HERE'S TO RESOLVING TRAVEL PERILS
??????????????Southwest Airlines is getting back close to normal operations, according to reports.
??????????????Now comes the task of not only reuniting fliers with their belongings, but also making whole those customers who had to endure delays, rerouting and not making it to where they wanted to go in time.
??????????????It’s an unenviable task for the airline, but, hopefully, it will fix its operational shortcomings, and thrive again.
??????????????The weather was a catalyst to the problems, but apparently not the real cause.
??????????????But for travelers, it goes back to what we discussed here during the holiday season.
??????????????If you travel, by whatever means during the holidays, give some thought to why you are going, what enjoyment you’ll get from it and whether it’s worth the sacrifice you will make – and potential disasters you could face.
??????????????Travel is supposed to be fun. The journey should be pleasant. Certainly, regardless of transportation mode, there could be glitches: traffic, bad weather, mechanical issues etc.
??????????????That’s why the destination, and with whom you will interact, is worth some thought.
??????????????If you are traveling with a spouse, your children or others in your immediate family, and going to a fun destination, travel glitches should not matter. (If you don’t get there through no fault of your own, and you paid for a trip, someone should reimburse you.)
??????????????If you are going “home” to interact with people who will analyze your life, and give you advice you do not seek, you may want to rethink your sacrifice.
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??????????????When wheels turn and wings fly, there is always the possibility of peril.
??????????????The odds, however, favor a good trip. That’s why it’s incumbent on those providing the journey to make sure the chances of a problem are minimized to every degree possible.
??????????????All travelers ask is that they get to their destination safely, and relatively on time, and get back to where they live the same way. The comfort in which one travels may be up to the person, and what he or she is willing to pay.
??????????????The mystique of travel in general is beginning to disappear. When one gets the opportunity to travel, the hassles become apparent quickly.
??????????????An old adage about life says it’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey. For travel, the destination is what matters. The journey had better get you there on time.
??????????????It’s important here to remind everyone to not be discouraged about traveling. It’s loads of fun, usually, when things go right and you go to fun destinations. Travel can also be necessary for business. The travel issues this holiday season should make one think about “obligatory” travel that is not business. Are you going there for the right reasons? Are you going to be happy once you get there?
??????????????If the answer to those questions is yes, take the trip. Choose your mode of transportation with care, however. Hopefully, well before the next holiday season, Southwest Airlines would have fully dealt with its operational shortcomings to make it a good alternative to consider.
??????????????If you are unsure of the answers to those questions, you may want to rethink your plans. Southwest’s recent problems increase the potential peril of travel.
??????????????Therefore, if you go somewhere, go for the right reasons.
Peter?