Traveling by airplane has always and will always have an element of stress. This includes but is not limited to trying to book the parking lot closest to your terminal at the airport to hoping against all odds your carry-on luggage fits it on your completely full flight despite a fellow traveler selfishly putting two items in the overhead compartment.
I've gotten used to most, if not all, of the elements of flight-induced stress over the years — especially since joining the CoStar News Hotels team a little over a year ago and now traveling more than I ever have. I also credit my Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check status for some of my new peace of mind. I've never had a fear of flying, and I can confidently stroll up to my gate 15 minutes before boarding begins without a bead of sweat on my forehead.
But this year has been different.
In the past few months, I've had over a dozen flights, and I've been introduced to a new level flight anxiety. It's taking its toll on my interest in adding to my travel plans this year — something that, if you know me and my unquenchable wanderlust, is extremely disappointing.
A few nights ago, I read that my home airport in Houston reached 4-hour security lines, closed TSA Pre-Check and brought in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that, following reading this, I had a nightmare about traveling through the airport. Instead of daydreaming about my next trip, including planning my hike of the Palo Duro Canyon and booking my stay at The Barfield Hotel in Amarillo, I'm having stress dreams of missing my flight while impatiently waiting in an unending line.
This year has also had a slew of inconveniences either indirectly or unrelated to the six-week-and-counting partial government shutdown. On my return from a New York trip, I had to take a 6 a.m. flight out to avoid getting stuck from a snowstorm. Then, I was held up five hours on my way to Atlanta for this month's Hunter Conference when my plane had to be changed due to a mechanical issue. I evaded delays and cancellations from January's winter storm, but many of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit attendees did not.
Whether its inclement weather, a government shutdown, collisions on the runway or a war in the Middle East, travelers like myself are being forced to reckon with increased stressors during traveling — and we're having to factor this into making our travel plans. We're being told it's temporary while seeing reports that discussions in Washington, D.C., are failing to find a solution.
You know what's not temporary? Trauma. I know it sounds dramatic, but I still have the occasional bad dream that I forgot to do the assignments for my online class for the entire semester, and I've been out of college for over a decade. All signs point to me having another airport stress dream.
And I know I'm not alone.
For the hotel industry — bookings might not be affected yet. Chances are, if you already have a trip planned you're going to find a way to make it work since you've paid your deposits and booked your airfare.
But what about the people skipping out on an impromptu weekend trip or shortening their booking window in hopes that things die down? That unrealized hotel guest may not be something hoteliers can point to as a major headwind, but it's an intangible impact that can't be overlooked, especially since today's travelers are not going to easily forget a security line that's out the door and twice missing their flight because of it.
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