Less passengers during U.S. Labor Day

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) forecasts that passengers levels for global travel on U.S. airlines will decline 5.7% during the 2008 Labor Day holiday period versus the same period last year.

High energy prices across the economy, rising airfares and airline schedule cuts are the primary drivers of the overall reduction in passenger volumes expected for this period. Sustained triple-digit fuel costs not only have forced airlines to cut back service – resulting in fewer seats available for domestic flights – but they also have taken a toll on customers’ spending power.

The ATA recommends these tips:

• 24 hours or less prior to departure, visit your carrier’s Web site and print out boarding passes (if possible); check flight status and determine what type of meal service will be offered; be aware of carrier carry-on and checked-baggage policies, and plan accordingly

• Place amenities in carry-on bag, including prescriptions or other medicines and snacks (and for those traveling with children, baby food/diapers) in case of delay

• If carrying liquids or gels in a carry-on bag, pack them in a one-quart zip-top bag and place them in a readily accessible location. Familiarize yourself with the list of TSA permitted and prohibited items

• Remove extraneous metal objects (e.g., coins, keys, pens, cell phone, watch, camera) and place them in carry-on baggage and pack simply for security screening

• Have your government-issued identification and boarding pass ready at the security-screening checkpoint

• Consider purchasing bottled water or other liquids after the security checkpoint

• Tag each bag, inside and out, with traveler name and contact information, and remove all destination baggage tags from previous trips