Air Travel

Lately, or maybe I should say for many years, I have spent a lot of time on airplanes. I was musing how things have changed over the years. Not so much for the better, though I would rather fly than drive if more than 300 miles.

There was a time when traveling by air was a treat. People were dressed up. Now it is not unusual to be sitting next to some guy who should have bought two seats in a wife beater shirt. I’m sorry but sitting next to someone whose underarms are that close is not my idea of pleasant travel.

My earliest recollection was entering through the tail end of the plane and negotiating a fairly dramatic incline to my seat. I also remember Mom telling me to swallow when my ears were hurting. Those were the days when the Stewardesses (a long forgotten sexist title) were selected for their beauty (again sexist) but honestly, I think the airlines have gone a little far in their fear of discrimination. I have been on flights where a flight attendant had trouble getting down the aisle. Or, how about the ones who should have retired years ago? I was on an international flight a bunch of years back where all four of the attendants in my cabin had to be in their twilight years. They honestly could not have helped anyone stow a bag in the overhead bin, let alone be helpful in the case of an emergency.

Isn’t it hard to believe that it wasn’t that long ago when you met travelers at the gate, there was no security of any kind, and there wasn’t a shopping mall with food court?

It’s really sad that our world has so drastically changed. Air travel now requires planning beyond just a destination and arrival time. Now one must remember no liquids, no sharp objects, charges for checking luggage, upper bins bulging with luggage of those who are smart enough to avoid those charges by gate checking, and wearing just enough clothing to avoid a charge of indecent exposure, including slip-on shoes. I can go on. No more do we leisurely stroll on to the plane. Now everyone gets up at the first boarding announcement in hope of finding space in the overheads. Remember when an on-board meal was not a tiny bag of peanuts?

And, finally, I swear one day, I am going to walk through the plane and record the price each person paid for their ticket!

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