The mind works in so many different ways and perhaps mine even works in even more different ways than most. For some reason I can be somewhere, look at something and all of a sudden start to daydream and see it in a different form or have a different meaning. Some people might call that strange and for some reason I am ok with that.
Since I spend a lot of time at the airport, I love to people watch and check out what is really happening at the airport. What are people doing, reading, what stores are busy, what restaurants are empty… etc.
I also think airports have changed a tremendous amount in the past decade. They have added shopping, restaurants and other businesses that help travelers. Well here are three business ideas that all sort of involve the airport. Your job is easy. Read the concept and let me know your thoughts:
Concept #1
Airport food cart (AFC). This concept is a combination of the little carts that help people around and food. These little carts could drive around the airport (yes slowly) and bring water, food, little accessories to people who are sitting in the terminals. This concept is totally based on convenience and the fact that some people would rather not get some food/drink and sit in the terminal than walk to a store and stand in line. This service might be really good for people traveling alone who don’t want to go into the little convenience store with their luggage and knock things down.
- What do you think?
- Good idea or back to the drawing board?
Concept #2
GPSLuggage – This to me is a no-brainer. More and more people are losing their luggage. This has happened to me three times in the past year and one of the times we were going to a wedding. The concept would be that you would secure something in your luggage that would tell you where it is and you could alert the airline or this is a service that the airline could offer for X amount dollars a bag. With all of the layoffs at the airlines, it has to affect the baggage handlers… meaning that losing your luggage will happen more often in the future.
- What do you think?
- Good idea or back to the drawing board?
Concept 3
AirportCARE for pets – Instead of dropping your dog/cat off at your neighbor’s or a kennel, you now can take your pet to the airport and drop them off at this new service. The service would have flexible hours so you could pick up your pet when you return. For me the time savings from not having to make a separate trip in a different direction to drop off our little dog Boston would make a difference.
- What do you think?
- Good idea or back to the drawing board?
I look forward to hearing your comments and what you think of these three ideas.
Rhonda Ellis says:
All 3 are very good ideas. I wouldn’t scrap any of them. My favorite is Concept #1. I think it would also be the easiest to get up and going as well as have a quick acceptance by the flying public. –Particluarly with airlines charging for snacks and drinks onboard now.
Stephenie Gordon says:
i like the cart! this is my favorite.
i never check a bag so, i don’t know about that one.
for the kennel concept, as a dog owner, i have to trust the people i am leaving my pets with, and this one doesn’t sound great to me. I know in Atlanta we have “Bark and Park”. it’s a place where you can park your car and your dog for your trip. the airport isn’t in the best area of town in Atlanta, so i doubt i would ever use it, but it is a cool concept. Airports are so busy, i wouldn’t want my pets swept up in the chaos.
steve gentile says:
All have merit and worth your continued daydreams.
Concept 1 – A wonderful idea that doesn’t force you to have to decide whether to eat and try to shuffle your luggage through the poorly designed spaces currently offered in airports, having wayward strangers spilling food/beverages on them (or you on theirs). Could even be offered by current airport vendors, just with “waiting room service.
Concept 2 – This is wonderful. Although I don’t check luggage for business anymore, it is not an issue of luggage being lost for me. For personal trips, try to ship a packed suitcase a few days ahead via FedEx or UPS and have it waiting – less backbreak on my part and well worth the investment. But for those who do, why not? Also, a clarification – in that it is not the PASSENGERS who are losing it but the AIRLINE. Going back to a former post of yours, wouldn’t be an issue with greater attention to service and delivery. Why this isn’t offered for short-term by airlines is beyond me.
Concept 3 – Not for me or my dogs, sorry. They are pampered pooches I will admit. They stay at places more like home to avoid their high stress while we’re away. The convenience of airport kennel service is a wonderful idea for those who do kennel their pets, I know I would exercise this option if the guys were not so spoiled.
Great thinking on all – I would love to be able to even order “take-out” that would be awaiting me, pre-paid, upon late arrivals or early am departures. Since we have to now get to the airport so far in advance of our flight, it cuts into time formerly spent eating, and when returning late, once you get home it’s the last thing I wanna worry about – what’s for dinner and what’s edible in the fridge.
Rick Johnson says:
I like idea #2 and #3. I would suggest using RFID tracking instead of GPS tracking (read more about RFID Here http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Technology-Article.asp?ArtNum=1). As far as the pet service, I am all for it! That would be great to be able to pick up “fluffy” as soon as you return from a trip!
Bob Graham says:
I’m ambivalent about the cart. I’m the type of guy who would see that and think that they are going to gouge me for the convenience so I probably wouldn’t buy from them on principle.
I like idea #2 even better after Rick’s suggestion of RFID.
As for the Airport Dog Kennel, no way for me. I rarely kennel my dogs, but when I do it is out in the country where they at least have some chance of running around (I’m a firm believer in the concept that dogs need to have an environment where they can be dogs). The other drawback that I can see is that the airport is so noisy with planes constantly taking off and landing would drive a dog mental.
There is a variation on the airport dog kennel that I would like to try but haven’t had a chance yet. The Chicago White Sox supposedly have a kennel at the “Park-Formerly-Known-as-Comiskey”. To me this is a great option: Drive 5.5 hours from St Louis for an afternoon game, see the Red Sox beat the Other Sox, pick up the dogs and drive back. Don’t have to leave them at home for the day. I also know some parks are now having a bring your dog day. I plan to attend one of these in St Louis next season.
Marc says:
#1 will have to much traffic on the cart to get very far.
#2 I think the bloody airline should just do their job better. Certainly not excited about them charging me extra for a basic service. Kinda like selling the extra legroom they took away back to me. RFID seperately would be a great way to go per the above post.
#3 is the best. Agree with all the posting comments but you don’t have to leave your dog actually at the airport. Could be a few miles away (out of the noise) and you could just call when you land. They could meet you at the parking lot with Fido while you get your bags or stop in to the bathroom and stroll down to the exit.
Building on that….
What about a place that picks up and drops off the pooch. May not be feasible with $4 gas but….
Merrill Dubrow says:
Rick,
Appreciate the comments and thought about using RFID Tracking instead of the GPS. Seems like we might be building a new product.
Thanks.
Merrill
Heather says:
I like #3 as well, but it too would not be for me, since if I can’t take my dog with me, she stays in a more “home-like” environment whether it is a friend or a professional that sits in their home. My issue at the airport is that I am fortunate enough to have a small dog that can go on a plane, but when I get through check in, there is nothing to do with the dog other than leave them in their bag. When you add in the travel time to the airport, getting there early and then travel time, she could be in her bag for 6-8 hours. And this assumes no airport delays which are all too common these days.
I have heard some airports that have dog play areas – this wold be a great business I think – I would pay a small fee to have a place where I could take my dog for the hour or so wait (or the delay) that allows them to relieve themselves and also play around which can lessen the anxiety that travel may bring.
Malcolm Williamson says:
Idea 1. Send it back. People are lazy enough without having the food delivered. Walking to the food trough may be people’s only exercise for the day. Plus, it would get in the way. Think about what an inconvenience the people mover carts already are? “Beep-Beep, excuse me… Beep-Beep excuse me”. Funny thing about those special needs carts, they are for those folks who are elderly, or disabled, etc… Funny and interesting that better than 90% of the people riding on the cart are simply obese people who have eaten themselves into a disability or just simply lazy. Classic.
Idea 2. Brilliant! I would love to tell the baggage expert exactly where they can find my luggage at that exact moment.
Idea 3. Questionable. Theory is awesome, but those of us who are real dog aficionados will agree that the care your four-legged family member gets is of utmost importance.
I will be gone for 11 days for the conference in Ireland and our company trek across the Grand Canyon and I am on my 3rd interview of pet-sitters for my 3 Golden Retrievers.
Unless they have Cesar Milan running the airport doggie daycare… I wouldn’t feel confident. But then I’m a freak about my Golden’s.
Jeremy Bromberg says:
You’re an entrepreneur, Merrill – nothing weird about that.
Idea #1 to me is airport Dim Sum. Great idea.
Idea #2 is also a good one. LoJack for luggage.
Idea #3 I’m not crazy about. My dog is lying at my feet as I type this, and no way do I leave him in that setting. TSA Animal Care? I don’t think so.
Two out of three is pretty darn good.
And by the way, why do you dye your mustache gray?
Merrill Dubrow says:
Jeremy,
Thanks for your comments – I like the first idea the best as well. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone does develop the second idea.
The third idea is a stretch – I was really thinking our little Boston would stay in the car and the facility would be right next too/part of the valet service which is a few miles off the airport.
I realize people are very protective of their pets (I can understand that) so it probably won’t work.
No comment of the gray beard and mustache…… i am getting old.
Merrill
Danielle Blugrind says:
I’m already waiting with my money out to purchase from #1 – especially when I travel alone. The seats by the gates in some airports fill up so quickly, that even if I want something to eat or drink I don’t want to risk coming back and then having to stand around (or sit in the empty spots in the blazing sun) until we finally get to board.
I like #2 as well, because I do check my bags now that I can’t take more than a few bottles of liquid on board in my carry-on (female thing, hair products and face products and the like) which is a real bother. And I had a bag lost once coming back from Florida. We think the guy at the curbside check-in was messing with us because when we checked in he snapped at us for being under an hour before departure (58 minutes to be exact) and he didn’t like our attitude (i.e. who cares if we make it 58 or 60 minutes before?). I don’t want that to happen again.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Danielle,
I didn’t even think about the lack of seats in some airports. good point.
thanks for sharing.
Merrill
Bill Tanner says:
Idea #2 is a great one. There is a clear value proposition in potential cost and time savings. An analogy is lost bag insurance. Would be really great if it meant that you always knew where your bag was [like using the UPS tracker] … did it get on the right plane [if not let the airplane staff know], is it somewhere where you can pick the bag up before you leave the airport? Track the bag location with your cell phone. High end suitcase manufacturers should include it as an option.
Todd Hansen says:
Very good ideas Merrill! However, I am not too sure they would be attractive to all. Depending on your airport the gates can be pretty frantic and thinking of having a bike vendor (would they have a bell like the ice cream man?) congesting the area even more doesn’t sound appealing. What about individual concession people walking around like they do at a ballpark? Now you don’t have to move at all and I am thinking a guy walking around yelling “Get your ice cold Budweiser here!” would be pretty cool!
The GPS idea I like as well but I also think that could be some pretty expensive luggage attaching the technology to it. I am thinking you will see this in the future for sure. It may be an attractive opportunity for airlines as they could charge another arm & leg for the service on top of what it costs to just check in an extra bag.
The last one, I am not a big fan of. As much as I love my animals I can’t say I love everyone elses. The last thing I want to deal with is little Yippy dog or Frantic kitty at the airport drop off or on my Hertz shuttle I think that service would be better suited for outside the airport property. Just my to cents…
Merrill Dubrow says:
Todd,
I should have mentioned the first idea was based on DFW airport. It couldn’t work in the northeast because LGA, Logan Airport, Philadelphia all have small concourses. DFW is enormous – we could play football in the concourse.
Thanks for your comments – appreciate you responding.
Merrill
Alan L says:
Someone beat you to #2 and they’re in your back yard.
MicroTrakGPS , 9101 LBJ Freeway , Suite 100 , Dallas, TX 75243
Phone: (214) 361 – 8812
http://www.microtrakgps.com/products.aspx
SlimTRAKgps™
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Main Features
Stores up to 120 positions, Water Resistant Molded Plastic Casing,
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Merrill Dubrow says:
SOUNDS LIKE ONE OF THE IDEAS IS HAPPENING! Prices will come down for sure……….
slimTRAK: GPS TRACKING FOR YOUR LUGGAGE
Wednesday March 15th 2006, 3:31 pm
Filed under: automobile, mobile applications, technology, travel
While traveling, have you ever lost your luggage? Did you have to wait days for your bag to arrive, and were distracted from your vacation or business conference, as a result of having to replace your essentials? This is not an uncommon problem: the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that an average of 10,000 bags are lost a day.
Travelers can now purchase a slimTRAK GPS device, a small, battery powered device which can be placed inside luggage. In the unfortunate event of a lost bag, travelers can immediately go online to locate and track it on slimTRAK’s secure internet site. In the era of Web-enabled mobile phones and PDAs, travelers can locate their luggage and immediately notify airline representatives of its location.
Other potential applications: hiding the device in a car, so you know where your cheating spouse is, for instance.
The slimTRAK device costs $470, and requires a one-time activation fee of $50, and an annual web access fee of $96.
SeanJJordan says:
Boy, those are nice ideas, and I hope to see them in the future. The pet service in particular makes sense, since a lot of kennels close after business hours and owners don’t like getting charged for that extra day. (The only downside would be this: where would they take the dogs on a walk if the dogs have been trained not to go to the bathroom while indoors?)
But given the fact that most airports still can’t make basic power outlets easily available (despite the many, many people out there who need to charge laptops, PDAs, cell phones and other portable electronics), I’d say it’s going to take awhile before we see any real advances in consumer convenience. I’m still stunned they don’t try to charge for power access… and now that I’ve said it, they probably will start.