Exactly how annoying is it to fly now????

[westjones]

I have not flown in over 2 years. It isn't that I am afraid to fly, but I always found flying annoying before, and now I hear there are a lot more annoying things. Like not being about to go to the bathroom while the plane is on the ground (even if it is delayed). I have heard they open you luggage and go through everything. I heard they inspect your shoes (although someone told me that if I wore sandels they may not bother me).

We have a 3 day cruise coming up in September. DH wants to fly. I don't want to, but I also know that we may not have any choice (unless we move our cruise, but this is our twin daughters' 10th birthday and we want to surprise them with this cruise).

Sooooooooo..........
Exactly how bad is it to fly now days?

Any tips for making the experience 'not so bad'?
Thanks,
DJ

 

[mrsltg]

Annoying is a good way to describe it. How high your tolerance is for stupidity will really give you the answer to whether or not you want to fly.

There are some security measures in place that make it safer, others that just lend themselves to the appearance of being safer. As far as the bathroom thing, I think that that is only out of Reagan National in DC. Here, we can't get up for the first 30 minutes of the flight leaving DC or the last 30 minutes coming back into DC. Here's where the annoying part comes in... BWI and Dulles are about 5 minutes flying distance from DC, but you can get up and do whatever on the planes going into/out of those airports... makes no sense!

I guess your answer is, if you have to fly due to time constraints, fly. If you'd prefer not to be hassled, save yourself the aggravation and drive.

Erin

 

[disneylover5]

I just flew out of Reagan in DC a few weeks ago and I found the security methods very comforting. They e-rayed every piece of luggage and I was called out so they could open and inspect my luggage. The inspectors were pleasant and quick and very accurate. It was a very good experience.

I was on the plane in less than an hour after parking my car and and we did experience a long delay becasue we had 10 inches of snow that morning. De-icing, runway plowing etc. We were allowed to use the restroom and move around as much as we wanted. I love Reagan Airport as I know there is an air marshall on every flight.

Once you take off out of Reagan you are not allowed to get up for 30 minutes after you take off. That was no issue as they let you know that long in advance.

We are driving to FL in 2 weeks this time, but there are 10 of going and the $'s are telling us to drive,

 

[AnnMorin]

Now that was before the newest measures were undertaken but I did not find it bad at all, not too much different than last year. They did go through my son's carry on that had his gameboy in it very thoroughly which did not make DS happy (they messed everything up mommy! ) I on the otherhand found it very comforting that they were so conciencious. We flew southwest and they were great at trying to keep the mood light. The crew told all kinds of jokes, when we landed we were a few mins. late and she said "Thank you for flying Southwest where we always get you there on time..err I mean alive." It was a riot since we had flown out in a bad snow storm.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

Originally posted by mrsltg
Here's where the annoying part comes in... BWI and Dulles are about 5 minutes flying distance from DC, but you can get up and do whatever on the planes going into/out of those airports... makes no sense!

Erin,

You just helped me decide which airport I will fly out of! We usually do go out of Dulles (Since we live about 10 from it!) but we were considering National as well, waiting to see which is the better price. Unless there is a huge difference, we'll stick with Dulles!

Kathy

 

[Cruise]

My husband just returned from a cross country flight last night and said he was surprised by how much less security he's seeing now. He flies quite a bit for work and in the past 12 months, was "randomly" selected for gate searches at least 6 times. On this trip (which included 5 different flights), neither he or anyone else that he could see, were pulled out of line for a random search.

I flew internationally in November and had on a pair of shoes that must have had a steel shank or something in them, because I set off the metal detector. They made me take off my shoes and ran them through the x-ray machine. They "wanded" me as well. I never had anyone open any of my luggage - neither checked or carry-on.

Good luck,
Julie

 

[lsmac]

We flew this last December and it pretty much depended on the airport. DIA (where we flew out of) was pretty tight and even ds had to be put in "isolation". He was wearing those zippery pants that have a lot of metal zippers (why oh why don't they listen to mom?) and he set the metal detector off. Well, at DIA they have these plexiglass rooms that look like isolation booths, where they make you wait until they can wand you. DS didn't have to wait long and they allowed me to stand by him. They checked our id at every check point and were randomly pulling people from the boarding line. Then we get to St Louis and no one was checking anything! Orlando was moderately tight on security. Flying back, we got directed to another line at Orlando and one of the security people didn't realize this and came running after us. Made us feel like criminals, but not by any way they acted to us...just the stares you get from other passengers. All in all, it wasn't too bad and it was the first time I had flown post-911. It pretty much depends on the airport and I would say on the amount of traffic they deal with daily. that said, I would drive in a heartbeat if we lived closer...I think flying is a PAIN!

Lisa

 

[tecdavidt]

We flew three times since 9/11 and once since the new TSA regs have been put into effect. We flew out of Des Moines, Minn., to Ft. Lauderdale. Flights back were Ft. Laudedale thru St. Louis back to Des Moines.

No more random passenger checks at the gate. No more locks on luggage. We used the cable ties and I put a pair of finger nail clippers in an outside pocket of my bags to snip off the cable ties. If they search your bag they are suppose to insert a piece of paper telling you your bag was searched. I also packed clothes in zip locked bags so if our bags were inspected they were not touching my undergarments. Shoes are also suppose to be packed on top. Our bags were not searched.

Our photo ID's were checked at checkin, and before going through security. After that our ID's were not needed on the trip down. On the trip back our ID's were needed going thru security and at the gate, inconsistent rules are still in the TSA. No random gate checks going home.

We did see a large security x-ray machine in Ft. Lauderdale at passenger check-in. Our luggage did not go thru it so I assume there is random luggage inspection at passenger check-in.

I felt less annoyed this trip than the pass three before the TSA. I also felt more secure since all bags being checked are being sent thru x-ray equipment whether we see the equipment or not. The TSA people are also looking at the carry-on luggage instead of the old glance that I always felt was being done. Kathy

 

[ReadyForDisney2003]

I have flown a bunch of times with DS (7) and DD (3) and even with the newer security measures it is WAY BETTER than sitting in the car with my DD! She thinks a long drive is 45 minutes to the airport. I drove with her a bit ago for 6 hours and I thought I would lose my mind.

Just recently, I flew with my Mom (age 73). She has pins in her back and uses a cane. She would NEVER get through the walk through scanner without beeping. All they did was pull her aside, take her shoes off, and wand her thoroughly. I didn't have a problem with any of it.

Some people are better fliers than others. *I* don't have the patience to sit in the car wasting time and money when I could be there already with a dinky little flight! Any drive over 4 hours is a flight for me.

Good luck.

 

[Michelle]

I've flown MANY times since 9/11 as well and found it has gotten LESS annoying with the latest security. I got searched all the time (and my DD too!) right after 9/11, but in the past few flights the security has been much smoother.

Also, I've been able to use a plane restroom MANY times when it's on the ground -- not sure where you heard you can't? As long as the plane door has not been closed yet you can use the bathroom.

 

[atigeg]

We too have become pretty immune to the new security since 9/11. On our first flights with the new regulations last week. The checked luggage got thru O'hare fine, my spare camera battery cause problems with the carry on. DCL hand searched my backpack (but not Barb's) and I had to turn on all electronic equipment, (cell phone, camera, 2-way radios, cd player). and on the flight back 1 of 4 checked bags was searched, the bag did contain the 8 1/2 x 11 paper, and they did wrap it in baggage tape (but did not put a new cable tie the lock, as I thought I read somewhere) I don't know what the search parameters are, but the bag in question was a garment bag, It might of been the dress shoes, or the 40 plastic hangers, or maybe it was the cable ties holding the broken clips locked of the bulging bag that sparked their interest. The whole process still was pretty painless.

 

[hydster]

When hubby travels for work the kids and I usually go with him for a portion of the time (usually for a long weekend). We have flown over 20 times in the last year and it has gotten less annoying in the last 2 months or so. I agree with the previous poster who said it depends on your tolerance to idiots! Some people either dont listen or dont think the rules apply to them and that is when it gets irritating! I love the fact that the gate checks are all but gone! That stunk to say the least! Getting pulled out of line to get searched is so inconvenient especially when you are a mother of 3 kids and YOU get flagged for a search and they wont let the kids stay and they have to walk up the ramp alone with a flight attendant and wait for mommy! Now that was inconvenient but it only happened once and now since they dont do random gate checks it isnt so bad. I havent EVER been told at ANY airport or on ANY airplane that I couldnt get up and use the restroom. We have flown from SLC Intl (even during the Olympics) and have gone to LAX, Orlando, Jacksonville, JFK, Laguardia, Newark, Philladelphia, Chicago, Tampa Bay, Miami and Austin Texas and have never ever been told we couldnt use the restroom or we had to stay seated for 30 min each time! It is weird how different airlines and times are that is for sure! I personally would rather fly with the small inconveniences that flying presents than listen to the "Are we THEEEEERRRREEE YET?" whine! LOL

Heidi

 

[ncligs]

We fly pretty often and it is much better than driving. I will take 2 hours in a plane over 18 hours in a car any day of the week, even with the new security measures in place.

 

[Jeanny]

I don't find flying post September 11 annoying at all. I actually like the new security measures. The terrorist's proved how easy is it to take over a plane and destroy our lives as we knew it.

It only took us 35 minutes or so to get through security in PVD the day before Thanksgiving.... can you imagine that? They did a great job. Anyone wearing shoes or boots, except sneakers, had to take them off and they were put through the scanner. And they were making announcements, you had to scan your coats, vests, sweatshirts, etc.

In Logan (BOS) 2 days after Christmas, security was a breeze, as in PVD, we had to take our laptop out of the case and take our zip sweatshirts off and put them in a bin. I wore sneakers both times so I was fine. My daughter had platform shoes on, so she needed to take them off, and they asked if it was ok to scan them... imagine that--not annoying at all.

I've always been allowed to use the restrooms while the door was open, and well, yeah, if you're sitting on the runway waiting to take off and until they level off, I can see not being able to use the restrooms.

I always keep my ID with my tickets, boarding passes, etc out. You never knew when security needs to see them. It's easier to keep them together and handy, unlike the bimbo in RIC, who couldn't find hers at the gate... hadn't she just had her ID out to go through security? She finally stepped aside and let everyone else get on board, while she searched through her wallet... THAT was annoying.....

Yeah, I don't like the idea of having to keep my luggage unlocked, but if a baggage handler wanted to get into your luggage, they're going to do it... There was a 60 Minutes or 48 hours show on how the baggage handlers "went shopping" on video tape, they had all sorts of keys and had a field day. I just want to put a cable tie on my luggage so that my clothes don't end up all over the baggage belt!! hopefully they won't pick my crappy luggage to steal from, but if they want my tshirts or shorts, then they're welcome to them. I can buy more. I don't put any "valuables" in my luggage.

Annoying flying now??? NO WAY!!! safer flying now?? WAY!!! I'd rather be "inconvenienced" by these safety measures, than going what the poor passengers on September 11th went through.

no flames please, jmo,
Jeanny

 

[inkkognito]

Jeanny, I agree 1000 percent!!
As frequent fliers, hubby and I would rather have to take a little more time and have a bit of inconvenience to prevent another tragedy. As he described in his earlier post, even though he was searched at the security checkpoint and one of our bags was inspected, it really didn't seem to be much of an inconvenience (especially compared to the alternative). At the security checkpoint, it only took a few extra minutes. The garment bag that was searched was repacked neatly and resealed with tape (since it has a broken hasp). No big deal...a small price to pay for flying safely. We just make sure that we leave early to avoid any rush-rush stress.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[rae519]

Back in the 1970's when I was stationed in Korea, I had the opportunity to fly out of Kempo Airport in Seoul. My companion, a USAF Pilot had given me a flight map so I was bringing it home for my Dad. When they hand searched my carry-on bag and found it - it was more than a little annoying and inconvenient to be strip searched by the ROK (Republic of Korea) Police. Obviously, I passed the search, maintained some dignity but didn't get to keep the map!

After THAT, nothing done here will ever phase me! And I never did keep any of flight maps I was given!!!!!! (Dad understood!)


Rae