Flying

[Midnight Toker]

Honestly, I've experienced just as many outbursting ahole passengers 30-40 years ago as I have in the last 10. We just didn't have other people documenting it and posting it on the internet for the world to see the one problematic flight out of the tens of thousands of daily flights that go without a problem. In the 70's I saw drunks fist fight, people get sick on the person next to them, outburst over not getting the meal they were supposed to, getting cut off from the adult beverage cart, etc. Seems today, if there's one outburst, it's documented and goes front page viral....and now folks think that's the norm. (Just like all the other fear mongering found in today's 24/7 media) Not the case! Delays...have always been an issue. Weather in NY effects flights in Dallas. That's just the way it goes. As for cancellations, that definitely tends to be a recent phenomenon where if a flight isn't full, it typically gets cancelled and they attempt to shuffle passengers to fill other planes, even on competing airlines. And never go for the free flight voucher! There are always terms that guarantee a good portion of them will never be redeemed! The days of having 3-4 rows to yourself on late flights is likely over. I miss those late night flights. Today, I just make sure and book mostly morning/midday flights...well in advance. Never have an issue. Early morning flights are also typically frequented by business travelers....which means the sheep are well trained and don't require herding.

Best of all, I'm a ultra light traveler and hardly ever require checking a bag unless I'm going to Europe for over a month. Everything I need for 7-10 days fits in a overhead carry on and under the seat shoulder bag.

 

[crank]

I used to fly a lot for work and, with all the miles, vacations too.

I think in some ways it's better today. Baggage is usually, but not always a lot faster coming off the plane. You can watch movies all flight long nowadays. I tend to fly maybe 2 or 3 times a year for skiing trips and for way too occasional Caribbean sailing charters.

I have been thinking about how one would fly with a guitar, if at some point in the future real travel ever becomes possible again, but I can't imagine trying to wrangle one into the cabin, and it's a hard pass on handing one over to the airlines as checked luggage. On Saturday's flight home, after we were all boarded and ready to take off, they made an announcement that four suitcases were missing from the connecting flight that had come in from Tucson. How could they be missing if they were never supposed to be taken off the plane???

I'm not going there...

So that basically leaves me the option of traveling to wherever I can drive myself, or buying some kind of guitar as a souvenir when I get there and packing it up and shipping home with an experienced carrier.

Anyone have any other ideas???

Janine

I have a decent but inexpensive and slightly beat up Yamaha dread that lives in a flimsy gig bag. It fits in the overhead. I have flown with it maybe 4 or 5 times and flight attendants are always very good about finding space for it.

Some places you can rent a guitar for a week. I have done this at a few ski towns in Colorado. I worked with a guy who would rent one whenever he came to the city for business.

 

[wileypickett]

Given a choice, I'd choose not flying over flying. But sometimes you don't have a choice but to fly and then you just have to grit your teeth and deal with it.

Having just flown from Boston to Seattle for a wedding, all I can say is it was pretty grueling. We're older and take Covid seriously enough that we stayed masked on the flight. Nothing to be done about that and no blame can be levied at the airlines. But it adds to the unpleasantness -- eight hours is a long time to be breathing your own air!

Some things are easier than in the old days -- you don't have to wait in line for boarding passes and tickets; they just scan your phone. (At least on domestic flights -- is this also true for international flights?) But getting through airport security can still be a long and tiresome process.

I remember when flying was fun, but generations of people younger than me will never have that experience.

 

[Rocky]

Given a choice, I'd choose not flying over flying. But sometimes you don't have a choice but to fly and then you just have to grit your teeth and deal with it.

Having just flown from Boston to Seattle for a wedding, all I can say is it was pretty grueling. We're older and take Covid seriously enough that we stayed masked on the flight. Nothing to be done about that and no blame can be levied at the airlines. But it adds to the unpleasantness -- eight hours is a long time to be breathing your own air!

Some things are easier than in the old days -- you don't have to wait in line for boarding passes and tickets; they just scan your phone. (At least on domestic flights -- is this also true for international flights?) But getting through airport security can still be a long and tiresome process.

I remember when flying was fun, but generations of people younger than me will never have that experience.

Be glad you're at a decent sized airport. If you're at a smaller one, you'll have to connect.....and you'll want to wear your mask during your layover too.

Pre-Check only applies to some US airports (no pre-check at JFK, for instance), but on the bright side non-US airports don't make you take off your shoes to give you the illusion of security.

 

[walrus]

I haven't flown much. Once to Europe to adopt my youngest son back in 1996. Then FL for a few Disney world trips, the last one in 2000. That's it. I don't miss it.

walrus

 

[GAD]

It was fun and what an adventure. These days, the thought of getting squished into a plane with a bunch of people and flying in a tube of recycled air is more than I can comprehend!! I'll drive 2 hours. 4 if I have to. 6 would be a gunpoint. Other than that, I'm staying here. Flying these days is a nightmare. Everyone is stuck everywhere and no one is having a good time.

This is mostly a myth. "Total airflow to the cabin is supplied at a bulk flow rate equivalent to 20 to 30 air changes per hour":

How clean is the air on planes?

High-tech filters and low-tech masks: How technology and personal responsibility might make flying safer than you think.

www.nationalgeographic.com

How 'stale' is the recycled air in a plane?

Though there is a continual flow of fresh air into the aeroplane, this has to be processed before it's introduced into the cabin.

www.sciencefocus.com

https://www.iata.org/contentassets/f1163430bba94512a583eb6d6b24aa56/cabin-air-quality.pdf

 

[davismanLV]

This is mostly a myth. "Total airflow to the cabin is supplied at a bulk flow rate equivalent to 20 to 30 air changes per hour":

How clean is the air on planes?

High-tech filters and low-tech masks: How technology and personal responsibility might make flying safer than you think.

www.nationalgeographic.com

How 'stale' is the recycled air in a plane?

Though there is a continual flow of fresh air into the aeroplane, this has to be processed before it's introduced into the cabin.

www.sciencefocus.com

https://www.iata.org/contentassets/f1163430bba94512a583eb6d6b24aa56/cabin-air-quality.pdf

However WAY too many people SUPER close by.... so maybe I stated it wrong but I still stand by my statement. I'm not gonna wear a mask for that long...... nope. But if you feel good, then FLY MY FRIEND!!

 

[GAD]

However WAY too many people SUPER close by.... so maybe I stated it wrong but I still stand by my statement. I'm not gonna wear a mask for that long...... nope. But if you feel good, then FLY MY FRIEND!!

it’s not the air - it’s the people.

 

[davismanLV]

it’s not the air - it’s the people.

I think that's what I said, isn't it?? I can fly all day long.....

 

[WC_Guitarist]

I had to fly last month for business. 4 different airports, all crammed with unhappy people complaining about cancelled flights. 2 of my flights were delayed for 8+ hours, forcing me to eat expensive airport food; which requires removing my mask.
I came back with a raging case of COVID that’s still kicking my behind.
fly again? Not likely.

This is terrible! I hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[Cougar]

Flying used to be fun and enjoyable; not so much anymore..

Yeah, nowadays it's like packing onto a bus. And then.... airports! Auugh!

 

[WC_Guitarist]

I used to always take Icelandic Air. A quick stop in Rekyavik, then Brussels, then on to Frankfurt....it was always about 1/2 the cost of a direct flight on Lufthansa. For a kid that often paid my own fare w/ my paper route money, you couldn't beat it. Turns out, you still can't. I've also stayed in Iceland for a few days and did some sightseeing, which is always really nice.

Norwegian Airlines had a sweet deal from Oakland to Oslo for about $350 each way, then a cheap-o connecting flight to other cities in Europe. They flew the Boeing Dreamliner which was great. I never got jet lag on that plane. I don't know what it had or did, but it worked. Sadly, those days are gone. They stopped service because of Covid, nearly went bankrupt, etc. etc. etc. We've also taken Finn Air which was fun.

 

[GAD]

I think that's what I said, isn't it?? I can fly all day long.....

Oh, Ziggy.

Oh, Ziggy, will you ever win?

The Simpsons (1989) - S02E18 Comedy clip with quote Oh, Ziggy, will you ever win? Yarn is the best search for video clips by quote. Find the exact moment in a TV show, movie, or music video you want to share. Easily move forward or backward to get to the perfect clip.

getyarn.io

 

[davismanLV]

Oh, Ziggy.

Oh, Ziggy, will you ever win?

The Simpsons (1989) - S02E18 Comedy clip with quote Oh, Ziggy, will you ever win? Yarn is the best search for video clips by quote. Find the exact moment in a TV show, movie, or music video you want to share. Easily move forward or backward to get to the perfect clip.

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HAAAAAA HAAAAA!! I think I got you last, though.....

 

[DrumBob]

I have always been an aviation guy, but I haven't flown in years, and I hear the horror stories about all the cancelled flights, shortage of staff, high fares, etc. I love flying and always have, but don't know if I want to deal with it anymore. I used to fly to Anaheim to the NAMM show for about $250 round trip. I hear those days are over.

Now, flying a light plane is different. That I'd do anytime.

 

[davismanLV]

So my dad worked for the RAND Corporation, the government/military think tank in Santa Monica, CA. He loved to fly and did so in the Air Force. After we went through all our trama and he divorced my mom and married his secretary sweetheart from work, he started flying again. He'd take me up in little Cessnas and little single engine planes all the time. It was really fun and he'd let me fly them and teach me. He was an a$shat, but he had his moments. Then once all that was over he became the Chief Pilot for the Van Nuys Air Group in the SF Valley. He flew politicians and music people like Linda Ronstadt all over the place. He even had his face lifted so they wouldn't worry their pilot was too old!! Then he finally retired. There's a thrill of flying. But there's been times of severe turbulence when it was all I could do to keep my lunch down. I guess it's not my thing, but it doesn't scare me. If the pilot died and we had to go down, they could probably talk me through it. Or land it remotely. Either one. Not willing at this age to test that, though!!!

I'm better if you put me on a horse..... LOL!!

 

[wileypickett]

And flying horses are the best!

 

[Guildedagain]

Back in steerage you are cattle and are treated like such.

Mooo

Because of the massive race to the bottom caused by many many factors, some of which are political.

Booo

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Sure sounds like a bunch of old farts here!

I use to fly quite a bit for business back in the day and yes it was much easier then. But I love vacations, and I'm not driving to Florida, or California, or North Dakota, so flying is a necessary evil. If you have TSA Pre-Check it speeds things up. Yes, they change the schedule without notice, and cancel flights, but it's not the end of the world, you just have to make adjustments and have a little paticeince. We usually fly somewhere at least once a year and I look forward to continuing to do so.

We flew to Ontario, CA earlier this year. We almost never fly direct as I don't like spending that much time in a plane and it's a lot cheaper to have lay-overs. While I'm not a big fan of flying cross country on a 737-300, on the way home they routed us through San Francisco. They put us on a 767. First time I had flown on one of those and it was nice! Got to watch to movies for free. There was a great selection to pick from. I went with "Bohemian Rhapsody" backed up with "Rocket Man". It made for a great Rock-N-Roll Double Feature!

 

[crank]

A decent pair of noise cancelling headphones goes a long way towards making long flights more enjoyable, err uhm...bearable.