The worst thing about flying? These people (us)

[Onkel Neal]

While skimming the news, I came across this
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-worst-thing-about-flying-you-2014-08-29?reflink=MW_GoogleNews&google_editors_picks=true

I won't say the other guy, because that's what everyone does, so I guess it's "us". Sure, you have some fellow passengers who smell ok, don't cough excessively, do not have children who cry, scream, whine, or run amok, who don't weigh 350 pounds and spill into your seat, who do not hog the armrests with hairy, sweaty arms, who don't kick the back of your seat every 4 minutes, who don't recline the seat in front of you, making using your laptop impossible, to the point that the only way you can reclaim some space is to recline your chair and crush the poor slob behind you, who don't need to get up every 30 minutes for a trip to the loo or something, who don't cram a purse, laptopbag, backpack, shopping bag, and carryon in the overhead 5 seats away from their seat, which is your overhead space... sure, there are passengers like this, but not many. Which is why I have quit traveling when it requires air transportation. It's just too darn uncomfortable. I'm 6' and I cannot sit in a chair for 5 hours with my legs bent without being uncomfortable. And I confess, I am not a trim, slim guy. So when I am sitting between two other passengers, I have to cross my arms across my chest. I don't want to be that guy who crowds the other passengers. And I don't care to rub arms with people to get my 3/4" inch of armrest.

Worst of all, I cannot afford to fly First Class :haha: that would take care of most of these issues.

Flying just sucks.:wah:

[Sailor Steve]

The last time I was on a plane was when I came to Houston in 2008. It wasn't fun like it was when I was a kid. The next time I go somewhere I'll drive, unless of course it's overseas and I have no choice.

[jacobston]

The last time I flew, I was on a fully booked 737, but I arrived at the airport late so the only seats left were the WestJet equivalent of "First Class".

http://www.westjet.com/img/fleet/600-en.jpg

Needless to say, it was quite a nice flight sitting in the front of the airplane (2C)... With nobody to recline in front of me, people beside me (who probably paid for front seats) wanted nothing to do with me. Not to mention, when we landed, my carry-on was a few seats behind me (because the safety demo bag was above me), but the other passengers were more than happy to help me get it down.

Yes, I may consider myself "lucky". :D

The next time I go somewhere I'll drive, unless of course it's overseas and I have no choice.
What, no Submarine? :O: :haha:

[HW3]

I quit flying because I got tired of having to prove I was not guilty of being a terrorist just to get on the plane. Then service left the airline industry a long time ago. Now you are treated like cattle packed into a trailer, rather than a paying guest. If I have to go anywhere, I will drive.

[AngusJS]

I enjoy flying. I always get a window seat, because I never get tired of the view. How else would I have ever seen Greenland or the Canadian Archipelago with my own eyes?

I'm 6', and the only time I've had real trouble with leg space was on one of my flights on a Tupolev 174. But that was a relatively short flight, so it was all good.

Just remember you're moving at Mach .8 at 30,000 feet. You can put up with some minor inconveniences - just enjoy the ride. :yep:

[Wolferz]

A two hour flight sitting in the very last seat is pure misery if you have a bad back. The thing is crammed against a bulkhead with no recline feature and even less leg room.
I don't fly anywhere anymore after missing my flight from Atlanta to Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Usain Bolt couldn't Get to a gate three concourses away in fifteen minutes! The next flight out was in six hours and Atlanta has no smoking areas whatsoever. I rented a car and drove home.

[Platapus]

We have become a society of "me first" attitudes. Too many people simply don't care about the other person or how one person's actions affect other people.

It has gone well past the point of apathy and more towards inconsideration.

I doubt this will ever change for the better.

One solution for the airlines is to increase the prices so they can afford to run their company while offering the customers a value (comfort and safety).

I think they have reached the point where cutting costs can be a viable business option. I really don't feel comfortable flying an airline whose business model is "we can cut costs more". Yikes!

I have flown far too much for business. The airlines and passengers have eliminated everything that is pleasant or enjoyable about flying. I avoid it as much as I can.

Anyone remember Legend Airlines? :yeah:

[Wolferz]

HW3 hits the nail on the head. Air travel has gone from pampering the rarified air of the rich to packing the common folk in like cattle.
Head 'em up. Move 'em out. Rawhide baby! :down:

[HunterICX]

Well, I never flew to enjoy it to begin with or took busses for that matter, the only public transport I enjoyed where trains but even that has gone to hell with costs cutting too. :nope:

For a quick long weekend to the Netherlands I don't spend a great deal for my ticket as to me it's just to get to my destination and it's just a 2 1/2 hour flight the alternative would be more costly and is about a 20-22 hour drive. So I either read a book or doze off for 2 1/2 hour.

If I do however plan to ever make a visit which requires me to spend 20 hours in an aircraft I rather spend a bit more to have a comfortable flight then a uncomfortable for less.

[GoldenRivet]

Just as a tip. At least from the standpoint of my old employer American

1. Book an exit row if possible, they're roomier
2. Only carry on bags if able
3. Use the self check in kiosk
4. If American hasn't sold all of it's first class seats for your flight, you can upgrade from that exit row to first class on most domestic flights for $45

I self upgrade to first class on almost every trip I take. You risk splitting your party up if not traveling solo, but I snagged first class seats home and back for about $300 round trip last time I headed home. Poor scmucks in first class all around me paid 2-3x that price

[Jimbuna]

Not a big fan of flying but always do if and when most convenient.

I agree with GR regarding the exit row being roomier but always take into consideration the fact you've a better chance of getting out if the plane ditches in the sea, not that many usually get out anyway :o

What is definitely noticeable is peoples lack of respect towards one another regarding noise and space considerations.

[swamprat69er]

IF i was to voice my thoughts on crowded airplanes and other peoples kids on this forum, I would most likely get tossed in the brig.

[Jimbuna]

IF i was to voice my thoughts on crowded airplanes and other peoples kids on this forum, I would most likely get tossed in the brig.

For you....I'd throw in a blanket and a pillow :03:

[Buddahaid]

I've rule for SFO to LAX. If I'm staying for more than two days I drive as it takes only 2-3 hours longer to drive door to door, plus I can take along whatever I like.

[Jimbuna]

One of the advantages of flying is usually the female flight attendants are more of an attraction than the inflight movies.

[Stealhead]

The last time I flew the man next to me had dip and spit bottle.:dead: That stuff stinks. Luckly one the crew told him not use it she did have tell him twice. Good he listened as I was ready to shove that spit bottle down his throught.

The best flight for me was Brittish Airways to London business class it was wonderful. It was a free upgrade Delta flight got cancled so they sent me to BA Delta ticket was crap class.

Another awsome flight was a military charter from Baltimore to Frankfort lame. The inflight meal had moldy tomatoes yum. Lowest bidding contractor.

[Jimbuna]

The last time I flew the man next to me had dip and spit bottle.:dead: That stuff stinks. Luckly one the crew told him not use it she did have tell him twice. Good he listened as I was ready to shove that spit bottle down his throught.

Good job it wasn't his throat...you might have choked him :):03:

[Stealhead]

Good job it wasn't his throat...you might have choked him :):03:

Indeed :sunny:

[TarJak]

This is the only way to fly:
http://media.2oceansvibe.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Qantas-A380-First-Class-Suite-bed.jpg

Though Emirates takes it a bit further still:
http://static2.stuff.co.nz/1270511600/535/3550535.jpg

[Oberon]

I've never flown, only time I've been in an aircraft was the C-47 at York, oh, and the raid on the Canberra, although that was about a fifth of an aircraft.
Thought I was going to get a chance next year on a jaunt to Bavaria but sadly there wasn't enough money for both me, the wife and the mother in law to go to her cousins wedding so I got left on the tarmac.

Good recommendations here though on the emergency aisle seat, I'll have to pass that on to the missus although height really isn't an issue for her (:O:) but her mother is quite tall.
I'm going to try and get her an mp3 or CD or something of 'What goes up might come down' for her to listen to, it's hilarious:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KbUNzi58wM

Cracks me up every time. :up:

Oh, and just found this by the late great Dave Allen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBca1ixoEbg

[Stealhead]

This is the only way to fly:
http://media.2oceansvibe.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Qantas-A380-First-Class-Suite-bed.jpg

Though Emirates takes it a bit further still:
http://static2.stuff.co.nz/1270511600/535/3550535.jpg

Looks affordale.

[TarJak]

It is if you work for the airline, or got made redundant by one of them ;)

[Aktungbby]

Sardines in a can is more like it! Won't fly unless absolutely necessary. My last excursion was disaster; They held up an unbalanced heavy loaded aircraft in Washington DC to burn fuel and use the runway's long direction for greater roll time which made my connection in Phoenix for Oakland a dead issue. Missed two gate changes after landing with only 5 minutes to travel two concourses-no joy. An 18 hour trek. Security is the biggest pain: I've a lot of metal in one leg and I get triple ID'd in Britain (Heathrow) every time-look suspicious in tweed with a bolo tie I guess...I do love the duty free shop there though!:up:

[Jimbuna]

I've never flown, only time I've been in an aircraft was the C-47 at York, oh, and the raid on the Canberra, although that was about a fifth of an aircraft.
Thought I was going to get a chance next year on a jaunt to Bavaria but sadly there wasn't enough money for both me, the wife and the mother in law to go to her cousins wedding so I got left on the tarmac.

Good recommendations here though on the emergency aisle seat, I'll have to pass that on to the missus although height really isn't an issue for her (:O:) but her mother is quite tall.
I'm going to try and get her an mp3 or CD or something of 'What goes up might come down' for her to listen to, it's hilarious:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KbUNzi58wM

Cracks me up every time. :up:

Oh, and just found this by the late great Dave Allen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBca1ixoEbg

After listening to them she might decide it better if she is left on the tarmac :)

[Betonov]

I miss these

http://www.shipsandtripstravel.com/images/cruises/disneycruise/ship-1.jpg

[Wolferz]

Considering the big money grab being employed by the airlines, along with their drive the herd attitudes, it might be cheaper and much more comfortable to charter a private jet.:hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

I miss these

http://www.shipsandtripstravel.com/images/cruises/disneycruise/ship-1.jpg

So is my lad atm....well , at least until the new year.

[Betonov]

I wonder how a successefull venture would it be, to start a regular passenger line from Europe to the USA with a cruise liner.

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

The last time I was on a plane was when I came to Houston in 2008. It wasn't fun like it was when I was a kid. The next time I go somewhere I'll drive, unless of course it's overseas and I have no choice.But Steve, you can sail with Cunard! :D No Cattle Class available though so better open your wallet... :wah:

I enjoy flying. I always get a window seat, because I never get tired of the view. How else would I have ever seen Greenland or the Canadian Archipelago with my own eyes?

I'm 6', and the only time I've had real trouble with leg space was on one of my flights on a Tupolev 174. But that was a relatively short flight, so it was all good.

Just remember you're moving at Mach .8 at 30,000 feet. You can put up with some minor inconveniences - just enjoy the ride. :yep:Do you mean Tupolev Tu-134 or -154? Tu-174 was proposed lenghtened fuselage version of Tu-154 trijet, but as far as I know it was never built. But back to your flight experience... What it was like? I have never flown on Eastern block airliner.

I wonder how a successefull venture would it be, to start a regular passenger line from Europe to the USA with a cruise liner.Cunard Line (subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc) maybe able to answer. They have short of service available. :yep:

[Sailor Steve]

But Steve, you can sail with Cunard! :D No Cattle Class available though so better open your wallet... :wah:
The only way I could remotely afford to travel by ship would be to get a job on a freighter heading my way. Unfortunately I'm too old to do that kind of work anymore.

[Aktungbby]

Not quite! http://www.flightlesstravel.com/plan/cargo-ships/ (http://www.flightlesstravel.com/plan/cargo-ships/) :salute:

[Wolferz]

Somebody around here has a sailboat don't they?:D

[Stealhead]

Considering the big money grab being employed by the airlines, along with their drive the herd attitudes, it might be cheaper and much more comfortable to charter a private jet.:hmmm:


Far from it. It is far cheaper to fly first class on a regular air line than it is to charter a private flight. You are talking a few grand per hour to charter. Taking a rough guess a flight of 5 or 6 hours probably would cost 8 or 9 maybe even 10 grand. Now you could split the cost across several people I suppose but it would still most likely be cheaper to fly first class with a non charter airline.