Automatically translated from Basque, translation may contain errors. More information here. Elhuyarren itzultzaile automatikoaren logoa

We love to wait

In this hot summer of 2018, witnesses of airport chaos: a woman leaving home (in London) and, 26 hours later, loses a couple of hours of work in the queue of the lost and found in Barcelona. Parents and children who spent two nights in the hotel, without a suitcase, to reach Stuttgart from Amsterdam. Instead of Bilbao, those who landed in Vitoria-Gasteiz at 3 a.m. and put them on the bus. There are two counters open for four flights, and a five-year-old boy has taken advantage (who knows when he started his trip) to take a nap: 45 minutes in the mother's arms. He who does not know which door he has to go to get to the airport and try to catch the plane that makes the connection with a delay of five hours (apart from him, he has no responsibility to anyone else).

Workers have responsibilities but no responsibilities. Most passengers will not talk to anyone who can fix anything. Phones don't respond, and when sending emails, it introduces an error on the screen. If the donors arrive, they will be equipped with friendly words, and the traveller’s indignation clashes with this waterproof protective material. Workers can imagine themselves as a fleet with high-tech barges under a raincoat. How long can a person last under this constant attack? Yes, I feel pity. Especially with those who have to face in the windows. One traveler or another loses his manners in front of them. I also understand that.

“I will never travel again with Vueling!” (Or, if applicable, with Eurowings). I hear the echo of my son's phrase, which said to my friend: “I will never play with you again!” What is the alternative?

In the sky of Europe, flights have broken records so far this year. According to forecasts, air traffic will increase. There are also delays. The rise in recent years has been the result of the fall in prices. We've gotten used to being able to fly. Families derived from Erasmus biographies or from the financial crisis, workers travelling for business and leaving for holidays. There are many of us. We know that the democratization of air transport has black consequences. We all know, and (almost) we do not all.

“What would change if I didn’t take the plane?” We put all the available technology in place to reduce cognitive dissonance. It's like a thousand stories we do with bad conscience. Very convincing convictions are needed in order not to fall into play.

Well, in the wake of this summer's chaos, I've read a mobility researcher who is forcing people to move around. The minimum requirement is that prices must increase. That the ecological cost has to be paid and not rewarded as it is done. This expert proposed as an emergency measure the ban on flying between German cities. It's not a lot, but you have to start somewhere. Turning the train into a real option, one more step, until connecting the major cities of Europe. “That’s what I need: prohibitions and alternatives,” I thought. Radical? Why do we think radical solutions are not an option? Given the delays, Berlin-Bilbao would do so in Vueling time, it would come with its suitcase in hand, without producing emissions, and with a quiet conscience. I just can't get all that. “And lose freedom of decision?” I think so. I want more rules (or others) so I don't have all the pressure (moral) on me. Probably, so will Vueling workers.

Bidali zure iritzi artikuluak iritzia@argia.eus helbide elektronikora

ARGIAk ez du zertan bat etorri artikuluen edukiarekin. Idatzien gehienezko luzera 4.500 karakterekoa da (espazioak barne). Idazkera aldetik gutxieneko zuzentasun bat beharrezkoa da: batetik, ARGIAk ezin du hartu zuzenketa sakona egiteko lanik; bestetik, egitekotan edukia nahi gabe aldatzeko arriskua dago. ARGIAk azaleko zuzenketak edo moldaketak egingo dizkie artikuluei, behar izanez gero.


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