Ask Rob your travel question!

This is an open letter to some old friends of mine. They've changed so much over the years that I hardly recognize them — but I hope they listen to these words anyway.

Where's the love?

Dear old friends:
I love to explore our world and that means spending a lot of time in airplanes. Until recently, those flights were a highlight of my trips. I've always loved panoramic views of our beautiful planet.

Well, the beauty of the planet hasn't changed but the nature of air travel certainly has. That's why my words are directed to my old friends, the airlines, who are transforming themselves from good Dr. Jeckle into evil Mr. Hyde.

With a few notable exceptions, airlines have turned a fine experience into an ordeal. Do you have any idea how many travelers you've alienated? Here's what I mean.

When a Hub is a Dud

Years ago, being chosen as an airline hub made a city feel important. Apparently no one foresaw that when the hub gave an airline a near monopoly it would soon mean higher ticket prices. Travelers departing from hub cities are"skyjacked" before they ever leave the ground.

The hub concept has also undermined all those wonderful non-stop direct flights. Dallas, Atlanta, and Minneapolis are fine cities but I'd rather visit them only when I want to. Instead, travelers waste hours bouncing from hub to hub like balls in a geographic pinball machine.

Last week, returning from San Francisco, the plane I was on flew directly over my destination at 30,000 feet — on the way to its Atlanta hub stop. I wasted hours waiting for a flight that doubled back to my destination.

Move on to Mexican Jumping Beans

Return to Top

Traveler's Tool Kit by Rob Sangster, offers practical tips on how to travel absolutely anywhere. Click here to order!