Cattle cars

[Ishmael]

I remember when you actually dressed up to take a flight. There were mini-lounges where you could enjoy pleasant conversation, play bridge, whatever. Folks were, if not refined, at least pleasant traveling companions.

Those days are long past. Today the avg. seat space allowance is 2 inches less than were allotted to slaves on the middle passage. Food has gone from passable to non-existent. One has to endure an hour long grope session at the airport of your choice only to be herded into a tubular cattle car, squeezed in with people that had been over served prior to boarding. There is little difference between the urban subway at rush hour and the trans-continental flight other than the cost. And the subway at least has the benefit of ending within a short period of time.

Share your horror stories.

Ishmael

 

[Saint Peter]

Fly first class if you want to escape the 99%.

 

[RobDownSouth]

In 2002, I missed a connection. They put me on the next available flight...in the middle seat.

A FUCKING MIDDLE SEAT.

Platinum Medallion for 6 fucking years and all I rate is a middle seat?

They never made that mistake again.

 

[Ishmael]

Fly first class if you want to escape the 99%.

Sweet when it works out that way. But the infestation is working it's way forward, at least on domestic flights.

Ishmael

 

[Ishmael]

In 2002, I missed a connection. They put me on the next available flight...in the middle seat.

A FUCKING MIDDLE SEAT.

Platinum Medallion for 6 fucking years and all I rate is a middle seat?

They never made that mistake again.

I take the seat partners weren't hot stippers.

Ishmael

 

[warrior queen]

Flying Melbourne to Perth last year, I got caught in a window seat... and the man next to me was grossly overweight. So much so, he had to lift the centre armrest, and I ended up sitting on a single buttcheeck, twisted sorta sideways.
I called the hostess and asked to be moved as it was a 6 hr flight, and the gross fat pig had the nerve to get all pissed at me!
Said I was being disrespectful.
I turned around to him after I squeezed my way out of the seat, and told him "Lose some fucking weight, or book 2 seats next time. Dis-fucking-respectful is forcing me to sit pushed against the wall of the fucking plane because you can't control yourself!"
As we walked to the front of the plane, the hostess said 'Right on, sister!'
Now I only fly business or first class.

 

[MonaLittle]

In 2002, I missed a connection. They put me on the next available flight...in the middle seat.

A FUCKING MIDDLE SEAT.

Platinum Medallion for 6 fucking years and all I rate is a middle seat?

They never made that mistake again.

1 horror story in 10 years? I'd say you're doing good

 

[fluffPE]

In 2002, I missed a connection. They put me on the next available flight...in the middle seat.

A FUCKING MIDDLE SEAT.

Platinum Medallion for 6 fucking years and all I rate is a middle seat?

They never made that mistake again.

Platinum...Are you kidding?

 

[fluffPE]

1 horror story in 10 years? I'd say you're doing good

No shit.

 

[Saint Peter]

1 horror story in 10 years? I'd say you're doing good

 

[naughtycakes]

Those were the olden days, when flying was an event.

Now it's an ordeal to the entitled and par for the course to everybody else.

 

[Phelia]

I'm pretty lucky. I usually have very nice seat-mates, and if not, I can just go to sleep. But I do think that being able to fly through the air and create a more accessible than ever planet is cool enough to be worth and elbow in the ribs or two. Admittedly, if I were four inches taller, I'd probably start funding some teleportation research.

I guess my horror story would be sitting in between a couple who'd brought boiled eggs and sushi as snacks to share. Guys, that is not travelling food. Get some granola bars.

 

[Ishmael]

Among the grandmothers, fast talkers, tightrope walkers and others over the years was a flight I took from old DC National to Miami. The guy beside me was terrified of flying and was running off at the mouth like someone that had just done a double hit of meth. This SOB even broke out his wallet and after showing me pictures of his kids, wife, and Andrew Jackson, started going into stunning detail about everything else about his life.

I got bored and looking out the window I saw another flight passing us going northbound. I pointed the aircraft out and remarked how close it was. He became paralyzed and I was able to enjoy the balance of the flight.

Of course taking a hit of acid before I boarded had nothing to do with my attitude.

Ishmael

 

[naughtycakes]

Yeah, try taking a book and some earphones... works wonders.

 

[Ishmael]

I'm pretty lucky. I usually have very nice seat-mates, and if not, I can just go to sleep. But I do think that being able to fly through the air and create a more accessible than ever planet is cool enough to be worth and elbow in the ribs or two. Admittedly, if I were four inches taller, I'd probably start funding some teleportation research.

I guess my horror story would be sitting in between a couple who'd brought boiled eggs and sushi as snacks to share. Guys, that is not travelling food. Get some granola bars.

What ever became?

Ishmael

 

[albertaboy]

Flying Melbourne to Perth last year, I got caught in a window seat... and the man next to me was grossly overweight. So much so, he had to lift the centre armrest, and I ended up sitting on a single buttcheeck, twisted sorta sideways.
I called the hostess and asked to be moved as it was a 6 hr flight, and the gross fat pig had the nerve to get all pissed at me!
Said I was being disrespectful.
I turned around to him after I squeezed my way out of the seat, and told him "Lose some fucking weight, or book 2 seats next time. Dis-fucking-respectful is forcing me to sit pushed against the wall of the fucking plane because you can't control yourself!"
As we walked to the front of the plane, the hostess said 'Right on, sister!'
Now I only fly business or first class.

I'm 6'2" and about pounds and a few years ago on a flight from Toronto to Edmonton (about 4 hours) I got stuck between two guys that made me feel tiny. Both were at least 6'6" tall and 280 pounds. It was like being the jam in a sandwich, terrible flight.

I should have been born in the 50's when people wore suits to fly, now everyone is wearing track pants.

 

[thør]

The guy next to me wasn't the best conversationalist.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc3/13330_1103407601041_1702285970_203397_7540583_n.jpg

 

[Phelia]

What ever became?

Ishmael

I find airports to be inherently philosophical. The nearer your destination, etc.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Fly first class if you want to escape the 99%.

Damn straight. You meet some interesting folks up there. Famous, too.

 

[Comshaw]

Among the grandmothers, fast talkers, tightrope walkers and others over the years was a flight I took from old DC National to Miami. The guy beside me was terrified of flying and was running off at the mouth like someone that had just done a double hit of meth. This SOB even broke out his wallet and after showing me pictures of his kids, wife, and Andrew Jackson, started going into stunning detail about everything else about his life.

I got bored and looking out the window I saw another flight passing us going northbound. I pointed the aircraft out and remarked how close it was. He became paralyzed and I was able to enjoy the balance of the flight.

Of course taking a hit of acid before I boarded had nothing to do with my attitude.

Ishmael

For me this explains one hell of a lot.


Comshaw

 

[thør]

I find airports to be inherently philosophical. The nearer your destination, etc.

Some terminals are more spartan than others:

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1390/5705868/11310500/400971070.jpg

 

[Saint Peter]

The guy next to me wasn't the best conversationalist.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc3/13330_1103407601041_1702285970_203397_7540583_n.jpg

The guy in the barrel?

 

[Phelia]

Some terminals are more spartan than others:

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1390/5705868/11310500/400971070.jpg

Ohhh, wow. Guessing they don't have a Starbucks!

My local airport sends out people with iPads to perform surveys that gauge how much you're enjoying being in the airport. It's a little much.

 

[thør]

The guy in the barrel?

Don't you take a bit of extra fuel on long trips?

 

[thør]

Ohhh, wow. Guessing they don't have a Starbucks!

My local airport sends out people with iPads to perform surveys that gauge how much you're enjoying being in the airport. It's a little much.

Starbucks?

There's not even any heat.