Aug 10, 2005

Airplane Woes

Considering how much we pay for even coach seats in commercial airplanes, you’d think that they would serve food of some kind. Or that the space would increase in some way, and we’d be able to sit in some kind of comfort. But no – instead, we are taunted by the space that we walk by in first class, the view that we’re given of their drink service (complimentary wine is a good thing when you’re stuck in a holding pattern on the ground or in the air). And the scent of their food throughout the full cabin while we’re waiting for our complimentary soft drink and wonder whether we get pretzels or snack mix to tide us over until the next meal. The meals have shrunk to the point where receiving peanuts in a Southwest flight feels like an extravagance. Peanuts!!

Compare that to Indian domestic flights, where even in an hour flight between Bombay and Ahmedabad, you get the equivalent of a small, hot meal, limbu pani, hot towel, hot tea/coffee service, and candy. It’s times like these, when I’m supposed to be grateful that I get two drink services instead of one, that I just wish I was in India again. Where I actually anticipate the food and service that I’m about to receive.

*sigh* How depressing. Sorry for the rant.

8 comments:

Rage said...

O man - that's terrible. It's really bad for the redeyes from coast-to-coast, when the airport shops are also closed. I can't believe that I've now become programmed to think that Southwest and Jet Blue go above and beyond because they offer choices for snacks. Sheesh.

Rage said...

And rail travel in India is so much fun too. I miss all the snacks along the way, the interactions with folks, and of course, the landscape. I loved traveling via train in India. Of course, the Mumbai city train was a bit rougher, especially as I was the only person in a kurtha and was viewed upon as a foreigner because of it by all the other folks in the car!

Anonymous said...

what did everybody else in the train wear?

Rage said...

Shirt and pant. How embarassing.

Rage said...

Yeah - that's probably the kind of thing that I'm thinking of when I say that flying in the United States is not a picnic, even if you throw in fire ants and a tornado.

I haven't flown Spririt, and hope I don't have to. I'm also sick to death of frequent flier clubs.

Rage said...

You know - it's interesting, because in Switzerland, and even in LA, train tickets seemed to be on the honor system. Intriguing. It wouldn't work here. :)

Anonymous said...

hell, you can't get away with it on the LIRR. Yes, I tried. But I had a ticket in my pocket. Wanted to see how far I could push the envelope though...

on the topic of frequent flier clubs, WTF?!?! I tried using some of my bajillion Delta miles and basically I have to fly on the third tuesday in a leap year on a full moon. And one-way at that. I want to use them up before those idiots go bankrupt...

Rage said...

yeah. brown and busted.

Stupid FFM programs. I can't stand them.