First off, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It is a special occasion when one can really appreciate those closest to them, and not have to worry about what type of present to purchase. Thanksgiving also brings with it the title of "busiest travel day of the year". My journey, unlike many, begins on the morning of Thanksgiving. This day is drastically less crowded then the day before, and yet I don't miss any football or our wonderful Thanksgiving dinner.
Besides for being the busiest travel holiday, I'd like to take some time to rant about how horrible traveling by plane has become. I will also point out that this is not an attack against our government, TSA, etc. In fact, I have little to no argument against the measures being taken to protect our freedom and ensure our safety. I personally did not go through the new scanners at the airport, but did see others passing through. The process takes only a handful of seconds as you put your arms up, stand still and wait for confirmation to continue. Some folks have an issue that a detailed picture of your body will be seen by someone. Well, this person is not anywhere near you. Does not see your face, name or travel information. They see a body, and are only ensuring that nothing harmful is being smuggled through. Is it ideal? I guess not. Does it help secure the airport, planes and those of us traveling? Yes - and that is the most important issue. Oh, and by the way! If this is too much for you, please let a stranger put his or her hands all over you so they can feel that you don't have anything harmful on your person. Because in this instance, the person is only feeling you, and seeing your face, hell they can talk to you (and if you're lucky offer a smoke when they're done).
My additional complaints are more targeted to the airline companies. I realize business is doing better now then the past few years, but that gives them no reason to treat their customers like rotten sardines. I stepped onto a plane this Thanksgiving and the first problem was having to duck half a foot to enter. Please note, I'm 6 feet and 2 inches. Slightly taller then your average male, but nonetheless this should not cause much of an issue - or I'd like to think. So not only did I duck to enter, I could barely stand up straight walking down the isle. In fact, I was hunched over ever-so slightly to protect my hair and top of my head from rubbing up against the cabin ceiling.
Next came the worst part of all, the part were the airlines treat their customers like sardines. We get squeezed into these one-foot wide seats (exaggeration) where our knees jab into the seat in front of us. Not only this, but there is so little room to place our legs - I hope for an isle seat so I can at least fully stretch one leg out. Of course this only lasts until a flight attendant shuffles by with the cart and her elbow begins poking at my shoulder. Fortunately my flight lasted just shy of 2 hours, but this pattern is becoming outrageous. Airlines are squeezing as many passengers as they can and are flirting with the fine line between profits for them and comfort for us (and if you ask me, they've wined and dined that line and are way past flirting).
Not to mention now you must pay for your luggage to travel with you, at no small fee. These fees can add up after a round-trip, and on-top of the already sky-high ticket prices, it's amazing anyone can afford to fly anymore. Once on, those of us in coach are subjected to a drink and either a bag of pretzels or peanuts (all of which seem to be getting smaller and smaller each time I fly).
I just hope I can afford first class when I'm older...
If you have any nightmare travel stories or comments to add please share them below!
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