Another reason not to fly

[swsig]

Here's another reason not to fly: Renting a car from Hertz at the Syracuse airport. Zero customer service forces customers to take matters into their own hands. I remember a time when Hertz was actually good. How times have changed.

Access Denied

Ignore the "Access Denied" and click on it anyway. The link to motortrend.com should work.

 

[M29since14]

I can’t really think of anywhere I want to fly in this country anymore, and/or rent a car. All things considered, I’d rather just drive my own car - or stay home. My last international flight involved passage through LHR. I would never willingly do that again. A nearly unimaginable mess. Add to the “administrative problems” of traveling the often hostile attitude toward Americans in several of the locations I’ve always wanted to visit and the entire process is out of control, to me.

The “travel industry” isn’t what it once was, and the same can be said of the many “entitlement-minded” travelers.

 

[dockmurgw]

Air travel or a boulder size kidney stone...I'll take the stone.

 

[grover99]

The last three times I flew the whole process turned into a mess. What with rude ticket agents, TSA people leaving my luggage in such a mess that when I got it several things were broken in it, planes breaking down and waiting several hours for another one or some one to show up and fix the problem, and several other things making the whole process not worth the time and effort. Made up my mind to never fly again and it has been 15 years and counting

 

[lihpster]

Haven't been on a plane since 1999. See no reason to get on one now.

 

[soFlaNative]

My arms just get too damn tired.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Haven't been on a plane since 1999. See no reason to get on one now.

Well, there's your problem. In the immortal words of George Carlin, you're supposed to get IN the plane . . .

 

[Greyman50]

I flew so many miles in the late 70’s through the 90’s I just really don’t care to fly these days with all the unmitigated BS flyers have to deal with. Flying used to be pretty good but last few times I’ve flown lately its a JOKE. We flew to NJ for One Granddaughters HS graduation years ago and that did it in for me, total FUBAR situation. I will drive and take my time, stopping where I want to and check out junk, antiques shops and few gun shops.

 

[NYlakesider]

I have said many times there are 3 major problems flying.

Number 1, the airport/s

Number 2, the TSA.

Number 3 the airlines/planes.

Have not been on a plane in about 17 years. Mrs Lakesider wants to do a European river cruise and is pushing me hard to do it. The cruise sounds good as we have 16 done but the flying to get to the ship turns me right off!

 

[jimmyj]

Is Train and Bus travel still available ?

 

[Retired W4]

This is why my former boss had her own flight department. I would ask her when she wanted to be there and I would tell her when to be at the hangar. Of course it cost between $1.5-$2 million a year to get around. The capital outlay for the two aircraft and hangar was staggering, but if you got it, why not.

 

[Dave_n]

Is Train and Bus travel still available ?

Yes, Train and Buses still operating. I have done the Trans Canada in the early 1970s when it was fun! The Trans Australia (well lubricated with other than XXXX beer). Aussies will know what I mean!!
Missed out on the Trans Siberian when I had to come back from Vladivostok early (due to Uncle Sam). The Orient Express does not fun any more (only a mock tourist version) and the Chunnel!!

Buses, can find them on the East Coast to NY and points further North, even Greyhound is still running. Dave_N

 

[Rustyt1953]

"Statistically speaking, flying is still the safest way to travel."

 

[sjmjax]

Recently had a “Hertz Experience” on a Caribbean Island.
Facility was very nice. Service awful. Was assigned a vehicle with a flat tire and dead battery.

 

[ladder13]

I have said many times there are 3 major problems flying.

Number 1, the airport/s

Number 2, the TSA.

Number 3 the airlines/planes.

Have not been on a plane in about 17 years. Mrs Lakesider wants to do a European river cruise and is pushing me hard to do it. The cruise sounds good as we have 16 done but the flying to get to the ship turns me right off!

I would do a European river cruise over an ocean cruise any day. Two years ago we did Paris to Normandy.
Yeah, flying 8-9 hours sucks but we upgrade to more legroom , and if available, business class. Never going to fly coach again.

2026, Lord willing, we have booked a river cruise from Lake Como, Italy to Amsterdam. We use Viking for our River cruises, they are perfect in every detail.

 

[johngalt]

The best way to reform air travel is to require all airline company officers to fly on their own airline for all travel, coach, middle seat.

 

[NYlakesider]

I would do a European river cruise over an ocean cruise any day. Two years ago we did Paris to Normandy.
Yeah, flying 8-9 hours sucks but we upgrade to more legroom , and if available, business class. Never going to fly coach again.

2026, Lord willing, we have booked a river cruise from Lake Como, Italy to Amsterdam. We use Viking for our River cruises, they are perfect in every detail.

Sounds real good. I have seen Viking in some of the ship shows.

Who knows what the future will bring, the next couple of years might prove to be rather interesting.

 

[Yendor357]

I have a TSA Prepass. I fly Southwest business select unless it’s way overpriced. Pay extra for a direct flight. Do one carry on. I don’t rent cars at the airport. Uber to the car rental place on the edge of town. Works well for me.

 

[MDF4]

I have had enough commercial flying both upfront and as a passenger. Last com flight was outbound LAX to Cancun on a 737-9ER. We sat mid ship and packed like a bunch of sardines. I have the outboard chair and on rollout I'm leaning over looking out the window and kind of gauging the speed and thinking we got to be at V1 any moment when I got elbow from my bride..."Hal' quit flying...they know what they're doing."
Yes dear..

 

[Retired W4]

I have had enough commercial flying both upfront and as a passenger. Last com flight was outbound LAX to Cancun on a 737-9ER. We sat mid ship and packed like a bunch of sardines. I have the outboard chair and on rollout I'm leaning over looking out the window and kind of gauging the speed and thinking we got to be at V1 any moment when I got elbow from my bride..."Hal' quit flying...they know what they're doing."
Yes dear..

I get the same thing watching movies about aviation. The wife gets a little irritated. In January my son retires from the USAF and goes back to flying 767's for FedEx. He says boxes don't get drunk and do stupid things.