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Flying America in unfriendly skies
San Diego Union Tribune ^
| May 16, 2006
| Richard Louv
Posted on 05/17/2006 12:27:25 PM PDT by SW6906
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To: white trash redneck
Airports bring out the asshole in people. I don't think this slogan has quite the same ring as "Fly the friendly skies of United" or "Delta is ready when you are," but it's certainly accurate.
LOL!
21
posted on
05/17/2006 1:34:21 PM PDT
by
uncitizen
(" We are a nation of NATIVES")
To: TommyDale
I was treated to a similar loudmouth group on a train ride from Milwaukee to Chicago. The worst was a guy named Larry who talked at the top of his lungs, non-stop for the nearly two hours the trip took. As we were lining up to leave, I found myself behind two of Larry's buddies. I tapped one of them on the shoulder and said, at approximately the same volume Larry used, "Is Larry still in the running for Asshole of the Year, or has he pretty much retired the trophy?" They sputtered and then broke out laughing. I got pats on the back and high fives from a half dozen other passengers. Larry just got off the train without another word.
22
posted on
05/17/2006 1:35:19 PM PDT
by
blau993
To: Centurion2000
I wondered about that too. Guess it's kinda like a theater - they want you to buy their stuff, not bring your own.
23
posted on
05/17/2006 1:42:08 PM PDT
by
SW6906
(5 things you can't have too much of: sex, money, firewood, guns and ammunition.)
To: eastcobb
Don't be quite so quick to judge on seeing one car. My ex bro-law is a wealthy physician who drives a POS old Ford Probe to the hospital in Detroit. I am not wealthy but have done well for myself. When I need to drive in to NYC I take my old '89 Pontiac and the Caddy stays in the garage. My grandfather was a VP at GM and was very well-heeled. He traveled frequently and had an old beater pick-up as an airport car.
PS:
As I typed this I realized you have a valid point. The folks I mentioned above (and most like them) rarely need to regale total strangers with their financial details. Perhaps I stand partially corrected in my correction.
24
posted on
05/17/2006 1:44:34 PM PDT
by
wingnut1971
(Oh good...another BS study I get to pay for.)
To: NaughtiusMaximus
here's an old "super" Connie that I'd like to ride....had great leg room also.... ;-)
25
posted on
05/17/2006 1:54:23 PM PDT
by
Dick Vomer
(liberals suck......... but it depends on what your definition of the word "suck" is.)
To: Tzimisce; SW6906
Just so you know, neither the FAA nor the manufacturer has much to do with seating arrangments other than to specify an upper limit based on evacuation requirements (FAA) and floor loading (manufacturer). The number of seats and the distance apart are entirely at the discretion of the airlines.
This is capitalism at it's best. If there were a market for increased leg room, there would be increased leg room. Most people will choose the lowest fare without regard to much else. The few that have the means or desire to pay more don't bring in enough revenue for the airlines to make less of a loss.
My daughter is a relatively new flight attendant but has already met her share of the people described in the article. She has also taken care of some very, very nice passengers as well. I've been travelling by air for the last 34 years and have seen all of the changes and every passenger type imaginable. Yes, almost all of the glamour is gone unless you are in international first class on a foreign carrier, but on the other hand, air travel is generally affordable for mostly everyone with reasonable income.
Namsman sends
26
posted on
05/17/2006 1:57:17 PM PDT
by
namsman
To: NaughtiusMaximus
Amen. I will travel to San Antonio in July for a two week seminar. 1,200 miles one way, all interstate. I plan to enjoy every mile just by not having to endure the horrors described on this thread.
Oh, and don't forget Nazi-like TSA luggage and body searches. Won't miss that either.
To: SW6906
It makes me sick to see people making air travel dressed like degenerated hippies. I still think taking a flight or even a trip by passenger rail is a big deal and one should dress appropriately. That is just self respect and respect to others.
28
posted on
05/17/2006 2:03:13 PM PDT
by
oyez
(Appeasement is insanity)
To: NaughtiusMaximus
Ditto. I conscientiously practice the Flight Free Lifestyle and am much better off for it. The costs involved in liesurely driving to my destination are more than offset by the benefits I derive from avoiding the numerous annoyances and indignities attendant upon "the Wonders of Modern Flight."I agree. Unfortunately I have occasional business overseas. Now if I could just find a way to drive to Taiwan or Turkey, I'd do it.
29
posted on
05/17/2006 2:04:13 PM PDT
by
JoeFromSidney
(My book is out. Read excerpts at www.thejusticecooperative.com)
To: TXnMA
Lockheed Superconnie. That's a real classic. Too bad that that there is probably no more than two left in the world that are airworthy.
30
posted on
05/17/2006 2:06:23 PM PDT
by
oyez
(Appeasement is insanity)
To: SW6906
The problem with having to go out into public is that...you..have..to..go..out..into..public.
31
posted on
05/17/2006 2:08:06 PM PDT
by
PfromHoGro
(Lets roll!)
To: Dick Vomer
The Connie I rode in was an 79th AEW&C Superconnie out of Homestead.
32
posted on
05/17/2006 2:08:47 PM PDT
by
RadioAstronomer
(Senior member of Darwin Central)
To: SW6906
I wondered about that too. Guess it's kinda like a theater - they want you to buy their stuff, not bring your own. I know that when I took AA into Moscow, it seemed like EVERY Russian had a bottle out as soon as we left New York and the flight attendents said not a word.
So ... on the way back I did the same thing ... Chak chak and vodka is an interesting way to get ready for a long nap.
33
posted on
05/17/2006 2:09:02 PM PDT
by
Centurion2000
(The social contract is breaking down.)
To: namsman
This is capitalism at it's best. If there were a market for increased leg room, there would be increased leg room. Most people will choose the lowest fare without regard to much else. The few that have the means or desire to pay more don't bring in enough revenue for the airlines to make less of a loss. I saw some former airline president talking about this. He said people complain about leg room, but whenever they tried to have more expensive but extra legroom planes, the passengers immediately went for the cheaper flights.
I called semi-BS on this. The airlines never advertise the legroom on a flight, so I assume that anything in coach is going to range from awful to worse and the only thing I have to compare is price.
If airlines were to advertise "This flight has 30 inch leg room in coach" instead of just listing a price they would get passengers paying more for legroom.
34
posted on
05/17/2006 2:09:52 PM PDT
by
KarlInOhio
(Never ask a Kennedy if he'll have another drink. It's nobody's business how much he's had already.)
To: oyez
I dress in black ripstop battle dress pants and mil jungle boots when I fly. Very comfy.
35
posted on
05/17/2006 2:10:26 PM PDT
by
RadioAstronomer
(Senior member of Darwin Central)
To: SW6906
I think I'm ready for teleportation now.
Only we have to figure out how to block incoming Arab DNA.
36
posted on
05/17/2006 2:11:19 PM PDT
by
Windsong
(Jesus Saves, but Buddha makes incremental backups)
To: oyez
It makes me sick to see people making air travel dressed like degenerated hippies. I still think taking a flight or even a trip by passenger rail is a big deal and one should dress appropriately. Hey, I resemble that remark. Unless I'm expected to go to a business meeting right off the plane, I usually wear something very comfortable but not necessarily good looking. Except if I'm bringing my hiking boots, it which case I'll wear those monsters on the flight because they are just too big to pack.
37
posted on
05/17/2006 2:14:35 PM PDT
by
KarlInOhio
(Never ask a Kennedy if he'll have another drink. It's nobody's business how much he's had already.)
To: KarlInOhio
38
posted on
05/17/2006 2:14:38 PM PDT
by
ArrogantBustard
(Western Civilisation is aborting, buggering, and contracepting itself out of existence.)
To: Centurion2000
Is having a bottle on the flight against the rules or something?
Yes. Alcohol can only be legally consumed on a U.S. commercial airplane if served by a flight attendant. This is so that flight attendants can cut people off if they become intoxicated. Flight attendants might allow you to give them the bottle to serve you your own booze, but that depends on the airline's policy and flight attendants' mood.
To: Windsong
Only we have to figure out how to block incoming Arab DNA.I'm sure Scotty could rig something up to have them re-materialize inside a pig.
40
posted on
05/17/2006 2:15:53 PM PDT
by
AxelPaulsenJr
(Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.)
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