When I think of all the trips around the world I made in my working life while stuffed in an aluminum tube with people from God knows where, who have done and been who knows where, carrying who knows what manner of disease and in who knows what state of mind... I am amazed I’ve lived this long.
If someone gave me an around the world all expenses paid trip I’d give it back. If I never get on another airplane it will be too soon. Gone are the days when I could go to the back and sleep laying across a full row of seats on a 747 or exercise by going up and down the stairs on flights to Australia and having looong visits with the cabin crew. Back in the day we would sit in the lounge seating on the old 737s drinking free beer with the SWA stewardesses in their hot pants. Those were good times and we were young.
Yes. I moved to the Northwest shortly after 9-ll.
At that time I had to fly to and out of Seattle on a number of occasions...you remind me that I had a flight to Minneapolis on a big bird, maybe eight of us on the flight, and I slept the whole way in the folded up seats in back.
That was the U.S.A.
Following that I had a few flights with Alaska Airlines, every one of which (in tiny little balloon-shaped prop-jets), was a delight.
On Christmas the attendant SANG the flight instructions to the tune of Jingle Bells, and at another stop to the tune of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
On every flight you were given the choice of a tall glass of microbrew, a soft drink or coffee.
Oh well. No more. I don’t mind flying but the tension, hostility and wretchedness of the packed-in passengers is no longer bearable.
I miss PSA Airlines. They were great. They were the ones with a smile painted on the planes.
Know what other airline did not suck? Air Cal. Their logo was an orange slice, IIRC.