Bill, thanks again for an interesting essay. Especially in today’s political turbulence (see what I did there?), your work helps to keep my blood pressure down. Keep it up, fellow Gen Xer!
Regardng travel trends, I think it also depends on the airline. Completely unscientific, but when my wife and I are walking through the terminal, we see a younger demographic at the low-fare airline gates. We always fly Delta, and that crowd skews towards older, families, business travelers, etc. United is also a full-price carrier, and I suspect their increase in solo travelers is predominantly business travelers.
I seems like it wasn't that long ago that sociologists couldn't stop talking about boomers. Now, my generation has become redundant and there is nary a mention us. I don't even know who a Gen Xer includes but they have obviously stolen the show
I absolutely agree with the trend in solo travel rising. Both my husband and I are traveling more for work since the beginning of 2024. We joke that we high five as we pass each other on the tarmac. I also travel alone once or twice a year for pleasure. In November I went to Costa Rica with a bunch of women I didn't know, for a Yoga retreat. I go away with the girls once a year as well. The rest of my travel is with just my husband or the entire family if my kids are available.
I wonder why Gen X is being left out of these studies. Maybe it's that we are the generation that refuses to answer the email or phone if it's not from someone we already know.
When I was in my 20s, I flew by myself all the time, all across Canada and over to Europe. When I got married and the kids got older, I flew places with my husband. Now that we are older, we aren't travelling nearly as much, but I am putting together a bucket list of places to travel when I am again on my own. Being a single is a great way to meet people. I rubbed backs with Steve the Rapist (don't ask) in a pub in London back in the 80's, which led to a fun experience, one I would not have had if I had been with someone else.
I even used to go to restaurants by myself (with no embarrassment!). Met some interesting characters, including a host named Mr. Raspberry who greatly expanded my reading horizons. Sometimes there is magic in being on your own.
I spent so much time in planes during my newspaper career that it is refreshing and liberating to no longer need to fly.
Years ago I would fly if the drive was 3 hours. I moved that to 4 hours, then 5 hours…you get the drift.
If you add up the hour to get to the airport and park, another for security, etc., 30+ minutes at the gate, sitting for another 30 before takeoff, perhaps 2-4 hours for the flight, another hour to escape the airport and T least 30 minutes to get to your rental car - that’s at least five hours of stressful time even without the oversized person sitting next to you on the flight.
I “might” fly if the drive is well over 8 hours but I balance that against the cost of the flight and a rental car on the other end - and then decide if it’s even worth it to go to that place. Moreover, I can bring along anything I want in my own vehicle.
I’m 78 now and not flying any more but when I was 21 and married, I flew on Braniff(party plane)to Mexico City by myself and later when I was 48 and married I flew by myself to Israel to visit my son. Of course, those were the days when travel was fun; just buy your ticket, show up and fly to your destination. There was room in the seats and people weren’t insane, hassled or harried. As I said, fun.
Read the story about the gentleman who donated the plasma that saved so many babies from the Rh factor that could show up in babies who were born to couples with incompatible blood types. The problem would usually arrive after the first or second birth. While I came nowhere near this man’s record, I used to do the same thing because I had the Rh factor in my blood. No doubt he had it because of the massive amount of blood he received because men wouldn’t ordinarily have the Rh factor in their blood. Good on him for being so generous with his time. Plasmacentisis is a lifesaving donation as is blood donation.
when single flew single often, & enjoyed it. Married previously - edit to clarify, now married again, travel together & w/ others. Sometimes will meet in airport w/ other relatives meeting to go to final destination.
flying these days tho isn't enjoyable. American least favorite, United second least favorite. When I first started reading this I thought majority of single flyers were going business, using United...
Peak Solo travel seasons may be related to cheaper fares during those seasons. Cost is a primary decision point for my travel.
How do you expect United Airlines to reply to you, when you don’t exist, you Gen Xer!
Bill, thanks again for an interesting essay. Especially in today’s political turbulence (see what I did there?), your work helps to keep my blood pressure down. Keep it up, fellow Gen Xer!
Regardng travel trends, I think it also depends on the airline. Completely unscientific, but when my wife and I are walking through the terminal, we see a younger demographic at the low-fare airline gates. We always fly Delta, and that crowd skews towards older, families, business travelers, etc. United is also a full-price carrier, and I suspect their increase in solo travelers is predominantly business travelers.
I seems like it wasn't that long ago that sociologists couldn't stop talking about boomers. Now, my generation has become redundant and there is nary a mention us. I don't even know who a Gen Xer includes but they have obviously stolen the show
Both my wife and I will travel together and alone as we are both very independent. Not that it matters, we are irrelevant Gen Xers 🙄
I absolutely agree with the trend in solo travel rising. Both my husband and I are traveling more for work since the beginning of 2024. We joke that we high five as we pass each other on the tarmac. I also travel alone once or twice a year for pleasure. In November I went to Costa Rica with a bunch of women I didn't know, for a Yoga retreat. I go away with the girls once a year as well. The rest of my travel is with just my husband or the entire family if my kids are available.
I wonder why Gen X is being left out of these studies. Maybe it's that we are the generation that refuses to answer the email or phone if it's not from someone we already know.
When I was in my 20s, I flew by myself all the time, all across Canada and over to Europe. When I got married and the kids got older, I flew places with my husband. Now that we are older, we aren't travelling nearly as much, but I am putting together a bucket list of places to travel when I am again on my own. Being a single is a great way to meet people. I rubbed backs with Steve the Rapist (don't ask) in a pub in London back in the 80's, which led to a fun experience, one I would not have had if I had been with someone else.
I even used to go to restaurants by myself (with no embarrassment!). Met some interesting characters, including a host named Mr. Raspberry who greatly expanded my reading horizons. Sometimes there is magic in being on your own.
Solo traveler to meet others at destination
Sometimes. My BIL doesn’t.
I spent so much time in planes during my newspaper career that it is refreshing and liberating to no longer need to fly.
Years ago I would fly if the drive was 3 hours. I moved that to 4 hours, then 5 hours…you get the drift.
If you add up the hour to get to the airport and park, another for security, etc., 30+ minutes at the gate, sitting for another 30 before takeoff, perhaps 2-4 hours for the flight, another hour to escape the airport and T least 30 minutes to get to your rental car - that’s at least five hours of stressful time even without the oversized person sitting next to you on the flight.
I “might” fly if the drive is well over 8 hours but I balance that against the cost of the flight and a rental car on the other end - and then decide if it’s even worth it to go to that place. Moreover, I can bring along anything I want in my own vehicle.
That is very Gen X of you...but really who cares, No one is watching :)
I’m 78 now and not flying any more but when I was 21 and married, I flew on Braniff(party plane)to Mexico City by myself and later when I was 48 and married I flew by myself to Israel to visit my son. Of course, those were the days when travel was fun; just buy your ticket, show up and fly to your destination. There was room in the seats and people weren’t insane, hassled or harried. As I said, fun.
Read the story about the gentleman who donated the plasma that saved so many babies from the Rh factor that could show up in babies who were born to couples with incompatible blood types. The problem would usually arrive after the first or second birth. While I came nowhere near this man’s record, I used to do the same thing because I had the Rh factor in my blood. No doubt he had it because of the massive amount of blood he received because men wouldn’t ordinarily have the Rh factor in their blood. Good on him for being so generous with his time. Plasmacentisis is a lifesaving donation as is blood donation.
when single flew single often, & enjoyed it. Married previously - edit to clarify, now married again, travel together & w/ others. Sometimes will meet in airport w/ other relatives meeting to go to final destination.
flying these days tho isn't enjoyable. American least favorite, United second least favorite. When I first started reading this I thought majority of single flyers were going business, using United...