Sunday, June 09, 2002

Flying Suxx

Where do airlines get off?

They have to be among the most arrogant of businesses.

Even before the 911 trauma, they treated customers with disdain and loathing.

Their attitude toward your time is similar to a doctor's... It has no value so its ok to make you wait and wait and wait.

Bastards.

Flight delays and cancellations are common. You pay huge money to fly in a cramped little space that is known to contribute to deep vein thrombosis with little shit monkeys repeatedly kicking your chair's backside or grossly obese aisle mates wedged into the seat next to yours -- a seat half their size -- and therefore their other half spills over onto you.

Or some tacky and most likely married sleaze ball attempts to claim your attention with ham handed attempts at flirting and an elbow that dominates more than his fair share of the armrest. Or the old grandma wants to chat. Or they find out you're a lawyer and have "a question."

*Yack*

Then there is the "food." Bilge garbage is a complimentary description.

And don't even get me started on past luggage fiascoes.

No excuse for any of it.

Since 911, I understand it has all gotten worse.

I say "understand" because I have not flown.

I won't either -- unless I am headed overseas.

Road tripping is the preferred mode of travel.

A lack of tolerance for crap and a plethora of time lets me get away with it.

I plan travels liberally and leisurely take the scenic routes -- lolly gagging to off route destinations of interest spotted on passing bill board signs.

For example, this last trip I took coastal highways 101 and 1 from San Diego to San Francisco -- Big Sur and all the jazz. It was amazing. Much cooler than Interstate Five.

Then there was my day detour through Yosemite. Entered through the southern portal, saw the valley, waterfalls, meadows, and Half Dome. Exited through the high mountain pass onto I-395. So nice that I am going back.

I could go on -- but I'm due in Houston in five hours and still need to load the car.

What prompted this rant?

One of my little brothers flew in yesterday for the gathering of the clan.

He eventually showed up nine hours late.

The ticket price was many hundreds of dollars and the airlines didn't feed the kid once -- despite causing the delay.

What customer service.... maybe I'll even take tramp steamers overseas and avoid air travel all together.

posted by Bohica at 8:45 AM