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The “Golden Age of Travel” is upon us – or at least, it soon will be, if Americans heed the helpful advice of the U.S. Department of Transportation amid a very busy season of holiday travel.
“I’m just asking us all to do better and be better, and then we’ll all have a more pleasant experience,” said Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy this week.
The department has estimated that a record 82 million people will be traveling this year for the Thanksgiving holiday by train, plane, and car. The busiest day of travel of all is Tuesday, November 25, with an estimated 52,000 flights in the U.S. zigzagging across the country.
“Make sure to get to the airport early, and thank your flight crews. And don’t forget to dress with respect! The Golden Age of travel starts with all of us[,]” Duffy noted.
This new civility campaign from the Department of Transportation urges Americans to dress nicer, act nicer, and bring a dose of common kindness and generosity with them when they hit the road or the airport.
In an official press release from the department, they backed up their call to civility with hard data. There has been a 400 percent increase in “unruly” behavior on flights, according to the FAA, since 2019. This increase in airport-related incidents has spurred the department to encourage better behavior among American travelers.
“Manners don’t stop at the gate!” Duffy cheerily proclaimed in a Transportation video launching the “Golden Age of Travel” campaign. Interspersed with images of 1940s and 50s-era airline travel, the ad also blared “Come Fly With Me,” by Frank Sinatra.
“Let’s bring civility and manners back. Ask yourself, are you helping a pregnant woman put a bag in the overhead bin? Are you dressing with respect? Are you keeping control of your children?” Duffy continued. “Are you saying ‘thank you’ to your flight attendant and pilot? …The Golden Age of Travel begins with YOU.”
And this week, Duffy had another gem to share: “Let’s try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport,” he remarked. “…Don’t take your shoes off and put your feet on the chair ahead of you.”