever. From no liquids allowed to some liquids, to arrival times at the airport for check in, to removing our shoes, watches and underwires ;).
I watched a very aged and fragile man at the security check having to hold his pants up with one hand while trying to remove his shoes without both his pants and him falling down. I would have helped him but I was in another lane and no one else stepped in to assist him. I was upset for him and angry with the system and saddened that this is what we’ve come to. I think it’s terrific that most people are now able to fly what were once the friendly skies however, these days it’s more like travellers are collateral damage and we‘ve been caught with our pants down, and not just because we have to remove our belts!
I‘d like to think that things will improve over time, though it’s seems it will be a turbulent flight path heading into the unforeseeable future. Many of the industry’s experienced pilots are now of retirement age and the younger generations don’t have sufficient heavy jet time to captain the planes. The cost of becoming a pilot is almost prohibitive and the remuneration as a new pilot doesn't reflect the gravity of the position. It takes years to become a Captain and young pilots cannot afford to wait it out. There is also the stress and health factors that must be considered and are being stretched to the limits both professionally and personally. I don’t know about you but I prefer my pilots and back-end crew well trained, well paid, well rested and well in mind, body and soul. Nobody wants a stressed and burnt out air crew, am I right?
At 4:00am my flight had just arrived into the gate so it was another hour delay. My butt was numb from sitting, my back was aching and my belly was on a hunger protest. I sipped on a bottle of water and thought about how fortunate I’ve been when it comes to my history in the world of travel. I have been able to experience the best of it. The newness and excitement of being able to get on a plane and within hours arrive somewhere completely different has never left me and my personal path has afforded me the privilege of doing it relatively easily. I have always had a konnection to the intrigue and mystery of experiencing new places, to the thrill of taking off and the joy of touching down with so much to discover.
I’m holding on to a flimsy and somewhat faltering faith that the powers that be will be able to navigate the industry out of the clouds and into clear skies ahead. For now, all we can do is dig deep for patience and a good attitude, keep our seatbelts fastened, don’t forget your water bottle and neck pillow and for gosh sakes, don't hold your breath. It will run out long before your delayed flight time. Fly safe ya’ll!
Love Kiki
xoxo
”When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. - Henry Ford
Comments