# Airfare sucks **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 18, 2019, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466 "2019-09-18T23:22:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Annoyed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@Annoyed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoyed)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/21 "2019-09-20T01:54:49Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Apparently, I’m the mouldy apple guy. My family is incredulous at the discomfort I’ll put myself through to save a few bucks. > > Last big trip I took was to London. I packed everything in a small backpack, which made it easy to ride my bike across town before dawn to catch the three-hour bus ride to O’Hare, where I flew to North Carolina for a six hour layover because that was where the Surprise Cheapo Airfare landed me, then a red-eye to London-but-Gatwick-not-Heathrow to the tube to Blackfriars Station, then a five-mile walk at dawn across London to the cheapest hotel that Priceline had, which wasn’t open yet. > > But, damn, airfare and a week in London for $800! It was a case of “either do it cheaply or stay home”. I don’t regret one challenging moment of it. > > So when you’re people-watching in the airport and think “That guy looks awfully bouncy.” That’s me, because I’m spending half of what everyone else is. Yea but all that hustling and sweating you’re doing is probably punishment to the other civilized humans who aren’t trying to smell all those days worth of unshowered mess you’ve got going on, which is one of the main gripes with backpackers. That, combined with the unreasonably sized and clearly overweight carry-on used which makes the other passengers unfortunate enough to share a row with you have to find a free overhead compartment that’s nowhere near their seat and likely towards the back of the plane, forcing them to wait for the entire sea of humanity to leave the plane before they can reach their carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/22 "2019-09-20T02:38:09Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Apparently, I’m the mouldy apple guy. My family is incredulous at the discomfort I’ll put myself through to save a few bucks. Yes - maybe mouldy apples wasn’t the best analogy. In reference to Monty’s complaint about differential pricing for popular vs unpopular times of travel, clearly it’s a _good_ thing that people have the option to save a bunch of money by (like you) traveling at unpopular times or enduring a bit of effort; while others can choose to pay a premium for convenience. It’s a mystery to me why people accept the basic principles of capitalism and the operation market forces in all other aspects of the provision of goods and services, yet where airlines are concerned somehow it’s perceived as evil profiteering. It’s not like there isn’t intense price competition between airlines on major routes, look how often airlines go bust. But to go back to OP’s original issue - _that’s_ where there really are grounds for complaint, where on minor routes there _isn’t_ a big enough market to support multiple airlines competing to keep prices under control. And that demonstrates the limits of unregulated capitalism, when market forces just aren’t compatible with desirable outcomes. There’s a decent argument that it’s socially important to maintain regulated/subsidized transport infrastructure (along with things like a postal service) to more remote areas. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/23 "2019-09-20T02:40:09Z")
I just want to know where **digs** left his bike while he was in London for a week. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/24 "2019-09-20T02:47:06Z")
> [@Annoyed](#): > > Yea but all that hustling and sweating you’re doing is probably punishment to the other civilized humans who aren’t trying to smell all those days worth of unshowered mess you’ve got going on, which is one of the main gripes with backpackers. That, combined with the **unreasonably sized and clearly overweight carry-on** used which makes the other passengers unfortunate enough to share a row with you have to find a free overhead compartment that’s nowhere near their seat and likely towards the back of the plane, forcing them to wait for the entire sea of humanity to leave the plane before they can reach their carry on. (Bolding mine) None of your preconceptions are correct. Which has been a problem in other threads as well. I’m a bit flabbergasted at your needless aggression. Now, if you were concerned with the size of my backpack, you could have _**a)**_ asked, in which case, I would have measured it (17” x 13” by 5"), and looked up the volume: 1300 cu.in. Shorter, narrower and thinner than the specs for the overhead bin… but I easily flew with it under my seat. Or, _**b)**_ you could have read my post, where I mentioned “I packed everything in a small backpack”. And why do you project your gripes about backpackers onto a harmless (and yes, clean) retired teacher, who had just explained that he stays in hotels? Oh, ETA: My faithful bike spent the week locked to a bike rack in front of a college library with dozens of other bikes (much nicer ones than mine, that’s my security system). ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/25 "2019-09-20T03:06:22Z")
> [@Annoyed](#): > > Yea but all that hustling and sweating you’re doing is probably punishment to the other civilized humans who aren’t trying to smell all those days worth of unshowered mess you’ve got going on, which is one of the main gripes with backpackers. That, combined with the unreasonably sized and clearly overweight carry-on used which makes the other passengers unfortunate enough to share a row with you have to find a free overhead compartment that’s nowhere near their seat and likely towards the back of the plane, forcing them to wait for the entire sea of humanity to leave the plane before they can reach their carry on. My god, what a fucking idiotic post. Do you have to try hard to be this stupid and pointlessly offensive? Is it a natural talent? In my experience, backpackers with oversized carry-on are far outnumbered by asshole business people and regular tourists who are to important to check their bag, and who drag their massive rolling suitcases down the aisle and cram them into the overhead bins. I’ve lamented for years that most airlines seem unwilling to enforce their own carry-on size restrictions. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/26 "2019-09-20T03:47:14Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > My god, what a fucking idiotic post. Do you have to try hard to be this stupid and pointlessly offensive? Is it a natural talent? Okay, I just looked up his latest posts in other threads. [Woooo, boy!](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=21870007#post21870007) So I am NOT taking this personally, he’s always like this. Not that all his nasty posts shouldn’t be reported… ---
**Author:** ![Annoyed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@Annoyed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoyed)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/27 "2019-09-20T03:51:30Z")
It’s a talent I have. And I thought it was a pretty funny post if I do say so myself. However I’m not entirely sure how one can cram an entire week (or more) of travel into a “small backpack”. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/28 "2019-09-20T04:04:38Z")
> [@Annoyed](#): > > However I’m not entirely sure how one can cram an entire week (or more) of travel into a “small backpack”. You really are a bit thick aren’t you? I travelled SE Asia earlier this year with a very small, carry-on case (smaller than the dimensions accepted on airlines). Five weeks. It’s dead simple. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/29 "2019-09-20T04:04:57Z")
> [@Annoyed](#): > > It’s a talent I have. > > And I thought it was a pretty funny post if I do say so myself. > > However I’m not entirely sure how one can cram an entire week (or more) of travel into a “small backpack”. I picked a hotel with a washer and dryer. If not, I would’ve washed my clothes and hung them in the bathroom to dry overnight. But, no, not funny. Look, in one of those posts of yours that I just found, you state that you hang out here just to insult people, and post stuff that’s just to rile up the liberals. If that’s all you want to do, please give up. We’re not riled, we’re just saddened that you don’t have better things to do. ---
**Author:** ![Annoyed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@Annoyed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoyed)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/30 "2019-09-20T04:05:23Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Yes - maybe mouldy apples wasn’t the best analogy. In reference to Monty’s complaint about differential pricing for popular vs unpopular times of travel, clearly it’s a _good_ thing that people have the option to save a bunch of money by (like you) traveling at unpopular times or enduring a bit of effort; while others can choose to pay a premium for convenience. It’s a mystery to me why people accept the basic principles of capitalism and the operation market forces in all other aspects of the provision of goods and services, yet where airlines are concerned somehow it’s perceived as evil profiteering. It’s not like there isn’t intense price competition between airlines on major routes, look how often airlines go bust. > > But to go back to OP’s original issue - _that’s_ where there really are grounds for complaint, where on minor routes there _isn’t_ a big enough market to support multiple airlines competing to keep prices under control. And that demonstrates the limits of unregulated capitalism, when market forces just aren’t compatible with desirable outcomes. There’s a decent argument that it’s socially important to maintain regulated/subsidized transport infrastructure (along with things like a postal service) to more remote areas. Airlines do suck, theres no getting around it. Yes it’s capitalism but I would support a bill that mandated airlines providing flights of more than 6 hours to have seats and armrests that are appropriately sized as to be comfortable to an average sized human being without having to touch the person sitting next to you, at no additional cost. I would also support a bill that immediately arrested and straight-jacketd passengers who request the person in front of them to put their seats backs up unless the meal service was being provided. Those people are the spawn of Satan. ---
**Author:** ![Annoyed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@Annoyed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoyed)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/31 "2019-09-20T04:08:17Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I picked a hotel with a washer and dryer. If not, I would’ve washed my clothes and hung them in the bathroom to dry overnight. > > But, no, not funny. > > Look, in one of those posts of yours that I just found, you state that you hang out here just to insult people, and post stuff that’s just to rile up the liberals. If that’s all you want to do, please give up. We’re not riled, we’re just saddened that you don’t have better things to do. I have never stated any of those things. Not even once, and the post you link to was a direct reply to someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Annoyed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@Annoyed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoyed)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/32 "2019-09-20T04:12:17Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > You really are a bit thick aren’t you? > > I travelled SE Asia earlier this year with a very small, carry-on case (smaller than the dimensions accepted on airlines). Five weeks. It’s dead simple. So you’re a backpacker? That’s called being a backpacker. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/33 "2019-09-20T04:16:48Z")
> [@Annoyed](#): > > So you’re a backpacker? That’s called being a backpacker. OK, the dumb is getting dumber. I’m an old lady who doesn’t like having to lug lots of luggage around, especially on and off airplanes and navigating airports. I stay in 3\* hotels and catch taxis. I also don’t need a lot of shit when I travel, and I swear my medications took up more room in my case than my clothing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/34 "2019-09-20T04:52:24Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Okay, I just looked up his latest posts in other threads. [Woooo, boy!](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=21870007#post21870007) > So I am NOT taking this personally, he’s always like this. Not that all his nasty posts shouldn’t be reported… Well, I mean, honesty in advertising, given the username. ---
**Author:** ![Annoyed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@Annoyed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoyed)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/35 "2019-09-20T04:55:45Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > OK, the dumb is getting dumber. > > I’m an old lady who doesn’t like having to lug lots of luggage around, especially on and off airplanes and navigating airports. I stay in 3\* hotels and catch taxis. I also don’t need a lot of shit when I travel, and I swear my medications took up more room in my case than my clothing. 😃 I actually work in SEA, currently there now. If going through KL or Singapore or Bangkok they all have a “VIP Arrivals” thing you can pay for (about $30) and as soon as you step off the plane there’s a person holding a sign with your name on it, they carry all your shit, get you through immigration in the VIP lane (like air hostesses and pilots) and carry your luggage all the way from baggage claim to your transport. If you ever go back, look it up. I use it every time I arrive in those airports. Anyway I’m just messing with ya about the backpacker thing. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/36 "2019-09-20T10:28:48Z")
> [@Annoyed](#): > > However I’m not entirely sure how one can cram an entire week (or more) of travel into a “small backpack”. If I can stay in a hotel and eat at restaurants it’s easy - I’ll even have room to carry my own soap! 😃 Now, if I have to haul a tent, cooking tools, food, and some water I’ll need a big backpack, but I can still pack 2 weeks worth into something I can carry on my back. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/37 "2019-09-20T10:32:35Z")
> [@cjackson](#): > > Seriously, when you have no major airports around and must rely on regional airports the prices are ridiculous. I’m just venting because everywhere worth going is over one thousand dollars in cattle class. How the hell do people afford to travel? Anyway, if there are any of you stuck in a hicktown like me and want to sound off about exorbitant prices, please do so. I’m going to bitch about deregulation of the airlines, which is what lead to a lot of the exorbitant pricing for small towns along with other current evils of air travel. In case you don’t remember (or aren’t old enough to remember) that was in 1978, under the Carter administration. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/38 "2019-09-20T11:14:16Z")
Possibly relevant, very funny: “[Cheap Flights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAg0lUYHHFc)”. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/39 "2019-09-20T12:16:29Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Possibly relevant, very funny: “[Cheap Flights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAg0lUYHHFc)”. I loves me some _Fascinating Aida_. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466/40 "2019-09-20T12:41:57Z")
> [@Annoyed](#): > > However I’m not entirely sure how one can cram an entire week (or more) of travel into a “small backpack”. What nonsense! I, and each member of my family packed for a two week holiday in Florida using a small backpack each that was small enough to fit under the seat. I’m off on a two week holiday to Bangkok, New Zealand and Hong Kong next Easter and will be doing the same. I’ve even done a practice packing to see what I can get into the “Ryanair minimum” bag which is 40cm x 20cm x 25cm. Turns out that the answer is “quite a lot” , I can get 6 x underwear, 3 x shorts, 1 x trousers, 4 x shirts 3 x t-shirts, pyjamas, hat, towel, binoculars, tablet, toiletries, kindle and other reading material. Add in the fact that I’ll have a full set of clothing already on plus a coat into which I can pop a nintendo switch case plus my phone and electronics and I’m set. That’ll easily see me through two weeks. People take far too much stuff I reckon, I see people pushing these wheeled behemoths through the airport and wonder if they are moving house rather than going on holiday. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airfare-sucks/840466.md?page=3)