Trains, Buses, Automobiles But Not Planes This Season: Survey

Two out of five air travelers would rather take another form of transport over this holiday season, the U.S. Travel Association has said, and according to Airlines for America, U.S. air travel will drop by an average of 20,000 people a day between 15 December 2011 and 4 January 2012 compared to the same period last year.

The U.S. Travel Association cites the frustrations of air travel in a period when over half of surveyed air travelers are flying with gifts.

The association has thus again called for airlines to “remedy the carry-on chaos...clogging U.S. airports” by changing luggage policies “to include in the price of a ticket the costs associated with checking one piece of luggage”.

The TSA is also being called upon to expand its PreCheck trusted traveler program to more travelers.

"Our research shows that reducing hassle without compromising security will encourage more Americans to fly — as many as two to three additional trips a year — leading to an additional $85 billion in spending that would support 900,000 American jobs," U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Roger Dow said.

43.3 million air travelers are expected to fly on U.S. carriers over the 21day period, Airlines for America has said, a one percent drop over last year.

However, flights will still be full, particularly between 21-23 December, 26-30 December 26-30 and 2-3 January. 

So, I guess the question is, if Santa Claus had to pay for excess baggage would he avoid flying too?