Flying for Thanksgiving You Gotta Be Insane

[LostintheOzone]

I don't fly anymore. Anxiety level pegs out so I just avoid it. It isn't the mechanical part that worries me, I flew a lot in the Navy and would still fly if it weren't for less than considerate passengers and the airlines who never deliver.

The last time I flew anywhere was 2013. Obviously I can live without it. I can drive anywhere I need to go. My wife uses Amtrak to go to Portland (200 miles) and likes it. No delays.

 

[URIT]

I prefer to use the larger airlines because they own the gates and there is less chance of getting locked out. Of course, there are always the possibility of weather or chaos related events that aren't the airlines fault.

When we lived in Costa Rica, we flew Sansa into the airport on the Osa Peninsula; then, caught a private plane to the end of the road on the NW Pacific side. The plane lands on a grass strip and flies close enough to the tree tops that it frightens the Red Macaws feeding in the almond trees. That wasn't as bad as landing on the island beach south of Uvita. We had to pay weight changes so we packed light.

 

[16thVACav]

Ginger.
ginger from gilligan images at DuckDuckGo Joe

That's not Ginger - this is Ginger!

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EKaflXTzHw[/ame]

 

[MDF4]

Flying a Regional or fractional? Don't expect much as you're basically flying the (Greyhound) dog.

The above is not a statement in reference to the flight crews, but rather, the company cutting every legal corner to generate a profit.
Personally, I'm not a comfortable passenger and would much rather do the flying or stay on the deck and drive. I will admit, riding with a few Alaskan bush pilots over the frozen landscape was very impressive...these folks know what they're doing.

 

[JJEH]

Flying for Thanksgiving You Gotta Be Insane

My mother came over here for Thanksgiving and while the flight to the U.S. was pleasant, the return flight was not. So, she probably agrees with you

 

[Yaworski]

…and will NOT fly on one of the budget carriers like Allegiant or Spirit.

I used to fly on PEOPLExpress back in the 80s.

 

[pharmer]

I used to fly on PEOPLExpress back in the 80s.

Yeah, buddy. $99 R/T Orlando-Newark (when I used to go there). Kiwi was even better, same $99, smoked chicken breast and a bottle of wine for the meal. They flew 727's because they were the fastest passenger jet at the time. Had the CEO piloting one flight, made up 40 minutes flight time "speeding." Better times. Joe

 

[Beemerguy53]

…and will NOT fly on one of the budget carriers like Allegiant or Spirit. Period!

Cannot recall the last time I flew on any carrier other than American, United, or Qantas.

Yes, I have encountered glitches on those carriers, but I have been comfortable and have NEVER had a bag lost or paid a fee for any extras.

YMMV!

Be safe.

You generally get what you pay for...and Spirit has earned its reputation.

Southwest is my favorite domestic airline, far and away. Low fares, great service, cheerful, friendly employees...never had a bad experience with them. American and Delta are in the same category.

Internationally, I've flown a number of carriers, but the best, most memorable flights I've had to Europe were on Singapore Airlines' Airbus 380, flying from JFK in New York to Frankfurt, Germany. What an airplane that is! It's quiet and spacious, with big overhead bins and comfortable seats. Singapore's female flight attendants wear traditional dresses, and before snacks and meals they bring a tray of steaming wash cloths down the aisle so you can clean your hands before eating.

 

[jag312]

The only way I'd fly for Thanksgiving:

Sitting in the left seat is the only way to fly.

 

[ladder13]

Pack your stuff well.

Airport baggage handlers caught slamming travelers bags

 

[GaryS]

It's actually easy to fly the day before Thanksgiving. The key is to fly after Noon. The rush at airports starts about 04:30 and is over by Noon.

Flying ON Thanksgiving is even easier, but I try to avoid that as well.

Even if you only fly a few times a year Pre Check is worth the cost.

Threads like this remind me how many old fart Luddites there are on this forum.

 

[Yaworski]

Threads like this remind me how many old fart Luddites there are on this forum.

I was a Luddite decades before I became an old fart.