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Here is what happened that caused me to never fly again so long as I live-- It was the Austin Texas airport.
I was supposed to suddnely catch a flight from Austin to Nashville.
When I first got there, I had to stand in a line that filled the entire first floor.
Then, I had to go through 'Security' where some stranger x-rayed me naked and in every detail.
I had to put everything I owned out on plastic trays. I had to take my riding boots off. Do you have any idea how hard that is?
In classical English boots, you have to put your foot on someone's butt and push.
Then, I went up to gate C -16. I was in another line.
I leaned over and told the lady in front of me I would like to start an airline where everyone goes naked. No security search needed.
Well, some stuffed shirt overheard me and they pulled me out of the line.
I had to go over to some nearby public place and they made me take my coat off.
I was wearing a tight black spandex business suit.
I mean, if I had a boxcutter or a bomb, there would have been a huge lump.
I gave the most hateful look I was capable of, but didn't say anything.
Did I look like a frikking terrorist? They had just let a woman on wearing a burka!
So they felt me up right there in front of everyone. Another beady eyed look from me, of pure hatred.
But I didn't say anything or I would have gotten arrested.
Then, a voice come over the airport intercom that said Passenger M. Bishop Please Board Immediately!
I took off running through miles of halls carrying a giant carry on suitcase.
As I ran by the the women at the desk I let them have it. "You treat people like crap, and then you give their seat away"!
Then.... the horrible plane ride. ... people crammed on the plane like a sardine can.
I spied a narrow slot between too grumpy looking passengers.
Wikipedia says "Seat width is the distance from armrest to armrest, in Economy class this is typically around 43-46 centimeters ."
I measured it. It WAS 17 inches! I stuffed in next to an encroaching fat guy who put the armrest up so his lard could encroach even more.
I kept myself all pulled in for the next three hours trying not to touch these two complete strangers.
Behind me was a screaming baby.
My god I swear, I am never flying again.
'Nothing in your pockets' was a rule even before 9/11, and 'shoes off' has been around for something like 15 years at this point. So failure to check current security screening rules beforehand is more your fault than the fault of the TSA or the airlines.
'Nothing in your pockets' was a rule even before 9/11, and 'shoes off' has been around for something like 15 years at this point. So failure to check current security screening rules beforehand is more your fault than the fault of the TSA or the airlines.
The last few trips LAX, DEN, JFK, EWR, PHX the TSA workers have been unbelievably horrible. Machines were breaking, the wrong people get called for extra screening (myself included), workers refusing to open up extra security lanes. I gotta get pre-check.
The only US airport Ive been in since 9-11 is IAH-Houston, and the experience there is pretty much what you expect an airport to be. Varies a lot by time of day, according the traffic load. Outside the US, there are very few that Ive been to more than twice, and that's an unfair sample. BKK Ive been to quite a few times, it is huge, but I have no problem with any of it. The only problematic airport is MNL Manila, where to change flights, you might need to take a (free) shuttle out into city traffic for the 10-30 minute drive around to another terminal on the opposite side of the airport.
NRT Tokyo is very nice. If you've never been to Japan and have a long layover, you can hop on the free shuttle to Narita View Hotel, then a free shuttle from there into the very pleasant Narita town, a typical Japanese community. Then back to the airport the same way. Nobody will ask if you are booked at the hotel. In the NRT departure area, there is a coin operated vending machine with ice cream treats for about 30 yen -- a rare airport bargain.. Everybody at the airport and town is amazingly pleasant and helpful.
I gave the most hateful look I was capable of, but didn't say anything.
Did I look like a frikking terrorist? They had just let a woman on wearing a burka!
Statistically, the woman with the burka or hijab is more likely to hold a top secret security clearance than to be a terrorist. Nice stereotyping there.
NRT Tokyo is very nice. If you've never been to Japan and have a long layover, you can hop on the free shuttle to Narita View Hotel, then a free shuttle from there into the very pleasant Narita town, a typical Japanese community. Then back to the airport the same way. Nobody will ask if you are booked at the hotel. In the NRT departure area, there is a coin operated vending machine with ice cream treats for about 30 yen -- a rare airport bargain.. Everybody at the airport and town is amazingly pleasant and helpful.
NRT is a decent airport in terms of facilities but it's biggest drawback is its distance from central Tokyo. If you're visiting Tokyo, an alternative is to fly into Haneda Airport, which is closer to the city, and has an increasing number of international flights.
Here is what happened that caused me to never fly again so long as I live-- It was the Austin Texas airport.
I was supposed to suddnely catch a flight from Austin to Nashville.
When I first got there, I had to stand in a line that filled the entire first floor.
Then, I had to go through 'Security' where some stranger x-rayed me naked and in every detail.
I had to put everything I owned out on plastic trays. I had to take my riding boots off. Do you have any idea how hard that is? In classical English boots, you have to put your foot on someone's butt and push.
You've just described security. Your first grievance is that air travel includes a security check. Oh, and that you decided to wear very difficult to remove footwear.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurse Bishop
Then, I went up to gate C -16. I was in another line.
I leaned over and told the lady in front of me I would like to start an airline where everyone goes naked. No security search needed.
Well, some stuffed shirt overheard me and they pulled me out of the line.
I had to go over to some nearby public place and they made me take my coat off.
I was wearing a tight black spandex business suit.
I mean, if I had a boxcutter or a bomb, there would have been a huge lump.
I'm surprised there's anyone on the planet to still is oblivious to the perils of joking about security in an airport.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurse Bishop
I gave the most hateful look I was capable of, but didn't say anything.
That'll show 'em! I'm sure their reaction will be to strive to be extra nice to troublesome fliers from here on out!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurse Bishop
Did I look like a frikking terrorist? They had just let a woman on wearing a burka!
Did you pay any attention at all on 9/11? The hijackers all were clean-cut and dressed in common western attire.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurse Bishop
So they felt me up right there in front of everyone. Another beady eyed look from me, of pure hatred.
You really sound like a peach.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurse Bishop
But I didn't say anything or I would have gotten arrested.
Well, you're learning. Baby steps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurse Bishop
Then, a voice come over the airport intercom that said Passenger M. Bishop Please Board Immediately!
I took off running through miles of halls carrying a giant carry on suitcase.
As I ran by the the women at the desk I let them have it. "You treat people like crap, and then you give their seat away"!
Did you curse out the mechanics and the pilots while you were at it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurse Bishop
Then.... the horrible plane ride. ... people crammed on the plane like a sardine can.
I spied a narrow slot between too grumpy looking passengers.
Wikipedia says "Seat width is the distance from armrest to armrest, in Economy class this is typically around 43-46 centimeters ."
I measured it. It WAS 17 inches!
17 inches is 43 centimeters. You paid for a small seat and are outraged that... you got a small seat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurse Bishop
I stuffed in next to an encroaching fat guy who put the armrest up so his lard could encroach even more.
I kept myself all pulled in for the next three hours trying not to touch these two complete strangers.
Who both had the worst flights of their lives, I suspect.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurse Bishop
Behind me was a screaming baby.
My god I swear, I am never flying again.
We can only hope.
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