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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!