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My body seems to take a day to readjust after a flight now. I used to fly at least 4 times a month. The seats have gotten smaller, the pitch more inclined, the margin for error smaller. I always look at first now when I fly. If it's within $200 I take it.
I think the "cattle" part sums it up for me. I used to feel like that as a paying customer, my business was important to them and they wanted me back, so I was treated like a paying customer. Now I feel like cattle on the way to market have more rights than passengers on an airline.
In fairness, some of the “cattle” issues are caused by the passengers themselves. For example, as soon as the gate agent announces “we’re going to start preboarding for those passengers in wheelchairs or who need extra time or assistance boarding,” EVERYONE grabs their bags and starts crowding the door. Even those in seating Zone 5 who wont be called for a very long while.
To deter the cattle line. .I wait in my chair..And when my 'letter' group is called..I mosey along. My theory is: the plane doesn't take off til all ticket holders are in their seats and the plane has been safety checked. So far that theory has been working! I equally wait when others rush to depart the plane. Unless my flight has an immediate connection...I'm apt to take my time. What's the prize for scrambling? More stress? More irateness? No thanks! I'll stick to safe and grateful I made it to the destination.
Airports haven't kept up with the crowds. They're still using antiquated methods to move people around and get them to the planes. It's horrible, all the lines, all the waiting, all the standing up with all your luggage hanging off you. I hate it.
We've investigated the train and have taken a few trips by train - absolutely love it. But train schedules are so sparse and awful now it's a pain to go cross country. The focus has been on planes, not trains, and trains haven't had any money for ages to improve themselves.
Cars? We used to do long trips from one end of the country to the other - not anymore. Hate driving in traffic and there are too many cities to be able to avoid all of them.
What's left? I'm waiting for the time when we can call the equivalent of UPS, get picked up, given a sedative, put in our comfy box with music, water (maybe not water!!) and waked up when we've arrived.
I love being some place different but I hate flying as well. The crowded airport, the cramped space, the germs. Ugh. I might develop a new appreciation for flying because I'm taking a two day road trip to Florida to help some older friends drive home on Monday. I'm dreading it. However, I've always wanted to see Disney World and Universal so I guess I'll feel it was worth all of the aggravation when I'm there. I'll be flying home. I'll stress about that the night before.
Train travel is my favorite, except for Amtrak's erratic scheduling. So I should specify: train travel in Europe is my favorite way to travel.
As for planes, I'm with OP: I'm a nervous flyer, especially when there's turbulence. I usually pop an Ativan before getting on the plane. I used to rely on alcohol, but it made me throw up.
To deter the cattle line. .I wait in my chair..And when my 'letter' group is called..I mosey along. My theory is: the plane doesn't take off til all ticket holders are in their seats and the plane has been safety checked. So far that theory has been working! I equally wait when others rush to depart the plane. Unless my flight has an immediate connection...I'm apt to take my time. What's the prize for scrambling? More stress? More irateness? No thanks! I'll stick to safe and grateful I made it to the destination.
The is exactly my mentality concerning both the boarding and the disembarking. There's something to be said for the adage, 'hurry up and wait'. I can wait much better when I place myself in the last on/last off queue; I prefer it this way.
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