When I was in my 20s, I had some hard decisions to make, but none was harder than deciding whether I should watch "CBS Evening News With Walter Cronkite" or Chet Huntley on "The Huntley-Brinkley Report." I ultimately decided to rotate evenings.
The news in the '60s and '70s was trustworthy. Stories were selected based on the lives they affected. I tried to absorb everything ever said or shown that was remotely related to travel.
I still watch the evening news, but I am now part of an ever-shrinking minority. It seems to me that television news coverage is often chosen for the shock value of the video accompanying the headlines.
Most of our clients likely receive personal news feeds in which content is framed to eliminate anything with which they might possibly take umbrage. They may watch some of Fox News or CNN for breaking travel news, and what they are seeing is airport chaos, small-plane crashes and young headset nerds handling air traffic control at a major airport. "And it is only going to get worse," the breathless reporter warns us.
Let's look at the accuracy of what the current crop of travel-related doomsayers are "informing" our clients about:
• Headline: Flying conditions are bad and getting worse.
Global air travel is still growing in 2026. In its most recent report earlier this month, IATA forecasted a 2.4% rise in passenger growth. Airline net profits should approach $23 billion -- down from IATA's earlier projection of $41 billion -- with passenger yields up 7% as fuel prices have risen. So, yes, the system is under pressure -- but it is not breaking.
My verdict: The Media Exaggeration Level when it comes to flying conditions is moderate to high.
• Headline: Major air traffic control issues will cause many cancellations and flight disruptions.
There is a staffing problem. The FAA says it needs 2,200 controllers this year, and 2,300 next year. But FAA leadership is predicting fewer ATC-related delays this summer, with new staff being brought on board and technology spending improving.
Most experts are looking for occasional regional delays, especially in the weather-prone Northeast corridor. But constant nationwide disruptions are not anticipated.
My verdict: Media Exaggeration moderate.
• Headline: Pilot shortages will cause major disruptions and cancellations.
Boeing projects long-term demand for 660,000 new pilots over the next 20 years. But for 2026 and 2027, pilot shortages are likely to affect regional services, smaller markets and some long-term route adjustments. This, however, is certainly not a reason for vacation travelers to avoid flying.
My verdict: Media Exaggeration high.
• Headline: Biometric border delays in Europe could add two to three hours to arrival procedures for non-EU, short-stay visitors (U.S. tourists).
The EU Entry/Exit System became fully operational in April. It replaces passport stamps with digitized biometric checks, including facial-recognition screening.
This issue will be most serious during peak periods at Schengen Area entry airports.
For Americans going through this process overseas for the first time, long wait times are now happening, but most European airport officials say that after "first-time" enrollment, the process will move along more efficiently.
My verdict: Media Exaggeration is minimal. Biometric border delays do deserve media attention to ensure serious client preparation.
My conclusion is that one aspect of possible flying-related problems the media coverage does not exaggerate is the concern about longer queues at European borders due to biometric entry checks.
Cronkite would have known that.