Air Travel Over Time

Evolution has taken place in the airline industry today. Prices have decreased while extensive lines, strict security and safety have dramatically increased. Flying used to be uncommon and considered a spectacle. People were allowed to sit outside on airport observation decks to enjoy watching planes fly by on warm summer nights with no concerns of security risks. Today we take for granted the experience of flying while complaining about baggage restrictions, security lines and in flight refreshments. The focus in the past was about the passengers comfort; today’s priorities are focused on safety, security and price competition. So much has changed in the last few decades for multiple reasons.

The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 formally ended the U.S. government’s control of domestic airlines. They could no longer dictate how much an airline could fly or how much they could charge. Smaller airlines tested their luck during this time as business was booming. Many failed but some were successful due to the Frequent Flyer Programs. A frequent flyer is a program that rewards an individual with miles which are redeemable for free or discounted travel, car rentals, and other services. Airlines discovered that business travelers are the most profitable customers. They are 10 times more profitable than an occasional flyer. The success of these programs was illustrated by the fact that American Airlines’ AAdvantage program had 28 million members, 15 years after its introduction. This was the turning point where the prices of airline tickets became more reasonable to everyone, due to the Frequent Flyer Programs and the competition between other airlines made prices more affordable. A higher volume of people traveling has made the safety...

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... airline terminals without your boarding pass and a picture ID card. Lines became longer due to the heightened security check requirements. Each individual now must walk through a full body X-ray machine without their shoes on and have carry-on luggage scanned prior to being allowed to pass. Liquids must be in a travel container less than 3 oz. because of a possible threat using liquids, or other chemicals as a weapon. Sharp items, such as a box cutter was used in the takeover of the hijackings that happened on 911.

Work Cited http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-airlinesafety-i,0,2113405.htmlstory#axzz2mGNHWbPN http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6l53f/whatflyingwaslikeinthe1960s/

http://www.worldwide-aviation.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50:frequent-flyer-programs&catid=37:columns&Itemid=66

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items