How World Events Effect Your Pocket Book

Posted by pfadvice
August 11, 2006

With the latest airline terrorist plot in the UK, I’m expecting even the short jaunt to Las Vegas to be a major hassle getting through the airport. I’m hoping that since I’m taking a fairly early flight I will be spared the brunt of it, but still plan to get there at least 1.5 to 2 hours early to make sure it all goes smoothly.

While the new no carry-on liquids policy will cost me very little on this trip (mostly in time), I bet it adds an extra $20+ to the cost of trips for those who do travel a lot - especially those who travel for business. Since basic toiletries can’t be carried on anymore and most business people don’t check through their luggage, it means they are going to have to choose between waiting for their luggage or purchasing the toiletries once they are at their destination. My guess is that most will choose the cost over the time and when they return, they will have to toss everything they just purchased.

While $20 might night seem like a lot (and it could be significantly more for women), if you purchase a $200 airline ticket, it’s a 10% premium on that cost which is a new cost to most people (and something that most won’t consider when planning a trip). While it isn’t likely to make anyone change their travel plans, I always find it fascinating how world events that seem to have nothing to do with you can come back to directly increase your costs…

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Information: August 11th, 2006; 9 Responses

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Categories: Miscellaneous; Travel

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Reader Comments

Comment Number:: 1
Written by:: edenz
Posted on:: August 11, 2006 at 4:35 am

No beverages! Are they going to provide actual bottles of water on the plane? ‘Cause those itsy-bitsy cups the attendants give you are NOT enough to keep hydrated. I usually bring a 28oz bottle and drink all of it.

Comment Number:: 2
Written by:: makingitbig
Posted on:: August 11, 2006 at 5:34 am

CVS and the hotel gift shops must love this no toothpaste policy. I wonder if stock in Crest shot up yesterday.

Comment Number:: 3
Written by:: LAMoneyGuy
Posted on:: August 11, 2006 at 9:52 am

Hey Jeffrey,
I’m heading out to Vegas as well. Luckily, I’m not going through LAX, but burbank airport. Still not looking forward to getting through the airport.

Comment Number:: 4
Written by:: King of Debt
Posted on:: August 12, 2006 at 6:36 am

Don’t forget too that many airlines have played around with the ideas of charging to check baggage. Like 2-5 bucks per bag. This could become reality, especially since the airlines are financially equipped to handle the increase costs of hiring more baggage carriers to handle the increased checked baggage.

Comment Number:: 5
Written by:: My Money Forest - Personal Finance, Investing, Business and more!
Posted on:: August 16, 2006 at 12:04 am

[...] PFAdvice - How World Events Effect Your Pocketbook [...]

Comment Number:: 6
Written by:: Reader
Posted on:: August 16, 2006 at 11:01 am

All you have to do is check your luggage. Then, you don’t have to buy anything when you get there.

Comment Number:: 7
Written by:: Reader
Posted on:: August 16, 2006 at 11:01 am

Besides, the carry on ‘policy’ is only temporarily to boot.

Comment Number:: 8
Written by:: byusteeler
Posted on:: August 27, 2006 at 2:45 pm

Sounds simple enough to just check your bags. And there are pros to it. boarding and deplaning are much faster and there haven’t been as many problems with carry on bags. However, for those traveling international it is much more inconvenient. We’re talking 14 hours without being able to brush your teeth. The airplane is very dry and some people get dry eyes, no eyedrops or contact lens solution. No lotion for dry itchy skin. If you only travel once in a while still not a big deal, but if you travel international several times a year the discomfort is compounded. Oh, and I have to be careful how I word this but freedom involves risk and it is frightening to me how easily people are willing to give up there freedom because of a little fear. To put things in perspective and here is the part I have to word carefully, People can still bring liquids, gels, electronics etc. into malls, hotels, theme parks, etc. Think about it!

Comment Number:: 9
Written by:: byusteeler
Posted on:: August 27, 2006 at 3:01 pm

To edenz: Ask for 2 or 3 glasses of water at a time. the airline cups are usually around 6 oz so to make up the 28 oz you usually drink you should drink about 5 glasses.

To King of debt: You couldn’t blame the airlines if they have to start charging for checked luggage. This latest threat has been extremely expensive for the airlines. Also, they make a lot of money on cargo and have had to turn away some cargo to accommodate extra checked luggage.

To the reader who says: “all you have to do is check your luggage” the airlines are suggesting at most destinations to arrive 1 hour before your flight if you have nothing to check and 2 hours before if you are checking luggage. Then there is the additional 1/2 hour you wait to claim your luggage. 1 1/2 hours doesn’t seem like a lot and again for the once a decade traveller it’s not, but for the road warrior this could be a loss of a substatial amount of time over a year. And what about lost luggage or luggage that makes your connection and you don’t or visa versa.

finally reader who says “temporary” . I just say “we’ll see”