Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary
10 Simple Changes that Would Drastically Improve Travel in 2015
As you think about where to go next, you can’t help but think about how you’ll get there. And the prospect might make you cringe. So we asked our Facebook friends what simple changes they’d like to see that would drastically improve travel in 2015. Here’s what they propose. What change would you most like to see next year?
1. “Reverse the baggage-charge policy: Charge people to carry their bags onto the aircraft and let those who check baggage do it for free. Either that or enforce the carry-on rules so that people are not boarding with their entire lives in tow.”
—Jean Hull Cross
2. “Load planes from back to front. Or window, then middle, then aisle.”
—Sheryl Starry
3. “I would like to see a consistent bag-checking policy at airline gates. Right now, some airlines let passengers board with anything that fits. Other gate agents play hardball. Either check them, or not, but pick a lane.”
—Micheline Maynard
4. “Assign space in the overhead bin to match the seating, so that no matter what order you board in, you know you can rely on having the same access to carry-on space as the next ‘important’ person.”
—Lori Ryerson
5. “Better trains.”
—Sara Tucker
6. “Free Wi-Fi. Make logging on to Wi-Fi really easy as well.”
—Lindsey Wallace
7. “GPS-enabled luggage tags, connected to an app that would make keeping track of your luggage from beginning to end a breeze.”
—Jill Siegel
8. “Accurate reporting on international incidents with no scare tactics. Maybe that’s not a simple change. :) ”
—Andrea Ross
9. “If travel-related businesses asked travelers ‘Why are you taking this trip?’ instead of just the dates and destination—and then actually tried to help the traveler accomplish their goal. The focus seems to always be on ‘Who, What, Where, When How?’ forgetting the all-important ‘Why?’”
—Robert Cole
10. “Travelers themselves can heighten the overall travel experience—from the airport to their destination to all the people they come into contact with. Have a smile on your face—yes, even with the TSA folks—and respect all those you come into contact with. Everyone has a story, and you can learn from each and every one of them. A great experience begins with you.”
—Linda Condron
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I wish pilots would announce – and flight attendants would enforce – a “request” that coach passengers keep their seats in the upright position during meal service. Flying American to Buenos Aires in Sept. the pilot did just that and it was so-o-o nice to have a little more room at least for my tray table.
I hoped this would be standard procedure but alas – no such announcement was made on my November return..
To add to the above list, I would like flight attendants to advise passengers to remove their backpacks before entering the aircraft.
Either that or give the seated passengers Gridiron helmets to protect themselves from the impact of an oncoming missile as these Hunchbacks of Notre -Dam turn in the aisle.
We have been reading your stuff for a long time. Most of it makes a great deal of sense and you get the feeling you have been there and done that. Glad you are now striking out to be even more independent and encouraging travelers to provide some input and share some good ideas with you to share with others. Glad you recognize that there are lots of different kinds of travelers. Continue to have some stuff for those of us who have to work for our money and need to watch how we spend it on holidays. Much of travel writing is geared to those who can spend big wads of money and think nothing further of it. Unfortunately, if your readers are honest, there is a limit to what they can or should spend on travel. Thanks Wendy and keep the ideas coming!!!
I hear you loud and clear, David, and will do my best. I travel on a limited budget all the time, so I can relate! And there are many ways to make a trip extraordinary without spending a dime extra. I always love to share those!