Stop Bitching; Start Flying

Venting session:

I realize that travel is not as easy as it once was. You can't just pull up to a curb, give the nice man in the cap your luggage and be on your way to the gate. Your friends and family members who aren't flying can't sit and wait with you at the airport bar or in the seating area. And yes, the free bags of peanuts have in fact gotten smaller.

To fly today means to plan ahead -- physically and mentally. No more leaving your bags at the curb. No more easy walk-through security. Today, travelers have to actually look at the number of ounces on a bottle of lotion just to make sure they can take it on the plane. And peanuts? Forget about it. Airlines are now charging passengers to eat on domestic flights and one airline is even charging travelers for in-flight beverage service.

But before cast all the blame on the airlines and start throwing fits at security lines, take a moment and think about why the airlines are doing this. Travel columnist James Wysong offered an interesting look at why we should pity the airlines, instead of hating them. And you know something? I agree with his theory.

Without the airlines you can't get to where you need to be or where you want to go - bottom line. Yes, one could say that by this theory the airlines have passengers "by the balls" but on the other hand, is there really an option?

It's time to think about why the airlines are suffering and doing something to help fix it.