Business Travel Tips

With airplanes packed with more passengers, airline employee morale at a record low, forecasters predicting severe hurricane and thunderstorm seasons, the risk of a tough summer for U.S. air travel is real.

Christian Science Monitor reported analysts are predicting it could even rival the summer of 2000, which was laden with work slowdowns, record flight delays, and passenger frustration.

Labor dissatisfaction could be a key factor in how the summer travel season goes. Pilots, flight attendants, and ground workers are already taking to picket lines — at a Washington rally last Thursday and at recent shareholder meetings. Their mantra: “We’re takin’ it back!” — referring to their pay and benefits. […] Labor troubles aside, even the big airlines’ lobbyist, the ATA, suggests that passengers be prepared for potential complications this summer.

David Castelveter of the ATA, says:

“Absolute patience and flexibility where possible. There are full airplanes, which means when there is disruption, the carriers don’t have the luxury of having a $30 million or $40 million aircraft waiting around [to take up the slack]. The carriers just don’t have the space to get passengers quickly to their destination.”