Woe are we whose technological skills lag those of our 11-year old grandchildren. Travel is very difficult for those without internet and smart phones and the skills to use them.
In the old days, personal travel arrangements were handled by our neighborhood travel office, staffed—usually by women—who knew us and many tourist sites.
In these days of online reservations, online baggage check, online check-in and text notifications for departure information, it can be hard to find human help capable of providing accurate and timely information.
Although I grumped about the constant up selling during our recent online flight check-in, it was incredibly reassuring to check the airlines’ app for the location of our luggage and the gate for our transfer flight. We used the phone for gate information, departure updates for both legs of our flight–and during the flight used the phone for music and reading material.
Calling an Uber on a NYC street corner was challenging for me. Many distractions, inadequate experience with the app, big fingers and a small phone keypad were all barriers. But hailing a cab was even more frustrating in a post theater crowd. We tried it both ways, and I was able to confirm an Uber before a cab stopped for my husband.
Technology is a vital component in today’s travel. I wouldn’t be without it. In lieu of at least some technical skills, I would urge my age mates to travel with a companion who can deal with the ubiquitous digital world, maybe even a grandchild!
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