Like a lot of us, leisure travel agents don’t much like TSA security pat-downs, nor are they fond of bag fees. Nothing new there. But the results of a recent survey show the depth of those dislikes – and offer some strategies to cope.
In its Fall Travel Trend Survey, the respected travel company Travel Leaders found its leisure agents, agency owners and managers gripe most about extensive pat-downs. Thirty-two percent of them say it tops their list of things they’d most like to see the Transportation Security Administration do away with.
The next most nettlesome security complaint is the practice of limiting liquids in carry-ons. Around 30 percent think it should be shelved. Taking off your shoes before trundling through security is the next most common complaint among leisure travel experts. 23.3 percent say it should go. Six percent don’t like body scanners, and a scant 3.9 percent contend TSA shouldn’t eliminate anything when it comes to security. “Safety First” is their focus.
If people don’t like some of the security to which they’re subject, they flat-out loathe airline baggage fees. The issue is how to cope with the increasingly common levy. Leisure travel agents, owners and managers—a formidable 60.9 percent of them—say the best strategy is straightforward: travel with only a carry-on. 22.2 percent advocate booking a carrier that doesn’t charge fees for that first bag. Discount airline Southwest, for example, lets you fly two checked bags for free. There are other strategies too, but they’re less applicable to price-sensitive leisure fliers. Eight percent suggest flying an airline on which you’ve attained elite frequent flier status. Nearly 7 percent advise flying with an airline-branded credit card. Some of them let you check your first piece of luggage gratis. A miniscule 1.6 percent of those polled suggest checking you bag once you’ve boarded.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: jlcwalker)
