LAT: Warning: Turbulence ahead (in air travel)

[question everything]

latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-ntb16oct16,1,2252199.story

Warning: Turbulence ahead

Bankruptcies, cutbacks and rising prices are all going to affect air passengers. However, consumers do have options.
By Jane Engle
Times Staff Writer

October 16, 2005

FASTEN your seat belts, fliers — it could be a bumpy ride this fall and winter.

In many places, prices are increasing, seats are becoming more scarce and your favorite flight may have disappeared. The holidays are looking especially un-jolly.

The main culprit is a reduction in airline capacity. Pressured by bankruptcies and high fuel prices, many airlines are dropping routes, flying less often or using smaller planes for domestic service. Among them are American, Delta, Independence Air and Northwest.

(snip)

Book holiday flights now. You already may be too late for popular destinations. "You're finding prices are higher, and it's more difficult to find space," said Susan Tanzman, owner of Martin's Travel & Tours in Los Angeles.

(snip)

Get real about redeeming miles. Award seats have been getting scarcer. Capacity cutbacks are "just going to make a problem that was bad in the first place even worse," said Tim Winship, editor and publisher of the online newsletter FrequentFlier.com. Book early, travel off-season and be willing to pony up extra miles for unrestricted awards, Winship advised.

(snip)

[xchrom]

1. one of the great joys of living -- travel

brought to new lows.

i'm feeling like it's all turning into the grey hound bus station.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. Sadly, bus stations are more pleasant than airports these days

Greyhound and Trailways look better all the time. One can buy a ticket on the same day of travel for the same price as someone who bought one a month in advance. You can show up with a ticket two minutes before boarding. Most major cities have bus terminals in center city or at urban transit hubs. All seats are first come, first serve. On time departures and arrivals are the norm. Security checks causing delays are rare.Some bus lines offer complimentary movies and snacks. All of this for a cost that rivals driving. For trips under 200 miles, the bus may be an attractive alternative to flying these days.

I loved to travel by air. Not any more.

[xchrom]

2. one of the great joys of living -- travel

brought to new lows.

i'm feeling like it's all turning into the grey hound bus station.