Fly or drive? More travelers staying on the ground

As the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) looks to speed up security lines for “trusted travelers,” airline passengers tired of the hassle and fed up with fees are more inclined than ever to find alternative transportation.
 

A TripAdvisor survey found that one-third of respondents said as a result of rising airfares they are planning to drive for one or more of their trips in 2011, when they would have previously flown.
 

"Consumers are continuing to book, and with that, prices have gone through the roof," said Brian Saltzburg, general manager of TripAdvisor Flights. "But those who are price-sensitive are making other arrangements."
 

The survey found that fees are the biggest passenger issue, beating out the former major complaint: the hassle of security.
 

Another study from Mandala Research/Solutionz found that three-quarters of travelers still want to drive to their destinations — despite higher gas prices. Only 17 percent said they would choose air travel instead.
 

“With the continued accumulation of ancillary airline fees, tighter seat configurations, baggage restrictions and airport security delays, it’s not surprising that Americans are asserting more control over their travel plans by opting to drive themselves,” said Chicke Fitzgerald, CEO of Solutionz, a travel industry strategic consulting firm based in Tampa, Fla.
 

The security complaints may be lessened by reports that the TSA is working on a “trusted traveler” concept that is sometimes termed a “major” shift in procedures. It would let these travelers keep their shoes on and leave laptops in their bags. It would also allow them to avoid body scanners.
 

Drawing data from airline frequent-flier programs, the TSA plans to identify trusted travelers and indicate their status with a bar code on their boarding passes, said the agency’s administrator, John Pistole.
 

When the boarding pass and valid identification are presented at the security checkpoint, a trusted flier will be directed to the expedited screening line, he added.
 

There would be some exceptions. Expedited screening, for example, would not be offered to passengers on the government’s “watch list.”
 

"We still want to keep some randomness and unpredictability in there so terrorists can’t game the system,” Pistole told The New York Times.

An initial program to give pilots and flight attendants separate screening without body scanners or pat-downs will start this summer, the newspaper reported. Tests at different airports will follow, TSA said. But if the concept goes ahead, it will take much longer.
 

The newspaper reported the move was “welcome news” for travelers. A previous private enterprise “Clear” program that users had to pay annual fees to be included ended in failure last year after the company went bankrupt.
 

In other airline news:
 

—Airlines first-class sections are shrinking, according to various reports. They are increasingly being replaced by business class. Lufthansa is one of the few airlines that specialize in first-class accommodations.
 

—Delta Air Lines Inc. is offering a variety of new items, including a kids plate on its EATS food-for-sale menu that includes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. "We know our customers can’t always fit mealtime into their busy travel schedules, so Delta makes it easier by offering a selection of quality food onboard,” said Joanne Smith, senior vp of In-Flight Service.
 

By David Wilkening