Air Travel - What are your fears / peeves?

I am in another airport again and just thought this would be a great topic. I travel on airlines at least twice a month and sometimes more. I have a lot of experience moving through the security and ticketing lines.

The question that I have is two fold - 1. What are your fears about flying? 2. What are some of your pet peeves about flying?

I don't really have a fear of flying other than being worried about my luggage making it when I do. My thinking goes like this.... The 2 pilots are in the front of the plane and if we were to hit anything they would be the first ones to hit. Well I don't know about you but if I were the one up front I would do everything in my power not to let that happen. I am counting on them thinking the same way I would and for them to do all they can to prevent the crash.

Now for the peeves. The first one I have is the baggage charges in excess of the ticket prices. If you need more money then just raise the ticket price. I usually have to check 2 bags, one for my clothes and one for my tools. They will not let me take my tools as a carry on so I have to check them. As for the clothes, I am usually traveling for 1-2 weeks at a time so the bag is too big for the overhead bins so I must check this also. Because of this I almost exclusively fly Southwest airlines. I would rather drive 2 hours to my final destination than pay all the extra fees. Travel day is lost anyhow and at the most I use $10 in gas so it is worth it to me. Besides Southwest also has the best service and on time record in my opinion.

Second peeve is for those that bring everything including the kitchen sink in their carry on bags. Most airlines allow you to check one bag for free. Take advantage of this and let them handle the baggage. I only take one bag (backpack with laptop) and it goes in the overhead bins. This way I have room for my legs to stretch out. There is room on the plane for 2 carry on bags for everyone but the size of the carry on bags has increased thus reducing the amount of available room. I was asked once and only once to put my bag under my feet and I told them no. My response was "My airfare grants me 1 overhead and 1 under seat spot for my carry on baggage. I only brought one on purpose you need to gate check the large carry on bags." That is what they did. The other passenger was not happy but the bag got there the same time they did and I did not have to give up my little bit of comfort because someone else failed to plan. We have little enough rights when we get on a plane and I decided this was one I would not give up.

Probably the largest peeve I have has to do with the other passengers. We have known since 2001 that we need to be at the airport 2 hours before your flight, get your butt out of bed and give yourself the time needed. I always run into people that want the shuttle bus driver to hurry because they are late. I don't want the bus driver to risk my life because some fool could not get to the airport on time. I know there are many legitimate excuses for being late, but what has happened to personal responsibility?

Planes take off all the time, catch the next one. Poor planning on your part does not make an emergency on my part.

Here are some hints

1. Pack the night before so you are ready to go when the time comes.

2. Leave 1/2 hour early for the airport in case of traffic. (your day is wasted on travel anyhow) Use this as time to shop for souvenirs for the family.

3. Make sure to place all metal objects in your carry on bag not your pockets. (i.e. change)

4. Make sure anything that can be considered a weapon is in your checked baggage.

5. Most important is to know the security procedures for clearing the security screening.

Let us all know about your experiences and what you do to make your travel life easier.