Originally Posted by
gegarrenton
I see a huge one when you suppose people don't "get it" (your words) and then turn around and express a preference that would cause an overwhelming part of the flying public to say you don't "get it". They would be wrong too, as you say, it is your determination of the value, and I totally agree with that, yet, that's what would happen.
And honestly, you had some reaaaallllllly .... experiences from what you say. If it was too hot, there is a knob for that. You haven't said which Citation you flew on, so I can't comment on the cramped. The Citation X though is plenty roomy, the seats are no different than domestic F seats. The III and V are small planes, and generally take what would be an RJ route, which makes it a wash seat wise for me, actually the Citation better, as the seats themselves are better. An the experience should have been more "elegant" than any commercial flight if that is what you desired.
Horses for courses for sure, but I would take my drive up, get on plane, fly, get off plane, go where I am going over your get to insane airport, hopefully already OLCI'd so didn't have to get in that line, carry on only so don't have to get in that line, get into dumbass security line, grope or radiation courtesy TSA, hang out in less than elegant surroundings at some airport terminal club, wait in throng of sheep to get on plane, deal with being one of many in the cabin and have worse food and bev than on the private jet, most likely connect in some other airport and repeat boarding, finally get where you are going.
And I didn't even bring up going to Traverse City!
(note this is humor and I don't mean to offend you or anyone from Traverse City
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( maybe....
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I think the error you are making is in equating perceived status with personal class and refinement. Lots of people that have no social grace are flying private. One has nothing to do with the other. I am sure Britney Spears and Rihanna fly on citations all the time. Would you consider them classy and refined ladies? I seem to remember a home video that Britney did whist still with KFed. Lots of belching and flatulence by both parties on the video. It may have been a contest, I can't remember. Britney also could probably not string together a sentence in proper English if it meant saving her life. In summary, she burps and farts on video and she cannot speak properly. Yet she likes private jets. Is she a class act?
I am quite sure my experiences were not on the Citation X but a smaller Citation. The seats on my planes were nowhere near as comfortable as a domestic F seat....and by a longshot. Honestly there was nothing confortable about it.....absolutely nothing. I could not wait to get off.
As far as airport lines and TSA are concerned, it seems you don't know how to make the most of the system. I always use the priority lines and rarely have more than 3-4 people in front of me. The TSA pre-check program is a game-changer. Multiple times this year I have cleared TSA security in both LAX and MIA in 90 seconds or less using pre-check. This means 90 seconds or less from starting to present my ID to exiting the into the terminal and heading to the lounge. No laptop out. No shoes off. No belt off. No pockets empty. Basically its like the old days and it works like a charm. Based on your description of your experiences, it sounds like you have been standing in the economy line or no status line with 30-40 people in front of you. Gosh I have not been in those lines in so long I really don't know what they are like.
I am glad you like your private flying and it seems to give you and some others a sense of status. I'm happy for you. I don't really understand why you bother with flying commercial if you love citations so much but I'm sure you have an explanation of some sort for that. I did not find the private flights particularly pleasant and do not seek it out for myself nor view it as a status symbol when others do.....and, for me, it is certainly not an indicator of a person's class or refinement.
We're just going to have to agree to disagree on this one.
Oh. I am not from Traverse City and have actually never been there.....it was just an example. Put the destination of your choice in its place: Sedona, the Hamptons, Palm Beach, Coronado, whatever you like. I do hear Traverse City and Petoskey are lovely in the summer however. I note that you are based in Norfolk. You're poking fun at Traverse City??