From, Paul Theroux, travel excerpts:

"Meanwhile, what of the journey itself? Perhaps there is nothing to say. There is not much to say about most airplane journeys. Anything remarkable must be disastrous, so you define a good flight by negatives. You didn't get hijacked, you didn't crash, you didn't throw up, you weren't late, you weren't nauseated by the food. So you are grateful. The gratitude brings such relief your mind goes blank, which is appropriate, for the airplane passenger is a time-traveler.

"He crawls into a carpeted tube that is reeking of disinfectant; he is strapped in to go home, or away. Time is truncated, or in a ny case warped: he leaves in one time zone and emerges in a nother. And from the moment he steps into the tube and braces his knees on the seat in front, uncomfortably upright -- from the moment he departs, his mind is focused on arrival. That is, if he has any sense at all. If he looked out of the window he would see nothing but the tundra of the cloud layer, and above is empty space. Time is brilliantly blinded: there is nothing to see. The is the reason so many people are apologetic about taking planes. They say, `What I'd really like to do is forget these plastic jumbos and get a three-masted schooner and just stand there on the poop deck with the wind in my hair.'"

-- I have to admit this is somewhat true for me. I have had very few memorable plane trips, they are not events in themselves as perhaps a train or boat trip can be.

I long (maybe not knowing full why) to have accumulated the miles, the status, the perks, but not to have to accumulate them. It's the endless cycle: to get the perks, you must fly, then to enjoy the perks, you must fly more.

When it goes well, it really goes well. But not enough to outweigh the 10x more frequent average trips when it doesn't.

Anyway, enough grumbling, it's our condition, perhaps. Nihil novum sub sole.

My wife never flys on business, only with me on vacations 3-5 times a year. To her, each trip on a plane is an adventure, a trip to someplace she WANTS to go. I wish that I could still appreciate that romantic view of airplane travel, but having flown a few hundred thousand miles, I cannot. Even when heading for a vacation destination, I cannot get excited until getting out of the plane, not getting onto it.
For me, airline travel has become an aggravation, carrying the luggage around, being cramped in those seats, being served inedible food, etc.
Thus, I long for the miles, because they give me an ability to reach destinations in which I want to spend my time. I most definitely do NOT want to spend more time on airplanes.

I only travel 50K miles a year at best, so I guess I'm not as jaded as the rest of you yet. I still look at every trip as an adventure, always enjoying the opportunity to go somewhere else, even somewhere like Huntsville, Alabama, where I've visited as much as anyplace, but still enjoy the chance to visit because it's somewhere besides my home.

I think the new Hyatt ads are so true, and my favorite one is the tag line "When did you stop asking for a window seat." I'm still often amazed by the view out of an airplane, and I wonder if all these people in first class who always request an aisle realize what they're missing ...

When I flew to San Diego a few weeks ago it was night time and there were no clouds ... the view was absolutely breath taking.

I used to share your views, DJ and star. But my wife, about 4 years ago, shared her view of air travel with me, and it has helped. She loves to fly. My wife, you must understand, is something of a control freak. A true kibbitzer, backseat-driver, gotta have it her way kinda gal. But, she says, when she gets on an airplane, she is completely and totally not in control. Her movement is limited, her choices are nil and her survival is in the hands of others (mechanics, pilots, ATCs, etc). She says it is one of the few times in life that she can actually relax and just BE.

So I have tried to adopt this view, and spend time on planes relaxing, reading (NEVER work, unless its urgent), listening to music and yes, maybe even having a cocktail. After all, time in the air is "dead" time. And its all in how you use/appreciate it: either as a waste in anticipation of the arrival or as a cahnce to give up control and just BE.

I'll get off my zen soapbox now

I agree with Matt Wald. I now that many of you use the time on planes to work, and the atmosphere isn't really all that conducive to work. The food isn't all that great, but (at least up front) it's bearable, and the seats (again, up front) aren't really uncomfortable. I, too, think of the time on the plane as "dead" time, and I use it to do things I seldom have time to do on the ground - read for pleasure, have a drink, take a nap, etc. I prefer an aisle seat, simply because I'd rather be disturbed by my neighbor getting up than be the one doing the disturbing, but the only preference I actually state is "no bulkhead." The one piece I carry on is a briefcase holding my books, puzzles, schedules, etc., and I like to have it where I can get at it during the flight without getting up. If I happen to get a wondow seat, I don't complain. I, too, still find the views intriguing, if not sometimes amazing - like realizing, the other day on the approach to DCA, that we were directly above IAD. And, Djlawman, you don't really have to "carry(ing) the luggage around" unless you want to, except from the house to the car or cab and from the car or cab to the curb. They do have a thing called "baggage check," you know (those of you who've been around a while may remember that carry-ons are one of my pet peeves).

When I was doing a lot of international travel (as defined by BA...) I found my time aboard the aircraft to be a sanctuary, the calm in the midst of the storm - yes, I often did work, but there is something wonderfully peaceful about being the only passenger awake, having no phones ringing or demands made, and only the silent, watchful steward to attend to one's needs.

I have always appreciated having time to think, to reflect and to see structure in the apparent chaos. For this reason, I like travelling alone - it grants a meditative opportunity.

Travelling with others is more of an adventure - going with a colleague to a new client site, or travelling with family members to much-beloved destinations or exciting new ones. At these times I always look out of the window, admire the clouds or watch the sun rising over a new continent.

There is a reason for travel, and sometimes we lose sight of it.

For me, it depends...

Mostly it's just something I have to do to get somewhere, whether for business or leasure.

If it's a last minute business trip and I'm on constant deadline then it's more a chore
that I have to deal with (especially when I have to travel with co-workers... like to London next month. I don't know if they are joining me in Business... I'd like to have the time to myself. I'll see enough of them in London!)

I don't travel as much as most of you do. Again, I SALUTE you for your patience and endurance. I don't know if I can do, but if I have to... I can find a way to. (I hope I don't ever have to travel 100K a year for business. but you never know.)

I tend to get frazzled somewhat if I am delayed for hours, get in a middle seat between the screaming kid and the snoring intoxicated man in COACH! I've been spoiled by upgrades and elite status on U-A!

But sometimes it can a great adventure just like for your wife, Matt. Watching how different people react (especially someone who's flying first for the first time!) Getting a friendly F-A (like Yvonne to DFW)
or being seated next to some who you can have a great conversation with (Or, and this may sound sexist, is a particularly attractive female!

I've traveled alone through most of my flying history but it would be nice to travel with someone who I know, a good friend (who can keep me from getting too "merry" on the free
bubbily and wine HICK!!!

So I guess every trip I take is a blank slate
waiting to be filled in with colors and memories and tales and perhaps a new friendship! CATMAN

Catman:

Nothing sexist about preferring to be seated next to an attractive member of the opposite sex, or I guess if you prefer an attractive member of the same sex.

I'm even looking forward to meeting an attractive women flying the same itinerary, those companion upgrades might come in useful

As for window seats. I still request them, especially when flying into LGA, coming from the south and west you almost always get a great view of New York. Nothing like flying up the east river at 4000 feet on a cloudless night, the bridges, the statue of libery, the empire state building. It's a one of kind view.

Boomer ~ That's quite a pick up line you've got there ...

"Hey baby ... how'd you like to ride in first class?"

Creative isn't it?

Better than showing pictures of my CATS!

Before this posting deteroirates any further,
there is another good thing about being a frequent flyer: When you get a lot of miles and a friend needs to get home in an emergency you can always pass on those miles
to allow your good friend to get a free tix
(especially if their finances are very tight.)

I've done this on two occassions and I have told my closest friends if they need my miles all they have to do is ask. CATMAN

OMNI: Boomer - I have actually used that line twice, minus the "Hey baby". (.500 batting average). Reminder to self - look for the ring BEFORE asking!

[This message has been edited by auh2o (edited 01-25-99).]

I agree with the "be" comments--I still really enjoy the "getting there!"

Not too long ago, I was traveling with a jaded FF like myself, listening to him complain about something or the other, when suddenly I shushed him to listen to a little boy who was in first class with his mom. As the plane took off, he was mesmerized and kept saying "wow....wow...Mommy, look!" It was a beautiful little reminder of the fact that we are fortunate to experience something rather often that some people still dream about.

I guess I still do enjoy flying some of the time, just not when I get to Portland at 5 am EST after a day of flight delays. I'll take everyone's advice and try to keep a more positive outlook!