Another reason not to fly

[Retired W4]

I will happily fly with the young lady, but I think I'll wait until she can get it done without the stuffed animals in her lap (and reach the pedals). I might be able to help out, having received the highest IFR ratings (I Follow Rivers, I Follow Roads), but only during conditions of 'severe clear'.

The emotional support teddy bears will have to go.

There is an old AF acronym, CAVU. Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited.

 

[SMSgt]

I fly every couple of years. Its no big deal. I used to be able to carry my heater on the plane, now I just check it through.

I never take carry on. A book and my phone, check the rest. I enjoy watching people try to jam everything into the overhead bins.

After being "separated" from my checked baggage on a couple flights, I learned to always throw a change of clothes and essentials in a carry-on. It kind of sucks to arrive at your destination with only the clothes on your back . . . and a book and cell phone.

 

[CH4]

I work and live internationally, so I fly regularly; just spent 5 weeks in Europe. Don’t care much for the lines, but never have any real issues. The security lines have gotten much shorter/faster the past few years. Will be turning 60 in a couple weeks and still enjoy having a cup of coffee, cocktail or a beer at a quaint sidewalk cafe, watching people living their lives. Can’t imagine sitting on a coach and experiencing life through a TV, but I know the day will come.

 

[old bear]

Every time I rented form Hertz the counter sales rep attempted to up-sell me. I quickly got on, and pre paid for my rental. When they try and up sell, I just tell them all I want is the car I've all ready paid for and I want it NOW. Works every time. Yes, Hertz no longer the number 1 company it once was.

 

[Autonomous]

My last international flight involved passage through LHR. I would never willingly do that again. A nearly unimaginable mess.

At FRA a whiskey drunk Greek immediately ahead of me at security was dealt with quickly with kindness and much patience.
My turn and that German security guy was doing just about everything he could to revive some WWII stereotypes. It took ~ 15 minutes and I had to run to catch the plane.
Get home to SFO and got my genitals manipulated by a full-grown man.

 

[NYlakesider]

After being "separated" from my checked baggage on a couple flights, I learned to always throw a change of clothes and essentials in a carry-on. It kind of sucks to arrive at your destination with only the clothes on your back . . . and a book and cell phone.

We were taking a 16 day Panama Canal cruise from Florida to San Diego. Our luggage took 3 days to find us. Finely came aboard when we were at a shore visit. Got to admit Princess was good and as we had insurance we got a decent line of credit. That and a priority to launder the clothes we did have. If we did not have our carry ons with with some clothing and other personel items things would not have been so good.

That cruise turned out to be one of the best we ever took. Our table mates were very interesting and all 3 couples got along very well together. In my case I had a major league stock broker who I picked his brain and learned a lot. My other new buddy was both a high ranking union officer and the owner of a large Christmas tree farm and car guy.

 

[mtgianni]

In the last two years I have flown with family to Hawaii, Orlando and Santiago Chile. Non of them have been pleasant but they were all worth the value for what we were able to do there when we arrived.

Yes, they will all take your money as fast as the IRS, and keep their hands out for more. There are several airlines I will hesitate to fly with again. Untied had a 5 hour delay out of Maui, which would have caused us to miss our connections out of SFO. They transferred us to Delta, who took our luggage then refused to let us board, as they were afraid they wouldn't get paid. Untied then fixed it for us but when we got to SF they refused to let us proceed as we had already transferred to Delta. It took until the next day to get home. Delta had our luggage waiting.

In Montana in 2022, all rental cars were booked out in May through November by April first. With Covid fewer cars were in the system and there were not enough to go around. [90% of rentals in Bozeman are licensed out of Idaho Falls and are easy to spot]. People got through it.

I believe that refusing to fly is as productive as refusing to watch a movie with an actor who's politics I don't like. He or she will get paid either way and I will only hurt myself. I think the travel experience is beneficial enough that I am able to put up with the inconveniences.

 

[LVSteve]

After being "separated" from my checked baggage on a couple flights, I learned to always throw a change of clothes and essentials in a carry-on. It kind of sucks to arrive at your destination with only the clothes on your back . . . and a book and cell phone.

Hence the classic airline joke....

At the ticket counter...

"Hi. I'd like to travel to Atlanta but I need my luggage to go to Bangkok."

"Sorry, Sir, rules are such that we cannot do that."

"Says who? You managed it just fine last week."

 

[sigp220.45]

After being "separated" from my checked baggage on a couple flights, I learned to always throw a change of clothes and essentials in a carry-on. It kind of sucks to arrive at your destination with only the clothes on your back . . . and a book and cell phone.

I used to fly a lot and I’ve never had any lost luggage. I must live a charmed life.

I knew two guys who never did carryon OR checked bags. One guy (who made a lot of short trips) would just grab the rental, go to Wal Mart and buy underwear, socks, a tee shirt, sweats, and a cheapo travel pack of a razor, toothpaste, and toothbrush. He’d just trash everything or leave it in the room when he left. His per diem easily covered it.

Another guy would box his stuff with a return label and Fed Ex it from the office to the hotel. Reverse upon leaving. He didn’t try to hide it and nobody cared.

I just never worried about it.

 

[raljr1]

I have flown nearly 1.7 million miles, mostly on Delta. Airports can be a pain, and sometimes luggage gets lost...if those are the worst things that happen to me in this life..hooray ..i still travel and choose not to grumble about it.

Robert

 

[Skeet 028]

I just had an endoscopy done in Billings If I have to have another ablation done on my esophagus I will fly back to Md and have it done there...so I will have to get on a metal tube with a bunch of sick people...the only reason for me to fly!!....ughhh! I hope not!

 

[Birdgun]

Well, I'm going to find out about flying in a few days. Won't be renting a vehicle.
I'm taking my wife to New York City (her choice) for our 50th Wedding Anniversary. Married on Nov 22, 1974.
We'll be flying Delta. For the first time in our lives, we'll be flying First Class (my choice). First Class for my First Class wife!

 

[sigp220.45]

Well, I'm going to find out about flying in a few days.
I'm taking my wife to New York City (her choice) for our 50th Wedding Anniversary. Married on Nov 22, 1974.
We'll be flying Delta. For the first time in our lives, we'll be flying First Class (my choice). First Class for my First Class wife!

Very cool! I hope you take in a Broadway show. You’re going to have a ball.

 

[Autonomous]

That cruise turned out to be one of the best we ever took. Our table mates were very interesting and all 3 couples got along very well together. In my case I had a major league stock broker who I picked his brain and learned a lot. My other new buddy was both a high ranking union officer and the owner of a large Christmas tree farm and car guy.

Doubt I'll do another cruise as my record of catching a cold from them is a solid 100%.
The people at assigned dinner tables can be fun though.
Last cruise ~ 15 years ago a couple were South African farmers. The writing was already on the wall that SA was becoming another Rhodesia - Zimbabwe disaster.
Gently, at first, I enquired of their future plans. They insisted SA was their home. Yes, they said, neighboring farms had been raided recently...

While I'm off topic:
In the early 90s I sold a sailboat to a man recently immigrated from SA.
Apartheid was crumbling and so was society. He couldn't even work in or clean his own yard without threats because he was taking 'their' work. He wanted his son to have a better chance in life than grow up in a crumbling state. The government at the time was not allowing white people to leave and take their assets with them.
He quietly sold everything and converted it to gold then fiber glassed the gold into his boat's bilge. (Numerous others did too.)
He told the neighbors he was going for a weekend sail and six months later landed in America, liquidated the gold and sold the boat to start over.

 

[Birdgun]

Very cool! I hope you take in a Broadway show. You’re going to have a ball.

We have Broadway tickets for: Hamilton, Moulin Rouge, and Water for Elephants.
Our anniversary diner will be at The River Cafe.
We also plan to feast on hot dogs from a vendor in Central Park.

 

[pawngal]

I fly several times a year to visit friends and family, my only requirement is a direct flight. Many years ago at the old Denver airport missed my connecting flight after basically running from one end to the other with 2 kids in tow. But my luggage made the flight! Then a few years ago spending 2 days at O'Hara due to bad weather on both ends. Got on a first name basis with the hotel bartender. Have only rented a car once in recent years, they were out of the class of car I had paid for, offered upgrade for no extra cost, I started to say OK. then remember the email I had gotten for a free upgrade, so ended up upgraded x 2 Got a Audi Q5, I was a happy driver as it was quite similar to my Lexus in size and handling.
I will continue to fly as long as my health permits it. But I do like to drive so there will still be road trips too.

 

[bobsguns]

Get home to SFO and got my genitals manipulated by a full-grown man.

Did you buy him drinks & dinner afterwards?

 

[ladder13]

Well, I'm going to find out about flying in a few days. Won't be renting a vehicle.
I'm taking my wife to New York City (her choice) for our 50th Wedding Anniversary. Married on Nov 22, 1974.
We'll be flying Delta. For the first time in our lives, we'll be flying First Class (my choice). First Class for my First Class wife!

You won’t need a car in The City. And if you rented one it would be to darn near impossible find a place to park it while there.
Enjoy the shows and the food, no place like it.
And Happy Anniversary.

 

[cballman]

Birdgun I will have to break the bad news about flying Delta First Class. When they offer drinks they most likely will have Woodford Reserve Bourbon. Dont drink to much as it will cause you to stagger when you get off the plane!! One of the finer perks of flying Delta First class even with extra legroom!! Good luck!!

 

[Autonomous]

I'll share a very disappointing flying experience.
The Front Range is the east side of the Rocky Mountains next to the Great Plains in Wyoming and Colorado. It is notorious for lots of turbulence.
We caught a commuter plane down the Front Range, and I was wishing for enough turbulence to create low grade terror.
Nope, smooth as silk.