It's become so commonplace that it's just like being on public transportation. You gotta deal with The People.

It's a means to an end. I often think about how my grandmother (who was born in 1905) would react to me being able to fly anywhere in the world within hours. She spent multiple trips on boats to go from Europe to the USA in the 1920s and 30s. WEEKS ON A BOAT.

Anonymous wrote:US air travel is the worst. Airports are dirty, food is overpriced, unhealthy and generally nasty, lounges are packed because almost anyone has access, planes are dirty, flight attendants are rude, and then there are the fellow passengers.

It’s basically just a bus route at this point.

I guess you don’t travel internationally

It’s really really bad. And if you have children and/or are obese and/or have mobility problems it’s an absolute disaster. Flying with small kids is a joke, especially if you bring the car seats that are recommended.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just got back from a trip and air travel struck me as so undignified - I have no interest in flying anymore

People look sloppy, even business class is packed in sardine can, terrible food, walking thru security, the harsh lighting everywhere

I’m totally over flying

People are dressed in pajamas because the entire experience is so miserable you might as well be wearing comfortable pants. You also never know when you'll be sleeping at the airport bc they canceled your flight for "mechanical reasons".

It's been like this for a long time though, so I don't know why you're surprised.

totally agree- why anyone wouldn't wear sweats/comfy clothes is beyond me. I can't imagine sitting that long in tight "dress" clothes.
I wear baggy comfy clothes, slip on sneakers and a hoodie and call it a day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loathe flying and only do it when absolutely necessary. It's exactly like a Greyhound bus at this point. Rude TSA agents, rude flight attendants, and revolting looking people in their flip flops and sweats.

+100
I understand that they are catering to the lowest common denominator (mouth breathers who don't know to put their seat back up, pull out their laptop, etc., ) but I'm tired of being lumped in with them and sniped at.

So pay for clear, precheck and first class.

DP. I do this, and it still sucks sometimes.

Anonymous wrote:I loathe flying and only do it when absolutely necessary. It's exactly like a Greyhound bus at this point. Rude TSA agents, rude flight attendants, and revolting looking people in their flip flops and sweats.

When you say this I know that you haven't actually ridden on a Greyhound bus in the last 20 years. It is MUCH MUCH worse on the Greyhound. And takes many many more hours to go somewhere!

Anonymous wrote:Just got back from a trip and air travel struck me as so undignified - I have no interest in flying anymore

People look sloppy, even business class is packed in sardine can, terrible food, walking thru security, the harsh lighting everywhere

I’m totally over flying

People are dressed in pajamas because the entire experience is so miserable you might as well be wearing comfortable pants. You also never know when you'll be sleeping at the airport bc they canceled your flight for "mechanical reasons".

It's been like this for a long time though, so I don't know why you're surprised.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loathe flying and only do it when absolutely necessary. It's exactly like a Greyhound bus at this point. Rude TSA agents, rude flight attendants, and revolting looking people in their flip flops and sweats.

+100
I understand that they are catering to the lowest common denominator (mouth breathers who don't know to put their seat back up, pull out their laptop, etc., ) but I'm tired of being lumped in with them and sniped at.

So pay for clear, precheck and first class.

Anonymous wrote:So don’t fly- airports are my happy place- I live the whole experience. I have pre-check and global entry, and passes to lounges, when possible, I upgrade to business class (not often)
Having all those fun perks makes it much more enjoyable

We have all of that too and it is still pretty miserable.

What’s shocking is how much worse it is to fly now than even 5 years ago.

Anonymous wrote:So don’t fly- airports are my happy place- I live the whole experience. I have pre-check and global entry, and passes to lounges, when possible, I upgrade to business class (not often)
Having all those fun perks makes it much more enjoyable

If only they could resolve the parking mess.

Anonymous wrote:I loathe flying and only do it when absolutely necessary. It's exactly like a Greyhound bus at this point. Rude TSA agents, rude flight attendants, and revolting looking people in their flip flops and sweats.

+100
I understand that they are catering to the lowest common denominator (mouth breathers who don't know to put their seat back up, pull out their laptop, etc., ) but I'm tired of being lumped in with them and sniped at.

Anonymous wrote:It's not a glamorous activity, it's literally just a way to get from one place to the other faster than driving or boating.

+1 It’s a means to an end. I don’t disagree that it’s “undignified,” but this idea that air travel is supposed to be something fancy and rarified is just outdated. Deal with it or stay home.

So don’t fly- airports are my happy place- I live the whole experience. I have pre-check and global entry, and passes to lounges, when possible, I upgrade to business class (not often)
Having all those fun perks makes it much more enjoyable

Anonymous wrote:It's not a glamorous activity, it's literally just a way to get from one place to the other faster than driving or boating.

+1. I agree with OP but I like to be places other than here, so it's something I have to put up with. Pre-check makes a difference and lounge access probably would as well although all I read is that they are a mess also.