Shortage of staff and high demand can spell disaster for your summer travel plans

Get ready for another sold-out summer when it comes to travel. Across the country, many industries are still short of workers.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the travel industry. An additional 75,000 leisure and hospitality jobs were added in March, according to New data from the US Bureau of Labor Statisticsbut the industry is likely to have to maintain massive hiring if it is to keep up with demand during what is expected to be a busy summer for travel.

Air travel is particularly affected by labor shortages in areas such as air traffic controllers, flight attendants, pilots, ground staff and airport food service workers.

Many in the tourism industry are pushing the government to help.

“The federal government can help address staffing needs by increasing the cap on H-2B temporary worker visas and permanently waiving the cap for returning workers,” said President. and American Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman said in a published statement.

The American Travel Association has been vocal about labor shortages in the travel industry since visa changes were implemented in 2020 during the pandemic. After the industry begins hiring again in 2021 and tourism resumes, it seems that the US tourism industry still does not have the same staff as it did before the pandemic.

In spite of Delta Airlines the executive said in a quarterly earnings call last week Given that the airline and its suppliers are fully staffed, shortages continue to linger in many parts of the industry.

In Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), monthly job fair highlight open positions. Many jobs pay above the minimum wage. Examples include four Kind Hospitality locations operating in PHX: Fazoli’s Brewery and OHSO in Terminal 4 and two Panera Bread restaurants in Terminals 3 and 4. Average hourly wages for cashiers is $15.21. That’s $1.36 more than the Arizona minimum wage.

According to Ashley Negron, a spokeswoman for Kind Hospitality, even though it has staff now, hiring more workers will help restaurants plan more efficiently.

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She notes that the hardest positions to fill are bartenders and chefs, although the benefits on offer include free parking, life and health insurance, short-term disability, and short-term disability. long-term, paid time off and free meals when working shifts, and reduced meal rates while working. no shift, referral bonus and occasional login bonus.

According to the job fair websiteThe Transportation Security Administration at PHX is also recruiting and offering a $5,000 sign-in bonus and a full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and program federal pension.

According to Amber Mehack, director of business, employment and social responsibility for Los Angeles World Airports, Los Angeles airports are also hiring.

“The most in-demand jobs include retail and food service worker positions, which are subject to predictable seasonal demand throughout the year,” Mehack said. “Right now, employers are gearing up for the summer travel season.”

“However, you will note that technical positions (such as mechanics and ground service operators)administrative and management positions are also in high demand,” added Meshcak.

Spokespersons for suppliers at both Phoenix and Los Angeles airports noted that the higher average salary is a competitive advantage. However, the security requirements and long time to get a security badge can be challenging, especially for those looking to start working right away.

Lack of air traffic controllers

Short staff is not limited to airports and planes. Air traffic controllers are still missing, which is likely to cause even more problems this summer.

Last year, chronic staffing shortages at the air traffic control center in Jacksonville, Florida, contributed cascading delay in progresswith aircraft and crew members flying through Florida’s busy airspace unable to carry out their next mission during the disruption due to bad weather.

Situation in Jacksonville and across the country seems to have improved somewhat. However, with the Federal Aviation Administration hiring and training new controllers, a significant shortage at the FAA’s New York-area control facility could cause new headaches this year. .

While the FAA and airlines have Take steps to reduce traffic in New York skies this summer to remove some of the load of the controller there, base only maintain personnel at 54% of the ideal levelThat’s compared with 81% of the national average, said the FAA.

So even with the mitigation efforts the FAA has made, thunderstorms and other weather could lead to major disruption in the Northeast this summer, affecting the airlines’ networks. remaining when the plane, pilot and flight attendants get lost.

Latest Air travel consumer report published by the US Department of Transportation, air service complaints in 2022 increased by 55.3% from 49,991 complaints received in 2021.

Of the 77,656 complaints recorded in 2022, 24,647 (31.7%) were related to flight problems (including claims of non-reimbursed expenses related to flight problems. flight), 19,983 (25.7%) related to refunds and 12,007 (15.5%) related to baggage, according to the data.

What does this mean for tourists?

With no signs of air travel slowing down, what does this mean for travelers this summer? Your patience pack, for starters.

A shortage of staff at the airport can mean longer queues, so plan as much in advance as possible and also have a backup plan if needed. Are you affected by Southwest Crisis During the HolidaysOr are you one of these? Unfortunate travelers lost their luggage? If you want to do everything in your power to avoid a similar situation this year, keep reading.

Here are some tips from TPG travel experts:

• Get TSA PreCheck or Clear to speed up your security check. If you have both, you can choose the shorter line.
• Traveling with hand luggage if possible. It’ll save you money on baggage fees if you’re not carrying a co-branded or elite airline credit card, and you won’t have to worry about losing your luggage.
• Can not continue? Use a tracker for your pocket, like the Apple AirTag. It has saved a lot of pockets for TPG writers and many readers.
• Take the first flight of the day. Usually, this means your plane arrived the night before, so there’s less chance of a delay. Flying straight is also a great way to try and avoid any sudden swings.
• Book a backup flight. Using points and miles to secure a backup flight if your original plan goes sideways can save your vacation. Just make sure to cancel before departure so that your miles are re-deposited to your account.
• Use a credit card with travel protection such as trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance. Even if you go with an award ticket, if you pay taxes on the ticket with one of these cards, you’re covered.