Does anyone like to fly anymore?

[DebbieB]

I prefer flying to driving long distance. I'd rather spend 2 hours flying to FL than 16 hours in a car. I don't mind the flight itself, delays can be a hassle.

 

[Jennasis]

I used to LOVE flying. I loved being in airports...wondering where people were going...all excited about wherever I was going.

Thanks to several years working as a cameraman at a NY news station and covering one too many plane crashes (my first assignment was TWA Flight 800, and I quit a few weeks after 9/11).

I fly only when I absolutely MUST, and I am medicated.

 

[AColdNightInHades]

Atlanta both ways. I just KNOW my connecting flight there will be across the airport so I know the short layover will go by quickly.

I LOVE that airport! So much stuff inside.

How in the world can you love ATL? One of the worst airports in the country in my opinion.

I have logged more than 70 flights this year for work and I guess I just tolerate the flights. Being a Medallion flier, TSA Pre-Check, and a Sky Club member ease the pain a bit.

 

[carrie1626]

I hate it. I am not willing to fly unless absolutely necessary. I would rather drive for 2 days. How are you all feeling about it? Any tips to make it easier? I don't carry on anymore, too much trouble fighting for a spot in the bins. The seats seem to be shrinking. But the prices seem to be holding steady. Yuck.

I love flying. The experience in the airport is another story.
If I can get somewhere in 3 hrs instead of days then I get to start MY FUN TIME earlier.
That's worth the airport hassle to me HANDS DOWN

 

[Colleen27]

I hate to fly because it terrifies me, but I do prefer it over driving in many cases. The process doesn't bother me, though - I'll take a cramped seat and a long line at security over traffic jams, maniac drivers, and treacherous weather conditions on road trips at the times of year when we do most of our traveling (winter). And I love that my kids get such a kick out of flying... Even my 5yo has more flights under her belt than I experienced in my first 25 years on this Earth, and for all three kids it is just pure excitement, no worries at all.

 

[eliza61]

I don't mind it. I love to travel and I use to fly a lot for work (not so much now) so I'm pretty good at getting through airports.
Also since my Inlaws are from Europe, I'm use to TSA type security. Most of his family really can't understand why Americans get bent out of shape over airport security.

 

[MIGrandma]

I don't mind flying, wouldn't say I love it but wouldn't say I hate it either.

Our flights are generally only about 2-1/2 hours long because we mostly fly to Florida. Flew to Vegas once and that was about 4 hours, going there wasn't bad but coming home on the "red eye" and wanting to sleep but couldn't wasn't as much fun.

I have downsized my carryon so it fits under the seat in front of me, so I don't have to worry about trying to put it into a bin and not finding any free space.

I'm usually in the middle seat, or by the window, and I don't mind that.

About the only thing I don't like about flying is having to limit my shopping because I don't have enough space in my luggage.

 

[PigletsPal2]

I rather like flying. I took my first flight when I was 20 years old, from Maryland to Panama, where DH was stationed with the Army. I had a 3-month old, a diaper bag, two carry-ons loaded with bottles and Pampers, and this was back in the day when one "dressed" to fly, so I was in a dress and heels, leaving 32-degree temperatures in MD in December for 90-degree temps in Panama.

When DH joined the Foreign Service in 1979, our flying "careers" really started! By the time I retired in 2003, I figured I had more than 250 take-offs and landings. One of my old passports has 99 chops in it! Since DH started his consulting job in DC in 2005, I've flown up there to see him at least four times a year, so that's another 72 flights.

I don't think I'd be so sanguine about flying if I had to walk through the airports, hassle with security and fight for overhead space. I'm moderately disabled, so I get a wheelchair and pusher at both ends, priority security clearance, and priority boarding. I check one bag and my carry-on fits under the seat in front of me. I see the same flight attendants almost every time, and they treat me like an old friend. Actually, I leave on Tuesday for my Thanksgiving visit!

Queen Colleen

 

[Sabeking]

Scared to death. My first flight after 9/11 required my poor DH to hold the oxygen tank that was attached to my mask the whole flight home.

 

[LongLiveDisney]

I LOVE flying! Everything about the experience including the RIDE to the airport, walking through the airport, passing through security, walking onto the plane....sigh! I miss summer.

 

[Tuffcookie]

OP, I know what you mean. Flying has not been the same since 9-1-1. You used to be able to get to the airport within minutes of boarding your plane. Family or friends that took you, or picked you up, could come right to the boarding gate to see your plane leave or arrive. You didn't have to pay extra for luggage or take you shoes off to go thru security.

Although it is not the same, it is still the quickest way to get to where you are going. I always try to get direct flights.

TC

 

[eliza61]

OP, I know what you mean. Flying has not been the same since 9-1-1. You used to be able to get to the airport within minutes of boarding your plane. Family or friends that took you, or picked you up, could come right to the boarding gate to see your plane leave or arrive. You didn't have to pay extra for luggage or take you shoes off to go thru security.

Although it is not the same, it is still the quickest way to get to where you are going. I always try to get direct flights.

TC

You also use to not have to worry about some one walking down the street and blowing you up with a back pack full of explosives.

It's not that flying has changed, it's that the world we live in has changed.

 

[Tuffcookie]

You also use to not have to worry about some one walking down the street and blowing you up with a back pack full of explosives.

It's not that flying has changed, it's that the world we live in has changed.

Well, IMO, flying has had to change BECAUSE of the world we live in now.

TC

 

[FireDancer]

As much as I think most of what the TSA does is security theater that doesn't actually makes us safer while costing us billions I still like to fly even with the headaches. It means I'm going somewhere fun.

 

[princesspiglet]

I love to fly, but DH hates it. We have a very easy and convenient airport (MDT). Security takes 5 mins and the longest terminal is about 100 feet long! Parking is right out the front door and it's never crowded. I love the fact that I can go from 30 degrees to 80 degrees in 2 hours!

DH is active duty army so he has been on a lot of planes! Mostly military aircraft. He needs to take a Valium before we depart every time.

 

[AColdNightInHades]

TSA pre-check is the cats hiney. No line. No removing belt or shoes. No removing laptop from bag.

 

[LBIJim]

Yep, I still enjoy flying, even though it can be a hassle at times. I like wandering different airports and watching people. Especially the international terminals at major airports. Really enjoyed the old days before strict security when you wander practically the whole terminal even if you weren't flying that day.

I only fly two or three times a year now, but back in the late 1980s and early 1990s I travelled quite frequently and racked up a ton of frequent flyer miles. Still have good balances with several airlines and once a year or so i'm able to snag a first class flight somewhere.

Favorite US airport for exploring is probably LAX. Internationally, the biggest thrill was the old Hong Kong airport where you could watch planes coming in on a low, curving descent.

Jim

 

[tasha99]

I pretty much hate it. I took a 1 week cruise when I moved down from Alaska because it was the same price as coach tickets (shipped my car). I fly first class only--that's my rule. I still don't like it, but it's bearable.

 

[Enchanted Minnie]

I don't mind flying, or even the cramped space and security. But I hate that they charge for every darn thing! When we went to WDW in 2012 it was a pain trying to figure out how to pack the least amount stuff in the least amount of suitcases because we had to pay for each one. Then on the way back with our souvenirs trying to figure out how to cram them in! Plus the fact we are a family of 5 so it's about $2K give or take for a round trip.

We are thinking of going back to WDW in May and we are seriously thinking about driving. It's a 27 hour drive from New Mexico. But, it's about $700 round trip for gas and vehicle wear and tear. But, we can pack whatever we want, stop when we want and show the boys some of the country. We're seeing it as a chance to make it an adventure not just getting from point A to point B.

 

[minniecarousel]

I find that the airline can make or break the flight. We try to fly JetBlue or Virgin American whenever possible. I can tolerate the one hour flight on SouthWest to SoCal, but no longer than that.

I fly using Xanax too - takes the edge off. I sit on the aisle and try to get non-stops. When I flew last summer to NY, both coming and going, they wiped down my hands and ran them through a scanner. wierd!