Comments on: Maybe I’ll stay at home…

By: CAM

CAM — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 17:50:21 +0000

People who don’t travel a lot may not understand that people on flights that last for one or two days need things like toothpaste and shampoo. Airline check in luggage still does not arrive often enough to be sure of having toiletries and other necessities on arrival. Of even more concern is the fact that airlines do not stock enough water for passengers on long flights. I have a serious concern about not being allowed to pack my own water… perhaps some “security cleared” water and toiletries could be made available at airports. I travel for work and need to fly, sometimes for up to two days on planes/airports, etc. I am likely to seek other means of travel for vacation purposes, such as overland or ocean.

By: Carla

Carla — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 16:50:40 +0000

I forgot to mention that once you get to your destination by air, you get to go to baggage claim and sweat out whether your luggage made it. I flew out of New Mexico in the late 70’s. Final destination was Virginia. Had to change flights in El Paso, TX. Lady at ticket counter in New Mexico asked me if I was going to El Paso. I said yes. THAT’S where my luggage was sent! Had to wear my sister’s clothes while on vacation in Virginia. Hey, she asked me if I was going to El Paso. I was. Besides, she HAD my ticket in her hand. Couldn’t she tell what my FINAL destination was?

By: Carla

Carla — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 16:42:24 +0000

I usually prefer driving, just to see the country and to be able to say I’ve driven from here to there, like from Tampa, Florida to St Louis, Missouri. The planes are a bit cramped when they’re seating you three across. I would really resent being frisked by airport security. When I drive, the “cabin” is roomier, and you don’t have to wait for the pilot to bank and hope you’re on the correct side of the plane for the view. Yes, flying is quicker — more time to enjoy your destination, but getting there CAN be half the fun. On July 25th 2005, I was driving through Georgia and they were playing CHRISTMAS music for their “Christmas in July” event. Kinda crazy, ( I know it would drive some people nuts ) but it was fun, too.

I know El Al has very tough security. I guess people there know what could happen and are willing to go through the third degree so their flight is safe. I guess Americans who use that airline are also willing to tolerate whatever it takes to comply with El Al’s regulations.

For me, it’s not the fear of flying, it’s the inconvenience, some of it existing BEFORE September 11th.

By: Padraig

Padraig — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 22:05:14 +0000

Re:SavvyGirl: *Of course* let everyone carry whatever they want. Let Ramzi Yousef’s disciples carry their bottles of ‘contact lens solution’ and ‘hand soap’ so you can have a nice relaxing flight free from the unimaginable hassle of uncomfortable contact lenses and chapped hands. I wouldn’t bet on actually getting to your destination though.
Quit whining about minor discomforts. Do you think Palistinain mothers are reaching for their hand sanitizer when American made missiles are raining down upon their children?

By: A Dad

A Dad — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:56:12 +0000

Chris - “infant spawn?” I suppose you are not, nor ever intend to be, a parent, nor has your employer ever moved you overseas to another job, with your family? Not like there are many international passenger liners sailing these days…and if you check your map, you’ll find it difficult to drive across the Atlantic or Pacific. There are times when those of us who have chosen to be parents wind up having to travel with our children - by aircraft.

No, I wonder if the whole thing is just to make it so hard to travel by airplane that total air hours declines, thus reducing use of scarce oil. Of course, the “trusted travellers” (any bets this program idea will soon resurface in force?) will be able to breeze on board, with a separate “small check on” luggage compartment available (for an added fee, of course) that will deliver your “carry on” to you as you walk away from the aircraft. The rest of us will have to suck up the harrassment if we want to fly. Any sign passenger rail is roaring back to life here in the USA? Nope. What about buses? Used to be two US wide companies, basically: Greyhound and Trailways. Now only one, and the dog keeps dropping routes. Get used to restricted travel, folks. It seems to be what the powers that be want to impose upon us all. (Except themselves, of course…)

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:53:21 +0000

Mark, remember Munich’38?

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:41:56 +0000

Interesting thread, lots of loonies, some considered opinions. Me I will fly any day of the week, international, domestic, care less. Am I scared? Nope, worried? Not in the least. Blowing up airplanes, cafes, busses has never won a ground war, simply annoys a great deal of people and hardens resolve. In the 3000 some odd years the Middle East has been “civilized” what have they done for themselves lately? Missed the Industrial revolution, most are missing out on the digital revolution. If you want to see religion in action review the middle ages and examine the catholic churches hold on power and what they did to maintain that hold. While the current world leading countries grew up and put that behind them the middle east continues to stay mired in corruption, greed and under the control powerful Iman’s. We can’t leave them be because they have to much money and want to tear down what they don’t believe in on the basis of religious zeal. Didn’t work in the dark ages, shouldn’t work now. I love the suggestions to “fix” it so that no more terrorists are created, how pray tell? An outside agency can not change a people, the US can depose a strong man but the rank and file folks continue to tolerate lawbreaking and mass murder. Until the people themselves decide to change their country we will just continue to pour the lives of our young into a useless war, that we shouldn’t have started in the first place.

Just my humble opinion.

By: Doc

Doc — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:16:55 +0000

The airlines will more than make up for any lost revenues by dramatically speeding boarding/exiting airplanes by banning carry-on luggage. One of the most annoying things about flying is this tendency by both the Beverly Hillbillies types and the arrogant business ass types to try to carry on their entire wardrobe and “electronic office,” cluttering the aisles for 20-30 minutes as they try to cram it all in whatever space is available anywhere on the plane.
The ban MUST include laptops, which are an incredibly obvious place to hide these undetectable explosives (think about the spare battery pack) and any electronic items which could be used to spark or remotely detonate an explosive. At least getting rid of cell phones will also get rid of those annoying personal calls one is subjected to up to the last moment and beginning at the first possible moment allowed. There’s no need to call till you get to the terminal.

By: rmark

rmark — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:11:32 +0000

They didn’t find any actual bombs in London,
not even any explosive material. And now they are
confiscating our water, apparently just to punish
us travellers? I cannot read anything from this
except that it would be more convenient for the
US government if nobody travelled at all.

By: DS

DS — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 18:56:56 +0000

This is nothing more than a plot by the nudists to force everyone to fly naked.