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Err Travel · June 13, 2000

Err Travel readers are not shy about asking questions or sharing their opinions. One of their favorite topics is airline travel. As I continue to sort my way through this past year's mail, these percolated to the top:

Why do people clap when a pilot lands a plane?

Dennis M

[I don't know. Maybe it's because it is generally a smoother landing than when a passenger has a go at it?]

An "advice" column in Conde Nast suggested getting in line ahead of when your row is called, to get access to overhead bin space. Such advice doesn't help, does it?

Terry A

[A large portion of the flying population that I've seen in action needs little advice on considering only themselves when traveling. The inconsiderates who travel already know this and many other rules of discourteousness. They don't need any help.]

After reading your article about why you like the airlines, the only conclusion that I can come to is that you must be a pretty sick person. With all the airline CEO's trying to rape the companies for everything they can get, flying has become a very undesirable experience. Can you think of any other business in this country that has degraded so many millions of passengers with the sardine class of service?

Bob S

[I accept airlines for what they are: basic, safe transportation. I know that, if I am willing to pay, there is another class of service available to me in the front of the airplane. It's available to you too. So quit your bellyaching and upgrade.]

What kind of flights are you taking? Maybe flights of fancy. Just remember how much you like airlines after they've done away with travel agents. Then it will be just them and you and guess who loses in that one?

Bill W

[A recent request by me of an agent at Carlson Wagonlit for a round trip fare on American Airlines from San Jose to Chicago yielded a "best" price of over $1000. I booked through biztravel.com for half that. I'll take my chances on my own.]

I'm 6'5" and 260lbs, and I would dearly love to see the pain and discomfort of air travel evenly distributed. Until such time as the airlines see fit to implement your plan, perhaps I should load my baggage with free weights. Carrying the maximum 70kg doesn't bother me in the slightest, and it'd hit the airlines in the only place that bothers them - in the pocketbook.

Chris C

[Perhaps you are on to something, Chris. On every flight, every passenger pays a little extra to transport the heavy baggage of a few passengers. Bring those barbells on board for some real in-flight exercise.]

I am fat and tall, and I get a double whammy [when I travel]. Your war is misguided it should be with the airlines not the passengers! They can make it much more safe and comfortable for everyone. Too bad you can't see the runway before the gate!

Daniel L

[First, it's not a war, it's a suggestion. And second, my suggestion is to the airlines: Make the cost of flying equitable based on the simple economics of the cost of launching and keeping a body airborne.]

Airlines suck. They stole my snowboard bag that contained $2,500 of equipment in there. What explanation do you have for that? Screw the airlines; screw you too. It's idiots like you that have no backbone. If service sucks, than you say something about it, and if people don't listen, then there's a problem.

Dave T

[Dave, if you approached the airlines about your missing gear using the same demeanor you demonstrate here, I wouldn't expect you'll see your snowboard bag anytime soon.]

Dr. Terry Riley is a psychologist and travel security authority. His column appears on Wednesdays. He is author of the popular book Travel Can Be Murder. Visit his site at http://www.appliedpsychology.com or e-mail him at terry@ticked.com.