While walking through an airport terminal...

I thought about several improvements that could be made, both by the airlines and generally by the airports. I feel that if at least a couple of these were implemented then it could really improve the quality of service for airlines.

1) "Frequent delayer hours" - Individuals can collect hours of flight delays to redeem for frequent flyer miles or gifts

2) Instructions on an LCD Panel outside the terminal telling boarders how to get on the plane efficiently. We've all been there. The people with 5 kids, or the person trying to stuff overly large bags into the overhead compartments. Why not give people instructions before they board about how not to hold up the entire plane from getting into their seats.

3) Get family "arrangements" settled long before boarding. Why wait until right before everyone else boards to make the announcement about families boarding early. It takes them about 10 minutes to collect their "kids" and "things" just to get up to the desk and ask about whether they can move some people so their family can sit together. Ugh! Could this have been accomplished during the last TWO HOURS we have been sitting in the airport waiting for the delayed plane?

4) Allow family members to receive real time text messages about their loved ones flights and delays so they know precisely what time to pick them up at the airport. We've all been there. ANOTHER DELAY, and now everyone busts out their cell phones to tell their rides they will be ANOTHER HOUR late. How about allowing passengers to enter in their flight number and a loved one's telephone number online before getting on the plane? The airline now has an emergency contact number AND if a plane is delayed, the loved one can receive updates on the arrival time even when the airline passenger cannot contact them (while circling the airport waiting for clearance to land).

5) Real time updates on plane status as it used for previous flights prior to arrival on smart phones. We always wonder, what about the two flights BEFORE ours that might cause a delay. Wouldn't it be helpful to know that your plane has already been on a path to serious delays much earlier in the day? BEFORE you get the airport and you are told of a two hour delay just minutes before you thought you would board.

6) Locator tags for luggage. Each airline could use the same scanning system and a central database for luggage. Takes a lot of the guesswork out of wondering where your bags are at, and it puts responsibility in the hands of a company who's main mission in life is to track your luggage and makes sure that it gets back to you in one piece. You could track your bags online or on smart phone. Possible fees could be $70 for the tag and $10 a month service.

New Blog for New Ideas

This blog will be updated regularly with the good "ideas" I have for the world. I hope that some companies out there can use this information and help make our world a much better place!