Good luck ...
 

justan wrote:
Keyser Soze Wrote in message:
On 7/4/18 12:15 PM, Bill wrote:
wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 10:35:54 -0400, Keyser Soze wrote:

On 7/3/18 10:05 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 3 Jul 2018 13:03:29 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Wow...that would cost a small fortune in baggage fees, coming and going, up here.
Wife is heading off to Toronto for 5 days in the middle of the month
and she's trying to pack everything into a carry on bag plus a large
over the shoulder bag. We'll see how that works out.

Buy a better plane ticket and you don't pay baggage fees.


Well, it'll take a much bigger luggage fee to come out ahead.
I bought our two tickets in coach and paid a bit extra per seat to get
the Emergency Exit row for each of us. These have sufficient legroom to
get comfortable. The tickets were $640 each *less* than first class. My
wife has a big rolling suitcase that if she packs carefully stays under
50 pounds and if she is a little over, the shoes end up in my smaller,
lighter suitcase. So, what would we be missing in first class? Some
crappy microwaved airline meal, as opposed to the sandwiches and snacks
we'll buy in the airport to take on board.

Airline travel is a big enough rip-off as it is. Why hand them even more
$$$ to be inconvenienced with a ****ty means of travel.

Quite simply, they treat you nicer. A first class seat is still bigger
than any coach seat, you don't have anyone with their elbow in your
lap. You get on and off the plane faster, lines at the counter are
pretty much non existent, baggage comes off the plane first. They
usually have an express line through TSS, free drinks etc.
BTW those baggage (and other) fees add up pretty fast.

It is a ****ty way to travel but less so up front and I am willing to
pay to be treated nicer. If you want to be cattle prodded back to your
cheap seats and be uncomfortable for 5 hours or so, go for it. I might
be OK in an exit row seat going from here to Atlanta but not to the
west coast.


The bad part about upgrading these days are the exorbitant charges. When
we went Dallas to Johannesburg was $1400 coach, which did include meals and
drinks. To move up to Business was an EXTRA $5700. When I use to fly to
Asia, business class was only 50% more. We are going to Kauai later this
year. Economy Plus is an extra $80 each way. Which is not that bad.
Which means you are paying $155 more than the $25 baggage fee for one
checked bag. Expensive meals,


Most of the planes that travel within the USA seem to only offer
steerage and first class, which is what our flight from DCA has...


3000 miles within the good old usa that should narrow it down a bit.

Narrow what down?

--
Posted with my iPhone 8+.

Good luck ...
 

True North wrote:
On Wednesday, 4 July 2018 10:54:40 UTC-3, justan wrote:
Wrote in message:
On Tue, 3 Jul 2018 13:03:29 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Wow...that would cost a small fortune in baggage fees, coming and going, up here.
Wife is heading off to Toronto for 5 days in the middle of the month and she's trying to pack everything into a carry on bag plus a large over the shoulder bag. We'll see how that works out.
Buy a better plane ticket and you don't pay baggage fees.

Thrifty Don wouldn't think of it.
--
x


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/
Neighbourhood lady was going up to an Eagles concert and hated the idea of traveling alone. She used her air miles to pay for my wife's trip..except for the small portion that had to be paid by flyer. $152.00 for round trip flight to Toronto in the middle of summer. Cheap by Canadian prices.

It doesn't HAVE to be paid by the flyer...

Good luck ...
 

True North wrote:
On Wednesday, 4 July 2018 12:14:39 UTC-3, Wayne.B wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 10:45:08 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 7/4/2018 10:35 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 7/3/18 10:05 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 3 Jul 2018 13:03:29 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Wow...that would cost a small fortune in baggage fees, coming and
going, up here.
Wife is heading off to Toronto for 5 days in the middle of the month
and she's trying to pack everything into a carry on bag plus a large
over the shoulder bag. We'll see how that works out.
Buy a better plane ticket and you don't pay baggage fees.

Well, it'll take a much bigger luggage fee to come out ahead.
I bought our two tickets in coach and paid a bit extra per seat to get
the Emergency Exit row for each of us. These have sufficient legroom to
get comfortable. The tickets were $640 each *less* than first class. My
wife has a big rolling suitcase that if she packs carefully stays under
50 pounds and if she is a little over, the shoes end up in my smaller,
lighter suitcase. So, what would we be missing in first class? Some
crappy microwaved airline meal, as opposed to the sandwiches and snacks
we'll buy in the airport to take on board.

Airline travel is a big enough rip-off as it is. Why hand them even more
$$$ to be inconvenienced with a ****ty means of travel.

You might want to look into buying or renting an RV. You can take
all the luggage and food you want while saving big bucks by not
staying in crappy, bedbug ridden hotel rooms. :-)
===

Better yet, buy a big, fuel efficient, diesel trawler. Sleep in your
own clean comfortable bed every night at the scenic waterfront
location of your choice.

(Presently in Essex, one of the crown jewels of the CT coast)

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1025&bih=473&e i=cOM8W_3MG6Pn5gLqroHIAg&q=essex%2C+ct&oq=essex%2C +ct

Essex?? Isn't that where L'il Scotty Ingersol had a house?

Y'all never miss a chance to wreck a pleasant thread, do you?

Good luck ...
 

On Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at 4:12:44 PM UTC-4, justan wrote:
True North Wrote in message:
On Wednesday, 4 July 2018 10:54:40 UTC-3, justan wrote:
Wrote in message:
On Tue, 3 Jul 2018 13:03:29 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Wow...that would cost a small fortune in baggage fees, coming and going, up here.
Wife is heading off to Toronto for 5 days in the middle of the month and she's trying to pack everything into a carry on bag plus a large over the shoulder bag. We'll see how that works out.

Buy a better plane ticket and you don't pay baggage fees.


Thrifty Don wouldn't think of it.
--
x


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

Neighbourhood lady was going up to an Eagles concert and hated the idea of traveling alone. She used her air miles to pay for my wife's trip..except for the small portion that had to be paid by flyer. $152.00 for round trip flight to Toronto in the middle of summer. Cheap by Canadian prices.


They may sound a little flat without the lead singer.

We just saw them a couple of months ago. Glenn Frey's son is freakishly similar to him when covering his songs, and then you have Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy Schmit, and also Vince Gill. It was a great show, although I would have loved to see Glenn.

Good luck ...
 

On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 12:46:51 -0400, Keyser Soze wrote:



A slightly wider seat, a ****ty microwaved meal, and getting off the
plane faster isn't much incentive to double your airfare for first
class. I can't recall when I had more than one piece of checked luggage
and a carry on bag. If you don't fly in rush hour, the TSA lines aren't
bad at National, Dulles or BWI. I don't drink, so the free booze in
first class is no incentive.

I have done both classes of flight many times and there is not really
any comparison, particularly in this current "no frills" coach
climate. They really do just treat you nicer in first class. Most of
the things that **** me off about flying are a whole lot better,
certainly a few hundred dollars better anyway.

Good luck ...
 

On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 16:54:54 -0700 (PDT), Its Me
wrote:

On Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at 4:12:44 PM UTC-4, justan wrote:
True North Wrote in message:
On Wednesday, 4 July 2018 10:54:40 UTC-3, justan wrote:
Wrote in message:
On Tue, 3 Jul 2018 13:03:29 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Wow...that would cost a small fortune in baggage fees, coming and going, up here.
Wife is heading off to Toronto for 5 days in the middle of the month and she's trying to pack everything into a carry on bag plus a large over the shoulder bag. We'll see how that works out.

Buy a better plane ticket and you don't pay baggage fees.


Thrifty Don wouldn't think of it.
--
x


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

Neighbourhood lady was going up to an Eagles concert and hated the idea of traveling alone. She used her air miles to pay for my wife's trip..except for the small portion that had to be paid by flyer. $152.00 for round trip flight to Toronto in the middle of summer. Cheap by Canadian prices.


They may sound a little flat without the lead singer.

We just saw them a couple of months ago. Glenn Frey's son is freakishly similar to him when covering his songs, and then you have Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy Schmit, and also Vince Gill. It was a great show, although I would have loved to see Glenn.

I guess this is sort of the Eagles, they have Don Henley.
It is not quite like going to see the Temptations and there being a
white guy singing with them ;-)

Good luck ...
 

On Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at 9:36:31 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 16:54:54 -0700 (PDT), Its Me
wrote:

On Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at 4:12:44 PM UTC-4, justan wrote:
True North Wrote in message:
On Wednesday, 4 July 2018 10:54:40 UTC-3, justan wrote:
Wrote in message:
On Tue, 3 Jul 2018 13:03:29 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Wow...that would cost a small fortune in baggage fees, coming and going, up here.
Wife is heading off to Toronto for 5 days in the middle of the month and she's trying to pack everything into a carry on bag plus a large over the shoulder bag. We'll see how that works out.

Buy a better plane ticket and you don't pay baggage fees.


Thrifty Don wouldn't think of it.
--
x


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

Neighbourhood lady was going up to an Eagles concert and hated the idea of traveling alone. She used her air miles to pay for my wife's trip..except for the small portion that had to be paid by flyer. $152.00 for round trip flight to Toronto in the middle of summer. Cheap by Canadian prices.


They may sound a little flat without the lead singer.

We just saw them a couple of months ago. Glenn Frey's son is freakishly similar to him when covering his songs, and then you have Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy Schmit, and also Vince Gill. It was a great show, although I would have loved to see Glenn.

I guess this is sort of the Eagles, they have Don Henley.
It is not quite like going to see the Temptations and there being a
white guy singing with them ;-)

Glenn wasn't the only element of the Eagles. For me, seeing Don and especially Joe was worth the price of admission. Seeing Joe do "Rocky Mountain Way", "Life's Been Good", and "Walk Away" was worth it all.

Good luck ...
 

Good luck ...
 

On Thu, 5 Jul 2018 19:34:06 -0400, Alex wrote:

wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 12:46:51 -0400, Keyser Soze wrote:


A slightly wider seat, a ****ty microwaved meal, and getting off the
plane faster isn't much incentive to double your airfare for first
class. I can't recall when I had more than one piece of checked luggage
and a carry on bag. If you don't fly in rush hour, the TSA lines aren't
bad at National, Dulles or BWI. I don't drink, so the free booze in
first class is no incentive.
I have done both classes of flight many times and there is not really
any comparison, particularly in this current "no frills" coach
climate. They really do just treat you nicer in first class. Most of
the things that **** me off about flying are a whole lot better,
certainly a few hundred dollars better anyway.



I agree. Other than a SWA flight to New Orleans I haven't flown coach
in over five years and we travel 3-4 times per year. I have used miles
for the upgrade, but on many flights it only cost us $200 or less, per
ticket, to just buy the seats. No middle row, easy on and off, priority
check-in, legroom, free bags that arrive first at the carousel, etc.
It's well worth it. We have TSA Pre Check which was also well worth the
money. Shoes stay on, laptop stays in bag, belt stays on, and we get
through security most often in less than five minutes.

I never went through the process or paid the money but we get pre
check most of the time anyway. Add that to the express line for first
class at most airports and we seem to zip right through security. The
best is if you stay at the Westin in Detroit. They have their own TSA
screening and it dumps you straight from the hotel lobby into
concourse A.
We were stuck at RSW leaving Ft Myers waiting for the weather to
clear. We knew we were going to miss our flight in DTW so we made
reservations right then. By the time we landed, there were no rooms to
be had but we just went right straight from the concourse to our room.
There were people sleeping on benches by then.

Good luck ...
 

On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 10:45:08 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 7/4/2018 10:35 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 7/3/18 10:05 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 3 Jul 2018 13:03:29 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Wow...that would cost a small fortune in baggage fees, coming and
going, up here.
Wife is heading off to Toronto for 5 days in the middle of the month
and she's trying to pack everything into a carry on bag plus a large
over the shoulder bag. We'll see how that works out.

Buy a better plane ticket and you don't pay baggage fees.


Well, it'll take a much bigger luggage fee to come out ahead.
I bought our two tickets in coach and paid a bit extra per seat to get
the Emergency Exit row for each of us. These have sufficient legroom to
get comfortable. The tickets were $640 each *less* than first class. My
wife has a big rolling suitcase that if she packs carefully stays under
50 pounds and if she is a little over, the shoes end up in my smaller,
lighter suitcase. So, what would we be missing in first class? Some
crappy microwaved airline meal, as opposed to the sandwiches and snacks
we'll buy in the airport to take on board.

Airline travel is a big enough rip-off as it is. Why hand them even more
$$$ to be inconvenienced with a ****ty means of travel.


You might want to look into buying or renting an RV. You can take
all the luggage and food you want while saving big bucks by not
staying in crappy, bedbug ridden hotel rooms. :-)

Hee, hee!

Good luck ...
 

On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 19:50:05 -0400, Alex wrote:

True North wrote:
On Wednesday, 4 July 2018 12:14:39 UTC-3, Wayne.B wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 10:45:08 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 7/4/2018 10:35 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 7/3/18 10:05 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 3 Jul 2018 13:03:29 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Wow...that would cost a small fortune in baggage fees, coming and
going, up here.
Wife is heading off to Toronto for 5 days in the middle of the month
and she's trying to pack everything into a carry on bag plus a large
over the shoulder bag. We'll see how that works out.
Buy a better plane ticket and you don't pay baggage fees.

Well, it'll take a much bigger luggage fee to come out ahead.
I bought our two tickets in coach and paid a bit extra per seat to get
the Emergency Exit row for each of us. These have sufficient legroom to
get comfortable. The tickets were $640 each *less* than first class. My
wife has a big rolling suitcase that if she packs carefully stays under
50 pounds and if she is a little over, the shoes end up in my smaller,
lighter suitcase. So, what would we be missing in first class? Some
crappy microwaved airline meal, as opposed to the sandwiches and snacks
we'll buy in the airport to take on board.

Airline travel is a big enough rip-off as it is. Why hand them even more
$$$ to be inconvenienced with a ****ty means of travel.

You might want to look into buying or renting an RV. You can take
all the luggage and food you want while saving big bucks by not
staying in crappy, bedbug ridden hotel rooms. :-)
===

Better yet, buy a big, fuel efficient, diesel trawler. Sleep in your
own clean comfortable bed every night at the scenic waterfront
location of your choice.

(Presently in Essex, one of the crown jewels of the CT coast)

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1025&bih=473&e i=cOM8W_3MG6Pn5gLqroHIAg&q=essex%2C+ct&oq=essex%2C +ct

Essex?? Isn't that where L'il Scotty Ingersol had a house?

Y'all never miss a chance to wreck a pleasant thread, do you?

Yup.

Good luck ...
 

On Thu, 5 Jul 2018 19:34:06 -0400, Alex wrote:

wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 12:46:51 -0400, Keyser Soze wrote:


A slightly wider seat, a ****ty microwaved meal, and getting off the
plane faster isn't much incentive to double your airfare for first
class. I can't recall when I had more than one piece of checked luggage
and a carry on bag. If you don't fly in rush hour, the TSA lines aren't
bad at National, Dulles or BWI. I don't drink, so the free booze in
first class is no incentive.
I have done both classes of flight many times and there is not really
any comparison, particularly in this current "no frills" coach
climate. They really do just treat you nicer in first class. Most of
the things that **** me off about flying are a whole lot better,
certainly a few hundred dollars better anyway.



I agree. Other than a SWA flight to New Orleans I haven't flown coach
in over five years and we travel 3-4 times per year. I have used miles
for the upgrade, but on many flights it only cost us $200 or less, per
ticket, to just buy the seats. No middle row, easy on and off, priority
check-in, legroom, free bags that arrive first at the carousel, etc.
It's well worth it. We have TSA Pre Check which was also well worth the
money. Shoes stay on, laptop stays in bag, belt stays on, and we get
through security most often in less than five minutes.

Never spent the bucks for first class. Army never paid for it either. Maybe one of these days.

Good luck ...
 

On 7/8/2018 5:15 PM, John H. wrote:
On Thu, 5 Jul 2018 19:34:06 -0400, Alex wrote:

wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 12:46:51 -0400, Keyser Soze wrote:


A slightly wider seat, a ****ty microwaved meal, and getting off the
plane faster isn't much incentive to double your airfare for first
class. I can't recall when I had more than one piece of checked luggage
and a carry on bag. If you don't fly in rush hour, the TSA lines aren't
bad at National, Dulles or BWI. I don't drink, so the free booze in
first class is no incentive.
I have done both classes of flight many times and there is not really
any comparison, particularly in this current "no frills" coach
climate. They really do just treat you nicer in first class. Most of
the things that **** me off about flying are a whole lot better,
certainly a few hundred dollars better anyway.



I agree. Other than a SWA flight to New Orleans I haven't flown coach
in over five years and we travel 3-4 times per year. I have used miles
for the upgrade, but on many flights it only cost us $200 or less, per
ticket, to just buy the seats. No middle row, easy on and off, priority
check-in, legroom, free bags that arrive first at the carousel, etc.
It's well worth it. We have TSA Pre Check which was also well worth the
money. Shoes stay on, laptop stays in bag, belt stays on, and we get
through security most often in less than five minutes.

Never spent the bucks for first class. Army never paid for it either. Maybe one of these days.


I was surprised when we left Italy after two years with our then 1 month
old daughter. Navy bought three seats for our flight back to the States
even though the baby flew free as long as one of us held it. I
questioned it (because I would not have able to afford to re-pay
it if it was done in error). Nope, was told it was a freebie courtesy
of Uncle Sam. Was told we could probably use the extra space.

Good luck ...
 

On Sun, 8 Jul 2018 17:26:07 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 7/8/2018 5:15 PM, John H. wrote:
On Thu, 5 Jul 2018 19:34:06 -0400, Alex wrote:

wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 12:46:51 -0400, Keyser Soze wrote:


A slightly wider seat, a ****ty microwaved meal, and getting off the
plane faster isn't much incentive to double your airfare for first
class. I can't recall when I had more than one piece of checked luggage
and a carry on bag. If you don't fly in rush hour, the TSA lines aren't
bad at National, Dulles or BWI. I don't drink, so the free booze in
first class is no incentive.
I have done both classes of flight many times and there is not really
any comparison, particularly in this current "no frills" coach
climate. They really do just treat you nicer in first class. Most of
the things that **** me off about flying are a whole lot better,
certainly a few hundred dollars better anyway.



I agree. Other than a SWA flight to New Orleans I haven't flown coach
in over five years and we travel 3-4 times per year. I have used miles
for the upgrade, but on many flights it only cost us $200 or less, per
ticket, to just buy the seats. No middle row, easy on and off, priority
check-in, legroom, free bags that arrive first at the carousel, etc.
It's well worth it. We have TSA Pre Check which was also well worth the
money. Shoes stay on, laptop stays in bag, belt stays on, and we get
through security most often in less than five minutes.

Never spent the bucks for first class. Army never paid for it either. Maybe one of these days.


I was surprised when we left Italy after two years with our then 1 month
old daughter. Navy bought three seats for our flight back to the States
even though the baby flew free as long as one of us held it. I
questioned it (because I would not have able to afford to re-pay
it if it was done in error). Nope, was told it was a freebie courtesy
of Uncle Sam. Was told we could probably use the extra space.


That was nice! I made a round trip from Seoul as the 'helper/interpreter' for a Korean general. We
got to the airport and he was treated like royalty...first class all the way. In his coattails, I
was treated very well also. That lasted until we got on the plane. Then this poor LTC got put back
with the mob. The first class folks didn't enjoy the flight much either. Turns out this was an
'adoption' flight, with about 25 babies aboard, all sitting in the front of the coach section. Those
little guys kept the entire plane awake all night long.

Good luck ...
 

On 7/9/2018 6:18 AM, John H. wrote:
On Sun, 8 Jul 2018 17:26:07 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 7/8/2018 5:15 PM, John H. wrote:
On Thu, 5 Jul 2018 19:34:06 -0400, Alex wrote:

wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 12:46:51 -0400, Keyser Soze wrote:


A slightly wider seat, a ****ty microwaved meal, and getting off the
plane faster isn't much incentive to double your airfare for first
class. I can't recall when I had more than one piece of checked luggage
and a carry on bag. If you don't fly in rush hour, the TSA lines aren't
bad at National, Dulles or BWI. I don't drink, so the free booze in
first class is no incentive.
I have done both classes of flight many times and there is not really
any comparison, particularly in this current "no frills" coach
climate. They really do just treat you nicer in first class. Most of
the things that **** me off about flying are a whole lot better,
certainly a few hundred dollars better anyway.



I agree. Other than a SWA flight to New Orleans I haven't flown coach
in over five years and we travel 3-4 times per year. I have used miles
for the upgrade, but on many flights it only cost us $200 or less, per
ticket, to just buy the seats. No middle row, easy on and off, priority
check-in, legroom, free bags that arrive first at the carousel, etc.
It's well worth it. We have TSA Pre Check which was also well worth the
money. Shoes stay on, laptop stays in bag, belt stays on, and we get
through security most often in less than five minutes.

Never spent the bucks for first class. Army never paid for it either. Maybe one of these days.


I was surprised when we left Italy after two years with our then 1 month
old daughter. Navy bought three seats for our flight back to the States
even though the baby flew free as long as one of us held it. I
questioned it (because I would not have able to afford to re-pay
it if it was done in error). Nope, was told it was a freebie courtesy
of Uncle Sam. Was told we could probably use the extra space.


That was nice! I made a round trip from Seoul as the 'helper/interpreter' for a Korean general. We
got to the airport and he was treated like royalty...first class all the way. In his coattails, I
was treated very well also. That lasted until we got on the plane. Then this poor LTC got put back
with the mob. The first class folks didn't enjoy the flight much either. Turns out this was an
'adoption' flight, with about 25 babies aboard, all sitting in the front of the coach section. Those
little guys kept the entire plane awake all night long.



I was returning from a business trip to the west coast years ago and
decided to take the "Red Eye" thinking it wouldn't be crowded and I
might be able to sleep for most of the overnight flight. Boarded the
airplane and was encouraged to see there were only about 6 people on the
whole plane. Settled into my seat with a pillow and blanket, getting
ready for a quiet, relaxing trip. All of a sudden I heard a lot of
noise and commotion and about 100 young, loud and energetic Boy Scouts
filed into the plane on their way to some national jamboree on the east
coast.

Didn't get any shuteye on that flight.

Good luck ...
 

On Mon, 9 Jul 2018 06:45:01 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 7/9/2018 6:18 AM, John H. wrote:
On Sun, 8 Jul 2018 17:26:07 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 7/8/2018 5:15 PM, John H. wrote:
On Thu, 5 Jul 2018 19:34:06 -0400, Alex wrote:

wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 12:46:51 -0400, Keyser Soze wrote:


A slightly wider seat, a ****ty microwaved meal, and getting off the
plane faster isn't much incentive to double your airfare for first
class. I can't recall when I had more than one piece of checked luggage
and a carry on bag. If you don't fly in rush hour, the TSA lines aren't
bad at National, Dulles or BWI. I don't drink, so the free booze in
first class is no incentive.
I have done both classes of flight many times and there is not really
any comparison, particularly in this current "no frills" coach
climate. They really do just treat you nicer in first class. Most of
the things that **** me off about flying are a whole lot better,
certainly a few hundred dollars better anyway.



I agree. Other than a SWA flight to New Orleans I haven't flown coach
in over five years and we travel 3-4 times per year. I have used miles
for the upgrade, but on many flights it only cost us $200 or less, per
ticket, to just buy the seats. No middle row, easy on and off, priority
check-in, legroom, free bags that arrive first at the carousel, etc.
It's well worth it. We have TSA Pre Check which was also well worth the
money. Shoes stay on, laptop stays in bag, belt stays on, and we get
through security most often in less than five minutes.

Never spent the bucks for first class. Army never paid for it either. Maybe one of these days.


I was surprised when we left Italy after two years with our then 1 month
old daughter. Navy bought three seats for our flight back to the States
even though the baby flew free as long as one of us held it. I
questioned it (because I would not have able to afford to re-pay
it if it was done in error). Nope, was told it was a freebie courtesy
of Uncle Sam. Was told we could probably use the extra space.


That was nice! I made a round trip from Seoul as the 'helper/interpreter' for a Korean general. We
got to the airport and he was treated like royalty...first class all the way. In his coattails, I
was treated very well also. That lasted until we got on the plane. Then this poor LTC got put back
with the mob. The first class folks didn't enjoy the flight much either. Turns out this was an
'adoption' flight, with about 25 babies aboard, all sitting in the front of the coach section. Those
little guys kept the entire plane awake all night long.



I was returning from a business trip to the west coast years ago and
decided to take the "Red Eye" thinking it wouldn't be crowded and I
might be able to sleep for most of the overnight flight. Boarded the
airplane and was encouraged to see there were only about 6 people on the
whole plane. Settled into my seat with a pillow and blanket, getting
ready for a quiet, relaxing trip. All of a sudden I heard a lot of
noise and commotion and about 100 young, loud and energetic Boy Scouts
filed into the plane on their way to some national jamboree on the east
coast.

Didn't get any shuteye on that flight.

I did the Red Eye to SFO once from DC and it was the 747 with the
piano bar in the back. We had a couple dozen people on the whole plane
so the flight attendants put the sleepers up in the 1st class cabin
upstairs and the rest of us had a party around the piano in the back.
They managed to show up with a bunch of free wine in those little
"split" bottles and a good time was had by all.

My only military flight was from Kingston Jamaica to Gitmo. The C-54
was full of Jamaican laborers and the crew let me ride in a jump seat
up front. It was interesting that they kept the doors open the whole
time. They said it was to keep from stinking up the plane.

Good luck ...
 

On 7/3/2018 5:41 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:

Just saw my son and his family off to return to SC.Â* Limo picked them up
at 6am for a 9:45 flight out of Boston.

His family consists of him, his wife, an 18 year old daughter in
college, a 16 year old daughter who will soon be ready for college and
twins, a boy and a girl aged 6.Â* I've been teasing my son that when
the twins graduate from high school he'll be a year shy of 60.Â* College
for four kids and weddings for three daughters.Â* All he says is, "Yup,
I am screwed".


Huh? he's doing good, I'm 63 and have a daughter starting Dental
school in about 10 days!