Why Must Flying Be So Uncomfortable?

Current Status... I'm still thinking about air travel and how unpleasant it is. We all hate it --- from frequent business flyers to family travelers. Because we are not treated well, though the airlines pretend to be doing us a series of great favors. It's like the old saw: "Speed, Quality, Low Cost --- you can have two out of three." Only with air travel, you're really lucky to get one.

Lately I'm thinking... I'm an infrequent flyer and have recent experience only with American and Delta, but I won't be using Delta again, since they canceled my connecting flight WHILE I WAS IN THE AIR. Grrrr, the NERVE. And I would have forgiven them if they had arranged an alternative connection for me, as airlines did in the old days, before computerization --- but I was on my own, without a cell phone. What a horrible, long, long day that was! More recently, American seems to shine at the rare quality of timeliness, but they accomplish this by herding us like sheep dogs nipping at our heels --- into planes that are full and inhumanely cramped. Narrow seats; your front neighbor tilts his oily scalp into your lap, and your lateral companions' every move and expression of discomfort are cause for annoyance. You can't get 8 fluid oz. of water from the steward, and you pay an extra $15 to $25 just to check one bag.

This is really interesting... Imagine a near future in which American companies have figured out how to make air transport profitable through altternative fuels and lighter aircraft, while at the same time pleasing their customers into feelings of deepest brand loyalty. Aircraft designed to comfortably accommodate humans of every "class," while retaining some degree of privacy and dignity. Dangling, personally sanitized glass tubes, like in hamster cages, where you can suck at a nipple to get infinite amounts of pure, cool water without balancing a glass during turbulence. One stowed bag free, of course. More small planes flying directly to more cities. Air quality excellent from gate to tarmac to sky and down again. No more boring instructions before the flight. Fresh fruit, gourmet coffee. Ahhh.

Currently reading... The Spies of Warsaw, Alan Furst's new book. It's actually my "first Furst," though I've been meaning to check him out. He's not as great a writer as LeCarre, but his spy stories do take place in WWII and I enjoy that time period. Plotting is good, too --- you don't see things coming. 

The Soapbox: Always choose hope, not fear.  PS---don't forget to check out life coaching for Women in Transition.