New Year’s (Travel) Resolutions

I actually like New Year’s Resolutions. I know they aren’t for everybody, but I find it an excellent time for reflection and goal setting. And now that 2011 is here, I wanted to give some thought to the upcoming year in terms of travel.

As I mentioned last week in my Year in Review, I already have some travels planned for the year. And with travel  getting, oh, shall we say a bit more difficult, this year I thought I’d work on my own attitude and approach to travel since it’s unlikely the industry will change any time soon.

So, in 2011, I will…

1. Be a nicer traveler. Yup, that’s right. I can get irked, just like other people, when my flight is canceled or delayed. In the last 6 weeks, I had to deal with 2 such instances: once when a Delta flight was canceled and the gate attendant got so frustrated that he walked away from a line of customers inquiring about flight options; another time when we got delayed in Hawaii (in that case, the Hawaiian Airlines staff was uber-nice).

Although I was happy to be stuck in Hawaii, I was not pleased that the Delta representative left us high and dry to sort out our flight questions by calling Delta on our cell phones.

Despite the circumstances, this year I’m going to try-try-try to stay calm, understanding and have peace-of-mind when it comes to flight issues.

2. I haven’t yet been through an airport where the TSA full body scanners are actually in use (they’re still sitting dormant at Seattle’s Sea-Tac Airport). I’ve already written about full body scanners and your health and am opposed to them. When the time comes for me to opt for the full-on pat-down rather than walk through a scanner, I will do so graciously.

3. I often know my travel schedule in advance, but I can sometimes be a procrastinator in booking flights. I realize, however, that I could save some dough if I were a bit more on top of things. So, in 2011? When I know my travel dates, I’ll book that flight. Really. I will!

4. Santa dropped off a new pair of Bose noise-canceling headphones this year. That means that those big-mouthed folks who kept me awake through those 14-hour flights to Asia last year by talking incessantly the entire time? La la la la – I can’t heeearrrr you! No more complaining from me that I didn’t catch up on my beauty sleep – I’ll arrive at my destination fresh as a daisy!!

5. This year, I want to make sure that Jon’s dream trip is fulfilled – going to Japan. Poor guy. I drag him around to places like India and Bhutan (not that he minds it) but we haven’t yet made it to the country that’s top on his list. 2011 – see that the Japan gods are watching out for us, won’t you?

6. And, last but not least, I have a wish for you!

Through a combination of my speaking gigs, books and websites, I hope that I can continue to provide the growing number of Wanderlusters with just the type of information and inspiration that will kick-start you all into pursuing your travel dreams: Journeys that are meaningful, free of fears, prejudice and illness.

Please continue to join the virtual travel ride with me so that when you hit the road, you will be prepared for the best that travel has to offer!

Travel Well,

Beth

Related Links
2010 Travel Year in Review

Photo Credits:
Space Needle by Paul Schultz
Big Mouth by Sarah_Ackerman