This is not my imagination running wild. Happened to me last time I was in New York. I was so happy when a North Carolinian (bless ‘em) told him ‘what the $#*& is this?’ He was unrepentant though. Some people really do think the world revolves around them.

I hate that every hotel room has a TV in it! I specifically don’t own a TV so that I won’t waste hours of my night watching terrible reality shows – I’d actually pay more for a room with no tele in it…

I think I may be in the minority here though…

@halsed

@McLaughlin – We should promote that as a post! Do you want to write for a travel blog?

And now, well, it’s rubbish and frustrating…surely the destination’s worth it, isn’t it?!

The drive is still the drive, can’t get past that. I lived near Orly airport and found that I could get my parking ticket, then drive in the exit so I was right next to an airport entrance where people were only leaving – my walk in was people-free. And leaving was not a bother because I was a 30 second walk from the airport exit and parked within 3 spaces of the parking exit.

I am a million mile flyer, so I’d get up at 5h30 for a 7h00 flight. Get to the airport (and this was before the online check in) and walk to the front of the line, flash a card and a smile and get my economy seat upgraded to at least business.

Luggage restrictions? Before 911 I never heard of them. I once flew from Paris to DC with 10 full (very full) suitcases and we were only 2 travelers. The check in guy just said something like “You sure pack light.” Maybe, just maybe, I got away with all that luggage because I was active duty in the US Marine Corps and the travel was my change of duty station. (People love Marines, as long as you keep them on a base with a sign at the entrance “Only open in case of war” ).

Security checks? Before 911 I got into an argument that because the lady checking me thought my knife was too big. It was longer than the width of her hand. That used to be the ‘rule’ about a pocket knife. If the blade was not longer that the width of your hand you could carry it. I have wide hands.

Waiting. Just didn’t happen unless I was stuck doing a transfer.

Last minute passengers – well, that was actually me. Sorry.

Luggage compartment wars? Lets go back to that million mile flyer thing and having everyone’s gold card. I’d just get on and hand my bag to the stew and pick it up on leaving. Never really knew where it went to, never really cared.

Other passengers is the only thing that has not changed before and after 911. I had a LA to Frankfort flight with a 400 pound person on my right hand side. I also had a 400 pound person on my left hand side. I ended up standing the full 14 hours?) flight. When the stew told my I should sit down I pointed to my seat and you could not see it. Tubby1 was brushing elbows with Tubby2. That was THE longest flight I ever had.

Before 911 being a frequent flyer had advantages. Real advantages. When my company said I had to start using BA for the Paris/London flight I was a bit bummed. I didn’t have a BA card at all, so I figured I was be forced to sit with the unwashed masses. My first check in (the only time I stood in line with BA before 911) was cool. I asked if they took my Air France gold card, or US Air, or JAL or Air Lingus. I had the highest card for all of these and was stuck in economy. The nice lady behind the counter moved me to business, gave me a card to fill out and the first Frequent Flyer card I had with BA was their highest level.

Business lounges. I’d walk into the lounge which I saw first and hand over all my cards and tell the receptionist to take their pick. I’d get in to places where I didn’t have a card.
If I was going to a lounge where I had a card, I’d bring in 2 or 3 fellow travelers and no one would question me. I even brought in a lady with her 2 kids once, because they had a long layover. The lounge was better than the terminal and the food was free.

I really miss the pre-911 travel. Today I’d be lucky to not have a body cavity search before using the toilet.

Dr.Mani

Oh, and also baggage collection! Why do people push in and crowd around that yellow line???