topic Re: Choosing To Travel By Air in Community Chat

Choosing To Travel By Air

occasionalrain — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 20:07:10 GMT

We've seen and heard of last minute canceled flights, people rebook and that flight is also canceled followed by another cancelation... Because they can't get on a flight back home, some are stranded in a foreign country for days. Everyone knows, or should know, there's a shortage of pilots, crews, and even air traffic controllers. So, other than work and unavoidable emergencies, why are people making reservations to fly somewhere just for fun? I just don't get it. I'm missing something.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

beckyb1012 — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 20:09:42 GMT

Some of my dear friends left on Tues. from DFW for Cancun, no problems. Should be back on Sunday afternoon. We shall see.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 20:09:48 GMT

Doesn't sound like my idea of a fun vacation.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

Kachina624 — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 20:10:38 GMT

I wouldn't even consider flying at the present time. I'm too old and decrepit to sleep on an airport floor due to a cancelled flight.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

kaydee50 — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 20:16:57 GMT

I would not fly overseas. But in the past 15 months, we've been to New Orleans, Las Vegas (several times) and NYC (also several times). We have had no problems. But we fly first class and have TSA pre-check both of which make flying a lot less stressful.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

mac116 — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 20:26:22 GMT

We recently flew from the midwest to Hawaii, with one stop in L.A. and had no problem. HOWEVER, coming home, our flight was "delayed" several hours. We waited in the Maui airport until nearly midnight, and somehow were not given our same coach+ seats. Miserable experience after a wonderful vacation.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

hckynutjohn — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 20:32:24 GMT

The only commercial flights I have taken were to see hockey games. The last was several years ago. Now! Ain't no way I would willingly subject myself to that pita!

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

Meowingkitty — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 20:53:56 GMT

I have no desire to pay exhorbant fees to fly not knowing if or when I will get to my destination or get home. Nor do I want to pay for outrageous hotel and car rentals. I'll stay home until this all settles down. I'm happy at home even though it's currently 109 degrees outside and a comfy 79 inside.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

mspatmac — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:03:19 GMT

@hckynutjohn

Hope you're enjoying the Stanley Cup finals as much as I am. Rangers eliminated so I don't have a favorite but have been leaning toward the Avalanche. I remember when I bought grand son a Patrick Roy signed puck for Christmas when he was a kid and goalie. He worshiped Patrick Roy.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

occasionalrain — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:07:41 GMT

There are other options, more expensive now, and more dependable. I love trains, so have always wanted to do that Canadian trans continental one. Has anyone traveled on that?

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

Trailrun23 — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:08:24 GMT

I have never liked flying. I love road trips...but with gas still going up, not sure how far you can go that wouldn't cost a fortune. DS and DIL were going to take my 3 yr-old to Maine to see his in-laws...but 3yr old's ticket would be over a thousand dollars.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:12:19 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
There are other options, more expensive now, and more dependable. I love trains, so have always wanted to do that Canadian trans continental one. Has anyone traveled on that?

@occasionalrain

I still want to take a luxurious train trip, but not any time soon.

A while back I came across an article about taking a cruise along the Great Lakes ... I didn't know there were big cruise ships on the lakes, but I would definitely do that before I'd take a cruise outside the U.S. right now.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

occasionalrain — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:12:56 GMT

@Trailrun23

They should consider getting him a dog instead. Less expensive and longer lasting fun.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

Kachina624 — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:14:34 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
There are other options, more expensive now, and more dependable. I love trains, so have always wanted to do that Canadian trans continental one. Has anyone traveled on that?

@occasionalrain I've been to the Canadian Rockies but not on that train. I've always wanted to take that trip too. Those mountains are quite magical, so different from ours.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

september — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:22:45 GMT

Work and emergency reasons probably make up a large portion of flights. Then there are family visits, that I don't think fall into the "fun" category, although one might have some fun during a family visit!

my family is spread out all over the country, and I think it's important that we spend time together. Worth the risk, in my opinion.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

bikerbabe — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:29:03 GMT

Depends on the airline. Some are having more trouble than others. I just came back from vacation last week and I had zero issues on United. In fact, I’ve been flying United the entire time the last couple years and had no problems. The only cancellation was blizzard-related several years ago.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

nycalady — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:43:28 GMT

Have flown three times (all round trips) since Oct, 2020 - all domestic & thankfully with no or very slight delays. They were leisure trips; time constraints, vehicle wear & tear, driving fatigue, etc all contributed to the decision to fly. Volare!!!

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

Kachina624 — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:47:33 GMT

I imagine you can lessen your chances of getting stranded by not flying during peak vacation (holiday) periods. Seems everybody wants to go at the same times.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

proudlyfromNJ — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:51:33 GMT

We stick with the small local airports if possible instead of Newark and JFK with the huge crowds.

Re: Choosing To Travel By Air

Mz iMac — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 22:53:14 GMT

@occasionalrain Have never road the Canadian trans continental train as I have no interest in traveling to Canada.

Pre Covid: I have taken the train from the n/e to the west coast many times. The northern route going & the southern route coming back.

I always take the grands because they get a kick out of the observation car (it's all glass), the snack bars, restaurants, community car. I get 2 sleepers, one for me & one for them.

Their fare was either 1/2 price or FREE. Last but not least, I jump on every senior discount Amtrak will allow.

Also, you can get off the train, take in some sightseeing & catch the next train all on the same ticket.

NOW: I am still leary about plane rides. Now I am thinking about taking the train to visit the grands as they are spread out across the USofA. I have to check w/my travel agent regarding Amtrak COVID rules and/or changes if any.

I still owe 2 grands a Panama Canal cruise which I had to cancel when COVID hit.