Today's Notable Quote: "I get no kick in a plane...Flying too high with some gal in the sky is my idea of nothing to do..." -from Cole Porter's "I get a kick out of you" - immortalized by Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.
Flying ain't what it used to be...
The glamour of "jet-setting" has been replaced by the mad scramble to beat the clock; rushing through the airport - from ticket counter to security, through security to the gate - from the gate to the crampled quarters ofa "Regional Jet" enroute to your destination. This drill has replaced the thrill of airline travel for today's business and leisure traveler.
I've logged more than 3,500,000 airmiles during my adult life...and have seen a marked change in the levels of service, attentiveness and awareness on the part of airline personnel "post 911". I understand, that as they are increasingly required to "do more with less" - patience, like other resources, often runs thin. In my 55 flights so far this year, I would say that 50 have been "satisfactory" - while 5 have had some issues. According to "customer satisfaction surveys", that's a 91% satisfaction rate. Not bad...but not really good either. My standards are much lower than at times in the past...as I have determined that the "airline experience" has become increasingly commoditized.
Major victories for travelers these days include:
Getting through security in time to make your flight.
Boarding the plane soon enough to nab overhead space for your "carry on" luggage.
Snagging an extra pack of peanuts from a friendly flight attendant
Arriving at your destination on time--safe and whole.
If these five things happen...then you are really "kickin' it" in today's world of air travel...
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