Remember how flying USED to be?

[ThatsMyBarack]

I used to think it was SO fun when I was a kid. I even liked the security points with conveyor belts and metal detectors. Good simple fun.

That was a lifetime ago.

[somone]

1. Or when people could go to the gate to greet you or see you off

[mzteris]

41. gate, hell -

I remember walking out on the tarmac.

In fact, I remember once when my dad carried me onto the plane (I was probably 4) to see the cockpit and taking me back down to the tarmac before he took off.

[Rage for Order]

67. The 4 year old today would get a full body cavity search

While dad was pinned to the tarmac with a jackboot on the back of his neck. And I'm only half-kidding...if that much

[frazzled]

2. You were a kid when there were security points?

Metal detectors weren't used until after 2001.

When I flew as a kid it was in turbo-prop planes, and you got full meals. Oh, and they didn't charge you to take a suitcase along with you.

Have you even been to an airport lately? I flew three times this past month. Same conveyor belts, same detectors (one was a scanner instead of the metal detector). Nothing changed.

[ThatsMyBarack]

5. Security checkpoints have been around a LONG time.

I've never flown without going through one.

[Curmudgeoness]

22. How many years ago did you start flying? My first flight was

about 1965. And I know that in the 1980's, I still was not going through security checkpoints and I could still go to the gates without a ticket to meet someone. Probably some time in the 1980's is when some security was added at some airports.

[ThatsMyBarack]

39. Around 1973, I think.

I was just a baby.

[mzteris]

42. that's NOT a LONG TIME.

That was just a couple of weeks ago!

It's all a matter of perspective, m'dear.

[HuckleB]

52. In terms of commercial flight history, it's quite a long time.

[mzteris]

75. pfffft - in terms of my life history -

it was just the other day!! :P

[Old Troop]

20. How about Ford tri-motors with berths to sleep in?

[dflprincess]

58. Or Pan Am Clippers

They were before my time - but what a way to fly they were.

[mitchtv]

65. and the TWA Constellation

the most beautiful plane yet alas I was too young

[WolverineDG]

24. there have been checkpoints as long as I can remember

especially putting my stuff on a conveyor belt & walking through a metal detector. They were definitely used BEFORE 2001.

dg

[lunamagica]

26. I remember flying in '75. We went through metal detectors. nt

[jberryhill]

29. LOL - The first legal case on metal detectors was in 1972

Yes, metal detectors were definitely around in the late 1960's, after all of the hi-jackings to Cuba.

[Sherman A1]

30. I went through metal detectors back in the 80's

they have been around for a long time.

[enlightenment]

31. Yes they were. I distinctly recall going through them in the 1970s.

And yeah, they have the same detectors and the same conveyor belts . . . but it's a whole different kettle of fish and you know it.

[jaysunb]

3. Sweet child...

let me take you back to a time when the whole family would go to the airport to see friends and family off. It was an event. We may even have a meal at a nice restaurant by the gate. Help Grandma on the plane, make sure my kids were seated and safe in their seats (get those last kisses in too.)

That's when "flying was fun." Seriously.

:rofl:

[wryter2000]

17. You used to get dressed up to get on a plane and fly somewhere

It was part of the vacation. Little kids got to visit the pilots in the cockpit.

[XemaSab]

19. I got to visit the pilots in the cockpit during a layover back in '82

They turned on the airplane siren for me. It was really cool. :D

[proud2BlibKansan]

50. "Joey, you ever been in a cockpit before?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj5F0vT_dWo

[Harry Monroe]

54. "Joey, do you like gladiator movies?"

[wryter2000]

74. LOL

I love that movie. I think it was that one or Airplane II in which Howard Jarvis spent the whole time in a cab on the way to the airport.

[HuckleB]

53. We flew to Taipei this past Spring.

The security out of Taipei was very much as it was in the US pre-9/11. Further, as we boarded the plane, the pilots invited our 4-year-old into the cockpit. It was awesome.

Of course, once we hit Narita, it was back to the future.

[Raine]

61. Yup you wore your best

because it was real special event, so thrilling. Guess those days are gone forever. :-(

[dflprincess]

56. There was nice restaurant at the airport we lived near

sometimes my family would go out there just for dinner and we could watch the planes take off while we ate. My brother & loved it and the airport seemed like such an exciting place to be.

[DFab420]

4. It was..

..until a group of Saudi's decided to fly four planes into buildings and kill thousands of Americans.

Before that it was highjackings.. But they only wanted to go to Cuba, till that PanAM flight with Lockerbie...

I used to think flying was fun when I was a kid too. Then I realized I thought alot of stuff was fun as a kid. Because I wasn't aware of the fact that people like hurting other people. And that airlines have always offered a target.

[jancantor]

18. I hated the fact

that the entire airplane smelled like smoke. The meals are better now, too. At least they are on the airline I fly. I also like the personal movie players with a wide selection of music, movies and television. Otoh, I did get to visit the cabin when I was a kid and that was cool.

The seats seem a lot smaller these days. Prices are better in constant dollars, these days.

[Arugula Latte]

66. I was going to say, the smoking part seems unimaginable today.

Choking for hours on stinking, trapped smoke -- as if the air in planes isn't stale and disgusting enough without smoke -- gawd, I can't imagine going back to that torture. x(

[WhiteTara]

6. you mean like when you got real silver in first class

and now you get a plastic knife in case you have a slasher moment.

[woo me with science]

47. The airlines used to compete to give the best service.

They wanted you to come back. You weren't cargo, but a valued customer.









Now they charge you for even one bag. You are groped and assumed to be a criminal. And they are trying to put in these "saddle" seats:



http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-09-10-airlinestanding10_ST_N.htm


Pretty soon we will all just be in the cargo hold.

[WhiteTara]

51. yep

you're right! Nice pictures btw.
:hi:
I used to be frequent flyer. Now? I won't.

[dflprincess]

60. That was before deregulation

the only way they could compete was with service. (Same with the banks)

[WillyT]

7. Hell... I Remember When The Armrests Had Ashtrays...

They gave out complimentary in-flight cigarettes, and flight attendants wore mini-skirts.



It was a much simpler time...

:hide::evilgrin::hide:

:yoiks:

[ThatsMyBarack]

Thanks for sharing!

I love old pics of "mod" stewardesses! :D

[jaysunb]

9. "We really move our tails for you."

Wow...do I EVER remember. :evilgrin:

[MindPilot]

72. PSA -- the Poor Sailor's Airline

I've hit on many a mini-skirted stew...and a few even hit on me. Good times.

[northoftheborder]

8. I remember when.....

You could meet your family or friends at the gate...
You dressed nicely or at least cleanly to travel.....
Planes were usually not packed, often had an extra seat to stretch out in....
A lot more seat room...
You had food served any time you were traveling during mealtime....(not always great, but edible)...plus snacks...
The pilot would point out features on the ground, because weren't traveling above the clouds all the time....
You could park close to the terminal.....
Travel agents helped plan your itinerary....

BUT....

I lost a family member due to someone carrying a bomb aboard and committing suicide....(security zero)....
I lost another family member due to plane getting lost in the mountains without modern navigation.....

[ThatsMyBarack]

11. My condolences....

For your losses.

[onehandle]

10. The terrorists won. This guy let them win --->

[Kennah]

12. I flew in early 2001 ...

... and just like when I flew before then I carried a 2.9" blade Benchmade folding knife. If you kept the blade under 3.5" in length, you were good. However, under 3" was safer still so it's no surprise there are a lot of folders with a 2.9" blade. The one and only time security ever looked twice was going through LAX. Security guy opened the blade, held it up to the long edge of his ID badge, and I would estimate the badge was about 3.5" in length.

[Curmudgeoness]

13. I also remember when the whole family met you at the gate.

Everyone could just walk up to the gate. You checked your bags at the counter, and headed for the gate, no checkpoints at all. No metal detectors, no x-ray machines and conveyors. And hey, there were crazy people then too. I can't even remember the exact reason for the security. It was not 9-11, it was before that.

I have decided that the "give me liberty or give me death" statement needs to be ressurected. I take a chance every day when I get in my car and hit the road, I would be willing to take a chance when I fly too. I don't feel any safer because I have to take my shoes off. I want to get off a plane and have my family greet me again!

[Johonny]

16. Even after the security gates went up

you use to still be able to show up at an airport and walk to your gate , get your ticket in less time than it no takes to pass through security. I didn't have to worry about arriving 2 hrs early to my flights. Now I've gotten there 2 hrs early and barely reach my plane. It was just getting to the point where security lines were moving relatively fast again, and now more complicated crap that can and will break for under educated security people to mess around with. All of which adds up to more boring time spent standing in line at an airport. Whee!!!!!

[iamjoy]

21. Even In 2000...

I surprised my husband. He was going to Vegas for a trade show, but coming out a few days early to meet his parents for a little sightseeing. I told him I couldn't go because of work, but his parents knew the truth. I bought a ticket for myself on his flight. I drove out to the airport a few hours early and dropped off/checked in my bag. Then I took him to the airport and waited at the gate. When they did the final boarding call, I just walked on the plane and sat down next to him. hi honey. you forgot your chewing gum.

Now, it would be a hassle because I'd have to pay for my checked bag and they wouldn't let me through the security point without giving away the surprise.

[Fleshdancer]

14. If you're lucky to fly on foreign carriers, it's STILL fun!

I am not kidding about this. If you ever get the chance, fly Thai Airways. Coach has actual leg room, the chairs have lumbar support, nice flight attendants, great food that you can eat with silverware instead of a plastic spork, complimentary brandy after dinner, and all the female travelers received a flower at the end of the trip (odd, but nice touch).

[jberryhill]

32. Thai is one classy carrier

I expected seating space for a smaller average frame, and was quite surprised.

Security at Bangkok took my nail clippers, though, which had made it through Philly, Frankfurt, and Cairo.

[truth2power]

68. Plastic spork...

:rofl: :rofl:

[Blue_In_AK]

15. When I was a kid, there were no security points.

The first time I flew I was eight years old (1955) flying alone from Dayton, Ohio, to Denver where my parents had preceded me. My grandmother was allowed to come on the plane with me to get me settled, and the stewardesses were wonderful. I had to change planes in Chicago and someone stayed with me until I got safely onto the next flight. Even in the '70s, flying was fun with good food, and I remember when they even used to give a little pack of cigarettes to everyone (not that I'd like to go back to smoke on the airplanes, but it really was much, much different). The thing I miss most is being able to meet people at the gates as they get off the plane or waiting with them when someone is leaving.

[WolverineDG]

23. How's about getting to wait on the tarmac while Daddy walked down the stairs?

that was so cool, but then planes started getting hijacked to Cuba, so we had to stand behind a chain-link fence instead. We also got to say our good-byes at the gate.

dg

[TheKentuckian]

25. Back when it was FUN and enjoyable.

Edible actual meals, not going through the bogus circus a billion times to smoke, seeing people off, being greeted, not being packed in like Spam in a can, people were between civil and affable, and it was an adventure.

Now it sucks like Greyhound or worse and counting airport time not even quick unless you are going across country and is getting worse all the way around, even minus the virtual strip searches and the gropedowns.

[StandingInLeftField]

27. My father was a Captain with Eastern Airlines.

Hired by Eddie Rickenbacker himself straight out of the Naval Air Corps in 1938. He went on to become the most senior Captain with Eastern at the time of his death at the age of 59 in 1971.

We were able to fly virtually free on standby with virtually any airline, so I was able to fly quite frequently as a young lad. I remember getting on a Douglas DC-3 and having to walk uphill to my seat (due to the tricycle landing gear.) Dad took me into the cockpit, put the headphones on me and let me talk to the tower (this was at the second Atlanta Municipal Airport, the one with the green and stainless-steel International-style terminal.) As commercial aviation progressed I was able to fly aboard Lockheed Constellations (the most beautiful commercial airliner ever produced), Electras, and the great Douglas DC-6.

The introduction of jets sped up travel, but it was still a pleasure to fly. In my opinion the death-knell for the airline industry was deregulation in the mid 1970s. When Eastern Airlines was bought out and gutted by Frank Lorenzo in 1986, it seemed like what had been a genteel industry became just another vehicle for corporate raiders to enrich themselves at the flying public's expense. I'm glad dad didn't have to see that chapter of commercial aviation. The spate of hijackings didn't help matters any.

As my great aunt used to say, "I'm glad I lived when I lived, and did what I did."

[Skittles]

35. awesome post

:thumbsup:

[StandingInLeftField]

36. Thanks, Skittles.

He started his flying career piloting biplane seaplanes off the rear catapult of the battleship USS Colorado BB-45. Prior to being in the front seat, he was involved as a rear seat spotter in the search for Amelia Earheart in June of 1937 as a Naval Air Cadet.

[Skittles]

37. your dad and your aunt both sound awesome

yes INDEED

[enlightenment]

38. What a great growing up experience!

You're very fortunate.

Have you ever read the novel "Wings" by Robert Serling (1978)? I think you would really like it - I do. Reread it about every 5 years or so!

[StandingInLeftField]

40. No, I have not read "Wings" .

But I'm making it a point to add it to my reading list. Thanks for the tip, enlightenment!

[enlightenment]

44. You're welcome.

I hope you can find it, though!

[WillyT]

48. Amazon Has It:

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Wings-Robert-Serling/dp/0451088115/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290565062&sr=1-1

:hi:

[enlightenment]

49. Cool.

Thanks! :)

[aikoaiko]

28. Southwest Airlines circa early 1970s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR7JApjgIGw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHnqnyzegfc&NR=1

[Skittles]

33. what I miss most

I used to love, LOVE, when I was waiting to catch a plane, watching others DEPLANE and seeing the reactions of the family/friends who at that time were allowed to meet them right there at the gate. It always so uplifting.

[Swamp Rat]

64. Wow! I miss that a lot too!

Yet another thing I took for granted. :(

[jberryhill]

34. Party In The Smoking Section!

When they first started segregating smokers to the back of the plane, it was like a party back there.

If you smoked and didn't get assigned to the smoking section, you would just hang out back there, smoke, drink and chat.

[Gregorian]

43. In a DC-3 in 1967

The day Walt Disney died. My father and I were flying over Oklahoma. I remember coming into the cockpit and looking out over the cold Oklahoma morning. An experience I'll always remember. Not to mention the flight he and I made in the airplane we had just bought.

[blueamy66]

45. I sure do.

My Dad worked for AA for over 42 years...I have SUCH GREAT MEMORIES of his job and our flights. And of my Mom taking us to the airport to eat the leftover shrimp cocktails from 1st class....and my Dad bringing home the airplane bottles of booze.....

I hate flying now and would rather drive.

The world sux right now.

[fortyfeetunder]

46. Dad's visit.

my dad came to town to see the newborn 40'underling and I took him back to the airport. While we were waiting at the gate, he spent the time sitting down and cradling the baby. I could tell he enjoyed that moment holding the baby. And we had several more occasions when he'd take the baby down to the gate when we left his home. But after 9/11 happened, I could tell he was visibly upset to not have that opportunity to take us down to the gate after we went to visit him.

[Raine]

55. When I was kid people dressed up

in their best to fly, flying was a classy dignified way to be going. It was a real treat to go to the airport to see someone off. I remember going with my aunt when my parents left for a trip, we watched from inside the airport when the plane taxied down the runway and took off. We got refreshments from the restuarant and looked in the shops that were in the airport. Now you can't even go in to see someone off or pick them up ... how sad that some will never have that experience. :-(

[Hello_Kitty]

59. Yep. eom

[Hello_Kitty]

57. My sis and I used to fly Eastern from National (I'll NEVER call it Reagan) airport

To see our Grammy in the '70s. We'd get to visit the pilots and we got those cool wings to pin to our clothes.

Flying really sucked for me until I was old enough to understand why my ears hurt so much. From age 6 on it was pretty awesome.

[bluestate10]

62. In 2001, I likely flew on a plane that later went into the WTC.

I was on a high stress business trip. I arrived home on a 9/8/2001 Saturday non-stop red-eye United Flight from SF to Boston. My flight out at the start of the trip was an indirect United flight from Boston to LA. I don't keep flight numbers for any flight and did not keep the ones for the two flights.

[Evasporque]

63. I remember no security...and walking OUTSIDE to board....nt

[Rosa Luxemburg]

69. didn't have that pleasure when the IRA were bombing

I lived in the UK then. They used to make you take out your camera and then the film etc. They took away a jar of honey because they thought it might be suspect. That was back in the 70s/80s. Be thankful.

[Stevenmarc]

70. The last civilized US air carrier was Midwest Express

[ThatsMyBarack]

71. Remember that show "Life on Mars"?

A guy named Sam get into a car accident in 2008 and goes back in time to 1973. At one point, he has to get on a plane--and people look at him funny when he takes off his shoes at a security checkpoint!

[MindPilot]

73. Airports had observation decks

You could go outside to watch the planes and experience the sounds & smells of aviation. To this day I still love the smell of jet exhaust.

I remember riding a bus out to the airplane.