Wow, this subject has really made me think.

It seems to me that a lot of the negatives that folks have mentioned (pulling on headrest, etc.) are a result of flying and can happen to anyone in a plane. Maybe it’s just that some of us notice it more because we are on more planes.

OTOH, we also can appreciate the habits which come with flying a lot. I know that to my friends and family that don’t travel a lot it can be a major production, particularly if children (chronological or emotional) are involved. For me many of the things that need to happen for a smooth trip are now routine (as much as they can be) so I don’t waste a lot of nervous energy on them. Also, many of those who travel just a few times a year, do it when the system is most stressed (holidays, summer school vacation, etc.) For this reason maybe that’s why it always seems like a hassle to them. But I know that most times things go pretty well

I try to look at it like driving. I can make the same drive every day, sometimes I hit every light when it’s green and when I arrive I get a parking spot right in front., five minutes door-to-door On the bad days every light is red and the closest parking is across the lot. My commute has suddenly gone from five minutes to a half hour.

This happens when I fly as well. The good days are when I checked in at home, got upgraded, pushed back on time and arrived early. The bad times, which are much less frequent. are when the system wouldn’t allow online check-in, the elite security line was a mile long, the flight was late, couldn’t find an open gate, etc.

Most of these things, in both good and bad cases, are out of my control so all I can do is react to them. If I let them upset me then that’s just another problem on the list, it doesn’t usually improve the situation.

Anyway, thanks for the topic as it has helped me appreciate some of the things I take for granted.