It is no surprise to me how badly airlines are doing as an industry. I fly only infrequently, but the new airport security measures since that fright in the UK a few months ago, the expense of tickets and the racket of surcharges if you need to make a reservation change make me want to drive, no matter how far I’m going. If I fly I’m supposed to get to the airport 3 hours before my flight leaves, carry no more liquid than 3oz travel-sized containers in a 1‑quart zip-top bag that I have to dig out of my carry-on, along with my laptop and whatever else they want to look at. And of course there is the shoe-removal, coat-removal, etc. Then, if you make it past security quickly, you’re stuck for 2.5 hours twiddling your thumbs. And if security is running slow, you might stand in line for the 3 hours and miss your flight. There is not one redeeming quality to the experience.
I’m flying to NYC today. My plane leaves at 3:40, so I have to get to Hopkins at 1. It doesn’t arrive in NYC until 7:02. A 6 hour trip time flying, when I could drive to NYC in 8. Driving wouldn’t cost me $500, I could have my car filled with nail clippers and bottles of water, and could pack my bag any way I chose. In retrospect I should have driven. Less stress and hassle on the open road.
Thank your lucky stars that you’re not a smoker. Add withdrawal symptoms to the above list. Having said that I’ve drivin’ and flown to NYC many times and I’d still rather fly. Bon voyage.
I’m used to 8 hour roadtrips, jamming to the radio, and stopping at little podunk gas stations or ice cream shacks. To me, driving is more adventurous. At least, it has been since the terrorists won.
Flying is a mess; I fly 4–6 times a year and it’s pretty much always a nightmare, especially since those new restrictions that everyone knows are totally useless. You’re totally right about being there either way too early or just too late- I’ve missed a flight or two in my time. Plus, because I have to check in the dog (they’re supposed to look over her carrier, but all they do is take my $50 pet fee), I have to stand in the See A Human Being line, which is INCREDIBLY slow. Ugh, flying. I can finally afford it and now I don’t want to do it anymore.
send me an email–how long are you staying in new york?
email sent to gmail.