Prepare yourself for another summer of sold-out vacations. In several industries across the nation, there is still a labor shortage.
The travel sector is the one place where that is more obvious. According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 75,000 more leisure and hospitality positions were added just in March. However, the industry will likely need to continue hiring if it's to keep up with demand throughout what's anticipated to be a busy summer for travel.
Labor shortages have a specific impact on air travel since they affect occupations including air traffic controllers, flight attendants, pilots, ground crew, and food service employees in airports.
Many people working in the travel sector are advocating for government assistance.
The U.S. Travel Association's president and CEO, Geoff Freeman, said in a statement that "the federal government can help solve staffing needs by increasing the cap on H-2B temporary worker visas and permanently exempting returning workers from the cap."
Since the travel visa regulations were altered in 2020 due to the epidemic, the U.S. Travel Association has been vociferous about the labor shortage in the sector. When employment resumed in 2021 and travel picked up speed, it became clear that the U.S. travel business still lacked the pre-pandemic levels of staffing.
Although executives from Delta Air Lines said on a quarterly earnings call last week that the airline and its suppliers had an acceptable number of employees, shortages still exist in several areas of the sector.
Labor shortages persist, and everyone is hiring
Particularly impacted by the labor crisis are airports, some of which are going to remarkable lengths to hire more people.
Monthly job fairs at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) promote available employment. Numerous employment pays more than the minimum wage. Examples include the four places that Kind Hospitality manages at PHX: two Panera Bread eateries in terminals 3 and 4, as well as Fazoli's and O.H.S.O. Brewery. An average cashier makes $15.21 per hour. That is $1.36 more than the minimum wage in Arizona.
Ashley Negron, a representative for Kind Hospitality, claims that although the restaurants are currently staffed, adding more staff will improve scheduling.
Despite the benefits provided, which include free parking, health, and life insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, free meals while on shift, discounted meals when not on shift, a referral bonus, and occasionally sign-on bonuses, she noted that baristas and cooks have proven to be the most difficult positions to fill.
On the webpage for the job fair, it is said that the Transportation Security Administration in Phoenix is also hiring and providing a $5,000 sign-on bonus in addition to a full benefits package that includes medical, dentistry, and vision insurance as well as a federal retirement plan.
Amber Meshack, the head of business, jobs, and social responsibility for Los Angeles World Airports claims that the airports in Los Angeles are also hiring.
The most in-demand jobs, according to Meshack, are in the retail and food service industries because of their regular seasonal demand patterns. Employers are preparing for the summer tourist season right now.
But as you shall see, there is also a great demand for management, administrative, and technical positions (such as mechanics and ground service operators).
Vendor representatives at the airports in Phoenix and Los Angeles said that the higher average pay is a competitive advantage. But for those looking to start working right away, the security standards and lengthy wait times for security credentials might be obstacles.
Insufficient air traffic controllers
The airport and the plane aren't the only places with insufficient employees. This summer could see more issues as a result of the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers.
Last year, persistent understaffing at the air traffic control center in Jacksonville, Florida, caused cascading delays to continue, making it difficult for crew members and aircraft traveling through Florida's congested airspace to reach their next assignments during inclement weather delays.
In general and at Jacksonville, things seem to be getting a little better. A severe shortage at the FAA's control facility in the additional York region, however, could result in additional troubles this year as a result of the agency's hiring and training of new controllers.
While the FAA and airlines have already taken steps to lessen traffic in New York's skies this summer to lessen the burden on controllers there, the facility is still only 54% staffed at the ideal level, according to the FAA, compared to 81% average manning countrywide.
Thunderstorms and other weather might therefore cause significant disruptions in the Northeast this summer, cascading through the rest of the airline industry as aircraft, pilots, and flight attendants get disoriented. This is true even in light of the mitigating measures the FAA has implemented.
DOT complaints are growing.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent Air Travel Consumer Report, complaints regarding airline service increased by 55.3% in 2022 compared to the 49,991 complaints that were received in 2021.
According to the data, of the 77,656 documented complaints received in 2022, 24,647 (31.7%) were about flight issues (including complaints about not being compensated for costs related to flight issues), 19,983 (25.7%) were regarding refunds, and 12,007 (15.5%) were concerning baggage.
What this means for travelers
What does this mean for travelers this summer given that there are no signs that air traffic is slowing down? First and foremost, pack your patience.
Plan as much as you can and have a backup plan in case something goes wrong because a staffing shortage at the airport may result in lengthier lineups. Did the Southwest airline crash during the holidays affect you, or were you one of the unfortunate travelers who had your stuff lost? Continue reading if you wish to take every precaution to steer clear of a similar circumstance this year.
Our travel experts have provided the following advice:
• To speed up your security check, get TSA PreCheck or Clear. You can select the shorter line if you have both.
• If you can, only bring a carry-on with you. If you don't use a cobranded airline credit card or have elite status, you will save money on baggage fees and won't have to worry about losing your luggage.
• Can’t carry on? Use a tracking device for your bag, like an Apple AirTag. It has saved many bags for our writers and many readers.
• Consider taking the morning's first flight. This typically implies there will be fewer delays because your jet arrived the previous evening. To try and prevent any unplanned layovers, flying nonstop is a terrific idea.
• Purchase a backup flight. If your original plan doesn't work out, you might be able to salvage your holiday by using points and miles to book a backup flight. To get your miles redeposited into your account, just cancel before you leave.
• Utilize a credit card with travel insurance, such as trip interruption and cancellation coverage. If you use one of these cards to pay the taxes on your ticket, you are protected even if you are traveling on an award ticket.
In conclusion
This summer could be chaotic due to a shortage of luggage handlers, air traffic controllers, pilots, and employees at security checkpoints, check-in counters, and airport gates.
In time for the hectic summer travel season, it's unlikely that all unfilled positions at American airports and airlines will be filled. Therefore, make as many prior plans as you can and abide by the advice given above.
May the chances always be in your favor.
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