So how long before they realize there's a whole lot of space going to waste out there on those big wings? Maybe for a few bucks each they could strap us on there. And maybe if we agree to flap our arms, they won't charge us anything for those spaces.

I wonder if as your carry on you could bring one of those portable stools????Would that be cheating Deborah

What happens if the plane is delayed?! You have to stand for an hour until takeoff? I think they are going way too far. Is this a safe idea?! Where do you store your purse, etc? Sorry, but flying is starting to become a major pain in the %@$%!* The ONLY way I would do this is if the backboard converted into something like an ironing board, where I could lay down & take a nap!! ;-)

<< ...if I could arrive at the airport at 12 minutes or less before departure... >>

By the way, this is possible at train stations all over the place, right?

With trains you can often hop on seconds before it leaves. I've done so on cross-country trains. And you go from city center to city center, so you save hours of commuting to and from the airport.

In Europe, for trips of less than 1000-1500 km or so, a TGV train is faster door to door than a plane.

[Sigh.]

When I worked for TWA at the Kansas City Datacenter, I could get off work at 5:00 and (with a ride to the airport across the highway) be on the 5:20 to Newark, where my SO was based.

You can drive your car to within about 30 feet of any boarding gate, and with no security line.....

Here's a schema of the airport if you wonder how that's possible: http://www.kciroadrunner.com/maps/kcidetail0.gif

I think it might be dangerous. There might be even more risk of blood clots than there is with sitting.

mcnyc
Let's add to the fine print to the shuttle airlines:

We're kidding about the parachutes and slingshots and the strapping us to the wings! Don't get any wise ideas!

Your devoted frequent Fodorite flyers.

"In Europe, for trips of less than 1000-1500 km or so, a TGV train is faster door to door than a plane."

HUH?

Nice to Paris -- 935 kilometers.
Fastest TVG 5.5 hours.
Easy Jet Nice to Orly: 1.5 hours.

Let's add a half hour to get from a typical Nice hotel to the airport or the train station. Let's add a taxi to the 6th from Gare Lyon or from Orly -- about a half hour for either.

Assuming you allow an hour extra to be at the airport for check-in we're still only talking about a total of 3.5 hours door to door.
Assuming you arrive at the train station just in time to jump on, it's still 6.5 hours door to door.

I'll even let you argue that you can get to most hotels in Paris quicker that from Orly (but not sure I'd agree with that beyond 10 or 15 minutes or so depending on where you're staying). And I'll give you an extra 15 minutes to get to the Nice airport as opposed to the train station (not necessarily true though). Still at the worst of comparisons, you still save a good 2 to 2.5 hours by taking the plane instead of a direct TGV.

bob brown, I was next to that last year on Continental from Jax to Atl. lol

I cannot imagine the overwhelming feelings of claustrophobia from being strapped into this thing standing up, the itching and wiggling that would go on, knowing I could not sit down, the leg pains, the achey feet
This sounds like an idea someone who used to work in Germany in the 1940's would come up with..
Neo...obviously there are special trains that travel at the speed of light that we do not know about lol.

Apparently so, Scarlett. Hey, doesn't Rick Steves always recommend trains over flying?

Neo- LOL!!
(if I said yes, someone would think I read/watched Rick Steves.
If I say no, someone will tell me what Rick Steves said .. Then someone else will have to tell them how stupid Rick Steves is and how stupid they are for listening to him.
And then I will end up begging someone to strap me into an airplane to get me away from it all.)

Scarlett

Seems the NYTimes article was out of date information. An Airbus rep said it was an idea discussed at one time, but was abandoned.

I think we should be able to lie in the luggage compartments. That way we could bring a pillow, stretch out a little more and take a nap. Much more preferable than being strapped to a back board or being in the middle seat! ;-)

Mollie, you are brilliant.
I suggest that some of us would like to have our pups in there with us

Good ideas, Mollie and Scarlett .

No, wait! This could work!

Just put the backboards on a swivel - voila! Fully flat bunk beds in coach!

I'm totally in...

Economics 100. Customers will get what they can pay for or are willing to pay for. Ryanair is already charging for checked luggage. Note: I have yet to read a complaint about either business or first class prices or service.

Jack,

If the chickens get to wander the cabin while you're confined to the board, isn't that reverse discrimination?

This gives a new meaning to going "stand by." Personally, I don't think I could stand it.