Wait for it

Yep – it is the waiting game all over again at airports around the world. The travel surge we all predicted is here but there are just not enough people to manage the crowds and people are getting fed up.

You may have read about the ex-NHL star Ryan Whitney who had an atrocious experience trying to fly from Pearson to Boston. Long line ups to go through security, a last minute flight cancellation, no access to the Air Canada counter and no notification of his flight change. No wonder he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Personally, I would have been crying.

So what can be done to speed this up? You can’t put all the blame on the passengers. I know some people hold up the queue because they don’t have all their documents ready and yes – you should be on the ball when you go to check in but many people only fly once or twice a year and so much has changed over the last couple of years.

Is it the screening process? Again, could you try and be ready to go through quickly? Take off the belt, the heavy jewellery, and shoes, get your laptop out. Some say they need more security agents. Good luck with that. Did you know that those agents only get about $16 an hour? By all accounts, it is a difficult job too. People get antsy after they have been standing in a line up worrying about missing their flight. The problem is that Toronto is Canada’s busiest airport – that’s probably why I prefer to avoid it when I am travelling out of Canada.

Airports can often feel like a different planet – especially if you have been stranded there for hours. So sit back and relax. Stretch a little.

Make sure you come to the airport prepared. Have your documents ready (paper as well), make sure you wear sensible clothes and shoes. If you have to be in a long line up – make yourself comfortable.