Airlines as they used to be...swell
 

Time to Say Goodbye

xoxoxoo:thumbsup::thumbsup:

You have to remember there was a time when traveling by plane was only for the rich so the service was MUCH different than you see today.
Back then wedging people into the plane as if they were sardines was unheard of. Also the meal was prepared during the flight, none of these Swanson Hungry Man tv dinners you see today.

I had read shortly after 9-11 that the commercial airline industry in the US had a cummulative loss from the time it began, its really not that old of an industry. Its never been ran properly. Ever. Too many routes losing too much money. Its not been so long ago that you could be on a plane that was only half full. Today's problems are far different than just bad management, although that heritage is going to be there for a while. I really hope it recovers, my oldest son is a commercial pilot.

*nod* -- for a time, prices for a given route where fixed by a central federal monopoly in most areas. This meant that airlines where not allowed to compete on cost -- so they competed on quality of service.

The removal of the fixed prices meant that airlines could compete on costs. And people preferred an airline that charged 2 to 3 times less than one that gave out lots of perks and toys and was really pleasant.

Note that you can return to the "good old days" by buying first class tickets. Your price will be much like the good old days, and you'll get lots of servile attitude and treats from the airline staff. . .

very cool,thanks.

Maybe. I've gotten a lot of really bad service in first class too. But I used to fly US Airway (America West prior to merge) often, mainly because the bump to FC was free after acquiring a relatively large amount of miles. I remember an FC attendant tell the guy in front of me me "How the hell would I know? I didn't didn't make them" when asked if the salads were fresh. United isn't any better IMHO. However United Red Carpet lounges are nice, again IMHO.

Want good FC? I'd vote for British Airways, Hawaiian or Qantas. One of the best meals I've ever had anywhere was on a Qantas flight in FC from San Fransisco to the South Pacific.

We've had good luck with British Air - never first class, as even if I could afford it I'm not sure I would pay for it, but they just seem more professional and enjoyable to fly on than a lot of the others. Plus the stewardesses have sexy British accents...