Highbrow Magazine - airports https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/airports en Is the Travel Industry Taking Self-Service Too Far? https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/24006-travel-industry-taking-self-service-too-far <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Travel</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Thu, 06/01/2023 - 18:20</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1airtravel.jpg?itok=iOIzhLPO"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1airtravel.jpg?itok=iOIzhLPO" width="480" height="319" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Annette Johnson thinks the travel industry is taking self-service too far. She's watched airlines drop their phone support and add fees for airport check-ins that use a human agent. Some air carriers are even tearing out their kiosks and prodding passengers into using a phone app at the airport.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"It feels like you're being punished if you need a little help," says Johnson, a travel advisor based in Colorado Springs, Colo. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The trend started earlier this year when Frontier transitioned to "fully digital" communications by eliminating its phone center. Last month, Alaska Airlines <a href="https://news.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/alaska-airlines-is-transforming-the-airport-lobby-experience/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">removed check-in kiosks at nine airports</a> and told customers to use Alaska's app to download boarding passes or print them at home. It's part of Alaska's $2.5 billion plan to reimagine "a more seamless" travel experience.  </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">All this is happening against the backdrop of the AI revolution, which is spreading quickly in the travel industry. Expedia last month announced <a href="https://www.expediagroup.com/investors/news-and-events/financial-releases/news/news-details/2023/Chatgpt-Wrote-This-Press-Release--No-It-Didnt-But-It-Can-Now-Assist-With-Travel-Planning-In-The-Expedia-App/default.aspx" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">a new in-app travel planning experience powered by ChatGPT</a>, which allows users to get travel recommendations from an AI. Kayak <a href="https://www.kayak.com/news/kayak-chatgpt/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">also said it would begin using ChatGPT to help customers plan trips</a>. These developments promise to remove human advisors from the travel-planning process almost completely.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Travelers are lukewarm to the idea of automation. A <a href="https://www.travelport.com/what-consumers-want" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">recent study</a> by travel technology company Travelport shows most travelers (77 percent) have already interacted with a chatbot, although it doesn't specify if the exchange was positive or negative. It's not hard to guess: Three-quarters of respondents still want the option of talking to a person.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/2airtravel.jpg" style="height:217px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>So what's getting automated in travel?</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">There's no question about it, travel is becoming more of a DIY experience. Here's what's getting automated:</span></span><br /> <br />  </p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Booking: </strong>Artificial intelligence powered by technology like ChatGPT is slowly replacing human agents. Expedia's foray into AI is just one of what will be many announcements. AI is clearly the future of booking.</span></span></li> </ul> <p><br />  </p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Check-in</strong>: Airlines and hotels have introduced mobile check-in options that allow you to check in for flights or rooms using your smartphone. In some cases, this is replacing the self-service kiosks at the airport.</span></span></li> </ul> <p><br />  </p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Customer service</strong>: Many travel companies have added chatbots to their sites that can answer common customer questions and provide assistance with booking and other tasks. The technology uses AI and natural language processing to understand customer queries.</span></span></li> </ul> <p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">By the way, I asked ChatGPT to tell me what the travel industry was automating. It got two out of three right. (Hey, ChatGPT, scan this story.)</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">I'm not even including all of the automation that isn't customer-facing, like back office and revenue management systems that use AI. And I skipped the novelty items like robots serving meals -- although at the rate things are going, those will soon be common sights.</span></span></p> <p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Why travelers don't like self-service</strong></span></span></p> <p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Travelers don't hate the whole do-it-yourself movement -- just parts of it. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Johnson, the travel advisor from Colorado Springs, says she likes the convenience of self-check in and uses it herself. But her agency, which <a href="https://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">specializes in theme-park vacations</a>, works with passengers who aren't as comfortable with it, so she has to coach them through the self-service check-in process.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"Frontier has recently started asking if you will need assistance at the counter," says Johnson. "If so, then you pay an extra $20 per person each direction." </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">When her daughter tried to check in online for a recent Frontier flight from Denver, the system blocked her and directed her to talk to the agent.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"She was afraid this would mean she would have to pay an extra $20," recalls Johnson. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Fortunately, the agent checked her in without asking for more money. But Johnson wonders who is really benefiting from the automation -- passengers or the airline?</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Frontier says it's passengers.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"Automating our processes for check-in, bag tagging and generating a boarding pass are designed to help customers breeze through their travel experience and avoid waiting in line," says airline spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz. "Automation also helps us keep our costs down which ultimately benefits consumers in the form of lower fares."</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/3airtravel.jpg" style="height:417px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>What's good about self-service in travel?</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The travel industry likes to frame automation as a "win-win." Customers benefit by getting faster service and maybe even lower prices, while companies save on staffing.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Sometimes it is. Adam Harris, CEO of the hospitality management software company <a href="https://www.cloudbeds.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Cloudbeds</a>, says he just spoke with a customer who loves automation. Installing a virtual check-in at her hotel group has saved her around 16 hours a week in staff time.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"In checking in guests, there's a lot of standing around and waiting for your guest to arrive, and delays happen all the time," he says. "After switching to virtual check-ins, she turned the former receptionist position into a guest experience manager, whose job now is to curate local experiences for the guests."</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The results? Guests loved the new experience manager, leading to an increase in positive ratings. But win-wins are rare.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>What the critics think of travel industry automation</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">As you can probably imagine, the travel industry also has mixed feelings about self-service. Airlines and hotels love the potential money savings. But travel advisors are not thrilled.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Mitch Krayton, a travel advisor and owner of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KraytonTravel/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Krayton Travel</a> in Denver, says the trend only benefits companies. The businesses have no intention of passing the savings along to their customers. Bottom line: There's no substitute for a professional ticket agent or hotel receptionist.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"Self-service only gives you false expectations that you will be as successful as a professional," he told me. "It doesn’t -- and you won't."</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Automation may support basic travel bookings, but observers say it has yet to prove itself when it comes to fixing some of the problems that are likely to emerge this summer. Those include rebooking complex itineraries or taking care of a passenger with special needs.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"Self-service bookings and check-in facilities can be problematic enough," says Bill McGee, a senior fellow for aviation and travel at the<a href="https://www.economicliberties.us/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> American Economic Liberties Project</a>. "But self-service troubleshooting never works."</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/4airtravel.jpg" style="height:434px; width:652px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Is self-service here to stay in travel?</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Still, self-service is a thing in travel, and the trend is only accelerating. That means it's just a matter of time before you find yourself at an airport without even a check-in kiosk, fumbling for your phone. Or at a hotel with no check-in desk. Or talking to ChatGPT when you contact a company.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"To introduce automation effectively, you must lead with a human-centered approach," says Mario Matulich, president of <a href="https://www.customermanagementpractice.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Customer Management Practice</a>. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Customer service experts tell me there's a silver lining. In a self-service, AI-enabled travel industry, it'll be easier to find quality airlines, car rental companies and hotels.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"The human element is crucial and personal service can be a major differentiator," says Mike Taylor, managing director for travel, hospitality and retail at <a href="https://www.jdpower.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">JD Power</a>. The best companies will refuse to outsource important customer service functions to an AI or force their customers to use a self-service app. And over time, that will become increasingly clear.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Maybe that's a good thing. I see a future where travel companies that don't care about customer service go completely self-service. ChatGPT answers the phones. You're basically on your own. Figuring out which companies are worth booking shouldn't be that difficult.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Elliott's tips for dealing with self-service travel</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Learn the shortcuts to a human.</strong> If you're stuck talking to an AI, there's almost always a way out. Words like "operator" or "agent" will usually get you to a human. And if not, you can always hang up the phone or discontinue the chat and try again. Many companies have apps with a "chat with us" function that can connect you to a human being.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Make arrangements before you leave.</strong> If you don't have a cell phone or can't use technology, you can usually call an airline's special services desk to find out how to check in manually with a human agent. At a hotel, politely ask for help if you can't check in with your phone. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Avoid extreme DIY. </strong>It will soon be obvious which airlines are aspiring to be the Ikea of the skies, where you have to check yourself in and tag your own bags. If you'd rather avoid that experience, now is the time to steer clear of the worst offenders. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Author Bio:</strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://chriselliotts.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><strong><em>Christopher Elliott</em></strong></a><strong><em> is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded </em></strong><a href="http://elliottadvocacy.org/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><strong><em>Elliott Advocacy,</em></strong></a><strong><em> a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes </em></strong><a href="http://elliottconfidential.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><strong><em>Elliott Confidential</em></strong></a><strong><em>, a travel newsletter, and the </em></strong><a href="http://elliott.org/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><strong><em>Elliott Report</em></strong></a><strong><em>, a news site about customer service. </em></strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Highbrow Magazine</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Image Sources:</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--Skitterphoto (<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/airport-airline-air-traffic-travel-384562/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Pixabay</a>, Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--Garten GG <a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/to-travel-vacation-flying-4449816/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">(Pixabay</a>, Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--Joshua Woroniecki (<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/travel-airport-boarding-pass-5219496/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Pixabay</a>, Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--JEShoots (<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/airport-airplane-aircraft-fly-3511342/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Pixabay</a>, Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airlines</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airports" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airports</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/travel-season" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">travel season</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/summer-travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">summer travel</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/travel-industry" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">travel industry</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tourists" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tourists</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/digital-check" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">digital check in</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Christopher Elliot</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">In Slider</div></div></div> Thu, 01 Jun 2023 22:20:11 +0000 tara 11914 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/24006-travel-industry-taking-self-service-too-far#comments The Best and Worst Airlines of 2022 for Customer Service https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/23246-best-and-worst-airlines-customer-service <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Travel</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 16:09</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1airlines.jpg?itok=cXffZ12e"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1airlines.jpg?itok=cXffZ12e" width="480" height="319" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">What are the best airlines of the year for customer service? Ask passengers, and they'll mention favorites like JetBlue and Southwest (despite that airline's holiday meltdown). And they'll criticize legacy carriers like American and United, and low-fare airlines that love to charge fees.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Travelers have been doing a lot of talking lately. They complained about airline service in record numbers this year. This summer, consumer complaints against airlines were <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/air-travel-consumer-report-july-consumer-complaints-june-more-260-percent-above-pre" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">nearly 270 percent above pre-pandemic levels</a>. We'll have to wait until early 2023 for this year's total, but it's not looking good.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">So which airlines performed the best for their customers? Which ones didn't? And what, if anything, is the government doing about the state of airline customer service?</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/2airlines.jpg" style="height:334px; width:652px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>These are the best airlines for customer service</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Customers say they like perennial favorites, including JetBlue, Southwest, Delta and Alaska. And in 2022, these carriers came through for passengers again -- to a point.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Alex Beene, a community coordinator in Nashville, flew to Dallas on Southwest Airlines recently. Weather and staffing issues led to delay after delay. He was afraid he would miss his appointment in Dallas and approached a gate agent about his concerns.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"From that point forward, they did everything possible to expedite my journey," he says. "They gave me early boarding so I could get a seat in the front of the plane. A flight attendant drew a makeshift map showing me how to get to ground transportation quickly. To my shock, Southwest even gave me a $200 voucher for a future flight."</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Beene says he's a customer for life.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Inez Stanway says her vote for the best airline goes to Delta. A recent trip from Atlanta to Detroit is a standout. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"The flight was smooth and on time," says Stanway, who runs an <a href="https://livelaughcreate.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">art website</a> in Atlanta. "The staff was attentive and polite, and I had no problems at all. It was a very pleasant experience."</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Research backs up these experiences. Fordham University's <a href="https://americaninnovationindex.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">American Innovation Index</a> ranked JetBlue as the top airline, followed by Southwest, Alaska and Delta. Lerzan Aksoy, the interim dean of Fordham's business school, says these airlines go "above and beyond" when it comes to customer service.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">"Customers appreciate when airlines go above and beyond to help customers through superior service and flexibility," she added.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/3airlines.jpg" style="height:440px; width:660px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>My favorite airlines of 2022</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">I haven't flown in the United States this year, but I've had plenty of opportunities to try foreign airlines.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Qatar Airways</strong> is one of my favorite flying experiences of the year. I flew the Gulf carrier from Frankfurt to Doha and from Doha to Cape Town in economy class. Qatar's cabin service was excellent and it gave me plenty of legroom on both flights. Also, it didn't charge extra for my luggage -- just like in the good old days.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Turkish Airlines </strong>also gets high marks. I flew the national carrier from Cape Town to Istanbul in business class and then around Turkey in economy class. I particularly liked the in-flight food, from incredible Turkish coffee to fresh-baked simit (bagels). Turkish hospitality is legendary.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>SAS</strong> shuttled me from London to Oslo and from Bergen to Split, Croatia this fall. Even though the airline was struggling financially, that didn't stop it from providing first-rate service. When people complain about the demise of European carriers, they are clearly not talking about SAS.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/4airlines.jpg" style="height:432px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>These are the worst airlines for customer service</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The worst airlines are also familiar. Passengers mention negative experiences with some legacy carriers and low-fare airlines known for their fees.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Dennis Shirshikov recalls a recent American Airlines flight from Mexico City to New York with his wife and three young children. As they boarded, a crew member ordered him to gate-check their stroller. Shirshikov, who runs a real estate investment firm in New York, says he balked because the stroller was regulation-size and he needed it to transport his kids. "They were very confrontational," he says. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">When he arrived at JFK, the stroller was gone. He finally found it in the lost and found. It was bent and scuffed but still worked. His relationship with American Airlines was damaged beyond repair. He says he'll avoid American from now on.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">But even airlines like United weren't as bad as they have been in the past, at least when it comes to customer service. The American Innovation index found United was the most improved airline over the last five years, with its scores rising by 15 points on a 100-point scale. Customers like United because it is easy to work with and has a good loyalty program. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">It's not perfect. "United has significant delays in processing refunds and cancellations," says Molly Egan, a hospitality designer construction manager from Denver.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Department of Transportation (DOT) complaint data backs up this list of the least favorite carriers. In the <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2022-08/August%202022%20ATCR.pdf" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">first half of 2022</a>, American Airlines had the most complaints (3,186), followed by United Airlines (2,391), Spirit Airlines (1,909) and Frontier Airlines (1,750). </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/5airlines_0.jpg" style="height:616px; width:1190px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Government: Airline service may have hit a low in 2022</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Ask the U.S. government, and you might come away thinking airlines offered the worst service ever.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The Department of Transportation last month issued <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/more-600-million-refunds-returned-airline-passengers-under-dot-rules-backed-new" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">a record $7.25 million fine</a> against six airlines for failing to refund tickets for flights that had canceled or significantly changed during the pandemic. The government also issue four other <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/enforcement-orders" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">aviation protection orders</a> — fines against airlines for violating department regulations or engaging in unfair and deceptive practices.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Earlier this year, airline regulators proposed <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/part-ongoing-airline-consumer-protections-efforts-usdot-announces-new-rulemaking" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">a new rule</a> that would make it easier to get a refund when a flight gets canceled or is significantly delayed. It would also allow passengers to get flight credits that don't expire when they cancel their flights for pandemic-related reasons, like a government travel ban.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The DOT set up a <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-customer-service-dashboard" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">new customer service dashboard</a> that publishes information about how each airline handles delays or cancellations. For example, you can find out if your airline offers hotels, meal vouchers or ground transportation to the hotel when you have to spend the night at the airport.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">This year could be a time of reckoning for airlines as some of these rules are adopted by regulators. And, barring a miracle, Southwest probably won't end up on anyone's favorite list for 2023 <a href="https://www.elliottconfidential.com/p/whose-fault-was-the-southwest-airlines" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">after its holiday meltdown</a>. (But if anyone can make it up to passengers, it's probably Southwest.)</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">But that's not all. Congress will consider the next FAA Reauthorization Bill, which funds the FAA. Traditionally, it's an opportunity for lawmakers to weigh in on the industry's performance with new legislation. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Given last summer's wave of delays and cancellations and the dreadful ending of 2022, thanks to Southwest, it's unlikely the industry will continue to get away with this behavior.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Highbrow Magazine</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Image Sources:</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--Top Photo Illustration by Chris Elliot</em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--Tomas Del Coro (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomasdelcoro/47505599662" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Flickr</a>, Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--BriYYZ (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bribri/49510328637" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Flickr</a>, Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--Jeshoots.com (<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Airport_Transport_Woman_Girl_Tourist_Travel.jpg" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Wikimedia</a>, Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--<a href="https://pxhere.com/en/photo/734708" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Pxhere</a> (Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/best-airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">best airlines</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/worst-airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">worst airlines</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/jet-blue" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">jet blue</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/united-airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">united airlines</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/sas" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">SAS</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/qatar-airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Qatar Airlines</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/delta-airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Delta airlines</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/southwest-airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Southwest Airlines</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/traveling" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">traveling</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tourists" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tourists</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airports" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airports</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/flights" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">flights</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Christopher Elliot</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">In Slider</div></div></div> Thu, 19 Jan 2023 21:09:12 +0000 tara 11607 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/23246-best-and-worst-airlines-customer-service#comments Moving Forward: The Future of Travel in 2021 and Beyond https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/12097-moving-forward-future-travel-2021-and-beyond <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Travel</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Mon, 06/07/2021 - 13:06</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1travel_pxfuel.jpg?itok=ZdpRY8Hj"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1travel_pxfuel.jpg?itok=ZdpRY8Hj" width="480" height="293" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>When you’re on vacation, your surroundings can change suddenly. One minute, you’re driving past open fields. Then, all of a sudden, you’re in a landscape of tall buildings and industrial sites. A few miles later, you might be climbing the mountains or up a hillside bluff overlooking the ocean.</p> <p>The past couple of years have been a lot like this, as we’ve had to navigate through <a href="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10471-how-rescue-your-vacation-coronavirus" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">the shifting landscape of the pandemic</a>. Even in the best of times, travel <a href="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10034-wonderful-unpredictability-travel" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">can be unpredictable</a>.</p> <p>On the road, we usually have a GPS or map to tell us what’s ahead so we know what to expect. During the pandemic, we’ve been blind to the rapidly changing aspects of travel. Fortunately, we’re starting to get a better sense of where we’re headed. </p> <p>Here are a few things we can reasonably expect from travel for the remainder of 2021 and beyond. </p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/1neworleans_justinsomnia-wikimedia.jpg" style="height:396px; width:597px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Domestic Travel is “In”</strong></p> <p>The United States <a href="https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/coronavirus-maps-and-cases/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">continues to lead</a> the world in the number of cases and deaths from COVID-19. However, with vaccine rates increasing, domestic travel could be safer than many international destinations during the second half of the year.</p> <p> </p> <p>Even though it comes with its own constraints and challenges, road trips and short flights within the U.S. are how many people will ease into traveling again. The emphasis for airlines and accommodation providers will be on cleanliness and social distancing. In many cases, these enhanced health and safety measures will stick around as a way to prevent future outbreaks and bolster consumer confidence.</p> <p> </p> <p>If you plan to travel abroad, look into <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">where different countries stand</a> in terms of COVID risk levels according to the CDC. Then find out what restrictions are in effect and tailor your plans to fit them. Some countries aren’t open to U.S. visitors; others require a negative test within 72 hours, and still others require proof of medical insurance, among varying regulations.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/2travel_maxpixeldotnet.jpg" style="height:416px; width:603px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Prices Are Rising</strong></p> <p>Whether it’s airfare, gasoline, or lodging, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/23/covid-travel-rising-airfares-and-hotel-rates-are-making-vacations-more-expensive.html" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">expect prices to rise</a> as more destinations open back up. It’s largely about supply and demand.</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li><strong>Air travel </strong>— Airline tickets are already back to (and in some cases have surpassed) pre-pandemic levels, as vacationers seek to feed their pent-up desire for air travel even as business flights begin to ramp up again. Add to that airlines’ desire to recoup some of the money they lost during the pandemic and higher fuel costs, and you have a recipe for high ticket prices. </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>Domestic U.S. fares rose by 9 percent just between April 1 and May 23, 2021. If you think you want to travel by air, it’s a good idea to nail down your plans and book a flight as soon as possible, because prices will keep rising as the peak summer travel season hits.</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li><strong>Lodging </strong>— Hotel rates are headed upward, too. If you traveled to Hawaii in May, you could expect to pay an average of $269 a night, up from just $122 a year before and slightly higher than the pre-pandemic rate of $263 in 2019.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>Look for special deals available through online apps like Hotels.com, and free nights that may be offered through customer loyalty programs for those apps or individual </p> <p>hotel/motel chains.</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li><strong>Gasoline </strong>— Gas prices, which dropped below $2 a gallon last year for the first time since 2016 amid a COVID-driven drop in demand, were back above $3 this spring and continuing to rise. It’s worth checking out the price for <a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">the state(s) where you’ll be traveling</a>, because there’s a lot of variation from Mississippi to California. </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>Amid the rising prices and the financial uncertainty the pandemic has caused, people are paying more attention to how much their vacations will cost and planning for the unexpected. When making a travel budget, include everything from the above necessities to intangibles like admission to museums or amusement parks to souvenirs. </p> <p> </p> <p>You’ll want to have extra cash and credit on hand, too, in case of emergencies. If you don’t have a credit card with available funds, one option is to <a href="https://www.self.inc/blog/secured-cards-build-credit" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">open a secured account</a>. You make a deposit, and the creditor provides access to a line of credit. This will allow you to pay for common travel expenses like hotel incidentals and rental cars without tying up your cash for days or weeks at a time. It will also provide financial peace of mind.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/3travel_pierrelaurentdurantin-pixabay.jpg" style="height:378px; width:600px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Destinations Are Crowded</strong></p> <p>During lockdown, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/27/us/coronavirus-social-distancing-lockdown.html" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">people opted outside</a>, where it was safer. While we’ll have to wait and see if that trend sticks around, popular outdoor vacation spots like beaches, national parks, and theme parks will be more crowded, so you should prepare for longer lines and less elbow room. </p> <p> </p> <p>Safeguard your health by taking along a COVID safety kit. Even as the COVID threat recedes, items like face masks, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer are worth having to safeguard against other viruses and will likely remain a travel staple. </p> <p> </p> <p>With the growing popularity of road trips, traffic will be heavier too. That means chances of  problems on the road will be greater. Do what you can ahead of time by having your car tuned and oil changed before you head out, especially if you haven’t been driving as much during the pandemic. Check your brake pads for wear and your tires for tread issues, bulging, and cracking. With more cars on the road, preventing issues that frequently cause accidents (<a href="https://www.utires.com/articles/tire-blowout-statistics/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">like tire blowouts</a>) is even more vital now. </p> <p> </p> <p>The pandemic changed the equation for travel, and now late-pandemic conditions are doing the same as we ease away from isolation.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/jessicalarson.jpg" style="height:399px; width:397px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p><strong><em>Jessica Larson is a married Midwestern mom and a solopreneur. She creates online courses for students, and has started and run several other businesses through the years. Larson’s goal is to support her family while actually spending time with them, to act as an entrepreneurial role model for her two daughters, and to share what she has learned through </em></strong><a href="https://solopreneurjournal.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><strong>The Solopreneur Journal</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>For Highbrow Magazine</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Image Sources:</strong></p> <p><em>--</em><a href="https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-xzkrw" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><em>Pxfuel</em></a><em> (Creative Commons)</em></p> <p><em>--</em><a href="https://www.maxpixel.net/Travel-Travelers-Man-Silhouette-Airport-Passengers-6086161" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><em>Maxpixel</em></a><em>.net (Creative Commons)</em></p> <p><em>--</em><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cafe_du_Monde_New_Orleans.jpg" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><em>justinsomnia</em></a><em> (Wikimedia, Creative Commons)</em></p> <p><em>--Pierre Laurent Durantin (</em><a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/beach-world-sun-crowd-654641/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><em>Pixabay</em></a><em>, Creative Commons)</em></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/travel/archive" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">travel</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/traveling-after-covid" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">traveling after covid</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airlines</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/travelers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">travelers</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tourists" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tourists</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/traveling-overseas" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">traveling overseas</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/local-travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">local travel</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/domestic-travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">domestic travel</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/road-trips" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">road trips</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/flights" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">flights</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airports" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airports</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jessica Larson</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Mon, 07 Jun 2021 17:06:10 +0000 tara 10402 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/12097-moving-forward-future-travel-2021-and-beyond#comments How Mid-Century Airline Travel Came to Symbolize Glamour and Adventure https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10866-how-mid-century-airline-travel-came-symbolize-glamor-and-adventure <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/photography-art" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Photography &amp; Art</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 19:50</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1twa.jpg?itok=ivBJNKNm"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1twa.jpg?itok=ivBJNKNm" width="298" height="480" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div> <p> </p> <p>For thousands of years, manned flight was an unreachable dream. From this historic perspective, modern air travel seems a most unlikely event. Yet after the humble, historic flight of the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk in 1903, there was simply no stopping this dream from becoming a reality. The first half of the 20th century saw new aircraft being developed at a breathtaking pace, and by 1970, millions of tourists and business travelers were flying around the globe in Boeing 747 jet aircraft.</p> <p> </p> <p>Two important developments took place simultaneously between 1945 and 1975 that make this time period of unique interest for an analysis of the visual identities of airline companies.</p> <p> </p> <p>First, the period after World War II marked the beginning of air travel on a much more significant scale, when the big aircraft and advanced technologies developed during the war were put into civilian operation. It was a rebirth for civil aviation, which had been all but suspended during the war. The Jet Age began in the late 1950s, and by the mid­1970s, all major leaps in air travel innovation had been completed – in terms of the size and comfort of aircraft, as represented by the Boeing 747, in terms of speed, embodied by the supersonic Concorde, and in terms of the availability of destinations.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/2panam.jpg" style="height:600px; width:388px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Second, this time period marked a fundamental change in the notion of corporate identity. By 1945, after nearly two decades of experimentation, the visual identity of airlines had reached a degree of maturity. It was customary for corporations at this time to have their symbols and marketing materials created on a case­by­case basis by designers and artists on behalf of the marketing department or the company’s advertising agency. Several different designers or artists could work simultaneously for the same company on different assignments. This system was derived from the product­oriented marketing methods developed in the 1920s. The designs thus produced were often very attractive and far from ineffective, but they lacked the integrated, highly disciplined, almost scientific approach of modern branding, which proved superior.</p> <p> </p> <p>The 1950s marked a turning point. The multitude of individual designs and campaigns had made it more and more difficult to differentiate a single product. At the same time, it had become increasingly acknowledged that the visual appearance and the “personality” of a corporation somehow  communicate,  without  the  use  of  words, its values. Therefore, it would be advantageous to make a corporation’s identity appear coherent and ensure that the right values be conveyed. This notion eventually led to the modern concept of branding, which involves not only graphics but also such fields as economics, psychology, and sociology. This theoretical framework became widely accepted and implemented in the 1960s.</p> <p> </p> <p>Around the same time, graphic design firms specializing in corporate identity programs began to appear. In the airline industry – then considered among the most progressive industries, along with electronics and business machines manufacturers – the adoption of modern corporate design generally took place in the 1960s and early 1970s, although a few airlines began to use prototype modern design principles in the 1950s, notably Swissair as early as 1952, and Pan Am and British European Airways in 1956. Overall, the airline industry embraced modern corporate communications principles rather swiftly, which can be in part attributed to the arrival of the Jet Age in the second half of the 1950s, compelling airlines to contemplate what it meant to be “modern.”</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/1airfrance.jpg" style="height:600px; width:379px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Modern corporate design programs radically altered the visual identities of airlines. Their initial implementation required courage from airline management, and many airlines opted for “phase­in periods” not only to save money, but in order to allow their customers to become accustomed to their new look. Ultimately, their triumph was complete. Many of the identity programs created for airlines in the 1960s and ‘70s were so successful that they remained virtually unchanged for decades.</p> <p> </p> <p>Besides this fundamental revision of the concept of corporate communications, other factors influenced the visual identity of airlines. In 1958, when Pan Am launched the first Boeing 707 flights, only one in 10 Americans had been on a commercial flight, and in Europe, the proportion was less than one in 20. Ships and trains were still the predominant modes of passenger transportation. Accordingly, airline advertising targeted a relatively affluent group until the 1970s, when wide-bodied jet aircraft caused capacities to soar, marking the beginning of mass tourism by air. Now, it was necessary for airlines to shift their marketing efforts to reach millions of new customers.</p> <p> </p> <p>Industry regulation, too, influenced advertising. The airline industry was highly regulated until the late 1970s, when deregulation in the United States started a trend to liberalize air traffic around the world. Until then, ticket prices and the destinations an airline was allowed to serve were the main subjects of regulation. Airlines were regarded as important agents for economic growth as well as ambassadors of their home countries abroad, and regulation was to provide stable economic conditions for this promising new industry. Domestic regulation was controlled by each national government, while the rules administering international flights were at first negotiated on a case­by­case basis, and later regulated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), founded in 1945. With limited possibilities for price competition on given routes, airline marketing tended to emphasize destinations or the quality and efficiency of service and equipment.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/2twa.jpg" style="height:600px; width:366px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>In most countries outside of North America, privately owned airline companies were nationalized in the 1940s and 1950s to create “flag carriers,” which often enjoyed near monopolies in their respective domestic markets. Flag carriers were bound to make positive national traits part of their corporate personalities and revealed them in their visual identities. The United States was the only country with several major airlines, all of which remained under private ownership, resulting in a much greater variety of marketing strategies.</p> <p> </p> <p>Other factors influencing the visual identity of an airline company included the quality of implementation as well as the maintenance of an identity program. Neglect or improper implementation rendered even the best identity program futile.</p> <p> </p> <p>Following the infant years of commercial aviation in the 1920s and 1930s, passenger flight became a symbol of glamour and adventure in the decades following World War II, and a magnet for the world’s greatest creative minds in the fields of design and advertising. The list of designers and advertising agencies hired by airline companies reads like a <em>Who’s-Who </em>of that era. The epic endeavor to make travel by air attractive and available to as many people as possible continues to impart respect and fascination today.</p> </div> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/1aeroflot.jpg" style="height:600px; width:423px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>This is an excerpt from <a href="https://www.callisto-publishers.com/project/airline-visual-identity-1945-1975-premium-edition/#collectors-limited-edition" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Airline Visual Identity 1945-1975</a> by M.C. Hühne (Callisto Publishers). Printed with permission.</em></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Highbrow Magazine</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Image Sources:</strong></p> <p><em>--All photos courtesy of Callisto Publishers</em></p> <p><em>--Photo on main page: <a href="https://www.piqsels.com/en/public-domain-photo-snhly">Piqsels </a>(Creative Commons)</em></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airline-industry" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airline industry</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airlines</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/twa" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">TWA</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/pan-am" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Pan Am</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/british-airways" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">British Airways</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/aeroflot" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Aeroflot</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/japan-airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Japan Airlines</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/air-france" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Air France</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airplanes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airplanes</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/pilots" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">pilots</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/flight-crew" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">flight crew</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/travel/archive" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">travel</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airports" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airports</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/flying" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">flying</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/art" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">art</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/design" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">design</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airline-posters" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airline posters</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">M.C. Hühne</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-photographer field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photographer:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">All images courtesy of Callisto Publishers</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Tue, 15 Sep 2020 23:50:09 +0000 tara 9835 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10866-how-mid-century-airline-travel-came-symbolize-glamor-and-adventure#comments How to Rescue Your Vacation From the Coronavirus https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10471-how-rescue-your-vacation-coronavirus <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Travel</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 20:18</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1london.jpg?itok=R2K21LjJ"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1london.jpg?itok=R2K21LjJ" width="480" height="256" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>Howard Clauser had big plans to visit the Galápagos Islands this week. But then the coronavirus outbreak happened, and he needed a vacation rescue.</p> <p> </p> <p>"The tour operator canceled my trip," says Clauser, a retired English teacher from Chicago. "I didn't know what to do."</p> <p> </p> <p>How to save his hard-earned vacation? That's a common question as travel bans go into effect and flights, cruises and hotel reservations get canceled. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, the answer depends on where you are and, more importantly, who you are.</p> <p> </p> <p>"Travelers <em>can</em> salvage their vacations," says Freddie Julius, chief executive of<a href="https://www.touristengland.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Tourist England</a>, a site about travel to the U.K. </p> <p> </p> <p>It's a matter of finding an alternative place away from all the crowds. Some travelers are changing their plans, while others are sticking to their schedule but modifying their itinerary to avoid large gatherings. And while it may make sense for you to stay home, the coronavirus crisis doesn't mean you have to give up your vacation.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/1frenchrivera.jpg" style="height:312px; width:600px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How to save your vacation</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Clauser didn't go home. He'd already flown from Chicago to Quito, Ecuador, a few days before his tour. Although he was sad to miss a special place like the Galápagos, he decided to hang out in Ecuador's capital until his return to the States.</p> <p> </p> <p>"I'm spending a few extra days in Quito. I'll finish visiting the sites I missed and maybe take a few more Spanish classes," he says. "Although Quito closed all of its public schools indefinitely this afternoon, I don't sense the same level of anxiety here that there is in Chicago. So I'm not rushing to get back."</p> <p> </p> <p>Julius, who runs the U.K. tourism site, says choosing an alternate destination is a great vacation rescue plan. </p> <p> </p> <p>"For example, while visitors to London would normally head to tourist hotspots like Windsor Castle or the British Museum, there are many wonderful alternatives that don't get the attention they deserve," he says. "Museums such as the Wallace Collection or Sir John Soane's Museum have fabulous artwork on display, but with a fraction of the visitor numbers."</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Making a detour to save your trip</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>When it comes to vacation detours, perhaps the biggest trend is escaping the crowds.<a href="https://getaway.house/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Getaway</a>, a company that specializes in renting tiny cabins in remote areas, saw a 400 percent spike in bookings after the presidential address last Wednesday. </p> <p> </p> <p>"It is possible people are looking for alternative road trip ideas that don’t require much -- if any -- interaction with people," says Jon Staff, Getaway's CEO.</p> <p> </p> <p>That's a common thread with most of the vacation rescues I've seen in the last few weeks. Some are detouring, like Clauser. Others are going anyway, but taking steps to avoid the crowds. </p> <p> </p> <p>Jacqueline Lambert and her husband were just about to wrap up a vacation in Italy when the borders locked down. They decided to stay, renting an apartment in the Aosta Valley in Northern Italy. "We're going to enjoy the weather and beautiful scenery, which we have all to ourselves," says Lambert, a guide book author. </p> <p> </p> <p>Others are changing their itineraries before they leave. That's what happened to me last week. I had planned to spend a month in Italy, with stops in Bologna, Venice, Rome and Südtirol. Then the entire country turned into a red zone. </p> <p> </p> <p>After consulting with my three travel companions -- my kids, ages 13, 15 and 17 -- we diverted to Nice, France. I found a roomy Vrbo rental along the Côte d'Azur. True, the cafés and restaurants are closed now, but the beach is still open and the weather is warm. And at least it's not Italy. </p> <p> </p> <p>Saving your vacation is usually a good idea, says Stephen Scott, a luxury travel advisor at<a href="https://www.protravelinc.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Protravel International</a>. "My advice is to not cancel your plans, but to push them out to the next best future travel date," he adds. </p> <p> </p> <p>But some people are just scrapping their vacations and detouring back to the safety of their homes. That's the best vacation rescue plan if you're over 80 or have a pre-existing medical condition. Coronavirus mortality rates for older people are significantly higher. What's the point of saving your vacation if you come home in a casket? </p> <p> </p> <p>So if you're in that age group, consider canceling. </p> <p> </p> <p>For the rest of us, don't be afraid to improvise. Find a way to keep your vacation plans by modifying your original schedule or rerouting to a new destination. Avoid large groups of people and you'll probably be fine. You might even save some money.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/1grandcanyon.jpg" style="height:301px; width:600px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How to do a vacation detour</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Switch from flying to driving. </strong>A number of Americans are turning their vacations into shorter road trips instead of canceling them, says Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president at<a href="https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US.html" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Best Western Hotels &amp; Resorts</a>. "There's no reason for travelers to completely abandon their vacation plans," she adds.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Be creative.</strong> That's the advice of Marinel M. de Jesus, founder of a tour operator called<a href="https://www.peakexplorations.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Peak Explorations</a>. "As long as it's legally feasible and safe to do so, I would explore alternative travel ideas for the destination that I originally chose," she says. "Collaborate with local agencies directly for assistance and alternative itineraries.”</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Keep calm and stay safe.</strong> Don't take any unnecessary risks, say experts. "If you must travel, get insurance, listen to health professionals and follow protocol," says Anna Kim, founder of the travel and philanthropy site<a href="http://www.mytravelanthropy.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> My Travelanthropy</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p><strong><em>Christopher Elliott's latest book is “How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler” (National Geographic). This column originally appeared in </em></strong><strong>USA Today.</strong></p> <p><strong><em> </em></strong><br />  </p> <p><strong><em>© 2020 Christopher Elliott. Published with permission.</em></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Highbrow Magazine</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Image Sources:</strong></p> <p><em><a href="https://pxhere.com/en/photo/673509" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">PXhere</a> (Creative Commons)</em></p> <p><em>Navin 75 (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/navin75/15607188493" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Flickr</a>, Creative Commons)</em></p> <p><em>Michael Quinn, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2011-05-26_mather.htm" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">National Park Service</a> (Creative Commons)</em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/coronavirus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">coronavirus</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/vacation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">vacation</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/travel/archive" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">travel</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/great-britain" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">great britain</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/grand-canyon" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">grand canyon</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/cote-dazur" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">cote d&#039;azur</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/galapagos" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">galapagos</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/booking-vacation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">booking a vacation</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airports" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airports</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tourists" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tourists</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Christopher Elliot</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Thu, 26 Mar 2020 00:18:19 +0000 tara 9435 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10471-how-rescue-your-vacation-coronavirus#comments The Era of the ‘Ego Tourist’ https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10356-era-ego-tourist <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Travel</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Wed, 01/15/2020 - 20:50</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/4travelers.jpg?itok=FJFzW0gV"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/4travelers.jpg?itok=FJFzW0gV" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>There's a new name for the world's worst travelers: ego tourists. They're inconsiderate, wasteful – and rude. Are you one of them?</p> <p> </p> <p>This may [have been] the right time to ask because nothing brings out the ego tourists like the holidays. The busy travel period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is so stressful that it comes with its own survival guide. But let's face it: it's the people that make it unbearable – specifically, the ego tourists.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The horrible things ego tourists do</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>"I have seen some horrors," says Jeanne Craig, a retired flight attendant. They include a first-class passenger who started clipping his toenails during meal service, a mom who left a dirty diaper in her seat pocket, and one passenger who couldn't wait for the bathroom. "He peed in the closet," she recalls.</p> <p> </p> <p>Wow. Someone should make a movie about those ego tourists.</p> <p> </p> <p>Hold up: What, exactly, is an ego tourist?</p> <p> </p> <p>The term "ego tourist" isn't new. People have used it to describe everything from fake ecotourists to travelers who seek out "authentic" but risk-free experiences. Lately, though, ego tourism has become synonymous with the "me first" movement in travel. It's a synonym for the worst tourists in the world.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/5travelers.jpg" style="height:400px; width:600px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How do you know if you're the worst traveler ever? </strong></p> <p> </p> <p>"If you have to ask if you're an ego tourist, you might be part of the problem," says Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert and the owner of the Protocol School of Texas. She says you might feel some nervousness about the trip (many ego tourists are inexperienced). Maybe you don't have a printout of your itinerary, or you're unsure of who's going to pick you up at the airport. </p> <p> </p> <p>"Even seasoned travelers can easily find themselves getting frustrated," she says. </p> <p> </p> <p>Asking the question, "Am I the worst traveler in the world?" also means you're looking for answers. And that's a good thing, says Gottsman. It means you're more likely to plan ahead. Her favorite item: A bottle of ibuprofen, to deal with the inevitable headaches. </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>If you don't travel often</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Frequent travelers expect traffic jams and long lines. But holiday travel brings out the novices, says Jacqueline Whitmore, a former flight attendant and director of the Protocol School of Palm Beach. "They don't know what to expect. They get very frustrated, very quickly," she says. </p> <p> </p> <p>Whitmore has seen it herself. She worked on flights where inconsiderate newbies brought strollers the size of a Mercedes and then ordered a flight attendant to stow them. The worst: A soiled diaper plopped on the tray table. Whitmore doesn't blame them for being rude. "They just don't know any better," she says.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>If other people complain about your behavior</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>If other travelers and passengers complain about your actions, chances are you're an ego tourist. This can include motorists who honk at you or airline passengers who complain about you invading their personal space or stealing their armrest.</p> <p> </p> <p>"The first sign that someone is unhappy with your behavior is their body language," says <em>A Traveler's Passport To Etiquette</em> author Lisa Grotts. "The eyes have it even when the mouth doesn't say a word. Crossed arms and a scowl go a long way in projecting negative feelings, even if the person hasn't said a word yet."</p> <p> </p> <p>Also, look for the evil eye or the eye roll. Those are telltale signs you may be the worst traveler on the plane.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/6travelers.jpg" style="height:400px; width:600px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Always pack your manners</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Sure, stories about angry motorists brandishing firearms in holiday traffic make for exciting reading. But talk to the etiquette experts, and it's clear that these behaviors are outliers. The worst travelers in the world are the everyday people who don't plan and forget their manners. </p> <p> </p> <p>But there's a little more to the story. While the novices in the back of the plane throw dirty diapers at the flight attendants, there's another kind of ego tourism happening in the front of the aircraft. It's a culture of entitlement bred by loyalty programs, which send constant messages to its premium passengers that they are better than the rest of the passengers on the plane. It's that mix of diaper-throwing newbies and entitled elites that makes air travel so toxic. And it spills over to the roads, into hotel lobbies and car rental counters. </p> <p> </p> <p>The solution is simple: Don't forget to pack your manners. That advice will serve you well at any time.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How to deal with an ego tourist</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Ego tourists feed off anger. Instead of getting into a shouting match – or worse – try returning the toxic sentiment with compassion.</p> <p>Ego tourists travel all the time, not just during the holidays. So how do you handle fellow travelers who are the center of their own universes?</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Tell them they're ego tourists – politely. </strong>Just because your seatmate is the worst traveler in the world doesn't mean you have to be. If someone is misbehaving, mention the breach of etiquette nicely. Ask the person to please stop. (Otherwise, you're both ego tourists.)</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Get out of the way.</strong> Change seats, move rooms, but whatever you do, give the ego tourists room. That's especially true of aggressive drivers. If you see someone tailgating you, pull over and let the car pass you.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Return anger with kindness.</strong> Ego tourists feed off anger. Instead of getting into a shouting match – or worse – try returning the toxic sentiment with compassion. "Kindness is contagious and goes a long way when it comes to traveling," says Grotts.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Christopher Elliott's latest book is </em></strong><strong>How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler<em> (National Geographic). This column originally appeared in </em>USA Today<em>.</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em> <br /> © 2020 Christopher Elliott.</em></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Highbrow Magazine</strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Image Sources:</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>--<a href="https://pixnio.com/people/female-women/girl-silhouette-mountain-jump-sunset-twilight">Pixnio</a> (Creative Commons)</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>--<a href="https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-jmtqi">Pxfuel</a> (Creative Commons)</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>--<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/thirsty-man-drink-drinking-water-937395/">Olichel</a> (Pixabay, Creative Commons)</strong></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ego-tourists" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ego tourists</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/annoying-travelers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">annoying travelers</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/travel/archive" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">travel</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tourists" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tourists</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airports" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airports</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/flights" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">flights</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/rude-tourists" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">rude tourists</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airlines</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/flight-attendants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">flight attendants</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Christopher Elliot</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Thu, 16 Jan 2020 01:50:12 +0000 tara 9290 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10356-era-ego-tourist#comments Flight MH370 and the Reality of Human Helplessness https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3855-flight-mh-and-reality-human-helplessness <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-features" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News &amp; Features</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Wed, 03/26/2014 - 10:32</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1airmalyasia.jpg?itok=ppos6sQr"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1airmalyasia.jpg?itok=ppos6sQr" width="480" height="357" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>From FirstPost.com and our content partner <a href="http://newamericamedia.org/2014/03/how-missing-flight-mh370-exposes-human-helplessness.php">New America Media</a>:</p> <p> </p> <p>What has been most astonishing about the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 are the images that have come out of that tragedy. Or rather the images that have not come out of it.</p> <p> </p> <p>In an age when mobile phones with cameras get to disaster zones even before television crews rush in, we have come to expect graphic images of tragedy to fill our TV screens long before the narrative behind the tragedy is fully pieced together. In a world where image is supreme, where television cameras fiercely jostle with each other for that prized shot, where ordinary people with mobile phones become citizen journalists, we expect tragedy, whether its man-made or natural, to come fully illustrated - collapsed buildings, mangled limbs, charred bogies of trains, airplanes crashing into skyscrapers in front of our horrified eyes.</p> <p> </p> <p>Flight MH370 has none of that. Days after the tragedy we heard about a "yellow object" floating in the sea. Perhaps an oil slick. But all we have seen on 24-hour television is the footage of anxious families huddled in Beijing airport, glued to cellphones. We have watched poker-faced bureaucrats and airline officials addressing press conferences, and seen the deceptively calm waters of the South China Sea and stock footage of some other more fortunate Malaysia Airlines aircraft whizzing into the sky.</p> <p> </p> <p>We can accept that airplanes crash. It is much harder to accept that at a time when Google Earth wants to map every square foot of our planet, airplanes carrying 239 people can just vanish without a trace. At a time when we rebuke the media for its almost ghoulish overzealousness in covering a disaster, this is a disaster that has left the media scrambling for images to make it real. That leaves us with something far more terrifying - we can only speculate about the disappearance of MH370, imagine the panic on board as everything slipped horribly out of control.</p> <p> </p> <p>This seems more terrifying even than 9/11 which horrifying as it was, happened in real time, in front of our shocked eyes, images that could be replayed over and over again. That had the solidity of fact at least. This only has the nightmare of imagination.</p> <p> </p> <p>My uncle was a pilot for Indian Airlines. It was all he ever wanted to be. As a child that seemed very glamorous to us, his nephews and nieces. He would fly in with cured meat from Andamans, black grapes from Hyderabad, once even a little hill-breed puppy from Kathmandu tucked into his pocket. But every time he flew and there was a thunderstorm or even monsoon clouds my mother would scan the skies with growing anxiety. In those days there were no mobile phones, no Internet. My mother would call his house anxiously a dozen times until he made it back home. He was lucky. Others were not. One of his cousins in the Air Force crashed into the hills of the North East. At least that was what was believed. Nothing was ever found. No wing tip. No mangled seats. His widow refused to give up hope. She lived and dressed as a married woman until she died decades later. Other family members thought of it as a little strange, even unnatural. But perhaps what is truly unnatural is the fact that we fly. We were not meant to fly. But we do, in defiance not of physics but of our nature.</p> <p> </p> <p>Every time we fly, it is an act of utter surrender. Perhaps that is why few of us bother to pay attention to those safety drill demonstrations at the beginning of each flight or read that card in our seat pocket telling us about inflatable jackets and oxygen masks. It's not just that we expect our plane will not be the one to fall out of the sky. It's that if we truly thought about it, and how little we can do if it does happen, none of us would be able to fly.</p> <p> </p> <p>A jumbo jet parked on the tarmac looks massive, impregnably solid. But hurtling at 31,000 feet, despite serving up the illusion of normalcy on plastic food trays and piped movies and television shows, it remains utterly vulnerable, a bubble that is far away from real meaningful assistance if anything goes wrong. That's what makes airplanes such a prime target for terror attacks whether it's a hijacker commandeering it or a bomb in a luggage compartment. It is like taking over a self-contained mini-world that has unmoored itself from its natural element.</p> <p> </p> <p>Perhaps the images of this flight’s end will surface sooner or later as they did with Air India's Kanishka on the Atlantic Ocean, the first bombing of a 747 jumbo jet. 132 of those bodies were recovered, some showing signs of lack of oxygen, some showing signs of "explosive decompression," many with little or no clothing. That disaster shook us because it was the first jumbo jet downed by sabotage, the horror of that realization compounded by the poignancy of its debris - a drowned teddy bear bobbing forlornly in the sea.</p> <p> </p> <p>Over the years we have become more stringent about checks to prevent those acts of sabotage. We have become used to taking off our shoes and carrying our toiletries in see-through plastic. This latest tragedy, whatever its cause, will probably not make us fly less. We are now too dependent on flying, our families scattered all over the globe. But it reminds us brutally that in a world where we think we are more in control of our lives and destinies than ever before, that control can disappear in an instant.</p> <p> </p> <p>And even if we are buckled to our seats and our tray tables latched as instructed, when that happens, we are as helpless as the mythological Icarus whose wings melted as he flew too close to the sun.</p> <p> </p> <p>From FirstPost.com</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/flight-mh370" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">flight mh370</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/flight-370" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">flight 370</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/air-malaysia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">air malaysia</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/flying" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">flying</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airplanes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airplanes</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/air-safety" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">air safety</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/air-travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">air travel</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airports" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airports</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/china" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">China</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/malaysia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">malaysia</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/pilots" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">pilots</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/flight-risk" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">flight risk</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Sandip Roy</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-photographer field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photographer:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Wikipedia Commons</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Wed, 26 Mar 2014 14:32:19 +0000 tara 4495 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3855-flight-mh-and-reality-human-helplessness#comments