Was Flying Ever Different?
Jun 1, 2013 | 5:16 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Programs: Alcoholics Anonymous - Platinum, Gamblers Anonymous - Gold
Posts: 212
My dad worked for Delta (well, it was Western Airlines when he started) for 35 years. My family, of course, flew non-rev, and as was the case back in those pre-deregulation, pre-frequent flyer miles era, we often got to sit in First Class. I remember that even as a 10 year old, I had to wear kid slacks and a kid sports jacket. In fact, when a friend from jr. high told me he was flying in First (revenue), I warned him that he had to wear a jacket and tie or he wouldn't be let on! I simply didn't know any better.
Jun 1, 2013 | 6:36 am
#17
Join Date: May 2010
Location: FSD
Programs: BAEC, Delta SkyPesos, VS FC, SQ KF, AA, HHonors
Posts: 1,884
Many FA's make under 20k per annum. They're not regular customers at Herms. Their non-rev family members probably aren't paragons of fashion, either. They're looking to do their jobs with a minimum of annoyances.
The white collar professional who paid with Amex points? He's on holiday and desires ease & comfort. Many of these chaps are escaping their neck-ties, not cracking out a new one.
The self-important businessman? He's too busy pretending to rule the world on the company dime in a Joseph A Bank suit.
The FT'er waxing poetic on bygone elegance? They're living in the past. If you experienced flying back in the day as slawecki did, such grandiose memories must seem like an imagined past.
Jun 1, 2013 | 11:27 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NAP
Programs: LH, BA, TK
Posts: 2,410
Jun 1, 2013 | 4:52 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,810
Jun 1, 2013 | 6:39 pm
#20
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
in 1967, we had a project w/united....every sun i did iad-sfo & fri came back....the plane was a stretch dc8, comfortable in back for 6'3", 215 lb guy....
ua would give you a lounge card if you documented flying 100k mi....
circa 1976/7, my boss & i were were at braniff gate at dfw waiting for a delayed flight.....harding lawrence, braniff chairman was also waiting....boss knew him, so we chatted a bit & and he set up both of us w/lounge cards...
ua would give you a lounge card if you documented flying 100k mi....
circa 1976/7, my boss & i were were at braniff gate at dfw waiting for a delayed flight.....harding lawrence, braniff chairman was also waiting....boss knew him, so we chatted a bit & and he set up both of us w/lounge cards...
Jun 1, 2013 | 6:45 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 179
Delta/AA/UA/ETC could easily take a plane, remove 20% of the seats, and charge 25% more for each seat...but, this would be a failing concept, and they know it.
Travelers are either very price sensitive, or very un-price sensitive...
Jun 1, 2013 | 9:33 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 4,856
Adding to all this I think the worldwide smoking ban was not a good thing for air travel. Agree or disagree with me but for a smoker that tobacco fix is like a class A addiction and for that person to be deprived of his or her fix for anything up to 15 hours is not pleasant. It's one thing banning all smoking on flights, but for most airports now to even close special smoking areas is in my opinion asking for trouble. At least allow a nervous flyer smoker one cigarette.
Well, since you asked us to agree or disagree, I will disagree. That's one thing about the old days I certainly don't miss--sitting a few rows away from a bunch of smoke puffers. Ugh, I can't imagine why we put up with it ever.
Jun 2, 2013 | 12:29 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: LHR / IAD
Programs: BA/AA/UA
Posts: 2,955
We've had a few dozen threads on this topic FWIW
Jun 2, 2013 | 12:30 am
#24
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: LHR / IAD
Programs: BA/AA/UA
Posts: 2,955
For whose benefit?
Many FA's make under 20k per annum. They're not regular customers at Herms. Their non-rev family members probably aren't paragons of fashion, either. They're looking to do their jobs with a minimum of annoyances.
The white collar professional who paid with Amex points? He's on holiday and desires ease & comfort. Many of these chaps are escaping their neck-ties, not cracking out a new one.
The self-important businessman? He's too busy pretending to rule the world on the company dime in a Joseph A Bank suit.
The FT'er waxing poetic on bygone elegance? They're living in the past. If you experienced flying back in the day as slawecki did, such grandiose memories must seem like an imagined past.
Many FA's make under 20k per annum. They're not regular customers at Herms. Their non-rev family members probably aren't paragons of fashion, either. They're looking to do their jobs with a minimum of annoyances.
The white collar professional who paid with Amex points? He's on holiday and desires ease & comfort. Many of these chaps are escaping their neck-ties, not cracking out a new one.
The self-important businessman? He's too busy pretending to rule the world on the company dime in a Joseph A Bank suit.
The FT'er waxing poetic on bygone elegance? They're living in the past. If you experienced flying back in the day as slawecki did, such grandiose memories must seem like an imagined past.
Jun 2, 2013 | 9:35 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 21,268
What they don't do... is sell a first class cabin. All coach.
Jun 2, 2013 | 9:50 pm
#26
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: HGP/SPG: Apprentice Kettle; UA/AA/DL: Journeyman Kettle
Posts: 866
Unfortunately this is no longer an apt analogy. There are infinitely more restaurants than airlines so you have far more options. Both restaurants and airlines know this and respond accordingly. Add the pressure for low fares and the inevitable "fare wars" that occur, it's no surprise that air travel is a commodity now.
I think a McDonald's is a better analogy for air travel these days:
You order a Double Quarter Pounder and receive a regular Quarter Pounder. Then:
a) The cashier stares at you blankly (at best) or is annoyed that you've reappeared (more normal)
b) They add the additional patty or replace the sandwich altogether while pouting or sighing heavily
c) You get nothing else except more calories than you need
I think a McDonald's is a better analogy for air travel these days:
You order a Double Quarter Pounder and receive a regular Quarter Pounder. Then:
a) The cashier stares at you blankly (at best) or is annoyed that you've reappeared (more normal)
b) They add the additional patty or replace the sandwich altogether while pouting or sighing heavily
c) You get nothing else except more calories than you need
Most 'fine' dining restaurants have very large margins on the charge for the food. So fine dining is more akin to paying the full un-discounted CASH price for a seat/suite in First class. In almost all cases that I know of personally the airline treats such customers well. And the level of customer service goes down from there. Just as it does as you move down the dining experience chain.
Last edited by MIT_SBM; Jun 2, 2013 at 10:00 pm