Traveling to see family during the holidays continues to be a number one priority for so many folks. This results in quite a few unexpected glitches — before, after, and in between travel of any sort. The gradual reopening of popular public destinations for both tourists and locals alike made the return to using public conveyances much more stressful.
The sheer numbers of travelers made the smallest problems we used to all face before the pandemic struck seem inconsequential. Long lines became even longer and the bad behavior of the travelers in those lines multiplied in the most popular travel spots. The increased difficulty with trying to get from Point A to point B because of the rapid increase of unexpected delays and cancellations made making any kind of travel arrangements daunting.
The airlines regularly overbook flights to solve the problem of empty seats pre-Covid 19 but with the steady increase in the number of folks returning to travel, this doesn’t happen anymore. While they might find one or two willing passengers to get a travel voucher for another flight, it isn’t as likely these days.
Questionable business practices such as overbooking, as well as the anger management issues faced by the flight crew make it incredibly difficult. Air travel is still more than unpleasant these days, as many passengers do not accept even a slight change in their plans. More unhappy customers perceive that their “rights” as passengers have been diminished in some way. So many public services that have been discontinued or changed in some way that it continues to set off sparks. This has led to a few passengers’ inexcusable, aggressive public displays of terrible behavior.
There is another way of travel this holiday season that is proving to be a new challenge now too: virtual travel. Some of us got quite used to using social media for daily “live chats” on our electronic devices. Combine that with our need to go home to see our family and friends, getting online was better than not traveling at all. While a small number of experts continue to report a lessening of mental health issues with the loosening of the restrictions now, it certainly doesn’t seem like it. Right now, it is understandable that a greater number of travelers might be lulled into thinking that staying home for the holidays is the best answer. Politics and continuing public health concerns have increased the numbers of seasonal vacationers trying to feel satisfied with using their electronic devices instead of making arrangements to go home or meet family members somewhere else to celebrate. It appeared that using social media was the answer to keeping connections strong. Yet, aggressive behavior is not only evident around our holiday tables, it appears daily on our television and regularly on our computer screens.
By DOLLY VISCARDI – Special to the Herald Times
