Thinking of Flying, Read This. (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

As we approach the vacation season and possibly traveling to Chicago in the fall for the Chicago Show, read this, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/09/...-to-fly-for-a-week-straight.html?ref=business

A horror show, to say the least.

My first flight was when I was 6 in the 1950s when we flew first to Montevideo in First on Pan Am. I had a bunk bed in which to sleep and I got to go to the cockpit to meet the Captain, who gave me a pin.

Well, Pan Am doesn't exist anymore and if you go to the cockpit you will taking your next flight to Leavenworth.

My last flight was business class to Munich, not as good as the old first, but better than today's economy.

I used to take economy when flying to the Show but now that we have two or three classes of economy, I will be looking at the choices a bit more closely and probably opt to pay a little more.

 

[Warrior]

As we approach the vacation season and possibly traveling to Chicago in the fall for the Chicago Show, read this, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/09/...-to-fly-for-a-week-straight.html?ref=business

A horror show, to say the least.

My first flight was when I was 6 in the 1950s when we flew first to Montevideo in First on Pan Am. I had a bunk bed in which to sleep and I got to go to the cockpit to meet the Captain, who gave me a pin.

Well, Pan Am doesn't exist anymore and if you go to the cockpit you will taking your next flight to Leavenworth.

My last flight was business class to Munich, not as good as the old first, but better than today's economy.

I used to take economy when flying to the Show but now that we have two or three classes of economy, I will be looking at the choices a bit more closely and probably opt to pay a little more.

No problem admitting this, I haven't been on a plane since my scorched vacation to the GREAT state of Texas (I guess the rest of them are mediocre then) back in 1993.

I wouldn't fly in this post 9/11/01 world if you gave me the ticket for free, I hear enough travel horror stories from my girlfriend, who flies 9 or 10 times a month, the poor thing...................

 

[jazzeum]

I'm thinking of taking first Class on one of the Chicago legs, probably on the way home, when I will be bringing home things that I purchased.

 

[mikemiller1955]

this "sad sack" has options...
she should consider trains or automobiles for her next trip...
sounds like a major whiner to me...
I don't fly a lot anymore...but have never had any experiences like she had...
I am 6'4"s tall...and the seats were not designed for a guy like me...
but I'm always comfortable enough where it would not deter another flight...
the airlines have had their fair share of ugly stories the last few months...
but airport employees have always seemed courteous to me for the most part...
just like any other place of employment...
some nice people...some not so nice...
her sob story would not deter me from flying anywhere across the US...

they have made huge changes that a lot of people favor...
I miss smoking on planes...^&grin...

 

[BLReed]

this "sad sack" has options...
she should consider trains or automobiles for her next trip...
sounds like a major whiner to me...

Well, it was in the New York Times. Notice the underlying theme--
The Cast System.

I wonder who paid for the eight days and twelve flights. Somewhere between
$5,000 and $10,000..... just a guess. Quite a sum for an article only a
handful will read.

 

[jazzeum]

A handful? Well, if you consider 1 million print and 2 million digita circulation for the Times overall a handful, well, I guess you're right :rolleyes2:

 

[BLReed]

A handful? Well, if you consider 1 million print and 2 million digita circulation for the Times overall a handful, well, I guess you're right :rolleyes2:

And they all read every word starting with page one:rolleyes2:

 

[mikemiller1955]

somehow it got past the editor and made print...
but you got to take it for what it is...
it sounds like a basic "gripe article"...
or else...
it's written for the benefit of the airlines so fliers might spend more money and upgrade...

I could write a similar article on how I hate going to the grocery store...
long check out lines...
unknowledgeable help...
high prices...
inconvenient parking...
etc...
but that won't stop anyone from shopping for groceries or eating...

it's written by a women that didn't wash her hair for 7 days and had an eye infection...
she almost blames the airline for her lack of hygiene...

I wouldn't want to sit next to this stinky, cootie monster on a long flight...

 

[TomNT]

As some of you might be aware, I just came back from Holidays in the US and I flew Southwest and American while I was over there. I did 7 separate flights in total (2 flights I had to change planes to get to my destination) and I didn't have any issues on any of them. Yes, the TSA security was thorough but we can all thank those scumbag terrorists for that. It's more thorough than Aussie domestic travel and even many international airports in other countries but it's the age we live in and I can live with the inconvenience if it's going to save from the aircraft being hijacked or blown up.

I didn't like the extra checked in bag charge that American hits you with when you check in and I wasn't aware of this when I purchased my tickets some months earlier. In Australia the full service airlines such as Qantas and Virgin Australia don't charge for checked in baggage. The Oz budget airlines will have on there websites the option to pay for checked in bags or not before you purchase your tickets. I thought it was a bit sneaky of American but then maybe I just assumed it was included just like Qantas. Southwest I found to be really good and they don't have any hidden charges. Checked in bags are included in the ticket price, the only thing you don't get is the option to choose a seat when you book your flight. You have to check in as soon as the check in is open or pay for priority boarding to get onto the plane early enough to choose your preferred seat. Except for one flight, I was in the mid to last group of passengers to board the plane but I still was able to choose a window seat which is what I prefer.

I have flown many budget airlines around Oz and a couple from other countries and my experience on the US airlines was relatively good. All my flights were on-time or not delayed by much and the staff were professional and friendly. Maybe I got lucky with my flights not being full, overbooked or delayed but I certainly cannot complain about the service. I flew economy on all of my flights.

The one thing I will say is that some of the airports (LAX and Miami International come to mind) need some improvements and money spent on infrastructure to improve the experience for passengers. LAX in particular was poor as my American Eagle flight from Tuscon was sent to a gate which was no more than this little building a fair distance from the main terminals. We all entered this crammed little building, then got shunted off in buses to the main terminal which was a long and tedious journey. The other thing I don't like is this valet carry on bags system for the smaller jets. If your wheeled carry on bag is to large for the bins inside of the aircraft (jets smaller than the A320 or 737's) then you will have to give it to the baggage handlers at the aerobridge before you get onto the aircraft and then wait for it when you get off. Not good if you have delicate items inside and also the long wait you have to endure before you get your bag. The system is also stupid as people are lined up inside the aerobridge after they get off the plane waiting for the baggage handlers to retrieve their bags from the hold and bring it up to the aerobridge. I was lucky that my wheeled carry on bag was smaller than the rest so I was able to fit it inside the luggage bins. It's not the airline's fault anyway and really the onus goes back onto the passengers for not having such large carry on bags. I have never seen this valet system before and I think for smaller jets here in Oz, bags that are to large to be stowed inside the aircraft cabin are made to be checked in at the check in counter inside the terminal and then sent along with your other larger checked in bags to be put inside the aircraft hold.

Tom

 

[jazzeum]

United, which is what I generally take, charges $25 to check a bag. Don't like paying it but don't need the hassle of fighting for an overhead bin.

I avoid LAX like the plague. John Wayne at Santa Ana is my favorite airport. Easy in and easy out.

I fly out of Newark and the airport used to be the pits but they're working on improvements and it's getting better. The United terminal at Boston isn't bad. Chicago is a bit crazy especially on Sunday afternoons but I've gotten used to it.

 

[Jack]

My advice is to refuse to be upgraded. My wife and I were upgraded to business class on our last flight home from the UK because a friend in the airline business called in a favour. I cannot go back to economy. Having tasted the forbidden fruits of business class, economy now is unthinkable. Off to the UK in a couple of months ... in business class. Going to the Chicago show next year ... business class. Refuse the upgrade! Make stand!

 

[johnnybach]

Great article Brad - thanks for posting.

I can empathise with many points the journalist made - one of which made me think back to my Army days - when we flew to exotic parts of the Worldon Army planes.

The "boarding rush" - was eliminated entirely, by being issued with a disc with a number. This ensured that you boarded in strictly numerical order and proceeded to your seat in strict order and sat down immediately. Getting off the plane was in reverse order - so the result was that everyone got on and off very orderly and rapidly indeed. And Oh! yes, nobody stood up to get off - before the plane door was opened. And God help you if you didn't do things the Army way.

Boarding the plane seems to have been sorted out (mostly) now, by "zoning" - as described, so that passengers with furthest to go up the plane aisle get on first ( well after the Business mob - but you know what I mean), which means less push-and-shove. BUT, one of my pet hates with air travel in Economy - is that as soon as the plane lands and the seat-belt light goes off - almost everyone inexplicably stands up in the aisles and starts rummaging around in the overhead lockers - and then waits........and waits...............and waits........ still standing, and pushing and shoving .....until eventually, the door gets opened. Then............. mostly, everyone rushes off to the baggage reclaim - to wait and wait again some-more for their bags to arrive.

I'm of an age now, where I remain seated until all of these loony-tunes have rushed off, and I can get up calmly, in an almost empty plane - retrieve my carry on - and get off for a leisurely stroll to the baggage reclaim - to usually find my former passengers still waiting and hovering at the baggage reclaim for their bags. Yuk!


Give me the orderly Army system of boarding and de-planing every time! jb

 

[jazzeum]

One customer service rep once told my wife that if you buy a middle or window seat you will board before an aisle seat customer (the only type of seat I will sit in). From an airline perspective this makes sense but if you're trying to get room in the bins for your luggage, you're SOL.

 

[nysoldiers]

Talking about being spoiled I have a very wealthy friend who owns a luxury jet. He has an apartment in Paris and flies to Europe regularly.
We grew up together and he has always been generous with me and my wife so we hitch a ride with him whenever our schedules allow.
No lines, no hassles, great food and service and make your own departure times.
I have flown hundreds of times over the years for business and pleasure but its really hard to take a regular airline after flying private jets.
My rule of thumb is to fly business class if the flight is over 5 hours and especially if I am flying overnight to Europe or Asia. I use points or
cut other costs so the flights don't ruin my vacations.
The other option is to get your doctor to prescribe anti-anxiety medicine or sleeping pills. You may be a little incoherent but nothing will bother you:tongue:

 

[theBaron]

I prefer to fly Air India....



Prost!
Brad

 

[jazzeum]

I prefer to fly Air India....



Prost!
Brad

Laugh out loud funny!

 

[Julie]

I prefer to fly Air India....



Prost!
Brad

Isn't this Southwest's Deal??? Still hate that 'cattle call' as the last company I worked for always made us fly them!

I really think your flight 'experience' will be how you take it and your attitude going in.

Just last Tuesday I was running through Detroit, on moving walkways and up escalators in hopes of making my connecting flight. No such luck (but yet my checked bag made the flight, go figure). Ended up having a nice snack and a few drinks with another gal who missed the flight and while chatting, another gentleman on his way home to Boston sat next to us and joined the conversation. Neither will end up life long friends but at least we made the most of our 4 hours stuck in Detroit!
And as Amanda (the gal) works for a Shipping & Logistics Company.....we traded business cards! You never know who you may meet in these crap situations but if you can make the most of it....attitude helps immensely!

Julie

 

[Combat]

Air travel! My pet peeve. I hate the airlines like poison. They used 9/11 as a means to squeeze every penny of profit while cutting back customer service to the point that it is non-existent. By the time people get on flights they are so stresssed out that it is almost dangerous. They are fighting, arguing, and ready to kill each other. Security lines are ridiculous. It can take hours to get through. The rules change from day to day and airport to airport. Charging for checked bags to the tune of billions of dollars makes it worse since that encourages people to carry as much as possible onto the airplane delaying security checks and filling overhead bins. I've waited longer in some instanes to get my checked bags after a flight than the flight itself. It is a total disaster.

Cramming the average overweight American into a seat not big enough for a child for hours leads to constant problems. I was on a flight back from Eurpope where the airline had obviously inserted an extra row of seats into what had previously been the bulkhead area. I knew that because the bulkhead seats have trays in the arms of the seats rather than on the seat in front of you. These were so cramped that my tray couldn't be lowered if the person in front reclined their seat. My revenge was that my night light shined directly in their eyes. It is absolutely brutal. And if you have to travel with kids forget it. The delays, expense, crowds, and aggravation are not worth it unless the drive to the destination would take more than ten hours or so. It is soul crushing.

The only positive thing I can say about air travel in recent times - and this is a biggie - is that despite all the cost cutting efforts and greed it still remains amazingly safe. I don't remember the last air disaster in the US which is amazing given all the flights, mechanical parts, human error, weather, and many other factors at play. Something is working right there.

 

[jazzeum]

I had no idea this article would get this response. Glad to see it elicited some comments.

I agree attitude makes a big difference. I always try to get to the airport extra early so I have plenty of time to sit down and am not rushed. Makes for a much better experience.

I strongly recomend getting approved for Pre Checked. Just makes things go a little bit smoother.

Brad

 

[Panzer ace]

No problem admitting this, I haven't been on a plane since my scorched vacation to the GREAT state of Texas (I guess the rest of them are mediocre then) back in 1993.

I wouldn't fly in this post 9/11/01 world if you gave me the ticket for free, I hear enough travel horror stories from my girlfriend, who flies 9 or 10 times a month, the poor thing...................

I believe it is called the Great State of Texas because of the amount of land it has. It was coined in the railroad days, long before Alaska became a state and took the land title away from them.

For myself it is the Great State of Texas from January to May and September to December. June through August I simply call it the "the sun" as living there is like having real estate directly on the sun itself.