Air Travel isn't what it used to be

Some things are better; most worse. We flew out of Columbus on March 30 at 6:05 a.m., to change planes in Houston and land in Santa Ana about 11 a.m. However, before we left the gate in Columbus, a passenger became ill, the plane returned, and an ambulence came and EMTs took him off the plane. Then we had to wait for more fuel because the pilot planned to make up the time. So we landed in Houston only 5 minutes late, but it sure was a bumpy ride!

Bush (Houston) is a huge airport and we were really hoofing it to make our connection, so we asked a driver of a transportation cart for directions. She explained the walk-way, and then took a good look at us, and offered to drive us to our gate, which meant back tracking because the cart didn't do stairs. Along the way she picked up several other passengers and detoured to their gates, always assuring us we'd get to ours with a few minutes to catch our breath, and we did--while whizzing through the airport at ground speed limits hanging on as we went around corners and other passengers.

Airlines now charge extra for just about everything--not that those things weren't covered in your ticket price before, but if you can't raise ticket charges, then they charge for the air you breathe. We each took a carry-on and checked one larger bag through ($25). What some people call "carry-on" amazes me--like the size of a fat golfing bag, then a back-pack is called the personal bag (no charge) and an overloaded duffle is called a purse or computer bag (no charge).

Airline food was never terrific, but it helped pass the miles. It is no more. Now you can order from a menu and pay (credit card only), which is more fiction than fact. We decided to split a lovely sandwich after leaving Houston--since it was nearing our lunch time, but the attendant had no choices, plus she said they only had four of the non-choice for the entire plane! The grilled hamburgers at our relatives' beautiful backyard in Tustin never tasted so good!

Beautiful, young stewardesses with engaging smiles and personalities also don't exist any more. Flight attendants are either burly males, or over-fifty, tired, cranky females whose feet hurt. No more smashing uniforms either. On our return flight the emergency instructions were read by a woman who either had forgotten her glasses, didn't know how to read, or she was hung over. It was almost comical, although not confidence building.

Airport attire is very casual--I converted to athletic shoes and new, light weight sweat pants for the trip, something I almost never wear outside exercise class. I saw well dressed foreigners, however, and some business men in suits and dress shoes. One woman looked like she had painted on her faded jeans and was wobbling through on 4" wedge heels, looking a bit like a call girl, but I suppose it was fashionalbe (not sure what part of town, though). One couple on our return plane on April 7 had a baby, a toddler, and a dog, with all the necessary equipment. The dog was quieter than the children, but really, considering how difficult it is to explain to a child or a dog why their ears are hurting, all five did very well.

E-tickets are a bit confusing for those of us who don't fly much. No more nice little folders for the tickets, which are now thin paper and not card stock. Little bar code type thingies on paper, scanners, no eye contact. But I saw wonderful assistance and treatment for the disabled and people with small children. Wonderful too, to have smoke free airports and airplanes. Remember how awful that recirculated blue smoke was staying with you long after the trip just a few years back?