Terrorism, technology drove changes in travel in the last decade
Air travel today is characterized by flight delays, lost baggage, overbooked flights, fewer onboard amenities, and fees for things that used to be free; air travelers now must come to the air port early, stand in line, take their shoes off, and carry smaller shampoo bottles; on the plus side, the Internet has allowed for Web-based ticket purchasing, trip planning, hotel shopping, and more.
There used to be a time when you could get through an airport without removing your shoes, dumping your water bottle, or showing ID, when buying plane tickets by phone was faster than using a clunky Web site with a dial-up connection? Much has changed about air travel in the last decade. Beth Harpaz writes that the changes owe to two forces that have changed travel and tourism in the last decade profoundly and forever: Terrorism and technology.
Long before 9/11, air passengers walked through metal detectors and had their carryon luggage screened by X-ray. These procedures failed to prevent the 9/11 attackers from boarding four jets with knives and box cutters. In the aftermath of the attacks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created, “the number of prohibited items doubled or tripled,” all checked bags were screened, and “the scrutiny passengers undergo was increased,” said Robert Baker, director of global security intelligence studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona.
A few months later, in December 2001, Richard Reid tried to blow up a plane by igniting explosives in his shoe. That led to barefoot passengers padding through the checkpoints. Then in August 2006, British authorities uncovered a plot to blow up aircraft using liquid explosives. That led to restrictions on liquids and gels.
Harpaz writes that today, travelers who forget that snow globes, wine and water bottles are not allowed through airport checkpoints seem absurdly out of touch. There is little sympathy if you miss your flight because you did not allow enough time for security lines.
The attitude toward air travel has changed over the last decade too. Flying is not fun anymore. It is just one big headache: Flight delays, lost baggage, overbooked flights, fewer onboard amenities, and fees for things that used to be free.
Despite the hassles, though, Americans fly more now than they did a decade ago. U.S. air travel hit a record high in 2007 with 769.6 million passengers, 100 million more than flew in 2000. Even with the recession, more people flew in the first eight months of 2009 — 478.6 million — than in the first nine months of 2000 — 453 million, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Why do Americans take so many flights when it is so unpleasant? Because families are spread out; jobs require travel; and relatively low ticket prices encourage it. Bureau of Transportation Statistics data comparing average domestic
