Lets Reminisce for a moment
 

Flying just isn't the same anymore. First came 9-11, then came bankrupt airlines.

I remember flying from Miami to Paris on American Airlines just ten years ago in coach. I was offered free wine before dinner, he handed me another (free) wine for dinner. On the return flight, a basket of candy bars to choose from were offered. And the food wasn't bad, either.

Tell us how it used to be.

Coach travel used to cost more, in today's dollars. A lot more.

The general public want cheap travel, and they get cheap travel.

Southwest Airline's "service" has basically remained the same in years, and they're successful.

And bankrupt and failed airlines is nothing new.

rkkwan, can't you think of any tablecloth service or hot towel action you received back when you were little--and I'm not talking about you getting your diaper changed.

I just commented to a friend the other day (when traveling from JFK to SXM) at how different security is these days in comparison to before 9/11. It takes so much more time and effort to get thru, and I recalled the good old days of being able to actually keep most of my clothes and shoes on, and zip right thru without much hassle. It was also nice when loved ones could go to the gate with you for a few last moments together. ;)

My traveling companion has it much worse these days since she is not in posession of a US passport. She used to get thru security fairly easily before 9/11 and now it takes her a good 20 minutes or more with the agents going thru every bit of her belongings, as well as a near strip search and her feeling like some sort of criminal.

I'm not complaining because I'd rather be safe in the long run (and so would she), but it really is very sad at what the whole issue has come to. Security issues have most definnitely changed since 9/11 in most airports in the the world and there are times I reminisce for the good old days. :)

No, even from the 70's in Asia. No table cloth, no seperate courses in coach. It's basically the same thing as what one gets on an Asian airline in coach these days.

No audio/video entertainment, for sure. And the amenities kit thing is kind of new as well, dated to around the mid-80's.

Towel service, sure. They even do that today on Continental's Asia service.

As a kid, I did get some things like plastic wing-shaped pins from some airlines, or playing cards from SQ.

---

Basically, what I'm saying is that in my 30+ year of flying, I don't think it's particularly bad these days. [Part of it because I'm short, so I can tolerate a 31" pitch while they used to be 33-34" years ago.] But now the seats are a little more ergonormic, there is A/V entertainment, there are more longhaul routes to cut down total travel time to Asia.

With the lower ticket prices in today's dollars, I don't mind some cut back in the food/drink service.

The best thing about flying in today's world as compared to 10+ years ago can be summed up in 2 words--NO SMOKING!! Someone said once that having a smoking section on an airplane is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.

<i>Tell us how it used to be.</i>

You were nearly deaf from the prop noise - 9 hrs from LA to NY, unless you stopped someplace enroute.

Your choice of entree was their choice of entree.

The smoke made the air hazy and stinky.

The food was just dreadful.

On domestic service, drinks (including wine) started off at $1.50, then moved to $3 for ages.

First class got you &quot;free&quot; drinks. Or champagne volcanoes if you flew to Hawaii on some airlines.

I saw my first movie on a plane in (I think) 1969. The headsets consisted of stethoscope earpieces that tried to meet in the middle of your brain.

Jet A was forty cents a gallon. The stews made minimum wage. Your bags got lost more often than they do now. The airlines were run by oligarchs in cahoots with the government, or, in the case of many foreign carriers, run by the government full stop. There were more crashes per million passenger miles - lots more. The price was higher, in both constant dollar terms and adjusted dollar terms.

I'm reminiscing about the spam-on-raisin bread sandwich I got for one in-flight meal. Mmmm... spam....

Oh boy, I do remember the stethoscope headphones on early 747s I've been on. They're just nasty and the sound quality horrible.

I'm really showing my age, but.... I remember flying Eastern's Lockheed Connies with my family from Texas to New Orleans to catch overnight train to Chicago to visit relatives. We'd make this trip once or twice a year. Even on that short trip, we got hot meal service that was very good (certainly by today's standards).

I also recall flying to Miami on AA's DC-7s a few times to visit grandparents who spent winters there. Fairly certain we weren't in FC because we always sat in middle of the plane and I'm sure my folks didn't have the money for FC in those days. Nevertheless, I do remember very good food (such as steak, baked potato, veggie, salad and dessert) - and served on small tablecloths. As rkkwan says, even coach wasn't cheap in those days, but getting there was still half the fun (probably more so for a kid).

50% Military-standby discount, and military were placed at top of the standby list.

But then, &quot;full&quot; price was consistent. What is 1/2 price today? Half of the $711, $525, $273, or $418 ticket that others near you paid for their seat?

One thing I really miss from the pre-hijacking days iss hellos and good-byes right at the gate. Similarly, it was nice to have a friend in a layover city be able to come out to the airport for a drink between flights.

And for the really old fogeys here -- remember flying student stand-by and student-discount? I got all over the place on student stand-by, and went to Europe twice on student-charters for about $200. Colleges could get airlines like TWA to offer blocks of seats on certain flights to their student/alumni association.

That was back when airlines hadn't reduced the number of flights to result in universal over-booking (not to mention the changeover to hostility toward PAX as a profit-making strategy).

Hellos or Goodbyes at the gate..that is what I miss! I understand why nonticketed people can no longer go to the gates but I sure miss having loved one with me until it was time to board, or being with them until they boarded the plane. And when arriving and departing the plane, seeing those you had missed standing there smiling as they waited to hug you. Or waiting with anticipation for your loved one to deplane, searching each passenger with the hope it was who you were waiting for. And than finally..there they were!! Those were the days my friends..guess they days are gone forever.

rb_travelerxATyahoo.......I was bumped up to FC twice while flying military standby in 1968-69. I guess not everyone hated us GIs in those days.
((D))8-)

BTW, both times it was on AA.
((D))8-)

Once again I completely agree with <b>rkkwan</b> and can't understand how <b>wally34949</b> can compare the 2?

In 1970 a coach ticket to Europe was somewhere between $500-$750 in 1970 money. If you compare what the value of today's dollar is when compared to 1970, depending on different sources and studies it varies between $2000-$3000.

I'm sure if <b>wally</b> was willing to pay ~$2500 for economy ticket, the airlines would be happy to serve him dinner and give him free wines.

or another way to look at it. It's not very hard to find discounted business class tickets to Europe today for $2000-$2500. Why not buy that ticket and besides getting a very nice tablecloth service, including a full choice menu, a selection of great wines and all the free liquor one can drink, an access to airline lounges, so more free drinking, free internet, nice seats , free showers, etc, <b>wally</b> can enjoy a very spacious seat. So <b>dollar for dollar</b>, today's flying could be just as, if not more enjoyable than the &quot;good old days&quot; if <b>wally</b> was only willing to spend the same amount(comperatively speaking) of money. :-D



Taking an afternoon break from Tokyo sightseeing. :-)

My first trip to Europe was DFW to LGW in 1981. The cost for the RT ticket with taxes was approximately $400. We received a menu that listed our dining choices. Drinks were complimentary - even alcohol. We had one movie - shown on one screen in coach and those horrible headphones (like a stethoscope). We received no frequent flyer miles because there were no programs at that time (March 1981).

My last trip to Europe was from DFW to LGW with a return from LHR to DFW via JFK. The RT cost was $199 w/o taxes. We departed from DFW's new terminal D and enjoyed our brief visit to the Admirals Club where we had free wines, snacks, computer access, and clean restrooms. Our outbound flight from DFW to LGW was on a 767; we had the emergency exit row. There were two movies shown and various shorter attractions. We watched DVDs on our personal players with our noise-cancelling headphones and used AA's power ports. No menus were circulated for dinner but we did receive a choice for dinner; only non-alcoholic drinks were complimentary. The flight home was on a 777; we had the coveted seats of 31A and 31B (elite status has its privileges). Four movies were available, as well as a variety of programs, on our in-seat videos. We had two choices for lunch. Our pre-arrival snack was one of AA's snack boxes. At JFK, we enjoyed complimentary use of the Admirals Club and more free drinks. We were upgraded to first class from JFK to DFW using stickers. The flight was on a 757. We had our choice of dinner and all the alcohol that we wanted (perhaps that is why I cannot recall what I ate). We also each received over 20,000 AAdvantage miles for the flight plus four more upgrade stickers.

This was probably my 75th transatlantic flight since 1981. I really do miss being able to upgrade using miles from anyfare on AA and noy having to pay the $250 each way co-pay. I really miss showing my AA Gold card (before there was Platinum or Executive Platinum)and being upgraded on international flights just because. I really miss the shrimp and artichoke hearts that were served in salads. I miss the glass salt and pepper shakers (but I have a nice collection at home). I miss the hot fudge sundaes that almost always served in first class (I know they are back on some flights). I even miss bistro bags, pretzels, and peanuts.

Ahhh, the good old days!!
I just felt treated with more respect. Flight attendants...not all...but some are quick, get it over with attitude, and impersonable. I've noticed they are a lot older too...not complaining about that, but I notice. Are youth not interested in these jobs? Do you blame them with all the recent problems?
Skimpy food...was alway skimpy...but now it is worse.
I don't mind not having peanuts...the allergies to peanuts can be deadly...just even to the peanut dust!!
But, cats...Mmm, I love and adore animals. One of my best friends is very allergic to cats. If you can put one under your seat, how dangerous is that to other passengers? Wouldn't have even thought twice about that until I saw her itch and have swollen, huge welts that made her look like someone beat her up! What a way to arrive to your destination?
What is all the air rage that you hear about anymore? This was never an issue in the good old days?
What is the world coming to?
:(

&quot; Flight attendants...not all...but some are quick, get it over with attitude, and impersonable. I've noticed they are a lot older too...not complaining about that, but I notice. Are youth not interested in these jobs?&quot;

Seniority rules. Last to get hired are the first to get laid off, and with most airlines making major cutbacks, lots of younger FA's are gone and not coming back.

I don't miss the days of sophomoric ad campaigns - e.g., the infamous 'Fly Me' ads. It took the passage of anti-harrassment legislation before airline company executives acknowledged the distinction between promoting their employees' sexual attractiveness and promoting the latter's alleged sexual availability. For the company (without, needless to say, the endorsement of their staff) to promote the latter was to compromise the dignity, autonomy and possibly the safety of their employees and even that of their passengers. Yup, them's were the days, all right, and I'm glad they're over.

Speaking of attitude and the conduct of flight attendants, an acquaintance once attributed to 'attitude' an FA's refusal to serve a second drink on the grounds that the commencement of meal service was imminent (they were in economy.)

But, I wondered, is it a sign of attitude to make a judgement call that doesn't go in the favour of a particular passenger, but could conceivably benefit the group as a whole? While I can't dispute the desirability of custom, personal service, I can also see how such service would entail numerous trips back-and-forth down a narrow aisle that, even with tiny carts, only permits one lane of traffic at a time. Given these obstacles, and combined with the challenge to serve a large group of people food that must (according to health regulations) be served within a fairly narrow temperature range, I can understand the FA's 'attitude.' So perhaps it is not always a matter of declining service on the part of employees, but declining tolerance on the part of passengers.

As a kid, my dad worked for United. We frequently got bumped up to first class- because that's what was most empty. (pre-frequent flyers) I remember flying to San Francisco and they had a wine and cheese buffet at the front of the plane. My dad used to bring home real silverware and china with the logo on it. We also used to get to go to an &quot;open house&quot; party at O'hare and get all the free ice cream and pineapples we could carry. Not to mention I used to drive his car on the air field because it had a sticker in the windshield. That impressed the boyfriends!

Tickets are so cheap now. You get what you pay for. If you want good service, pay the price for the first class ticket. But if you are paying $120 round trip, don't expect much. You aren't even covering the price of fuel.

As far as the flight attendants go, they work very hard for very little pay. You couldn't pay me enough to do their job. People are rude and demanding to them. They are gone 20 days out of the month. Flight Attendant's on the Regional Jets are lucky to make $20,000/year. They used to be able to make pretty good money at the majors, but not anymore. I don't think there are many that get over $40,000/year.

I used to be an airline pilot. I always said if I was a flight attendant, I'd get fired in about a week after telling a passenger where to shove their bag.

I remember two things and this was from just 10-15 years ago. I flew once in college from SFO to LWS via SEA. And from SFO to SEA, we were served a <b>hot<b> meal for the 1.5 hour flight. And then from SEA to LWS, we were giving a box lunch, like is sold for $6+ today on some airlines for a short 50 minute flight. Secondly, actually being able to use FF miles.</b></b>

Miss the hot meals that weren't that bad, the pleasant friendly flight attendants, the hello and good bye greetings at the gate and the older planes with only 2 seats on each side of the isle. Unfortunately, those days
are gone. Now you're crammed in like sardines and lucky to get a bag of peanuts or pretzels with a cool drink.

I used to look forward to flying, I now I detest it. I'd even take a few smokers in the last row on a plane if I could get roomier seats in coach and a hot meal. Today's flights are totally claustophobic.

If you want a roomy flight with good service, look into a fractional. Flight Options, Executive Jet...those are just two.

I could be wrong but when Aadvantage was new, I think it took only 10,000 miles to upgrade to FC. I really miss that. Glad to hear the sundae cart is making a comeback. I loved that.

I remember on an Eastern flight, the attendant made a Caesar salad in a big salad bowl in the front of the cabin &amp; served each portion from that bowl.

Twenty years ago a FF award ticket was like a full fare ticket but without the upgrade possibility. Cancel, change, no problem.

Sixteen years ago I had a bump coupon (I don't know what it is called but it is was the compensation for being bumped: a free roundtrip). I flew LAX- Norfolk and stopped over, then on to Boston for a couple of days, then back to LA. This was not on USAir's normal routing for a roundtrip but I was allowed to do it.

Twelve years ago, I got a TWA award to Israel in business class for only 70,000 miles. This allowed (and I used) two stopovers and an open jaw. Today it is one stopover OR an open jaw.

Like another poster, I'll never forget being upgraded to first class twice while flying standby in the military in 1967-69. Both times on Delta. Given all that was going on in the US at the time, I can't tell you how much that meant to me.

I also remember having the heck scared out of me while flying (I'm not sure on a DC-6 or 7) on TTA, or as we used called it, Tree Top Airlines. Thunderstorms making the wings flap up and down.

On a negative side, they used to make FA retire if they got pregnant or past a certain age.

It is also sad to see the deterioration in service, even in business and first class. I think most posters are right, for too many people price is the only object. Personally, I would gladly pay a few dollars more to get better service, food, etc., but as my kids say, I'm a dinosaur.

I guess I'm a dinosaur also. I just remembered that when you used those 10K miles for an upgrade, you got double miles for flying first class (even though you paid coach.) It was nice while it lasted.

I also remember when the plane was late arriving, they would hold the connecting flight if it wasn't for too long.

Airlines still hold flights for connecting passengers. The decision is pretty complex, mostly based on how many passengers would it inconvenience either way.

But with flights getting fuller and airlines doing better in utilizing the most of their equipment, you may feel that they're holding planes less frequently. May be true, but not because they've stopped the practice.

My Grandmother still talks about flying Pan Am's 747 New York to London and back.She would always fly First Class.When she made her flight reservation, she booked a seat for dinner in the upstairs lounge.After cocktails, the purser would escort the passengers up the winding staircase.Four tables came out of the floor and the seats moved around so there were 4 tables for 4,white table cloth, full china/crystal/silver service.She called it &quot;Pie in the Sky&quot;.

<b>BeachBoi</b>,

that is still very much true today. The suites on Cathay Pacific, British, American, Qantas in F convert to a table for 2. The passenger and hers/his partner could enjoy breakfast/lunch/dinner service sitting together. Service in F is served using very fine china with silverware(only outside US for full silverware service) and crystal for the very fine wines and/or champagnes. Cathay also has green tea service that rivals the best tea houses. They also make eggs to order for breakfast...

The difference may be that it's not a separate cabin as you describe it, but the food, service and roominess is just as good or in some instances better.....

I remember flying Eastern and some other airlines when I was a kid. They used to give us kiddie bags...with games and puzzles and candy. I used to love that stuff! :)

Ok, OK, I remember getting a deck of playing cards, so you could play solitaire or gin rummy. The tray tables must have been much bigger.

You used to get little wing pins too &amp; maybe even got to go visit the Captain.

I remember being small &amp; flying a prop jet from STL to OKC in the 50's. I sat behind Fran of Kukla, Fran &amp; Ollie fame. She was wearing a polka-dot dress. We all wore hats &amp; gloves to fly then, even the little girls. I bet nobody here even heard of Kukla, Fran &amp; Ollie. :(

I remember -- Ollie went to Dragon Prep!

That was well before Mickey Mouse Club ran a series that had two kids going through training school -- stewardess for the girl, pilot for the boy of course. (Was Darlene the girl?).

I don't think it was Annette. It probably was Darlene. I was madly in love with Spin of Spin &amp; Marty fame so didn't pay much attention to the flight training one.

Twenty years ago I flew to Philly to see my sister and show off my newborn baby and my toddler. Toddler got sick (after we landed! how could she wait that long?). They let the plane empty, and then they LET MY SISTER BOARD THE PLANE to help me! Imagine that!

It seems like just yesterday when I flew from London Heathrow to Miami. And I remember it so well.

The Fasten Seat Belt sign was removed 11 minutes after take-off. None of this, well, we better keep it on for the entire flight attitude.

At 10:10 I was offered a drink. I chose a Vodka and Tomato Juice. I was also given a red wine for lunch, a dry Bordeaux. (free of charge)

At 10:23, they removed the trash and at 10:31, I watched the commercial free movie, &quot;She's the Man,&quot; on my individual television.

At 10:41, I was offered either Salmon or Chicken. I took the Salmon which was really quite good and was given a second wine. At 11:15 I was offered coffee or tea, and I took a third red wine. The salad contained large chucks of cheese.

At 1:36, they turned on the fasten seat belt sign for 28 minutes for necessary reasons.

I only saw one flight attendant offering water or orange juice after the lunch. Instead, one was encouraged to stretch their legs and walk to the galley for another drink--including free alcohol. Since I had to drive once in Miami, I drank several glasses of water. In the galley, I spoke to many people who said that the chicken was excellent, too.

At 4:30, they offered a snack that consisted of an egg sandwich, fresh fruit and cake. The trash was picked up at 4:56.

My individual television monitor contained 18 channels where I only saw one commercial. I watched the movie &quot;Eight Below&quot; about dogs left in Antartica, followed by Will and Grace, Everyone Loves Ramond, and The Simpsons.

At 5:51, the pilot announced, we are 20 minutes from landing and turned on the fasten seat belt sign. The cabin crew were asked to take their seats at 6:07, and the plane had to circle around due to rain before landing at 6:20.

The flight attendants were quite friendly but businesslike, and never were we told not to queue for the toilets or stand in the galley.

Yes, it seems like just yesterday. I remember it so well. Well, it was!!! Wally's back from Europe. And of course, he flew British Airways!!!

In defense of the seat belt sign being on, I'm wondering if it's not left on because with the slightest turbulence people are speed-dialing their attornies after landing ready to sue because they stumbled on their hourly circuit of the plane's aisles.

Wally...

Are you trying to tell us BA is a much better alternative for flying from the US to London then that wonderful AA?

I mean after all, they give you that free snack box an hour out of landing with the garbage they charge $4 for at other times (you know &quot;crackers&quot; and &quot;cheese&quot; and some sort of power bar)..I mean that is so much better than a real egg mayo sandwich eh...and in flying from the US to London, I mean imagine you can get a continental breakfast as opposed to whatever AA serves in its morning time snack box...

And of course imagine you can get wine with dinner and dinner actually has a real salad and cheese and whatever.

And you pay the same fare.

I wouldn't fly American to London because of their attitude of not giving a damn about their passengers and these &quot;amenities&quot; cost so little to make passengers confined in a tube for 7 hours at least try to feel a little better.

What a bunch of garbage we have to put up with American airlines (whether with a capital or lower case &quot;A&quot;)