3 On Your Side: Hassles Of Flying Are Leading Travelers To Find Other Types Of Transportation
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Planning a plane trip anytime soon? Don't forget to pack some patience! As 3 On Your Side consumer reporter Jim Donovan finds, the hassles of flying are leading travelers to find other types of transportation.
Americans say they are getting more frustrated with air travel. Steve Wood, who flies regularly, knows why.
"Well traveling a lot as I do, I've faced a lot of those delays and cancellations," said Wood.
Flight delays and cancellations are passengers biggest concerns according to a survey for the U.S.Travel Association, an industry trade group.
Then there are those added fees for baggage and onboard extras. Add to it the hassle of security lines and many people say they now avoid flying when they can.
"Thirty-eight million trips weren't taken because of people saying I'm just not going to take that trip," said Roger Dow with U.S. Travel Association.
The U.S Travel Association says that loss costs the U.S. economy almost $36 billion a year.
Wood says he's never been annoyed enough to stop flying but he can understand why some people would.
"It's just the time that it takes to get to the airport, get checked in, get on the plane, sit in the connections, most flights have connection, just the time involved," said Wood.
Sixty percent of people say they would travel more if flying was faster.
According to the report 9 out of 10 travelers say in the past year, travel has become more of a hassle.
That $36 billion to hit the economy is so large because it also includes lost revenue to hotels, restaurants and car rental agencies when people don't fly.
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