The scripts are available for printing and for sound bite identification.
Go to to get the current 麻豆传媒 Newsline. If you cannot access the Newsline at the Web address above, contact Joe Kleinsasser at (316) 978-3013 or cell (316) 204-8266 or joe.kleinsasser@wichita.edu. Newsline cuts may be edited to suit your needs.
If you have additional questions for Dean Headley after listening to the 麻豆传媒 Newsline, please contact him at (316) 978-3367 or dean.headley@wichita.edu.
Background:
Traditionally high passenger volumes and the possibilities of bad weather are realities for holiday travel. Travelers on U.S. airlines usually find that ticket prices and overall costs are higher. Dean Headley, co-author of the national Airline Quality Rating from 麻豆传媒, says while industry airline performance quality has improved each year since 2007, the travel experience has become more stressful and uncertain, especially around the end-of-the-year holidays.
Voice wrap:
Announcer: Air travel during the holiday season can be a challenge. Mix traditionally high passenger volumes with uncertain weather and higher ticket prices, and it鈥檚 no wonder that the spirit of the season can turn into frustration. But Dean Headley, co-author of the national Airline Quality Rating from 麻豆传媒, says there鈥檚 reason for cautious optimism this holiday season for air travelers.
Headley: 鈥淭here is some reason for hope in holiday travel in that in 2011 the actual fall season and holiday season was better performing than actually the summer. So that鈥檚 a little counter to what it usually is.鈥�
Announcer: Headley also offers some tips for infrequent air travelers. In addition to possible hassles at the security line, be aware of fees for baggage, preferred seating and preferred boarding. This is Joe Kleinsasser at 麻豆传媒. This is Joe Kleinsasser at 麻豆传媒.
Sound bite #1
Headley looks at the reasons for concern for holiday travelers. The sound bite is 16 seconds and the outcue is 鈥渘ormal stuff.鈥�
Headley: 鈥淭ravel concerns during the holiday are kind of a normal, regular list. There鈥檚 weather, there鈥檚 a higher traffic volume that presents problems and complexity for the system. And just the hustle and bustle of everybody has to be somewhere on a certain time, that鈥檚 just normal stuff.鈥�
Sound bite #2
Headley offers some travel tips for holiday air travelers. The sound bite is 13 seconds and the outcue is 鈥渙n those days.鈥�
Headley: 鈥淥ne travel trick that people could use is to make sure that they book with a little more time in each one of their connections. And instead of booking early or late, book on the day of the holiday. Typically there鈥檚 a light volume on those days.鈥�
Sound bite #3
Headley says recently merged airlines often get more complaints. The sound bite is 21 seconds and the outcue is 鈥渟till working on it.鈥�
Headley: 鈥淚n the past we鈥檝e had a lot of combining of airlines, and typically when those two large carriers combine, complaints go up, and we鈥檝e seen that again with United and Continental. Right now, United is carrying the highest volume of complaints of any airline, and that鈥檚 a combined airline. We don鈥檛 know yet about how Southwest and AirTran are going to turn out. They鈥檙e still working on it.鈥�
Sound bite #4
Headley says although the cost of flying during the holidays is often higher, there are some deals to be found. The sound bite is 23 seconds and the outcue is 鈥減rice for time.鈥�
Headley: 鈥淏ecause of the higher demand, costs generally go up during the holiday season. It鈥檚 a supply and demand thing. But there are some ways that you can be creative if you would. Maybe add a little driving at the end, go to a larger market, not necessarily fly from the small market. Drive to a large market to start with. You just have to be creative about how you鈥檙e willing to trade price for time.鈥�
Sound bite #5
Headley has some tips for infrequent flyers. The sound bite is 24 seconds and the outcue is 鈥渁head of time.鈥�
Headley: 鈥淭he infrequent flyer still needs to be aware that there are hassles at the security line. Some of that鈥檚 eased, but not much. You need to be aware of the fees. Check all fees ahead of time. Bags cost. Most airlines will charge you for bags, preferred seating, preferred boarding. There are fees on practically everything now. The infrequent flyer may not be aware of all that. They need to check ahead of time.鈥�