Just got back from a flight from San Ramon. Actually two flights. The first leg was San Ramon to Phoenix. It was on US AIRWAYS.. It was a A319 which was packed and the overhead bins only held two carry-ons so people had a heck of a time getting their bags to fit. The other thing was the smell. With no food service, people bring on all kinds of smelly food and it was like being in a run down apartment complex.
The second leg was Phoenix to Chicago and was on US AIRWAYS and a A320. This plane had too many rows in it. The seat in front of you was inches from your face and you could not sit straight and not get your knees against the back. If the guy in front reclined the seat, it was painful on the knees and legs. Again no food service and people bringing on strong smelling foods. Cabin was kept too warm with recycled air making it like a locker room. Every single seat was taken on a Thursday evening getting into Chicago at 11:30PM! They don’t even give you those tiny snack packs with 5 pretzels or 10 peanuts! Just a drink.
Combine this with getting through security without forgetting your laptop or keys or phone or coat or ticket or ID and you think you are living in some 3rd world country.
I don’t know why air travel has sunk to such a low. My guess is the deregulations. Like many of the ideas coming from the free-enterprise right wingers, it has been a complete disaster resulting in unprofitable companies and declining service. Whatever it is, I didn’t meet one person that didn’t think air travel was a major discomfort and would try to avoid whenever possible. Good news for teleconferencing. Maybe high-speed trains would be a better means of getting people around big distances. Air travel certainly is not the answer. Kind of a shame. Man learned to fly and now they have totally fucked it up for the majority of people. Maybe it is not meant for the masses. Raise the prices so only the wealthy can afford it and bring back the service.
I remember the first time I flew in the 70’s. Out to phoenix on a jumbo jet. No one next to me. Listening to nice music and watching a movie. Nice meal and service. Wonderful. Everyone smiling and happy. Now everyone is unhappy and miserable.