How about a good Thanksgiving travel story?

[NewHendoLib]

It is so good to be back home. We had a great visit with our daughter and her family in Olalla WA - and a wet visit! (We lived out there in 1983, so lots of clouds and rain was not unexpected).

So - tiny Asheville airport, where we started our journey, with a short flight to Charlotte NC - no issues, all masked, all fine. Next leg, Charlotte to Seattle (5.5 hours in the air is not much fun - esp for 6 foot tall, 220 lb me!). Charlotte airport was an utter zoo - we've not traveled in 2 years and were not ready for the sea of humanity. BUT - everyone masked, and no MAGA hats or shirts. Everyone respectful. The flight had no issues at all.

Return flight - Seattle airport fully masked. (the fly in the ointment was our Seattle to Charlotte flight 4 hour delayed due to a lack of flight crew - meaning no connection - meaning we got to spend from 1 AM, when we landed, until 7:30 AM, when we finally got to head back to Asheville - in a very dreary, empty airport. First time we did that - not fun (and no sleep). But - once people started showing up, again - all masked.

What the trip convinced us is that we are pretty much done with air travel if possible. It is a pretty miserable way to travel. The night in the airport was the frosting on the cake. The airlines really don't give a shit (but I am sure we all knew that!).

But, my goodness - there's NO place like home (all week has been sunny, and today was 72 degrees - what a difference all day sun makes for the mood!).

[Hoyt]

1. Can't say I will never get on a plane again, but that's my intention.

[NewHendoLib]

2. if our daughter wasn't 3000 miles away, we'd probably say that.

but COVID led to me deciding to stop giving my gardening talks - I am now Zoom only. No more travel for those. It feels so good to have "retired" from the road!

[Hoyt]

5. Now I recognize your name. You moved to Western NC.

We were up that way early November. What a cool place. Leaves were beautiful, but didn’t get to hike.

[blm]

3. Today was just gorgeous.

[NewHendoLib]

4. we spent a day in the Pisgah, and one at DuPont this week. Today lunch at Ivory Road off 191.

enjoying the hell out of it!

[EYESORE 9001]

6. I flew tonight

Just getting settled in our room at an airport hotel. Flight from Cleveland to Newark was maybe 1/3 full. Newark airport is humongous! Uneventful trip…so far.

[Demobrat]

7. No more unnecessary flying for me.

Flying was never fun, but it used to be a tolerable way to get from point A to point B. Seats had padding and even in coach there was a little bit of elbow room. Now - I’d rather take a city bus.

I can’t remember the last trip I took where there were no delays or cancellations. I swore off United long ago, but now they’re all equally bad.

And they just don’t care. Once when a United flight I was on was delayed, delayed again, delayed again, and then canceled, a gate employee took off her lanyard and quit on the spot.

Finally got home the next day.

No thanks.

[NewHendoLib]

8. Exactly. They. Don't. Care. They don't have to - seats get filled no matter what.

[Demobrat]

11. Passengers are necessary evils

who are always complaining and asking questions when flights are delayed or canceled. How dare they expect their flights to leave on time?

[VarryOn]

9. CLT is my least favorite hub in the US...

Poorly laid out, connecting flights seem to always be far apart, poor food options, and no dividers between the urinals!

[NewHendoLib]

10. yes, it's pretty awful - we felt like we walked miles to get gate to gate

and it was so depressing to spend an overnight in!

[VarryOn]

12. I go to FL for work and personal alot...

I've gotten to where I fly west to DFW rather than taking the shorter route thru Charlotte. All to avoidcharlotte. I fly from NW Arkansas.

[GP6971]

13. November set a new record

for rainfall out here...close to 19" at SeaTac.

We traveled to Phoenix in October...everyone masked at SeaTac. Not so much at Sky Harbor in Phoenix though.