Air travel a thing of the past? Hypothetical question...

**rachelMcK** · 06-18-2008, 10:40 AM

I was watching the news last night, they were saying that Air Canada just announced 2000 layoffs as well as route cancellations. They are citing gas prices as the reason. Now, the reporter said an interesting thing. Air travel is reverting back to what it once was, that is, too expensive for the average person, a major major luxury. In about 5 years, the average person will not be able to afford air travel at all. He also suggested that if you want to take a trip, do it now.

So here's my hypothetical question:

If you had a 10k line of credit that is for emergencies only and you've never been out of the country before, would you go into debt for that last chance to see the world? If this were your last chance to take that dream trip to Europe, would you take on more monthly payments??

For myself, I wouldn't but I've also travelled to europe before so its not necessary again (it would be nice though lol). Dh has never been out of the country before so I asked him, he said he wouldn't go into debt for it, but if he had an emergency fund, he would probably use it to go to the caribbean.

What would you do?

**mom2matty** · 06-18-2008, 11:22 AM

Great question and to be honest I'm not sure!! I spent several of my very early years living in Europe (Dad was military so we lived everywhere!) but I don't remember any of it. Dh and I have dreamed of going to Italy since very early on in our marriage and even have it planned to go for our 25th annivesary in 2 years.....who knows now though!

I would love to travel and that is something dh and I are looking forward to but going into debt to do it?? I'm just not sure!!

**iida** · 06-18-2008, 11:23 AM

It is the same here. Finnair is letting 500 employees go.

**Dancing Lotus** · 06-18-2008, 11:35 AM

I have traveled to many places over seas, this travel has done a lot to form who I am. I am more tolerant because of it. I am grateful that I had that , and I hope to be able to do more traveling someday. But would I go into debt to do it NO!

**emily_hope** · 06-18-2008, 11:38 AM

I definitely would not go into debt in order to travel overseas. I would, however, like to see the world!

**TheRootedNomad** · 06-18-2008, 11:42 AM

I think it would depend a lot on if I had any other debt. If not and its my absolute last chance, especially to see the Renessaince works in Italy, I might do it. I am truely a nomad at heart and to lose the opportunity to raom somewhere I've never been would make me very sad. As long as that possibility exisits I can keep myself rooted most days. If I had debt already I wouldn't take on additional debt for it. I would just be very sad.

**peanut** · 06-18-2008, 01:30 PM

I would not go in debt to travel to "see the world". I would go in debt to get to a family wedding or funeral or other big event. For what it's worth, there are still good air fares out there. DD#2 is flying one way halfway across the continent for $264cdn. on a seat sale in August.

Jean

**Mamaof2rugrats** · 06-18-2008, 01:34 PM

I wouldn't go into debt to travel anywhere. I personally these days only drive and stay pretty local. ( Mo,Tn,Ar,Ky) Going any further than that just costs a fortune in gas. My flying days are over it seems.

**ladykemma2** · 06-18-2008, 02:32 PM

southwest is still purdy cheap!

edited to add: if they can have nuclear submarines, they can have nuclear ships, cruise lines. don't know about planes, but travel will still be possible.

**DonnainME** · 06-18-2008, 03:12 PM

I hope it doesn't become too expensive. I have 2 children in TN that have to FLY to me here in ME! I only get to see them 2 times a year as it is. Last time it was $600 for both round trip - $300 each. That was a very good price too.

**itsahumanzoo** · 06-18-2008, 03:15 PM

I wouldn't go into debt just to see Europe. As much as I would love to go, it wouldn't be worth going into debt.

However, if I had a big big big savings (Like 10K) I would most definitely dig into it.

**Mamaof2rugrats** · 06-18-2008, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by DonnainME

I hope it doesn't become too expensive. I have 2 children in TN that have to FLY to me here in ME! I only get to see them 2 times a year as it is. Last time it was $600 for both round trip - $300 each. That was a very good price too.

Well that's a wonderful price! We do flights from southern Missouri(Springfield) to about as far NE as you can get and still be in Tennessee ( Johnson City/Bristol/etc area) and it's super pricy! You would think being right next store it wouldn't be so expensive. Usually cheaper to drive for us.

**jas** · 06-18-2008, 04:22 PM

My brother workds for American Airlines and is close to retirement. I hope they can keep the company together for at least a couple more years.

As for me I don't fly much and would rather drive.

**Denvergirlie** · 06-18-2008, 05:31 PM

I certainly wouldn't go into debt for a trip. But I really don't think that flying is all that expensive as it is.

The time I would have to take off of work, the cost of the gas, meals on the road, hotel over night and wear & tear on the car to get me from CO to IL is a LOT higher than paying $204 for plane ticket that will get me there in 2 hours.

Cheap, cheap, cheap.

**DonnainME** · 06-18-2008, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Mamaof2rugrats

Well that's a wonderful price! We do flights from southern Missouri(Springfield) to about as far NE as you can get and still be in Tennessee ( Johnson City/Bristol/etc area) and it's super pricy! You would think being right next store it wouldn't be so expensive. Usually cheaper to drive for us.

We had their tickets purchased in February for a June 1 trip. I will probably buy their Christmas tickets in September or October.