Originally Posted by Sykes

While I wasn't alive in the 70s to remember, it's hard for me to complain too much. While I'd love to avoid over-zealous security and eat chateaubriand, compared to 1970 air travel is half the price and approximately 20x safer (passenger deaths per 100,000 miles flown by US carriers were well over 20x higher in 1970 [source]). Plus we have lie-flat seats. Because of the reduced cost and the increased choice, I can travel dramatically more than I would have been able to in 1970, and to me that's worth the compromise.