As an OG, I have to speak to how travel used to be prior to that dreadful day on September 11, 2001. The one thing that NG can't recall as much, is the true pleasurable flying experience in the 80's, 90's and the very early 2000’s.
Flying then from my humble opinion was so much better than the airport and airline experience that we have today. By that I mean, we didn't have to be practically stripped and cavity searched at the airport as though we were all criminals. Airplanes had been flying 70 years before that one day that changed the total flying travel experience.
OG, do you remember being able to go to the gate to watch your family or friend leave or arrive? That's been in the wind now for over 23 years and that aspect of closeness between airline passengers and their family members was severed.
It was often during those times that we would meet others at the airport and have dinner with them prior to departure or even upon arrival. Now, it is more of a hassle than anything. Yes, you can still meet your loved one at the airport and have a meal depending on the airport, its layout, security protocols and convenience, or should I say lack of convenience. With all that said, as an OG traveler, I miss the simplicity and pleasures we took for granted that would soon change.
In other posts and articles, I wrote about how as a teenager I would like to go to the airport and watch planes take-off inside or out, depending on the view. These simple pleasures were memories of the airports and flight travel up until that horrific, disastrous day.
The sad thing is that it wasn't just security protocols and airport inconvenience that changed since that time. Airline service became practically obsolete as meal service change drastically. Believe it or not NG, the quality of the food and service on airplanes was so much better in the 80's, and 90's. Portion sizes were ok (nothing to brag about) but if you wanted more, they would often ask, "Would you like anything else sir?". Now it's about them getting through the meal service and sitting down to relax or they only have enough meals and snacks to barely feed the number of passengers on the plane. Why was this not the case before. I'll tell you why? It was more about true quality service regardless of which cabin (First/Business or coach/economy) the consumer sat in which has now been severely lossed.
Today we practically have an MRI completed when at the airport to go to our gate to get on our plane, then we board according to all of these different zones, based on your flight spending pattern and or how much business you've given to the airline. It has become overwhemingly more devisive than ever. All somewhat subtly with a change here and there that leads up to an entire flight travel experience that has drastically changed.
Let's not even talk about the retail cost of flight travel. Hence is why we have to travel hack to get decent fares, get upgraded service that used to be regular service and more. I'll try to save all of that for other posts.
Anyway NG, what we all experience today for economy seat airline travel is not what we (OG) were accustomed to in the past.
I don't want this to come off as a gripe post but the truth never changes. All of this to board planes like cattle and often get subpar economy class service is just not as appealing as it once was.
Because of my innate desire and love for travel, we try not to let these things bother us to a point where we don't travel.
Perhaps I'm writing this post because of my current experience today going to the airport, waiting in a long ass line for my first Emirates Airline flight,having to rush to get to my gate even though I arrived in more than enough time for what should have been a normal checkin and baggage drop. Don't forget I had to also rush through to get my MRI (security scan) and then go through customs and borders since I am leaving the country only to arrive at a long line at the gate for another check. Yea, I'm writing this post because of my frustration in knowing how travel used to be.
I'll write a separate post regarding this trip which is to Dubai on Emirates Airline.
Anyway Globetrotters (OG and NG), I miss the OG (prior to 2001) travel experience.
Let me know if any of you feel the same way or have a different perspective as it pertains to OG flight travel experiences. I look forward to reading your responses as it pertains to OG travel prior to 2001.
Whatever you do, don't ever let these matters stop you from traveling and creating adventures and experiences on this great planet on which we live.
Now trot this globe!!! Wheels up!!! Let's go!!!
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