Airlines No Longer As Sweet As They Used To Be?

[W5]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Skyscanner-Airlines-No-Longer-bw-3362090340.html?x=0&.v=1

EDINBURGH, Scotland--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- British Airways put a famous chapter of aviation history to bed last month as the Boeing 757 made its final voyage, while Qantas celebrates the 90th birthday of flights to Australia this month. With this in mind, international flight comparison site Skyscanner takes a misty-eyed look at what airline passengers miss the most from the glamorous age of aviation.

Topping the list of things people miss about flights of yesteryear, with a whopping 40% of votes, was visiting the pilot in the cockpit, now no longer a possibility in the age of heightened security measures and quick turnarounds.

The absence of boiled sweets being offered on take-off and landing was also sadly missed, taking 16% of the vote, however it seems that what passengers really miss is being left alone; more than one in five respondents missed “not being pestered with sales for lottery tickets or other ancillary products”.

Skyscanner.net polled over 2,500 people on what they miss most about the flights of yesteryear with the following remembered most fondly:

1. Visits to the cockpit

2. Not being pestered with sales for lottery tickets or other ancillary products (21%)

3. Boiled sweeties on take-off (16%)

4. Smoking sections (13%)

5. Pilots wearing hats (4%)

6. Orange make-up on air hostesses (1%)

Other answers from wistful flyers included ‘being handed out 5-packs of Marlboro cigarettes before touch down’, ‘free booze’, ‘a lime slice in my drink’ and ‘the engine roar on take-off - the A380 is too quiet’.

Skyscanner PR Manager, Mary Porter, commented: “Although the rise of budget airlines is undoubtedly a positive thing in that it has made cheap flights and travel accessible to everyone, provided thousands of jobs and advanced cultural exchange, it could be argued that it has come at a price. We have undoubtedly lost that glamorous era of flying.

“I can still remember my mother dressing my sister and I in special outfits for travel, and we would never dreamed of wearing a tracksuit onboard! There was a definite sense of occasion to flying abroad while nowadays I think it is very much taken for granted; my son will have flown about a dozen times before he has even reached his second birthday and so I doubt very much that he will see airline travel as anything out of the ordinary”.

[Kip Powick]

I think ones perception of what used to be and what is, is based on where you are/were in your career. I can only speak for myself and I feel the fun of flying went out the door after 9/11.

Because I was 'driving' all my life, how passengers dressed was not an issue....I was in the uniform of the day.

The 'fun' part left because of the knee jerk reaction with respect to security at the airports as well as the progressive lack of interaction with the passengers and crew. I had always believed in the "open-door" concept for the flight deck and a great deal of fun was had when we entertained the kids with all the magic stuff up front. It was also a warm feeling when we got a person who was afraid to fly into the cockpit and explained how airplanes worked and some very basic aerodynamics...hell, we even had the odd 'afraid to fly' passenger take the jump-seat for a landing or take-off.....(rules are for guidance only ).When they left with a grin and felt more comfortable than when they boarded, we knew we had done something right.

It was not unusual for one of us to wander back through the cabin and just take the time to say hello to the passengers. Interaction with the FA's was good fun too. I really can't think of too many flights where the crew did not have a good time as a group. We got to know one another and allowances were made if an individual had a personal problem yet felt comfortable enough to talk about it.

Commuters and DH'ers were most welcome up front and it was great to hear what the VR/WG/UL or YC crews were up to.

I never looked at the job as being glamourous and always considered myself as extremely privileged to qualify to be in the "pointy" end. I actually felt sorry for some of my peers who felt , that the entire operation should revolve around them personally and that to be a pilot meant that you were one of the chosen few. In my previous life I worked with enough of the "ground pounders" to realize that without their willing support, we as drivers could be sitting at the gate a long time.

I think it was imperative to get to know as many of the guys who kept us in the air as well as those that 'served' in the back of the tube.

Glamourous....?..no, just people doing the best they could in an attempt to provide the best service possible while at the same time remembering where one came from and that all persons deserve respect, no matter their station in life..

Certainly there were times where decisions had to be made and a "vote" was not called for but all in all, it was a great life.

I do not envy the drivers of today but as stated at the beginning, if all one has known is what we have now, then it is probably easier to accept what is happening in the industry today.

.....for me???>>>>>>I am extremely happy I left when I did cause that old cliche is true...""You can never go back""

enjoy !

[AME]

I actually felt sorry for some of my peers who felt , that the entire operation should revolve around them personally and that to be a pilot meant that you were one of the chosen few

I remember one time when a Captain made a decision because he knew better than anyone else, we had a u/s brake fan and while I was arranging parts and making alternate arrangments (pre-MOC) I looked out the window to see the aircraft taxing away.....I heard later that it took a 5-6 hour delay in YLW waiting for the brakes to cool enough for take off and maintenance had to be chartered in sign out an MEL.

The aircraft belongs to the Captain in the air on the ground it belongs to Maintenance IMHO

[blues deville]

The 'fun' factor has certainly changed since 9-11 but I think it is still a satisfying occupation. I did my share of charter flying and kid tours etc but sometimes the line ups at the flight deck door would upset the cabin service. The only thing worse than an angry passenger is an angry Purser/Incharge FA.....look out!!

I know of one Captain who lost his job because of one too many 'cabin' tours after being warned by the VpO and CP. His motives were not in the holiday spirit but to collect phone numbers. I guess it worked most times especially when his cruise included wearing his Ray-Ban "aviators". Who can resist that look? After his third strike for some other poor judgement items he was shown the door.

In case anyone is not sure, here's one of the guys who ruined the party.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Atta

Won't ever forget that face.

bd