Flying in a sardine can and other travel misery

[Auggie]

27. I'm not going to defend flying (I despise it), but I think it's mostly a bargain.

$460 from San Francisco to New York (JetBlue/Expedia)? Comparatively, in 1982 dollars, it would be equal to $193.00. You couldn't fly across country for that 30 years ago. Add in the convenience factor -- coast to coast in about six hours. That's a good use of my time.

I can't imagine how these low fares are sustainable unless airlines tack on extra costs for baggage, meals, etc. so they can turn a profit. Execs need their exorbitant salaries and stockholders want returns.

People expect low prices for air travel and food and clothing but I think they're mostly jaded about what things really cost when not made by non-union overseas labor, robots, or factory farms. Shop at the Farmers' Market and you'll get an education.

Domestic flying is pretty much still a hands-on business that requires Americans to operate it. And that costs money. So yeah, they cut services and charge for extras and screw their employees because everyone bitches about the fares. That's why air travel sucks.

Yep -- regulate. Better yet, NATIONALIZE.