Poll: Do you fly less frequently because of increased security and wait times?

[Gunslinger08]

Do you?

 

[highland145]

The wife won't after the recent TSA groping stories. If the airlines lose enough business because of it, things will change.

 

[Saga]

Sure do. The TSA is bullshit. I've personally used car travel for 90% of my non-business activities, even going so far as a 3 day drive to CA from the Midwest. I refuse to contribute to the paychecks of an organization devoted specifically to the proliferation of the continued loss of my freedom.

 

[spidey07]

Hasn't really troubled me. I do miss the times of getting to the airport 30 minutes before my flight and just walking to the gate. Lines at security seem to be moving well in the last couple of years.

 

[manlymatt83]

Why does the TSA even still exist?

 

[Ns1]

I have no desire to fly at all. I plan to take the train on our next trip.

Too bad we'll have to fly to get to NY.

 

[ViviTheMage]

No, I fly when driving isn't an option.

 

[Bateluer]

I don't fly very often in general because I have no reason to travel. :/

 

[manlymatt83]

Criticism of the TSA includes:

Failure of TSA screeners to detect fake bombs brought through security by undercover TSA agents, with detection levels much lower than private security agents on the same tests. In the most recent tests, conducted in 2006, security screeners at LAX failed to identify 75% of fake bombs, while Chicago O'Hare screeners missed 60% of the bomb components. Private screeners in San Francisco missed only 20% of the prospective bomb parts.[26]

 

[BurnItDwn]

Depends on how far ...

For me, anything under 600 or 700 miles I'd rather just drive.... Should take under 10 hours for most conditions....

Otherwise it's 1.5 hours to the airport, then wait for a while, then, 1.5 hour flight, and by the time I get where I'm going, I've saved like 1-2 hours... but dealt with a shitton of stress that I could have easily avoided by driving...

 

[lxskllr]

Sure do. The TSA is bullshit. I've personally used car travel for 90% of my non-business activities, even going so far as a 3 day drive to CA from the Midwest. I refuse to contribute to the paychecks of an organization devoted specifically to the proliferation of the continued loss of my freedom.

I don't travel far, but this is my point of view also. If I were rich, and had unlimited time, I'd never get on a plane. I'd take a ship to cross the ocean.

 

[vi edit]

Depends on how far ...

For me, anything under 600 or 700 miles I'd rather just drive.... Should take under 10 hours for most conditions....

Otherwise it's 1.5 hours to the airport, then wait for a while, then, 1.5 hour flight, and by the time I get where I'm going, I've saved like 1-2 hours... but dealt with a shitton of stress that I could have easily avoided by driving...

I'm much the same except I'm more in that 8 hour driving window. But to answer the question, yes the security crap (can't even bring a bottle of water through security and are forced to pay airport fleecing prices) in combination with the ticky tack ridiculous fee schemes that airlines are moving to has greatly affected my air travel.

Plus I've got a three year old and traveling with a kid that young (or younger) just really sucks.

 

[highland145]

Plus I've got a three year old and traveling with a kid that young (or younger) just really sucks.

Especially when the TSA pedo wants to grope their genitals.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

I flew 3 times this year and I had not a single problem with security and wait times.

However with Skunk Hair Napolitano's new radiation strip search devices or invasive pat downs, I will be rethinking more carefully my travel plans for next year.

 

[Riverhound777]

I haven't flown much in the past because I couldn't afford it, so I actually fly much more in the past few years than I ever have. Actually flying home for Turkey-day and X-mas instead of driving this year. I love flying. That may change after dealing with it over the holidays...

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Especially when the TSA pedo wants to grope their genitals.

or if you opt out they can peep your kids in the strip search machine. I'm sure with the questions surrounding the safety of those machines for adults, the exposure to kids is even more risky.


Take your pick, molestation or radiation?

 

[highland145]

or if you opt out they can peep your kids in the strip search machine. I'm sure with the questions surrounding the safety of those machines for adults, the exposure to kids is even more risky.


Take your pick, molestation or radiation?

#3. Going postal?

Per the wife, no flying until something changes.

 

[rivan]

Depends on how far ...

For me, anything under 600 or 700 miles I'd rather just drive.... Should take under 10 hours for most conditions....

Otherwise it's 1.5 hours to the airport, then wait for a while, then, 1.5 hour flight, and by the time I get where I'm going, I've saved like 1-2 hours... but dealt with a shitton of stress that I could have easily avoided by driving...

I'm much the same except I'm more in that 8 hour driving window. But to answer the question, yes the security crap (can't even bring a bottle of water through security and are forced to pay airport fleecing prices) in combination with the ticky tack ridiculous fee schemes that airlines are moving to has greatly affected my air travel.

Plus I've got a three year old and traveling with a kid that young (or younger) just really sucks.

I'm in the same boat.

15 years ago was a very story - you could show up 30 minutes before your flight (in STL, anyway) and get to your plane no problem.

Now it's 90 minutes and you'll either barely make it because security's so backed up, or occasionally you'll sail through and sit at the gate for 83 minutes. Never seems to be any middle ground.

Then, even if your flight takes off on time (usually does from here) you're loading into a cramped cabin (I'm 6'5 and don't make enough to get out of coach ) and sitting for ~30+ minutes before the plane leaves the ground while everyone else gets a seat and the plane warms up.

The cost going up has really put a damper on things, too.

It's about the same total time to drive the 5 hours vs fly to CHI, which is only a ~45 minute trip, once you're in the air. Same time, WAY more expensive if you're flying a family, and more hassle no matter what.

 

[vi edit]

#3. Going postal?

Think you'll fit in a flat rate box?

 

[highland145]

Think you'll fit in a flat rate box?

If I fit, I ship.

No way in hell.

 

[Homerboy]

Sure do. The TSA is bullshit. I've personally used car travel for 90% of my non-business activities, even going so far as a 3 day drive to CA from the Midwest. I refuse to contribute to the paychecks of an organization devoted specifically to the proliferation of the continued loss of my freedom.

LOL so you spent 3 days in a car instead of spending an extra 30 mins at an airport to prove a point that nobody was even listening to?

I'm sorry but consciously choosing to not fly because of a little additional wait time at the airport is just stupid.

 

[IronWing]

I fly a lot less than I used to, particularly for non-business trips. The security hassle and scheduling uncertainty with the airlines combined with higher prices has made driving much more practical for medium distance trips where I once would have flown. Of the changes with flying, the security crap is of less importance than the cost and uncertainty factors.

 

[zinfamous]

I have no desire to drive from CA to NC or FL on an annual basis...so security hasn't changed anything for me.

 

[rcpratt]

If I have to fly, I fly. Anything less than an 8 hour drive or so there's no need to fly.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I hate messing with airports, but I do fly for vacations or when I have to for business. The TSA is a joke -- anyone with 3 brain cells can see that their "security" measures are designed more for appearance and less for actual security.