We've been trying to get together again this year but have encountered a major problem. Airplane travel has become so costly and so miserable that we're both avoiding it.

Since writing about travel and the outdoors provides a big part of our incomes, that alone should be a sign that something is seriously wrong. According to a recent Travel Industry Association survey conducted by two of the top pollsters in the U.S., frustration caused airline travelers to avoid an estimated 41 million trips over the past 12 months at a cost of more than $26 billion to the U.S. economy.

"Many travelers believe their time is not respected, and it is leading them to avoid a significant number of trips," said Allan Rivlin, a partner at Peter D. Hart Research Associates, one of the firms that conducted the poll. "Inefficient security screening and flight cancellations and delays are air travelers' top frustrations."

Other survey findings revealed that:

* More than 60 percent believe the air travel system is deteriorating.

* One-third of all air travelers are dissatisfied with the air travel system, and up to 48 percent of frequent air travelers who take five or more trips per year are dissatisfied.

* Twenty-eight percent of air travelers avoided at least one trip over the past year due to the problems with the process.

* The total economic impact of 41 million trips avoided is $26.5 billion, including losses of $9.4 billion to airlines, $5.6 billion to restaurants, and $4.2 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue.

Adding to problems for travelers and the tourist industry is that all modes of reaching tourist destinations are becoming prohibitively expensive for many families.

With gas prices approaching $5 a gallon in southern Nevada and California, the traditional road trip to Disneyland is getting pricey. Train travel is expensive and inconvenient and does not lead from Salt Lake to many tourist destinations. And cross-country bus travel has some drawbacks.

Does the current energy crisis mean the era of affordable vacations around Utah, the U.S., or the world for average families is over? Or is it just a periodic adjustment that will eventually correct itself as we adjust to higher prices?

Travel and vacation time certainly isn't as important as having enough money to drive to work, pay essential bills, or put food on the table. Still, we work hard to enjoy our time off.

I know I'm going to miss seeing my Michigan buddy. There's always the chance I'll go see Utah open the football season at Michigan.

Then again, to make that work, I'd have to fly, and we all know what a hassle that is.

wharton@sltrib.com