Thanks for your very readable and quite accurate account of the undeniable miserable state of commercial air travel. Here in the US the de-regulation of the airline industry in 1978 turned what was once something considered so glamorous and ‘Special’ that everyone dressed up for it. Men wore their suits and ties, & women an outfit which would not look out of place in a Sunday church service. Their children looked well-scrubbed, decked out in their little outfits like they too needed to show the world they had finally ‘made it’ into the Big Time of Modern Air Travel. We have gone from those halcyon daze of High Living with gourmet meals being served on good solid dinner plates with actual silverware to where we are herded like a mob of sullen bleary-eyed sad sacks, wearing attire you’d expect to see in the habitues of a Dollar Store or a Wal-Mart in the ‘Rust Belt.’
A good flight is one where you didn’t have to use the bathroom on the plane and were able to make your connections without having a heart attack. Now that the entire federal workforce is being given the axe & overseeing agencies (Commerce, FAA, NTSB, etc.) are all being headed up by those least qualified to actually understand what the agency’s mission is, I’m sure things will only get worse.
I’m old enough to remember the ‘glam days’ of Air Travel. I also recall when traveling long distance by Greyhound or Trailways was a cool way to go. That was before Greyhound Stations looked like Homeless Shelters. Welcome to a World only the Uber-Wealthy can enjoy.
I remember those High Living days, too. I’m not usually one to say everything was better in the old days, but air travel sure was better back then. Thanks for commenting, Paul.
I too recently did a bit of flying sitting in last class. But to your airport question as to why the gate for the next flight can't be in the same zip code as the last flight, is why I had to walk miles thru duty free shops. Whatever makes them think that after checking my luggage in that I would want to buy anything and try to put it in my already stuffed carry on?
I also hate flying. It has become such a hassle. I had an opportunity to fly last month, but instead chose to drive. My last flight was OK, but it was definitely not pleasant. The companies have decided to add all these additional charges with no extra benefits. And now with all the plane crashes, I have very little confidence that safety is a priority.
I know what you mean, Sarah. The worst part about traveling is the getting there and back. When I'm at the destination, I'm fine. But, I do not look forward to the flying part at all.
I always like what you write, and if I don't, I tell you. That makes you special. You take it on the chin and give it back.
So I haven't flown since....I don't know when actually. I'm not even sure how to go about getting a ticket, so not sure I could figure it all out now. I used to like to fly. But, I admit, the first thing I did was order a drink, you know, the alcoholic kind, like Johnny Walker Red. Then everything seemed okay to me, even the food, which oftentimes was just a small bag of salted peanuts or pretzels....which caused me to order another drink to wash them down, and you know, because salt makes you thirsty.
I hate to drive these days, especially on the interstate highways which are now officially race tracks that are not oval and no matter what lane you're in, it's always too slow for the guy behind you. Because I can't drink while driving, I'd rather fly, I guess....plus you get places much faster, usually. However, while the FAA is now laying off air traffic controllers, and mechanics, who used to be sure our planes were 100% safe in the air....wow, those days are gone. We've had more plane crashes since DT was put on Auto Pilot in Washington just three months ago, than probably all of the last three years.
Jeeze, Norm....I still love your writing! A sense of humor is hard to find these days. I can say that. There's nothing good to talk about these days. But, you always have your special ways of expressing them so we all understand your perils. Time to head to the pub. No one cares what I say there and neither do I after my second drink....so I just go home.
Thanks for the kind words, Kate. It’s been many years since I’ve had alcohol. I’m not bragging and it’s no big deal. And, I couldn’t care less if other people imbibe. But, I have thought about getting liquored up before going to the airport, just to reduce the stress a bit. I haven’t done it, but I thought about it. Probably not a good idea to start knocking back a few at 6 AM, though. Once I get in my seat, I’m okay. I am not afraid of flying, it’s all the stuff you have to go through to get to the seat, that I find stressful. ✈️
Don’t take the drink, try Coke with a sleeping pill or something. Just don’t forget to deplane when it lands. For me, sometimes stress is just leaving the house and hoping my car finds its way wherever I aim her and then brings me back to the barn.
Thanks for your very readable and quite accurate account of the undeniable miserable state of commercial air travel. Here in the US the de-regulation of the airline industry in 1978 turned what was once something considered so glamorous and ‘Special’ that everyone dressed up for it. Men wore their suits and ties, & women an outfit which would not look out of place in a Sunday church service. Their children looked well-scrubbed, decked out in their little outfits like they too needed to show the world they had finally ‘made it’ into the Big Time of Modern Air Travel. We have gone from those halcyon daze of High Living with gourmet meals being served on good solid dinner plates with actual silverware to where we are herded like a mob of sullen bleary-eyed sad sacks, wearing attire you’d expect to see in the habitues of a Dollar Store or a Wal-Mart in the ‘Rust Belt.’
A good flight is one where you didn’t have to use the bathroom on the plane and were able to make your connections without having a heart attack. Now that the entire federal workforce is being given the axe & overseeing agencies (Commerce, FAA, NTSB, etc.) are all being headed up by those least qualified to actually understand what the agency’s mission is, I’m sure things will only get worse.
I’m old enough to remember the ‘glam days’ of Air Travel. I also recall when traveling long distance by Greyhound or Trailways was a cool way to go. That was before Greyhound Stations looked like Homeless Shelters. Welcome to a World only the Uber-Wealthy can enjoy.
I remember those High Living days, too. I’m not usually one to say everything was better in the old days, but air travel sure was better back then. Thanks for commenting, Paul.
My favorite 'glam rides' were on pullman trains in the '50's.
Thanks, Paul. Guess we are showing our age....lol
I too recently did a bit of flying sitting in last class. But to your airport question as to why the gate for the next flight can't be in the same zip code as the last flight, is why I had to walk miles thru duty free shops. Whatever makes them think that after checking my luggage in that I would want to buy anything and try to put it in my already stuffed carry on?
That’s a good point, Vickie. Our carry on bags were stuffed so full, I don’t think we could have gotten a paper clip in them.
Most stop at the bars and prepare for the next 'leg'.
Hi Norm,
I also hate flying. It has become such a hassle. I had an opportunity to fly last month, but instead chose to drive. My last flight was OK, but it was definitely not pleasant. The companies have decided to add all these additional charges with no extra benefits. And now with all the plane crashes, I have very little confidence that safety is a priority.
I know what you mean, Sarah. The worst part about traveling is the getting there and back. When I'm at the destination, I'm fine. But, I do not look forward to the flying part at all.
I always like what you write, and if I don't, I tell you. That makes you special. You take it on the chin and give it back.
So I haven't flown since....I don't know when actually. I'm not even sure how to go about getting a ticket, so not sure I could figure it all out now. I used to like to fly. But, I admit, the first thing I did was order a drink, you know, the alcoholic kind, like Johnny Walker Red. Then everything seemed okay to me, even the food, which oftentimes was just a small bag of salted peanuts or pretzels....which caused me to order another drink to wash them down, and you know, because salt makes you thirsty.
I hate to drive these days, especially on the interstate highways which are now officially race tracks that are not oval and no matter what lane you're in, it's always too slow for the guy behind you. Because I can't drink while driving, I'd rather fly, I guess....plus you get places much faster, usually. However, while the FAA is now laying off air traffic controllers, and mechanics, who used to be sure our planes were 100% safe in the air....wow, those days are gone. We've had more plane crashes since DT was put on Auto Pilot in Washington just three months ago, than probably all of the last three years.
Jeeze, Norm....I still love your writing! A sense of humor is hard to find these days. I can say that. There's nothing good to talk about these days. But, you always have your special ways of expressing them so we all understand your perils. Time to head to the pub. No one cares what I say there and neither do I after my second drink....so I just go home.
Thanks for the kind words, Kate. It’s been many years since I’ve had alcohol. I’m not bragging and it’s no big deal. And, I couldn’t care less if other people imbibe. But, I have thought about getting liquored up before going to the airport, just to reduce the stress a bit. I haven’t done it, but I thought about it. Probably not a good idea to start knocking back a few at 6 AM, though. Once I get in my seat, I’m okay. I am not afraid of flying, it’s all the stuff you have to go through to get to the seat, that I find stressful. ✈️
Don’t take the drink, try Coke with a sleeping pill or something. Just don’t forget to deplane when it lands. For me, sometimes stress is just leaving the house and hoping my car finds its way wherever I aim her and then brings me back to the barn.