Are there ANY pleasures left with flying?

I was trying to explain to someone what a treat it was to fly back years before 9/11 and also, before flying became so "blah" with the long lines for security purposes and the new rules, etc.

My guess is that unless I'm willing and/or able to fly on an airline like Cathay Pacific or Quatar (although I've heard that Virgin is appealing) that for me, flying is just going to remain a convenience for quickly getting from Point A to Point B and the actually flying experience is less than appealing.

Is this the general consensus for all of you high fliers?

Best,
Elisabeth

Bus with wings is what it has become.

But I have found that flight crews have a habbit of scheduling themselves on same flights.
So yes, you can get to know folks if ...
Comes in handy to get an extra cup, or three, of coffee, or whatever.
Or finding out where a local allnight diner is.

Flying was not "a treat" prior to 9/11.

It was still a royal pain in the ass.

Now it's just a bigger, more time consuming and intrusive pain in the ass.

Bus with wings is what it has become.

[...] Originally Posted by Unique_Carpenter

Ain't that the truth! I remember dressing decently to fly, back in the day. Last time I flew (at least five years ago at this point), it looked like Walmart. Corn people everywhere you look.

I will fly again after TSA is abolished. Since that'll never happen, I guess I'm done. If it's too far to drive, I'm not going. Fortunately, I enjoy road trips, so I still go places every now and then.

mile high club has not changed but the penalties have. 20 years ?

Virgin first class is quite lovely . Their coach is miles above any other domestic airline. They still have very attractive flight attendants. Both the women and men look like retired Brazilian models . I used to fly every week for real world work. Virgin is by far the best domestic.

Carter deregulated the airlines in the 70s and the changes were almost overnight. It changed from something glamorous to cattle car. 9/11 just made it worse. These days I prefer to avoid airports and get around the state by car.

And doggone it, I miss those great looking Braniff stews and the hot pants on Southwest!

Just when I thought I had finally gotten the Virgin flight safety video out of my head. Thanks for the reminder, lol. I just recently started flying Virgin America and I definitely agree they are a huge step up from many others for domestic flights.

Flying is not a fun experience anymore. I kind of hate it, but it is a necessity sometimes. That's why I always book my tickets with American Airlines. They hate it too.

Flying First Class is nice. Not many airlines have that anymore. Those that do, seem to treat their first class passengers well.

Flying is for the birds...
at least in the states. I fly 2 - 3 round trips a month, so I should know. However, I still enjoy flying overseas. Although, I never fly coach on overseas flights, only first or business class.
Recently I flew to Germany on Lufthansa in first class. The plane had two floors, the first floor was all coach, the second floor was business in the back and first class in the front. The coolest thing about this plane was the first class bathroom. It was huge! They had a couch in the bathroom! Talk about joining the mile high club in comfort.

mile high club has not changed but the penalties have. 20 years ? Originally Posted by RandB fan

Here's how NOT to get caught...

Either private jet or helicopter now.
Private jets for over seas can be had for the same price or cheaper than regular airlines.

Helicopter is good for about 200 miles if you need to be someplace in the same state real fast.

Plus you get a nice view

Business jets and private planes, the only way to fly! Pull up, walk in, grab a latte. Walk up to and into the plane. Relax. No lines, no fuss and away you go. After that commercial seems like unmitigated torture.

Business jets and private planes, the only way to fly! Pull up, walk in, grab a latte. Walk up to and into the plane. Relax. No lines, no fuss and away you go. After that commercial seems like unmitigated torture.
Originally Posted by Racer1

Take your girl with you too :-)
They like rides.