Do you remember the days when people used to travel for pleasure? Before the continuous airport delays, intensive security checks and lost baggage? Whether we travel for business or pleasure, once we arrive at our destination, whatever our remit, we make the most of the time we are there. Unfortunately for many of us the thought of the trip there and back can send shivers down our spines.

A recent US airline passenger survey, conducted by the Travel Industry Association, suggests that more than 41 million trips have been deliberately avoided over the past 12 months. This has cost the US airline industry revenue losses of over $9 billion, according to the TIA. Although many don't feel sympathy for the sometimes ruthless airline carriers, these costs have also been passed on to the leisure industry with costs to the US economy at $26 billion, hotel losses of $6 billion, and $3 billion from the restaurant business.

When asked exactly what led to these deliberates attempts to avoid their flights, travelers stated the actual travel process, rather than the airlines, as being their main reason for making this decision.

The most pertinent issue was delays, followed by cancellations and inefficient security screening. In fact, over 60% of the people interviewed felt that the travel systems were deteriorating.

Unfortunately the majority of the people surveyed indicated an unwillingness to pay for any system improvements, given the high amount of funding the Aviation Trust fund already receives. Whilst there appears to be a consensus that the aging traffic control systems desperately need replacement, no one seems to be stepping forward to take any action to alleviate the problem. Without any political pressure by Congress and the American people on the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to fund this modernization, there is very little chance of any vast improvements in the foreseeable future.