Flying? Only if You Like being Treated as Dirt

Many years ago, way back in the 1950s, flying was luxury.   One was treated better boarding an airline than a bus, and on par with  a train.  In those days, the traveler was respected.

Even into the 1980s there was a respect for the traveler, and I recalled complaining to Air Jamaica about the banana chips they served on an evening flight.  It looked tacky, I said.

The last time I flew was last year.   I went up to New York City.  I flew on Jetblue.  I had to be at the airport at like 2 am for the 4 am flight.

The treatment was on par with a minivan going to Ocho Rios.

Let me explain.

A minivan races in; “Me go Ochi!”  his pimps shout, and they load up the van.  Then, the driver comes in after his ‘whites’ , jumps behind the wheel and takes off.

The bus is crowded, the driving is wild, and when it reached the hills, the swinging around tight bends had everyone gasping.  After the terror, the bus stops and people stagger out.   You do get used to it.

Now, to modern day flying.

No longer are customers treated with respect.  They are treated the same way as if they are boarding a minivan; that is, they are poor, they don’t own a car.   Only to get on the plane one has to be searched.   This might be a simple frisk, an x-ray, or being taken to a side room and stripped.

Then there is the long wait to board.

Now the plane is as tight packed as a mini-van.   This is like ‘middle passage’ with seats.  Squeezing as many people into a plane as possible is the new style.

There is no food on a plane.

In ancient days, we flew BOAC; British Overseas Air Company.  The food was 1st class.  The Stewardesses were of the highest quality.   They spoke and acted as if they were ladies in waiting to the Queen.   The seats were plush, there was space to move.

Today, the staff, male and female, are no better than the pimps who load the mini van.  Unfriendly, miserable people who treat the passengers as interferences in their lives.

The plane takes off, if when, the plane proceeds, and if you get the equivalent of a bag of banana chips, you’re lucky, for the food, has a cost.

When the plane lands it is a push and shove to get your luggage and get out of the airport.  There are few people to ask any questions as to which way to go.

If you’ve ever been a prisoner or begging some governmental agency, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Flying is a horrible experience today.

What happened on the United Airlines flight, when the man was dragged off the plane is actually the next step. Once you start treating your customers like dirt, they can expect anything.