A reflection: looking forward, looking back

01-02-2005

Headlines over the past 12 months have not been positive for travel.

Terrorism and the security efforts taken to prevent another 9/11-type attack on the U.S. have built formidable barriers in the nation's once free and easy skyways.

A half-dozen major airlines teetering on the brink of financial collapse have slashed staffing and service to the point that any disruption of weather, computer systems or employees can cause a schedule meltdown that can last for days. Being stranded without luggage is certain to spoil any trip.

The prospect of US Airways' total failure has many local travelers legitimately concerned about whether the tickets they purchase today will be honored tomorrow. Although the government has now reinstituted for another year the guarantee that tickets on a defunct airline will be accepted by other carriers, it won't be easy or convenient to reschedule flights, especially for travelers in the Pittsburgh area.

Even after the cutbacks, US Airways still operates three out of every four flights to and from Pittsburgh International Airport. If it disappears completely, what will happen? When only one-quarter of current flights are taking off from Pittsburgh, will we be forced to drive to Cleveland or Baltimore or Columbus to get on a plane?

With no direct air service to any other country, can we still claim to be an international airport?

There are problems that are of even greater scope than these regional concerns. As the U.S. and local economies sputter along, many people are finding travel to be an increasingly luxury expenditure.

Fuel prices are high, both here and abroad, which affects the price of everything else. The shrinking dollar has made much of Europe and Asia 20 to 30 percent more expensive for Americans to visit than it was last January. Furthermore, many people have legitimate concerns about how graciously we will be received abroad.

Then there are the terrible visual images taken in the aftermath of catastrophic natural disasters, both in this country and abroad.

All these issues add up to a peck of uncertainty, which you'd think would make people more hesitant to leave home.

But if the travelers who packed the skyways and highways over the holidays are any indication, that doesn't seem to be the case.

In one sense, it's amazing that so many people want to go despite these potential hindrances. But it shouldn't be surprising, for two reasons.

First, there are still as many reasons to travel as there are travelers.

Some trips are taken because people have somewhere they have to go, for business, for duty, for family, for faith, for many other necessary purposes. Other trips are taken because a person has the desire to get away, to relax, to explore, to experience culture, food, entertainment, to have an adventure, to be educated. People travel to find themselves and to lose themselves. That hasn't changed.

Second, there will never be a better time to travel than the present.

Perhaps other seasons may be more comfortable, other itineraries more convenient, other timing more propitious, other situations more suitable, other opportunities more affordable. But who knows when? And once lost, that chance may never come again.

The lures of travel have not diminished, even if much of the allure has.

While we can speak of the past with some confidence, we can only guess about the future.

As we look back on living in a city with plenty of flights, the past 12 months now seem like the good old days. Will these next few months also someday seem more rosy than the present?

Only time will tell.

So over the next 12 months in the Travel section, we will work hard to provide ideas about where to go, both near and far, along with the reasons to do so, the information to help ease the journey and the insights to make it more affordable.

We hope you continue to enjoy the journey.

Other key concepts

I had a most gratifying response to my recent column about locking my keys in the car while on a trip. More than a dozen readers called, e-mailed or wrote to sympathize and share their suggestions for preventing a similar mishap in the future.

The vast majority advised me always to keep a spare car key in my wallet, along with a house key. Several pointed out that even with the new high-tech car keys that come implanted with computer chips, an inexpensive duplicate can be made to open the door, even if it won't start the car.

Still while that solution certainly makes good sense, it can be bulky if you own more than one car. And what happens if you lose the wallet?

Some suggested magnetic key cases secreted somewhere outside the car, but that's more difficult now that hoods must be opened from inside and wheel wells are lined with plastic.

Several readers mentioned that their OnStar service had saved them considerable hassles. One is thrilled with her car that has a keypad combination lock on the driver's door. That way she can't get locked out, assuming, of course, that her car's battery doesn't also die.

Finally, one reader called to remind me that in addition to my AAA membership, my Volkswagen ownership package includes 24-Hour Roadside Emergency Service, so I was doubly protected. Several other car brands offer similar services. That's another number I'll be keeping in my wallet Thanks to all for taking the time to respond, but I hope never to have another need to use your advice.

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