Flying Into the Future – The Daily, May 11, 2020

Flying just isn’t going to be the same, at least for awhile

Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other. — Brian Tracy

To plan or not to plan, and what to plan, that is the question. It is one of many questions we can consider right now, and the answers are elusive.

Out of every challenge comes the chance to forge a new path, to be at the leading edge of whatever is to come. If you can guess how things are going to be, then you can be in a position to capitalize on it.

Things can change quickly. Even if by some miracle a vaccine is developed and is in widespread use within 18 months, there are no guarantees that life will return to what we used to consider as normal. The longer this goes on, with the necessities of social distancing and isolating people who are exposed to someone who tests positive, the less likely that old behaviours will resume.

Air travel is an interesting consideration. The reason that flights were cheap and that it was easy to jump on a plane for a weekend getaway to a warm location or a quick business trip was because passengers were sandwiched in like sardines. Big volume and quick turnover allowed airlines to keep their prices competitive and still turn a profit. But with the new guidelines, this will change. Seats can’t be occupied like they were, and airports will no longer be places that encourage socializing and shopping.

Most of the discount airlines will struggle with the new reality. And even if flying still remains as affordable as it once was, are the travellers going to return in droves? if you are over 65 you might think twice about wanting to go anywhere, and anyone with underlying health conditions is likely to be more careful as well. This is a large segment of the population.

For more interesting thoughts on what might be ahead in the world of air travel, this article in The Star, Why Flying is About to Get More Expensive – For Good, is a great read.

Thought for the Day – Be true to yourself. Don’t force things and try to be someone who you aren’t. If you don’t want to do the same things you have always done, then don’t do them anymore. Sometimes all it takes is to drop something than no longer suits you to be able to find something that is even better.

I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. – Thomas Jefferson