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The Golden Age of Travel - slideshow
MSN ^ | March 1, 2009 | Sonja Groset

Posted on 03/01/2009 8:21:34 AM PST by re_tail20

In the past century, leisure travel has shifted from a luxury enjoyed by the wealthy to a necessity of the middle class. Today, travel is fast and cheap, accessible and affordable. But as airlines and hotels have started to cut back on the amenities they once provided, it's no wonder that today's travelers feel more like cargo than customers.

It wasn't always that way. There was a time when travel was luxurious and fashionable, when high-quality dining was standard and when travelers dressed up for the occasion, whether boarding an ocean liner or taking off on a high-flying jet. Here's a look back to a more golden age of travel.

(Excerpt) Read more at travel.msn.com ...


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: goldenage

1 posted on 03/01/2009 8:21:34 AM PST by re_tail20
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To: re_tail20

Another leftist nostalgic for the day when only the elite could travel more than a day’s voyage on horseback from their lifelong home.


2 posted on 03/01/2009 8:22:56 AM PST by xjcsa (And these three remain: change, hope and government. But the greatest of these is government.)
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To: re_tail20

Today’s air travel is nothing more than a glorified Greyhound bus.

The legacy airlines are having trouble adapting to the internet traveler who only wants the lowest fare.

The non-business traveler is now a sloppy, smelly and sandal-wearing freak who would not have been allowed in a 3 start restaurant 20 years ago.


3 posted on 03/01/2009 8:28:10 AM PST by Erik Latranyi (Too many conservatives urge retreat when the war of politics doesn't go their way.)
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To: xjcsa

Air Travel: In the 1930s, passenger service was enhanced with the first flight attendants, registered nurses who were hired by United Airlines/Boeing Air Transport. Other airlines soon followed, hiring nurses to serve as "stewardesses" on most of their flights. The requirement to be a registered nurse was relaxed at the start of World War II, as many nurses enlisted into the armed forces.

Disagree.

My mother was one of these registered nurses who became a fight attendant.

She saved and scrimped, and worked had to go through nurses training, to achieve this goal.

She came from a very poor family of 10, from a one store town in northern Saskatchewan.

It wasn't only for rich people, it was for achievers too.

4 posted on 03/01/2009 8:30:02 AM PST by fanfan (God, Bless America, please.)
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To: re_tail20
they could bring back the AirShip with staterooms and dining area for upscale vacations inside the USA
5 posted on 03/01/2009 8:40:31 AM PST by Chode (American Hedonist - Dear Mr.President, Please make it rain candy!)
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To: fanfan
Speaking of TWA...

Picture taken at the Kansas City Air Expo in August 2008, thats a Connie in the background.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

6 posted on 03/01/2009 8:51:20 AM PST by alfa6
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To: alfa6

The windows opened?

Way cool!


7 posted on 03/01/2009 9:25:03 AM PST by fanfan (God, Bless America, please.)
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To: alfa6; cardinal4

I made my first ever overseas trip in a U S Navy MATS C-121, the military version of the Super Constellation. Seats were facing aft, and if you didn’t smoke, that was too bad. Stewards were Navy EM. Long flight from Travis to Hickham to Wake Island to Guam to Clark. Took 32 hours in the air back in the day.


8 posted on 03/01/2009 10:51:04 AM PST by Ax (Whatever happened to the "Run 'n' Shoot" offense?)
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To: Ax
Not a MATS but one of my favorite Connie pics.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

9 posted on 03/01/2009 12:58:08 PM PST by alfa6
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To: fanfan
It wasn't only for rich people, it was for achievers too.

Well, I was talking about the passengers, not the employees, but OK.

10 posted on 03/01/2009 1:13:47 PM PST by xjcsa (And these three remain: change, hope and government. But the greatest of these is government.)
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To: xjcsa
Well, I was talking about the passengers, not the employees, but OK.

You are absolutely right. I apologize.

I just really respect the achievers. I got carried away by the picture.

11 posted on 03/01/2009 2:14:07 PM PST by fanfan (God, Bless America, please.)
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To: xjcsa

Now that I stop to think about it, the most facinating thing about your point is how people lived without what we consider to be basic transportation.

(note to fanfan: Stop, and think more often.)


12 posted on 03/01/2009 2:17:15 PM PST by fanfan (God, Bless America, please.)
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To: fanfan
No kidding. In case you missed it, you should watch this video. Puts things in perspective.
13 posted on 03/01/2009 2:43:05 PM PST by xjcsa (And these three remain: change, hope and government. But the greatest of these is government.)
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