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> Use a good travel agent A part of me feels like "in the 21st century, why do I need a travel agent". Then again, maybe we all actually do need travel agents

> Use a good travel agent A part of me feels like "in the 21st century, why do I need a travel agent". Then again, maybe we all actually do need travel agents again. And I suspect it's all for the same reason.

_jal 6y ago
In general, you need agents to navigate complex systems with which you have little familiarity. Given the 21st century air travel features navigating complex automated systems designed to gaslight you into giving them interest-free loans, it seems like an agent is exactly what is called for. I expect the value of SME-assistance in a number of areas is going to increase, not shrink.
TeMPOraL 6y ago
I remember when I was a teenager that I was all into opening everything to digital self-service. I preferred doing business with companies that allowed me to do everything via their website, so that I could do things on my own and without unnecessary human contact. I thought this is how the world is supposed to work. Fast forward one and a half decade, today I, frankly, have more disposable income than free time. I'm tired of self-service bullshit (and companies always love to complicate things to create upselling opportunities). I avoid doing things through websites or apps. E-mails are better, because once the other side replies, it means a human has acknowledged my request so I get to ensure they understand it right, and if they screw up, they can't blame it on "the system". Phone calls are the best, because dealing with a human on the line is much faster than dealing with confusing websites and broken apps. And now I finally understand why travel agencies, all-inclusive holidays, concierges, secretaries, etc. all exist. It's for people who are at the stage in their careers where they have enough disposable income to use it to save time and frustration. Relying on digital self-service isn't a sign that you're an awesome self-reliant tech-whizz (like I thought in my teenage years). It's a sign you're not rich enough to pay someone else to deal with it.

_jal 6y ago

In general, you need agents to navigate complex systems with which you have little familiarity. Given the 21st century air travel features navigating complex automated systems designed to gaslight you into giving them interest-free loans, it seems like an agent is exactly what is called for. I expect the value of SME-assistance in a number of areas is going to increase, not shrink.

TeMPOraL 6y ago

I remember when I was a teenager that I was all into opening everything to digital self-service. I preferred doing business with companies that allowed me to do everything via their website, so that I could do things on my own and without unnecessary human contact. I thought this is how the world is supposed to work. Fast forward one and a half decade, today I, frankly, have more disposable income than free time. I'm tired of self-service bullshit (and companies always love to complicate things to create upselling opportunities). I avoid doing things through websites or apps. E-mails are better, because once the other side replies, it means a human has acknowledged my request so I get to ensure they understand it right, and if they screw up, they can't blame it on "the system". Phone calls are the best, because dealing with a human on the line is much faster than dealing with confusing websites and broken apps. And now I finally understand why travel agencies, all-inclusive holidays, concierges, secretaries, etc. all exist. It's for people who are at the stage in their careers where they have enough disposable income to use it to save time and frustration. Relying on digital self-service isn't a sign that you're an awesome self-reliant tech-whizz (like I thought in my teenage years). It's a sign you're not rich enough to pay someone else to deal with it.