GroundLink Black Car Service
Nearly half (45.5 percent) of those polled said the day before Thanksgiving is the day to avoid business travel “at all costs.” The week between Christmas and New Years, was cited by 25 percent of those surveyed as a time to avoid travel.
New York, NY (PRWEB) November 24, 2014
With the holiday travel season around the corner and business travel on a steady climb, the clash of the casual holiday traveler and the road warrior at the nation’s airports this time of year is inevitable. GroundLink, a global leader in tech-enabled black car service, surveyed more than 5,000 of its frequent business travelers to discover their pain points during the busy holiday travel season. Nearly half (45.5 percent) of those polled said the day before Thanksgiving is the day to avoid business travel “at all costs.” The week between Christmas and New Years was cited by 25 percent of those surveyed as a time to avoid travel.
When it comes to their biggest trigger for stress, weather and weather related delays take top honors (43.2 percent). This was closely followed by being stuck in traffic on the way to the airport (31.8 percent) and the risk of missing their flight. As for the city with the worst airport traffic, New York claims the top spot (45.5 percent) followed by Los Angeles (22.7 percent) and Chicago (13.6 percent). The city with the least traffic and the easiest ride to the airport is Miami (25 percent) followed by Dallas (13.6 percent) and a three-way tie for third by Atlanta, Denver and San Francisco (11.4 percent).
Business travelers are almost equally opposed to having a coughing/sneezing seatmate (34.1 percent) as they are to sharing their flight with a crying baby (29.6 percent). The dreaded seat recliner in front and the chatty seatmate tie for the most unwanted travel companion according to 11.4 percent of respondents. Surprisingly, only nine percent found that being stuck in a long security line behind inexperienced travelers was the top stress causer during the holiday travel season, and only two percent worry about being trapped in a center seat on an over-crowded flight.
To help alleviate the stress for all frequent business travelers during the holiday rush at the nation’s airports, GroundLink offers six Road Warrior Travel Tips:
1. Plan ahead and leave plenty of time. It is better to relax at the gate than anxiously wait to get through TSA Security, hoping to make your flight. The general rule of thumb is to allow at least two hours before departure during the holidays.
2. Don’t leave your airport transportation to chance. All it takes are a few snowflakes or rain to make getting a taxi next to impossible. The same goes for on-demand car companies who take advantage of the holidays to raise or “surge” their prices. Go with a pre-scheduled car service that you’ve booked several days in advance and make sure to download their app so that you can track your ride and connect directly with your driver.
3. Avoid weather woes. Not only monitor your local forecast, but also download a weather app that will allow you to check the weather in your destination, in any connecting cities and even in the city where your flight originates.
4. Avoid tight connections. During the winter months, your connection is more likely to be jeopardized. Avoiding really tight connections may save you a sprint through the terminal or a missed flight. Also, study your carrier’s route map to avoid connections in places more likely to experience delays -- specifically, airports in colder/snowy climates.
5. Download your airline’s app and confirm your departure time before heading out. Travel is frequently delayed or worse cancelled during the holidays so know before you go.
6. Check-in before you leave home. Avoid the long lines at the airport by checking-in online on your airline’s web site. This will help you to avoid that dreaded middle seat and keep you far from the throngs of holiday travelers.
About GroundLink
GroundLink is a tech-enabled black car service provider focused on the needs of frequent and business travelers, corporate travel managers and travel arrangers. Operating in every major city worldwide, GroundLink delivers high quality reliable transportation and the industry’s only on time guarantee. Customers can book GroundLink rides online at http://www.groundlink.com, through its iPhone and Android app, and its 24/7 call center (855.463.7150). GroundLink has offices in North America and Europe, with its headquarters in New York, NY. Connect with GroundLink on Twitter @GroundLink and on Facebook.com/GroundLink.