I just saw this http://www.flyertalk.com/articles/de...ter-fleet.html and found this old thread. But it is still appropriate for now.

Myself and another Flyertalker used to fly with an NBA team back when most of the teams used NW planes. Of course it is DL now and still pretty much the same. This was right before and after 9/11 and it was shocking to go from all the new security rules and super strict FA's to no rules at all even with the very same FA's.

On NBA charter flights:

There is no security. And even for a few years after 9/11 there was no passenger manifest. You just walked up onto the plane. Often through the back door under the tail.

You can run up and down the aisle during takeoff. Which is kind of fun.

You can talk on your phone during takeoff and landing.

Seat backs never have to be in the upright position.

All seats are first class and there is a bed/trainers table or two.

You can work on your laptop anytime. Again, I'm talking 2001-2004 timeframe when we would have been arrested for such behavior on a commercial flight.

There is a large table with loads of good food to eat.

On a stormy night with a turbulent approach to landing, no one has to be told to get back to their seat and buckle up. Everyone kind of does that on their own. Refreshing.

The FA's, who were nice ladies and very experienced and were in their late 30's or early 40's I'd say, were not there for our safety. They were there to get the food ready, serve drinks (non-alcoholic) and make us comfortable. Other than that, they were more interested in the coaches than the players.

Coming from a normal post-9/11 commercial flight onto a NBA flight was such a shock. But I'm glad I got to experience it for a while. For me those were the golden days of travel.