Casual Flyer? How The Sequester Might Impact You

The travel community has been talking for weeks on what cuts to the FAA budget will mean for flights. And for those of us who fly every week, this could have a big impact on our travel. But what does it mean for folks who only fly a couple of times a year?

I’ve had several readers ask, so after looking into it a little bit here are my thoughts.

It’s not going to change things that much. They’re projecting long security lines and delays once you’re on the plane.

If you only fly a couple of times a year, some of those times are probably during peak travel times like summer and holidays. Which means you have experience with long lines through security, even if you do have elite status, and you probably already arrive at the airport several hours early to give yourself enough time.

Between summer storms and winter weather, you’ve also had your share of cancelled flights, delays, and missed connections. The sequester just increases the chance that it will happen on more of your flights. Annoying but not life changing.

So how should you prepare for your next post-sequester flight?

• Bring lots of reading material/entertainment. You’re probably going to be spending a lot more time in transit.
• Minimize stress. If this is one of your few trips via air per year, plan as if there will be delays to every flight and think ahead about how a delay or missed flight might impact the reason for your trip. Flying to catch a cruise? Go a day early. Going to a wedding? Fly in the night before. Wanted to join the in-laws for dinner? Catch the earlier flight.
• Continue arriving at the airport several hours in advance in case there’s long lines through security.
• Don’t cut it close with connections.  Give yourself more than 40 minutes (this is a good rule anyway) so a delay to your first flight doesn’t leave you frantically trying to navigate an unfamiliar airport and re-enacting my race with Jeanne through the Charlotte airport to catch our west coast flight.

If you don’t fly often, you’ll probably find every experience is just a little more annoying.

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Heels First is the travels and tribulations of two twenty-something frequent fliers jumping into the world of travel. Join Keri and Jeanne as they tackle mileage runs, elite status, and of course–the perfect travel accessories.

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