Air travel irrevocably changed by events

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The terrible and evil acts of Sept. 11 have changed all our lives. One of the changes will be in the way we travel.|ret||ret||tab|

The airlines have already announced a 20 percent reduction in their flight schedules. Many of these flights were previously redundant, duplications of other airlines' routes or unprofitable. These will disappear. |ret||ret||tab|

Some will be on airlines that are already defunct or may soon be because of their fragile financial condition. There will be some significant schedule changes in flights in and out of Springfield and the empty seats could trigger a fare war with reduced prices.|ret||ret||tab|

We can expect boarding inconveniences. Curbside check-in has been outlawed. Electronic tickets (e-tickets) will continue to be issued but will require regular check-in. |ret||ret||tab|

Examination of checked luggage will be instituted. |ret||ret||tab|

There will be stricter regulations on the size and number of carry-ons. We can expect more hand searching of carry-on bags. Our loved ones can no longer say good-bye at our departing gates or meet us at arrival gates. |ret||ret||tab|

But all these minor changes will make our flights safer than ever before.|ret||ret||tab|

Leisure travelers will have to make informed choices as to the itineraries of their trips. The dream destinations will still be beckoning. To further protect us, the State Department will offer daily bulletins on destinations considered unsafe for our citizens. |ret||ret||tab|

We're sure that gradually, as the fear of flying fades away, leisure travelers will return to their cruises, tours and foreign visits, albeit with some forethought. It's hard to keep Americans away from their work or their leisure pursuits.|ret||ret||tab|

Those of you who were caught during the airline shutdown with a ticket purchased on Internet discount sites won't forget the difficulty of changing or re-funding those tickets or even of talking to a real person about canceled or changed flights. |ret||ret||tab|

As travel agents, we were sorry that we could not help; we were busy providing changes and cancellations for our personal clients, our first responsibility, and had little time to help travelers with tickets from other sources, even while knowing that the airline customer phones were swamped.|ret||ret||tab|

When you do recall your difficulty it may help you remember the truth of the travel industry slogan, "Without a travel agent, you're on your own." |ret||ret||tab|

(Linda and Dr. Don Overend are principals in The Travel Group, a full-service travel agency formed by the merger of Ozark World Travel, Con-sulting Travel and Thomas Travel.)[[In-content Ad]]