IT HAPPENED TO ME!  The World of Travel Right Now

Air Travel is a bit of a mess right now - making our long-awaited return to it, test our patience and serenity in the new world we're living in. 

So along with your patience, pack your nuts (snacks) too!

At the end of a hectic, enjoyable couple weeks catching up with family, friends, kids, grandkids - we took an overnight airport hotel to give us the sleep time and ease of showing up at 6am at the Kelowna Airport, for our 8am flight. 

Looking forward to a relaxing, 2-hour direct flight we booked ions ago ... only to be told by the desk agent "didn't you get the email?!  Your flight was cancelled." 


WHAAAA ... needless to say, I was gobsmacked ... didn't dare tell her I was a Travel Agent ... how did this happen?  How did I miss an email about our flight?

I checked in online the day before, immediately upon receiving the reminder from the airline - done and confirmed.  Good to go!

Doing what I'd told my clients over and over again to do ... check-in online to acknowledge your flights, be early, be prepared, be a good doobie.

Instructed to go to the airline next to them (after I checked my email about the cancellation), if we hurried and used the provided links, we'd rebook a flight for later that day. 

Once my breathing was down to a calm exhale, I found the email - it was confusing - back to the flight desk agent to get further instructions on what was needed.

Not only was I blind (had my mask on, so that explains it), hard of hearing, I lost my mind for a moment too (again, did NOT dare tell her I was a Travel Agent). 

She took my phone, clicked on the right link, showed me the flights being offered. 

Leaving 11am, connecting through Calgary (**expletive**), getting into Winnipeg at 5:30pm - not the civilized time of 12 noon, giving us time to do much needed grocery shopping before heading back home to Sandy Hook.


The core of the problem, experts say, is while the number of travellers has bounced back close to pre-pandemic rates, staffing levels have not. 

Despite receiving pandemic relief funds to help retain employees, airlines are still scrambling to fill their ranks with enough pilots, flight attendants, baggage handlers and customer service reps. 

Disruptions are also due to staffing shortages at air traffic control, security control staffing, airport workers and any staff associated with the travel and hospitality industry.  

Layoffs are easy - bringing people back with appropriate security clearance is hard. There's a mismatch betweensupply and demand right now. 

Most experts say there's no quick fix for airline staffing shortages due to the tight labour market and lengthy training period needed to get critical workers up to speed - especially pilots. 

Hands up for those who want their pilots "trained and experienced"!  That's a "Hell Ya!" for me.


The rebooked flights were looked after, at no additional cost, we just had to click and confirm (ah - the flight desk agent did that for me - bless her).  Because we'd prepaid our seats and baggage with the other airline, we were extended the same service with the new. 

By the way, went back to check the "email" time the airline sent me - it was 2:30am that night - I WAS FAST ASLEEP - NO WONDER I MISSED IT - checking my emails at 6am was the furthest thing from my mind.  Guess what I'll be doing next time?!

We were grateful for the option to fly and get home the same day - not being stuck in an airport or hotel overnight for days on end, like many've experienced internationally this summer.

While things are not about to get better any time soon, CLICK HERE for a few tips to be prepared:

Always travel with your work laptop ... oh and did I mention?  PACK YOUR PATIENCE.  Remember, a little grace goes a long way in either direction.

Does making a difference in your world, matter to you?  CLICK HERE for How You're Giving Back - by booking with me.

Need my help to plan that next vacation? CONTACT ME cause Planning a Vacation Makes You Happy (me too!).

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