Remember the days when the airline industry was considered "glamorous"? Pilots were almost worshiped by the public, cutting a most dashing image in their double-breasted uniforms. And the flight attendants, or "stewardesses" as we called them back then, were so gorgeous they put movie stars and fashion models to shame.
Even the food was good. Of course, they were catering to a most discriminating customer back then, too. Flying was expensive, and when you flew it was an "occasion" and you dressed in your Sunday finest.
As with everything, times have changed, and this time for the worse. Now pilots are sniffed as they get on board looking for evidence of alcohol. Flight attendants fly into their 60's and even their 70's, and customers routinely show up in gym shorts, T-shirts, and flip flops. (Git er done!)
Airline food ceased being edible years ago, and today on most flights ceases to even exist at all. They'll sell you a cold, hard sandwich at the gate, but the smart traveler buys their own and brings it on board with them. While our posteriors have gotten larger and we've grown taller, seat width and legroom has shrunk. Today it's "coffee?", "tea?", "seat belt extender?"
I've even heard some of the lowest cost "low cost carriers" are considering bringing back pay toilets. ("Hey buddy....can you spare a quarter?" takes on a whole new meaning.) Even getting on the plane is an ordeal today, thanks to the TSA.
Now it seems you're advised to bring your own tool kit on board with you, too. That's so you can make sure your seat is properly bolted to the floor. Apparently, on American Airlines at least, that's something you can't take for granted anymore as three of their planes had to make emergency landings yesterday after entire rows of occupied seats just flopped over. (Labor strife / sabotage?)
What's next? How low can they go?
Just a thought: If you see your pilot board wearing a parachute, de-plane and take the bus instead!
S
