I say that with tongue firmly planted in cheek. The month of June has been one long road trip for me. I’ve spent a grand total of 6 days at home this month. It was one of those months where my work obligations and responsibilities to CAAMP converged at the same time. Mission accomplished, and I’m going to be grounded for a while. For those of you that don’t have to travel for occupational reasons, I can honestly say professional travel isn’t very glamourous. Being away from family, living out of a suitcase, and eating way too much crappy food catches up with you. The worst part of traveling today is the air travel. Most people are less than thrilled about air travel today. The destination you’re going to is great, but it’s the getting there that’s a pain. Air travel changed after 9/11.

The need for security is real, but some of the security practices at airports seem to be an exercise in optics. Really, A woman’s lipgloss was confiscated going through security! I know, many a plane has been taken down by lipgloss. Admit it, I think we all believe that whatever is confiscated at security is later divvied up amongst the security staff. Protestations to the contrary by the airport, well, I don’t buy it. But on a positive note, at least when you’re going through that security shakedown the security staff makes the experience pleasurable. It must be due to all that extensive training they received. I believe the classroom training consisted of the following; “Everyone’s a threat, treat them accordingly. Congratulations, you’ve just completed your training”. I get it, nothing about that job seems enjoyable. But no one forced these people to take the job.

I would be remiss not to mention the role that the airline staff could play in making air travel a little more tolerable.

I primarily fly Air Canada because, well, brokers aren’t the only one’s who want to earn status.

I’m sure we will all remember the AC strike of 2011. No, you don’t remember it? That might be because the strike only lasted 3 days. I flew twice with AC during the strike and can honestly say that I didn’t notice any difference in service levels. I’m thinking that if employees withhold their services, and no one notices, they have a problem. I have a suggestion for AC employees when they negotiate their next contract with management. Create a new bonus structure. For example, the employees would receive a 50 cent bonus for every time they say the following to a passenger; “good morning, good afternoon, good evening, thank you, you’re welcome, hello, goodbye, please let me know if I can be of any further assistance, it’s wonderful to have you back with us”. Oh, and maybe there could be an additional 25 cent bonus if an airline attendant didn’t treat you like you were a member of a sleeper cell because your seat wasn’t in the full upright position prior to landing.

Until next time

Cheers