Irritated with the Airlines

The airlines have gone so cheap that flying is like being in a cattle car.

First, they eliminated the checking of bags without a cost. Passengers are trying to avoid the baggage fees by packing all their belongings for a trip into carry on bags. So, you see them with a roll-on bag expanded as far as it can go. Then there are those who use backpacks and stuff them so full that it is like another body attached to them. As one passenger turned, he almost took the head off of another passenger with his overstuffed backpack. There are women with purses the size of a 50 pound bag of dog food. I watched one man board the plane with a backpack strapped to his back, overstuffed roll-on and a shopping bag.

This makes the boarding process takes much longer and there just isn’t room for all the carry ons. By the time half the plane is boarded, all overheads are full. So, the passengers that come on later, open the compartments, study them, and then attempt to jam their carry ons in.

The unloading of the plane also takes longer as these people strap themselves down with man-purses, bags, and packs in order to exit. I also suspect some of them are wearing three layers of clothes and have their extra shoes in their pockets.

The next irritation is that the airlines are trying to make more money by selling aisle seats and window seats for an additional $15. So, a couple traveling together gets middle seats about 10 rows apart. We were able to get on a waiting list for seats together and got the very last row of the plane. This row is the one next to the toilets and the kitchen area (that is puzzling, toilets next to kitchens). So, we are trying to doze with the toilets that flush with that lovely powerful suction sound.

If you want to sit in an exit row, you have to pay an additional $15. I have never felt too secure that those sitting in exit rows would ever really try to help anyone but themselves, but now that I know the seat is sold to the highest bidder, I am assured of this.

There are no more free snacks on the planes unless you are in first class. I sure do miss that bag of 10 peanuts. You are allowed to bring your own food on the plane, which results in a greasy smell aboard the plane.

If you are a frequent flier with 25,000 miles you would think it would give you a free ticket. That’s how it used to be. You can still get a free flight, but you will have to spend the night in an airport somewhere or fly on a red eye. And if you don’t book it at least 90 days in advance, you pay a $100 fee. And the miles expire. One more irritation from the airlines.

We are about to fly again tomorrow and then have another trip planned next week. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the nightmare.