FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: Frontier Gold, DL estranged 1MMer, Spirit VIP, CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat/comped gold now dust.
Posts: 38,151
Oh, and a good study in contrasts would have to be Mainland-Hawaii service. Then: 747s with FA's in costume, special menus, special souvenirs given out, and airlines finding ways to use the opportunity to make a real impression on already excited passengers.
Now: Packed flights, cash-cow mentality on fares, meals for purchase as if it were a domestic flight but upgrade rules as if it were international (worst of both worlds), new bag limits, and stressed FAs. What was once an experience to look forward to is today one of the more dreaded long flights.