airport:
Let’s be honest. No one wakes up in the morning looking forward to going to the airport. We are not going to fine dining. We don’t head to the airport for a great shopping experience. We’re not entertaining our friends or running to the airport to entertain them. The reality is, no one wants to go to the airport. we just want to get over it. After all, he is the only reason we go to the airport. for boarding the plane. But it is clear that the people who design and build airports have never flown. And airports have a business model that depends on us spending money at airports. The United States has not had a truly new airport since Denver Airport was built decades ago. And while an airport currently under renovation may be as bright and gleaming as LaGuardia, it’s not exactly passenger-friendly. You have to go endlessly past ten retail stores, bars and restaurants. And where are the people movers? They are too short and not really functional. why? Airport authorities don’t want to bypass retailers!. At the same time, don’t let the airport think they care about you. Nice rocking chairs at some airports — what’s the message they’re really sending? You’re gonna be here for a while.
My wish is for an airport that is designed or redesigned for travelers rather than airlines, where you don’t have to walk 2 miles to get to the gate, and your baggage cart is at the gate (where you really need it) and after 2 miles No baggage claim.
Stop pricing your audience when you’re thirsty or hungry. A $17 beer and a $12 hot dog are borderline criminal. Airports should advertise normal city prices.
Customs, Immigration and Passport Control:
When it comes to travel, first and last impressions mean everything. And too many countries are unaware of this when manning border airports. I’m talking about 32 checkpoints, only 8 he was manned and after an 11 hour flight he waited from 2 hours to 3 hours just to get in and he left. I get the exact same problem when I try. Once you have 32 inspection stations… manning them!
And while I’m at it, another wish of mine is pre-clearance at more major foreign airports. , Bahamas, Ireland, Abu Dhabi, etc. What preclearance does, without compromising security, is that passengers en route to the United States from these foreign destinations pass through U.S. passport control and customs in those countries, and the U.S. Customs Officers based there. It’s a great idea. By clearing customs overseas, there will be no queues once your flight arrives in the US. Head home with your luggage or have your luggage automatically transferred to your connecting flight. How much time and stress did you save?
My New Year’s wish is to have pre-clearance at major chokepoint airports around the world. First, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Tokyo. The technology already exists. Physical space already exists. As a result, no more wasted time and no more misconnecting international passengers and baggage. first of all.
It’s time to end the insidious resort fee. In reality, resort fees are just tax avoidance by hotels that don’t want to pay high lodging taxes on their room rates. Also, hotels make more money from resort fees because resort fees are not quoted or published room rates, but this has absolutely nothing to do with the word “resort”. However, resort fees are not often disclosed at the time of booking or check-in. When you check out, get your bill, and find out you’ve paid $70 a night, you’re in for a shock. With a resort fee that could have only included beach towels and sparkling water.
My New Year’s wish is full disclosure, honesty and transparency in hotel pricing. Or at least industry recognition and acceptance that resort fees are negotiable.
Airlines:
These days, if some airlines want to be honest about the messages they send to travelers, they can almost certainly say, “If our customers aren’t happy, we’re not.” It’s time to get back to better customer service, with real humans engaging in thoughtful and informative conversations with passengers and giving customer service reps the tools they had 20 years ago. I hate kiosks. They cannot answer my question or provide a solution. Kiosks can’t solve my problem, or yours. they are the problem.
No, there are no common sense apps for your travel experience. But there is common sense there. It may sound old-fashioned, but it’s true that travelers and tour operators are better at interacting with humans.
Bottom line: we are not self loading cargo. We are human and we deserve those conversations.
Cruise ship:
Cruise companies should change itineraries to include more immersive shore experiences. Too many ships arrive in port at 8am and leave by 4pm. Not enough time to experience anything other than a poor quality gift shop. We have come to see cruise ships as inherited destinations rather than as fantastic vehicles for seeing the world. Let’s go back to the future because we need it. And to that end, most destinations require that cruise ships cannot call unless the ship stays at least one night in that port, offering passengers more opportunities to discover culture, history and, of course, people. You should give it plenty of time.
As we head into 2023, I hope we continue to have the opportunity to see the world as long as we embrace some basic common sense and respect. But my fear is that, like you, you might find me sitting in a rocking chair at the airport wanting to leave the airport!
Happy new year everyone.