“ I don’t even want to fly anymore. ”
I know what you mean. We drove from Calgary to Ottawa and back about 18 months ago, in my wife’s RAV4. Took four days each way and was a lot more expensive, but we had a lovely time together. Better scenery, too, most places.
I used to love flying, so much so that I got a pilot’s license decades ago. But between the points you made and petty functionaries with delusions of grandeur…
I’ve gone across the country 5 times since about 2015. With three it was really cost effective, 2, close. Made it from North Carolina (coastal) back to CA in 46.5 hours.