What's changed with airlines/flights in the last 10 years

[jrcunniff]

This may seem like a crazy question, but... A week from now I will be flying for the first time since 2013. Just in making the reservation, I've found a few things have changed (an extra charge for selecting your seat in advance?).

I just want to prepare myself. Are there other recent changes airlines have enacted over the last 10 years for checking in, going through security, boarding, etc. I'm starting to wonder what is in store. Are we still removing are shoes to pass security?

 

[athena53]

You'll remove your shoes if you're under 75 and/or don't have TSA Pre-Check. (I think that's still true- I've had Pre-check for awhile.)

Somewhere along the way "they" decided disposable cigarette lighters were OK to bring on board because it was too expensive to throw out all the ones they confiscated. Laptops ad tablets go in a bin; the rest can remain in your bag. I find it creates fewer problems if I put all my chargers wires, connectors, adapters, etc. into a single large plastic bag but keep them in my carry-on.

Did they have the Nude-o-Scope when you last flew? It's an alternative to the metal detector and you'll have to remove EVERYTHING from your pockets, including tissues. Last time I flew it flagged suspicious areas on my left shoulder and under my left arm. I was NOT wearing deodorant with an aluminum compound in it. The agent who thoroughly caressed me found nothing.

You may have to pay for checked bags and you may be in the last boarding group regardless of where your seat is. You can show them your barding pass on your phone but I like to print mine just in case.

 

[Chuckanut]

A lot has changed. Plane bathrooms have shrunk again in the past five years. Airports are more crowded and are always being torn up and redone to address the crowding. Most importantly bringing a box of chocolates to the gate attendants will no longer get you a free upgrade to first class.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the nearly unintelligible announcements over the PA system telling the passengers what group is boarding.

 

[rpguy4]

@OP what airlines are you flying ? Some airlines make you pay for carry-on bags and snacks now(peanuts and pretzels) no freebies. Depending on your ticket you may have a group or zone number. This number/letter determines the order in which people board the plane. You may want to download the airline app to your cell phone too. You can use the app to produce your boarding pass and check flight status.

 

[Al18]

The maximum carryon luggage size has shrunk about 2 inches for length, width and height and they may check the luggage size at the gate.

 

[braumeister]

Last time I flew it flagged suspicious areas on my left shoulder and under my left arm.

I wonder if that's a technical glitch in the scanner software? Every time I've been flagged by it, they have focused on my left shoulder, but of course there was nothing to be found.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Have your boarding passes and driver's license (or passport) ready to show the gatekeeper to the TSA area. If on your phone have them already on the phone's screen as you approach their desk. They are universally grumpy if you are not ready. Same thing when you are getting on the plane.

On my latest flight to/from Phoenix/Mpls. they made me put my electronics in a bin and have them scanned; on my return flight they didn't require this, which was weird.

 

[MichaelB]

Funny, I've had the left shoulder inspection as well.

Back to the OP, over the past decade flying has become more like bus travel. The accommodations are increasingly uncomfortable, the airport is a heavily congested and the customer service is very spotty. "The customer is king" works in many areas but certainly not in air travel.

Air travel demands a hefty done of patience, tolerance and internal harmony.

 

[frank05]

Many airlines have introduced a Basic Economy fare where you board last, may not be allowed a carry on and don’t get to choose a seat. You can pay extra to choose options you care about.

 

[athena53]

@OP what airlines are you flying ? Some airlines make you pay for carry-on bags and snacks now(peanuts and pretzels) no freebies.

Oh, yes. You should not count on getting fed. If it's a short hop and there's turbulence you may not get anything to drink, either.

Food for purchase is sometimes available but mostly junk and if you buy any, most airlines now have a "cashless cabin", meaning they require a credit or debit card.

Prepare yourself to ignore the in-flight announcements just before landing pitching the airline credit card.

 

[audreyh1]

Honestly, since we resumed flying in 2013 after a multi-year hiatus, nothing much has changed.

Except airfare prices have gone up big time!

I suppose the additional option of “basic economy” with no checked luggage, no seat selection, and only one personal item to go under the seat in front of you is new since then. So when searching airline prices and you don’t want basic economy keep an eye out you don’t select it. It usually defaults as the first option.

 

[jollystomper]

Most places a human being no longer checks you in at the airport, you use a machine to check in, get your boarding pass, and then bring your checked bags to a human for them to put on the conveyer belt. Ifg you do not have checked bags, you can print your boarding pass at home, or have it on your phone, and go straight to the security gate (but note the warning about smaller carry-on bag sizes)

I have noticed in the last year, at least in the airports I have flown in and out of, that in the non-TSA precheck lines they have not been requiring us to take out our bagged liquids or computers/phones/tablets out of our carry-ons. They still want us to take off shoes and belts.

While you cannot bring bottled water through security, you can bring an empty bottle/container and many airports have installed water filling stations beyond security.

Prices for stuff in airport stores have definitely gone up a lot since 2013.

Unless you are in first/business class, or are going overseas, do not plan on being served anything beyond snacks for free. Though the prices have gone up, better to eat before boarding, or bring/buy something to carry on and eat on the plane.

The way I deal with the crowding and long lines is to get to the airport early (2+ hours before departure), so I can leisurely park (and take parking shuttle if necessary) and deal with lines( and getting food), and find a quiet gate to sit and read until my boarding time draws near.

 

[braumeister]

The way I deal with the crowding and long lines is to get to the airport early (2+ hours before departure), so I can leisurely park (and take parking shuttle if necessary) and deal with lines( and getting food), and find a quiet gate to sit and read until my boarding time draws near.

The best plan by far, IMHO. There are always some gates with no flights scheduled out of them anytime soon, so it's not hard to find a quiet area to read or listen to your music. As long as you keep aware of the time, you can always go to your assigned gate in plenty of time to board.

 

[Trailwalker]

I flew Spirit Airlines basic economy last weekend, and it has to be the ultimate in scaled down customer service. For comfort, I would much rather ride a bus. I don't know if it's all airlines, but the ones that I've flown recently require self-service in printing out your luggage tags and affixing them to your luggage. It won't be long until a machine will finish the process of check-in, and they won't need people at the front counter.

 

[athena53]

Download the airline's app even if you delete it later. Depending on the airline, it can show you where your bag is, where the inbound is (when your flight is still posted on-time at T minus 15 and the inbound isn't there), your arrival gate, connection gate, etc. I also highly recommend an AirTag in your checked luggage if you have any other Apple devices. It will tell you where your bag is.

 

[audreyh1]

Oh right. Download the airline app, check-in within 24 hours of your flight, it shows your boarding passes. Use it to show your boarding pass to board. You can always get a paper copy if you check baggage. For us the paper is more convenient for going through security.

 

[marko]

The people flying are a lot grumpier. Not sure if it's the airlines brings that out or if everyone is just grumpy in general.

Airline lounges are waaaay overcrowded and for the most part are no longer worth the effort.

 

[brett]

Rather like a Greyhound bus that leaves an hour late.

 

[MRG]

As much as I hate single use kinda apps definitely agree with downloading the airline app . Also save the locator reference number. You'll need it.

In our case we decided flying is a BTD kinda thing. I'm not being squashed in coach if I can buy into business or first class.

While lounges are definitely more crowded its worth it. Probably the best use of airline points.

I write this while recovering from a stomach flu on an international flight. I'll spare the details but I was treated by paramedics in the airport. They helped me immediately.

I was also warned since I asked for assistance the airline might tell me I needed medical clearance to fly, available at the hospital. He suggested presentation was a big part of their decision. It wasn't difficult for them to see the difference.

 

[jollystomper]

I flew Spirit Airlines basic economy last weekend, and it has to be the ultimate in scaled down customer service. For comfort, I would much rather ride a bus. I don't know if it's all airlines, but the ones that I've flown recently require self-service in printing out your luggage tags and affixing them to your luggage. It won't be long until a machine will finish the process of check-in, and they won't need people at the front counter.

Yes, you are correct... almost all have the machine check-in and DIY luggage tagging.

The only airline I flew recently that still had a human doing a full check-in was Aer Lingus out of Dulles Airport (flying out of Dublin they had machine check-in).

 

[38Chevy454]

It's a flying bus, with all the extra hassles of TSA security; and paying extra for baggage or seat selection. Add in rude fellow passengers, bad attitude airport or airline employees to help make the experience worse. In general the only advantage to flying is time savings for longer trips.

 

[SecretlyFI]

Don’t expect a pillow or blanket. And you might be charged for earbuds if you want to hear the movie you’re planning to watch.

My strategy is similar to one mentioned earlier. Arrive early so you’re not as frustrated by the lines. After going through security pick your favorite food spot and get 2 things you really like, to take the edge off the experience. One to have while you wait to board and one to bring on and eat on the plane - including a bottle of a favorite soft drink with a screw-on cap to avoid spills, so you don’t have to wait for beverage service.

 

[kgtest]

Don't leave your phone on the plane. Some might allow you to connect it to WiFi during flight without a charge.

Airport lounge seating is always tricky, depending on the airport time of day etc. Look at the time the flight boards, not when it departs, big difference.

You won't need a paper ticket, but you can print one if you like usually at self-service kiosk. Some airports have cashierless checkout for snacks.

Don't forget to fill the water bottle, but not until AFTER you get through security. NO LIQUIDS ALLOWED and they will take your bottle if you have some amount in there sometimes.

 

[kgtest]

Everything seems to run on a phone, so I bring an extra charger.

 

[Dawg52]

I’m glad I retired from flying.