In the July 2014 issue of Travel + Leisure, I interviewed experts on how to maximize social media before, during, and after your trip.
One of my favorite tips came from Southwest's Rob Hahn, the airline's team leader for Customer Advocacy and Social Media: "Reaching out through more than one channel will multiply our efforts to assist that customer, and can inadvertently slow things down."
Apparently it sometimes doesn't pay to be the squeaky wheel. Who knew?
Check out the story online or below.
It does seem that airports are now trying to enforce the airline limitations of one carry-on and one personal item. When I flew to San Francisco two weeks ago, I was stopped even before I could show my I.D. at the security checkpoint line. "Will that bag fit in the overhead bin?" an airport worker asked, suspiciously eyeing my bulging Eagle Creek backpack. Even after explaining that the outer removable pack was stuffed with magazines that I'd read and discard before boarding, I actually had to place my backpack into the luggage sizer to prove that it would in fact fit in the overhead bin (just like it has ever since I bought it a few years ago).
Unfortunately, the woman behind me wasn't so lucky -- she had a rolling suitcase, a purse, and a tote. "But they let me through at SFO," she wailed. The JFK airport worker stood firm and made the woman go back and check the extra bag (for a fee, of course).
So what should you do with your luggage when traveling during the holidays? Cast your vote here.
