Oh travel, I mostly love you but there are moments of intense loathing. Sure, I am all smiles once I finally reach my destination but why must the journey (especially air travel) be so painful? I show up on time yet almost 20% of flights in North America were delayed in 2011. I look pretty snazzy in my little black dress but I have to get practically naked at security. Please, may I keep my shoes and my dignity? Travel, you must do better.
Where is the love? Where has all the glamour gone? After all, statistics show that 80% of travel decisions are made by women. Travel must learn how to treat a lady! As the year winds down, I've taken the liberty of suggesting four new year's resolutions for the travel industry. Like any committed relationship, I want travel to go that extra mile to make me happy! I've tried to be kind by only listing four but what improvements would you like to see in the travel industry? Leave a comment below!
Resolution # 1 - Stop Nickle and Diming
From baggage fees to charging for stale sandwiches, please stop adding on all of these extra fees. The first checked bag should ALWAYS be free - charging is just tacky! And the extra charges for everything from food to headphones has got to stop. And, just when I wasn't annoyed enough, the airlines now refuse to take cash on board. Really? I have to hand over my credit card for a $2 purchase? Give me a break!
Resolution 2: Don't Hate Us Because We're Beautiful
I know you want to make air travel as safe as possible but please stop making us cram all of our lotions and potions into one quart sized ZipLoc bag. Mascara is not the enemy. The TSA should be required to take a beauty orientation at Sephora.
Resolution #3 - Bring Glamour Back to the Rails
Maybe I watched too many Alfred Hitchcock movies growing up (The Lady Vanishes, Strangers on a Train) but trains were so glamorous even if the occasional misdemeanor was committed! You might meet the love of your life or a menace to society, but at least the trains were intriguing! In so many countries, trains are sleek and fast but Amtrak seems to be chugging along in the dark ages. I've been on 3 hour journeys on Amtrak where that sad little excuse of a dining cart wasn't even available.
Resolution #4 - Stop Punishing Single Travelers
One of the greatest joys in my life is traveling alone but that independence can come at a cost. I'll see a deal for an amazing vacation but, upon closer inspection, the fine print reads that the cost is based on double occupancy. So if I want to take this trip alone, the single supplement can often double the price - bye bye deal. At this stage in my life, I don't want to room with some random person to save money. Also, a single traveler uses less of the property's resources and that should be taken into consideration. There are some tour operators and travel agencies that make an effort to minimize the single supplement, but more could be done.
