Travel turbulence is coming! After two years of pandemics, what started out as a summer for so-called revenge travel has become travel hell.
One pilot said, “I’m extremely frustrated” and was disappointed.
One passenger said, “They put a few people onboard, but then they canceled the flight.”
Kyndal Young and her children weren’t going to lose a moment at Disney World this weekend. She said, “In the event that we missed this flight [flight],] I had an additional day to catch-up… I added an extra day.”
The busiest pandemic is expected to see 48 million people on the road this Independence Day weekend. Unfortunately, many of America’s airlines have been unable to keep up. More than 200,000 flights have been delayed and 24,000 cancelled in the United States since Memorial Day. This has affected nearly 2.4 million people, or roughly Houston’s population.
This is an increase from pre-pandemic levels. However, airlines are flying up 25% less than 2019, according to Flight Aware, and charging 45% more to fly (according Hopper).
Kris Van Cleave, Correspondent, asked: “Is it fair that this is the airline’s fault?”
Henry Harteveldt (an analyst in the airline industry and founder of Atmosphere Research San Francisco) said, “There’s shared accountability; airline and aviation are a team sport.”
Harteveldt stated that it seemed like everything went wrong in the summer. One, airlines continue to try to rehire flight attendants and pilots. The FAA continues to hire people. Third, there were a lot of flights scheduled by the airlines. We’ve had terrible weather and lots of it.
You have a fragile system with no flexibility. It all just crumbles.”
Van Cleave asked: “Congress, taxpayers bailedout the airlines so that they wouldn’t put anyone on the job.” What does it mean that there aren’t enough people?
“The government provided more than $50 billion to airlines to continue operating and keep people employed, but the airlines panicked in the first months before any subsidies could be guaranteed and saw their traffic drop by 96%.
The airlines offered early retirement to tens to thousands of employees in response to pandemic panic. More than 3,000 pilots had taken buyouts by December 2020, worsening an ever-growing pilot shortage.
Pilots from Delta marked the beginning of the holiday weekend by pickingeting airports coast to coast. Van Cleave was told by Pilot Maggie Eickoff that Delta had “overscheduled” her. We don’t have enough pilots to staff it right now.
COVID is still a problem passenger and results in more sick calls than normal.
Captain Laura Einsetler is a 27-year veteran airline pilot. She predicted that it would be a difficult summer. “We’re just going through it as best we can.” It’s frustrating for both us and the passengers.
Einsetler stated that “we don’t want our flights delayed” “We prefer to be in control and in control of our flights, and to fly the schedule that we expect it to be. We are currently willing to make sacrifices, such as flying on our days off or giving up our vacations.
“CBS Sunday Morning” attempted to speak to the chief executives of four major airlines in the country, but they were not available to discuss summer travel. According to the airlines, they have already reduced 15% of summer flights and are increasing their training and hiring to meet growing demand.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian wrote a letter Thursday to customers, apologizing for recent delays and cancellations.
Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary, is one of the millions who have been affected. Van Cleave was told by Buttigieg that he met with all airline executives to discuss what they are doing to prevent cancellations. “The next morning, I woke up to find that my flight had been canceled.”
“Is this the new norm, or will it get better?”
Buttigieg stated that “this can’t be normal.” We can’t accept this many cancellations and delays.
“What is your message to the airlines?”
Buttigieg stated, “We count on you; and we’re looking to you to provide the service matching the tickets you’ve sold.” They must deliver.
Senator Bernie Sanders demanded that fines of up to $55,000 be imposed on airlines that cancel flights due to staff shortages.
Van Cleave asked: “Is it so bad that DOT should begin fining airlines?”
Buttigieg stated that “we have fined airlines when they’ve failed provide refunds to treat customers well.”
“But not canceling flights for staffing”
“Right, there may be other authorities we have, and we’ll look at them, but I would rather have a positive outcome so we don’t have to go there. It is clear that the airline industry is not up to public standards, and that I am concerned about it.
Van Cleave asked: “Whose fault?”
Buttigieg responded, “I’m just not interested in the blame game. I’m interested to make sure that the passengers get to where they need.”
This weekend saw a record 42 million people opt to drive. However, driving can be costly for the wallet. AAA reports that gas prices per gallon average $1.74 higher than last year.
Van Cleave asked Monte Kenney why he was not flying, as he was filling up at a Bucee’s in northwest Georgia, during a 3,000-mile family trip.
Kenney stated, “It’s too costly.” He also said that he has a wife and a child with him, so for them to spend the entire amount, it would be more than we are spending.
However, those who fly aren’t always happy. Henry Harteveldt, an airline analyst, found that 74% of those who flew or planned to fly regretted their decision.
He has some tips for finding more friendly skies. The first flight you can take in the morning is the best. These are less likely to be cancelled or delayed.
He advised that you pack light, as checked baggage can make it difficult to rebook.
Keep it light, but that’s the most important thing. Keep calm if something goes wrong. Harteveldt stated that you should assume something will go wrong with your summer vacation. “And if it does, be thankful and perhaps buy a lottery ticket.
More information:
Story by John Goodwin, Young Kim, and Julie Kracov. Editor: Lauren Barnello.
