Well, that’s one way to fix the highjacking problem we’re not having: run all the airlines outta business. That’ll show those evildoers!
Won’t it?
The further and continuing adventures of the girl who sat in the back of your homeroom, reading and daydreaming.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Cutting Off Your Wings To Spite Your Culture?
Indianapolis-based ATA Airlines has gone belly-up. Parked the planes and sent everyone home. News reports cite record fuel prices and loss of military charter business but I’m wondering, too, at the additional ongoing impact of TSA’s let’s-make-air-travel-inconvenient policies security theatre. Certainly it has made me far less likely to take commercial flights.
Well, that’s one way to fix the highjacking problem we’re not having: run all the airlines outta business. That’ll show those evildoers!
Won’t it?
Well, that’s one way to fix the highjacking problem we’re not having: run all the airlines outta business. That’ll show those evildoers!
Won’t it?
What can you say? Air travel is the absolute pits. It is one sufered indignity after another and all in the name of 'security'. You practically have to disrobe to get through the TSA metal detectors and everyone then thinks everything is secure.
ReplyDeleteHasn't anyone ever studied binary explosives and body cavities?
I'm sorry but my opinion of airline travel, regardless of the carrier, is one must relish humiliation and suborndination in order to enjoy the experience. It's some sort of fetish desire that I don't understand.
If it's 800 miles or less I drive and arrive at my destination in much better spirits and despite all statistics, I feel I'm much safer because I'm in charge of my personal security....not some yahoo in a government issued uniform.
All The Best,
Frank W. James
I said the same thing this morning when I heard that on the news. ATA's whole schitck was to fly you to Florida for the weekend. Who wants to do that if you have to wait in line for 3 hours for a body cavity search before you can even get on the plane?
ReplyDeleteWell shit, a friend of mine worked in their corporate office.
ReplyDeleteI used to have to travel on business, but that was years ago, and I routinely boarded planes with a Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman, sometimes a large toolcase (including a hacksaw, and razor knife plus spare blades), and often with whatever crap needed to be toted out to the Nevada Test Site, that 1 person could carry. Plus -- get this -- a whole full-sized tube of toothpaste, and at least 1 lighter plus spare matches.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, in retrospect, that we didn't go down in flames somewhere over southern Utah.
Anyone else remember the big uptick in teleconferencing services post 9/11?
I wondered why I saw a fleet of ATA ships parked at the Delta maintenance shed when I landed at DFW a few minutes ago.
ReplyDeleteI remember loving to fly, though even then I disliked the security theater and the tin gods working there. These days I find myself in a quandary periodically. Do I fly, or drive 1800 miles? Driving takes 2-3 days and flying takes 1 full day.
ReplyDeleteTSA = Thugs Strangling Aviation
ReplyDeleteI absolutely refuse to fly unless it is absolutely necessary; I haven't been in one of those flying cattle cars in years.
ReplyDeleteAgree with the commenters: flight's
ReplyDeletenot worth it unless absolutely
necessary. Western Illinois to Boston
is a delightful trip on the train
(I've no problem sleeping in a seat).
Things like watching the dawn come
up over the Great Lakes add luster
to a trip. Also, it's a great chance
to catch up on reading ... and muse
happily on the aggravation missed by
not flying.
Anon, Doin
I'm with Frank James on this one - if time permits and the distance is driveable (i.e., on my continent), I'm taking my own means of conveyance, thank you very much. Other than the obvious nuisance of no potty on board and the indignities of roadside terlits, our great land is dotted with emporia chock-full of fritos & bean dip and Moon Pies and RC Cola. All that, and driving hundreds or thousands of miles with good music in the hopper, and you have heaven on earth. Besides, flying over everything always seemed like cheating, to me - all those mountains and plains and valleys deserve a chance to get a look at me, as well!
ReplyDeleteNote that three airlines went Tango Uniform this week: ATA, Aloha and Skybus.
ReplyDelete