Airplanes are going to be 80 percent-plus full this summer, and tempers could turn as hot as the temperature on the tarmac. The Air Transport Association (ATA) estimates some 209-million souls will fly on US airlines from June through August, a 3 percent increase over the same period last year.
ATA projects 21.4 million folks will take wing globally on US carriers during the ten-day Memorial Day weekend alone, which runs from May 21 through May 30.
Things could get interesting. “Weather plays a role” in on-time operations says James C. May, ATA’s President and CEO. Add to Mother Nature’s whims what he calls an air traffic control system “straining to meet current demand” and there could be delays to deal with. “Without a rapid transition to an information-centric satellite-based system, the threat of gridlock continues to grow.”
Indeed, delays are already on the grow at least in the minds of airline passengers. The J.D. Power and Associates 2007 North America Airport Satisfaction Study says this year one in five fliers experienced a flight delay, a 12 percent increase over 2006 figures. The leading reason for the hold-up is weather.
May says: “It’s important to remember that smooth operations are not solely in airlines’ hands.” If, as May insists, there are some things the airlines can’t do anything about, and the issue of air traffic control is in the hands of “Congress and the administration,” what sort of sway can fliers exert over the system?
A bit.
Adhering to a few simple rules won’t get your flight off on time, but it might just get you to the gate in time to catch that flight. Here are some measures the ATA and Cheap Flight News recommend:
– Go to the airline’s Web site and print out boarding passes before going to the airport;
– Pack liquids or gels (no more than 3 ounces) in one quart-sized zip-top bag before putting your carry-on bag through screening. Make sure that plastic bag goes through the machine separately, outside the carry-on;
– Take off anything metal and put it in your purse or carry-on before you get to the security check-point;
– Make sure you have a government-issued photo ID out and ready when you start queuing up for security;
– Think about buying bottled water or sodas after you’ve cleared security;
– Use the space under the seat in front of you for smaller stuff. Don’t try to cram it all in overhead. This can delay departure.
© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler
