I've had enough (rant)!

[disneysteve]

One of the issues with flying is the principal of using "hubs".

Transporting fliers to one central airport, then dispersing from that one airport creates as many problems as it solves.

I was once trying to schedule a flight from Philadelphia to Cleveland. The first option I was offered had me flying through North Carolina. Last time I checked, N. Carolina is 12 hours south of Philly and Cleveland is 10 hours northwest of Philly. Why would I want to go that far totally out of my way? How is that efficient?

[kork13]

A friend sent me a joke recently. The gist was that the Israelis are developing a new airport security device. It doesn't do any scan or involve any radiation. You just step into a small booth and the device detonates any explosives you may be carrying. End of story. Other folks in the airport just hear a muffled explosion and than an announcement over the PA, "Attention passengers, a seat is now available on Flight #327."

...and I LOL'd... Hilarious! What about knives/guns/the like? Huge electromagnets that remove them forcibly? Just hope you don't have any medical plates or pins anywhere!


Personally, I enjoy making long drives. I enjoy seeing the country, and find long drives very relaxing -- my only concern while driving is literally just staying in my lane. Otherwise, there's nothing to worry about while I'm driving. No business, no paperwork, no meetings, no nothing. Besides, having the freedom to make my own schedule and have my car available to me is far too valuable to me to overpay for an airline ticket. I don't even think twice about driving somewhere if it's within 8 hours. I'll normally make the drive if it's within 12 hours as well. Beyond that, it really just depends on how much time I have on my hands. I've driven cross-country (5-day trip), and I've flown to the next state over (would have been 8-9 hr drive).

[disneysteve]

Personally, I enjoy making long drives. I enjoy seeing the country, and find long drives very relaxing

Besides, having the freedom to make my own schedule and have my car available to me is far too valuable to me to overpay for an airline ticket.

Same here. That's why we drive to Florida every year. Over the years, we've developed favorite places to stop and regional things that we only get on that trip like pecan logs or boiled peanuts or free citrus samples. We love driving through the cotton fields or past South of the Border or crossing over the Okefenokee Swamp. The drive is very much a part of the vacation.

As for having our own vehicle, that is priceless. We load up the minivan with everything we could possibly need when we get to our destination. We don't have to worry if our suitcases weigh 52 pounds instead of 49. We bring a couple of cartons of food. We bring drinks. We bring computers. We bring DVDs to watch in the room. We bring full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner and various other liquids that wouldn't be permitted on the planes. And when we are returning from a trip, purchases made while away are easily transported home without worrying about them getting destroyed in checked luggage or not fitting in carry-on pieces.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Honestly? Within 8 hours even with a baby I'd drive period. You couldn't pay me to fly. I hate it. Too bad everywhere we need to go is pretty much a required flight. Parents, in-laws, family, are all flights.

I am cringing now that I think about my Christmas flight. It will be hell to pay, I pray we aren't caught in a snow storm.

[marvholly]

Due to my $$ circumstances + all family being VERY local I have no plans for any travel.

However, I have gotten to the point of saying I WILL pretty much drive everywhere I might go. Since my primary airport is o'Hare & it was BAAAD b/4 the 'new' system I know it will be MUUCCHHH worse now. NO WAAAY!!! I can see quite a few airlines having major $$ problems & cutting service & staff even more. This is the ONLYclout we, as consumers, have.

Hit em where it hurts.

[Drac]

I totally agree with the "security theater" description. I have flew multiple times with a jack knife and a peper spray on my purse and have never been detected or stopped!