When flying was fun

[bavaria]

http://www.life.com/image/2666226/in-gallery/38402/when-flying-was-fun

We have had a few nostalgia threads here in past. Note the luxury (and the empty seats!)

Of course, what the younger readers may not remember is that prior to deruglation airline tickets cost significantly more than they do now and that flying was truly something that was done on rare occassions for most people.

 

[dudspizza]

I tell you what...... I still think flying is FUN! I look forward to the airport, the flights, the entire process..... maybe not 3.5 hours at MKE, but I will find a way to make that fun too......

Duds

 

[bavaria]

I agree!!! Flying is still fun!!! But then, remember, we fly in the parallel universe where there is a distinct absence of drama.

I still enjoy airports, and plane spotting, and the whole experience. Some airports are almost better than amusement parks!

 

[safetymom]

I love to fly. I love airports. Everything is a new adventure. I guess I am in that parallel universe.

 

[jlovesee]

I love traveling/flying and it is still fun. However it is not what it used to be like thats for sure. Thankfully I had the opportunity to experience "old style" flying one time in my life when I was 17 we were flying back from Phoenix to Kansas City on TWA (my step father worked and retired from TWA) and he upgraded us to 1st class. Since then I flow 1st class once again (free upgrade) and it has drastically changed. Fine China/crystal ,hot towel, impecible service, big seats, massive leg room. That's the way flying used to be, it used to be an experience into itself, now its just a way to get where you are going, in quick fashion.


Jennifer

 

[Heidijs]

I can't get over how big those planes are! And the upstairs lounge? Cool pics!!!

 

[Inkmahm]

My mom talks about flying to Milwaukee from Frankfurt Germany back in 1959 when I was just a baby. Her ticket was something like $650. That was a LOT of money 50 years ago.

 

[bavaria]

Time to pull out the inflation calculator

What cost $650 in 1959 would cost $4575.86 in 2007

That is more than the price of a Z class fare in business class would cost on Lufthansa or other airlines for a similar route today.

And I don't think that many people here would want to pay such fares!

 

[Hannathy]

Remember when you used to get dressed up? People really cared about what they wore and that they looked good.

People also used to buy new matching luggage when they were going to fly because it was such a big deal AND the real memory they used to take care of your luggage!!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Picture 10 shows a time when flying was definitely NOT fun for many of us. Cough cough cough.


I still enjoy flying! And though I think hubby might enjoy things just a little less, since he got his company to upgrade him to business class on his last flight (had *had to* be there but they had completely overbooked coach and were NOT handing out free upgrades) out, he still basically enjoys his flights.

Doesn't even experience the nonsense many talk about, even though he is a product tester and flies with a whole carryon full of electronics!

Though he did get a patdown before boarding his flight from Narita to Seattle on Dec 31 their time...everyone did, right before going down the ramp. No big deal, though.


Anyway, a 747 is a 747, and having looked at the first class info for Virgin Australia, I can see that that way of flying still exists! Ya just gotta pay for it.

 

[Inkmahm]

Picture 10 shows a time when flying was definitely NOT fun for many of us. Cough cough cough.

Ah, I remember that horror of flying, too. Nothing was worse than sitting just a row or two away from the smoking section.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Picture 10 shows a time when flying was definitely NOT fun for many of us. Cough cough cough.

Ah, I remember that horror of flying, too. Nothing was worse than sitting just a row or two away from the smoking section.

We get it. Given that the first-, second-, third-, even hundredth-hand smoke from that photogragh dissipated into the atmosphere fifty years ago, would it be possible to NOT make this thread about smoking in any way?

 

[NotUrsula]

I live this site for Golden Age footage: http://www.travelfilmarchive.com/

Pick "air travel" on the drop-down subject terms menu, and get ready to smile (and maybe to sigh a little bit, too.)

 

[Inkmahm]

We get it. Given that the first-, second-, third-, even hundredth-hand smoke from that photogragh dissipated into the atmosphere fifty years ago, would it be possible to NOT make this thread about smoking in any way?

No. I think it is fair to point out in a thread about memories that not ALL memories of that time are good ones.

 

[Heidijs]

Remember when you used to get dressed up? People really cared about what they wore and that they looked good.

People also used to buy new matching luggage when they were going to fly because it was such a big deal AND the real memory they used to take care of your luggage!!!!

You're right...people had class...now I go to the airport and some sloppy lady is wearing 10 year old pajama pants with spongebob on them...I just gag when I see that...

As far as the smoking, it's amazing how that's changed so much. I'm 35 and I remember when people smoked everywhere and I never remember anyone complaining about it. It was like the "cool" thing Even us kids didn't complain when adults did it around us. It was just so normal. Now someone lights up 50 feet away and everyone is like I'm not a daily smoker, I'm known to sneak one here and there but the minute I get off that plane the first thing I want is a smoke cus my nerves are shot! I just don't care for flying at all! I'm glad it's stricter though now that I have a kid of my own. The bar thing still shocks me but I'm sooo glad it's out of restaurants in MN...blech. Even when I did smoke...I hated smelling it when I ate. But if it were allowed on a plane...I'd probably be a chimney!

 

[crashbb]

Photo 12 made me laugh (or rather, the comment under it did).

Customs? Relatively Calm!
No X-ray machines, no metal detectors, no taking off of shoes: Customs purely served as a luggage check. Hard to believe, but this is a 1964 photo of the customs area at the New York International Airport (the madhouse known today as JFK).

Umm...there are no x-ray machines, metal detectors or taking off of shoes at Customs today either. That occurs at SECURITY.

Frankly, customs back then was MORE intrusive. Look at the picture they've opened (and are going through) almost all of the bags.

Just seems like a silly error for Life to make.

 

[Missytara]

My dad recalls flying down to Cape Canaveral, when he worked for the space program. They flew first class and smoked and drank martinis the entire way down and back!

He remembers also the old days when they were called stewardesses - not flight attendants. And there were no stewards. And they had to wear jackets, skirts, and caps.

And he had the hard-sided Samsonite luggage that weighed as much as the clothes inside it!

It was so much fun waiting at the gate for him to come home.

 

[eliza61]

Remember when you used to get dressed up? People really cared about what they wore and that they looked good.

People also used to buy new matching luggage when they were going to fly because it was such a big deal AND the real memory they used to take care of your luggage!!!!

Definitely, this was us. I remember my mother buying all the kids new outfits to fly in and god help us if we got dirty. LOL

Bavaria is right in that it was a big treat to fly.
Not sure if I would rather have the low fairs or the service.

My first year in college a discount airline called "peoples express" flew from Pittsburgh to Newark. I think the price was some thing ridiculous like $39 bucks. I got on the plane and swore to heaven, Never again. It was pretty much a WWII bomber painted red with a lawn mower for an engine.
It was the worse.

 

[LoveKermit]

Okay, while I'm not old enough to remember no security check (though I may have been alive before it) and I did not look at all the pictures, here is my memory.

When DH and I had been dating about 4-5 months, he had a business trip. I decided about 30 minutes before he landed to surprise him at the airport......at the gate! Ran through security and met him at the gate. Sigh.

But I LOVE driving to and from O'Hare. If you ever need a ride (within 30 minutes), I'm your gal! I love driving there. It's a total strategy....not wait too long, not be too late.... (helps that I'm only 15-20 minutes from ORD).

 

[uva185]

I agree!!! Flying is still fun!!! But then, remember, we fly in the parallel universe where there is a distinct absence of drama.

Oh there is drama... we just get to watch it instead of experience it!