# How has flying changed in 30 years? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 14, 2004, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195 "2004-03-14T04:38:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [March 14, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/21 "2004-03-14T20:04:56Z")
> [@Susanann](#): > > Prepare yourself for major disappointment. They now treat you like a criminal instead of a valued client. You will be searched and have to go thru metal detectors. You have to show id, you cant bring your nail files and cuticle scissors on the plane. Sometimes they make you take off your shoes. I get annoyed at some of the petty aspects of airport security, like shoe removal and the confiscation of nail files, because i don’t think that these little things improve our security, and they cost much time and aggravation. Still, if you’re arguing that the overall level of security at airports in unnecessary, i have to disagree. Various incidents, from the Lockerbie bombing to September 11, show that planes are vulnerable targets if not properly secured. > [@Susanann](#): > > They dont have stewardesses anymore, they have flight attendents, and they are not young, pretty, and charming single young ladies wearing miniskirts anymore - flight attendent school is no longer a “charm school”. Imagine that! They’re actually allowing men and married women to be flight attendants now! And they don’t necessarily have to be young, perky, and beautiful! What is this, the twenty-first century or something? Give me a break. As people have already pointed out, reduced service on airlines is more a result of lower costs and the drive for company profits, and has little to do with how professional the staff are. Most flight attendants, in my experience, do their best to be helpful and courteous, within the constraints of the job. Even the Qantas staff, who i criticized in an earlier post, aren’t that bad. I have no idea what being “young, pretty, and charming single young ladies” has to do with anything, unless you subscribe to the belief that the flight attendants’ role is to be nothing more than eye candy for leering businessmen. > [@Susanann](#): > > They dont give out free playing cards, nor free drinks. Well, with the video games and individual movie selections that are now offered by some airlines, even in cattle class, playing cards probably seem rather dull to many travellers. Many travellers also have laptop computers or Gameboys to entertain themselves, and some people even (shock, horror) bring a book to read. As for drinks, this thread is dealing with international flights, most of which, AFAIK, still provide free beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. > [@Susanann](#): > > You can’t go up to the cockpit and look at the pilots flying the plane anymore. Well, we all know what happened last time some passengers wanted a view from the cockpit. Seriously, is this issue even up for debate? > [@Susanann](#): > > Most flights dont even feed you anymore. Again, not the case on long international flights. > [@Susanann](#): > > The planes are mostly full, and the seats are more packed in. It’s probably true about the seat spacing, and this does make things less comfortable. As the the planes being full–how dare the airlines try to avoid wasted space and fuel, and maximize their income, by filling up the planes? You realize, i assume, that if the airlines ran all their planes half-empty, ticket prices would increase dramatically? > [@Susanann](#): > > They dont have the big screen movies anymore. We have a place for those. It’s called THE CINEMA. Also, the replacement of large screens at the front of each section with a greater number of smaller screens (sometimes even individual screens for each person) actually allows more people to get a better view of the movie. My girlfriend, who is 5’3", can usually see a video screen from wherever she is sitting; in the older configuration, she would be out of luck unless seated right near the screen. > [@Susanann](#): > > You cant get to the airport at the last minute and expect to get on board, and they wont hold the flight for you if you are late or in the bathroom after checking in. Hang the inconsiderate louts, i say! How dare they expect to get a fully-laden 250-ton aircraft and its 400-odd passengers off the ground on time? They should be well aware of the fact that you were too stupid to take a leak earlier, and should inconvenience everyone else for the sake of your ablutions. After all, there are no toilets on the aircraft, are there? > [@Susanann](#): > > There also is no “express” or whatever they used to call it, where you don’t have to check in or wait in any lines. Given that many (most?) people now fly on e-tickets, some form of check-in is essential, especially with heightened security concerns. And i don’t know too many people who take international holidays without having to check some baggage. Do you have some system whereby this might miraculously occur wthout queues or human intervention of any kind? Furthermore, the self-check-in services that i have used tend to make the whole process faster, because there are more podiums in use, they allow the passenger to do much of the check-in alone, and only require a staff member for ID checks and baggage tagging. ---
**Author:** ![dorfl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@dorfl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorfl)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/22 "2004-03-14T20:09:05Z")
> [@](#): > > stewardess one of the biggest differences other than price…is language (on most airlines) No stewardess…flight attendants No Cockpit…flight deck 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ColonelDax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/23 "2004-03-14T20:40:32Z")
I find the main difference beween flying 30 years ago and flying today is that now no one gives me a little set of plastic wings with the airline’s insignia on it when I get on board. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/24 "2004-03-14T23:28:04Z")
Thank you all enormously for your tips and descriptions! I had to laugh when I saw that I couldn’t even remember the name of the airline I am flying on! Yes, it is U.S. Airways. It is going to be an **Airbus** Industrie 330 Jet with a capacity of 345. Hmmm…That gives me visions of Greyhound Scenacruisers. :eek: **Anyone know anything about Airbuses?** Are upgrades ever given on overseas flights? > [@](#): > > They dont have stewardesses anymore, they have flight attendents, and they are not young, pretty, and charming single young ladies wearing miniskirts anymore - flight attendent school is no longer a “charm school”. This sounds like a major improvement to me! In an emergency, I’d rather be in the hands of a salty old broad or a nice man who believes in “dotty old ladies with granddaughters first.” ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/25 "2004-03-14T23:34:44Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > It is going to be an **Airbus** Industrie 330 Jet with a capacity of 345. . . Anyone know anything about Airbuses? [US Airways: Airbus 330.](http://www.usairways.com/about/aircraft/a330/index.htm) ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/26 "2004-03-14T23:44:18Z")
Upgrades? Forget it. As has been hinted at, airlines are very good at filling every seat available. I’ve never flown transatlantic and not been on a fully booked flight. And given there’s the extra class of “premium economy” or whatever they call it, you’re another hurdle away from the caviar 😉 But play up the _frail_ old lady card as much as you can, particularly at check-in and boarding. It should get you preferential treatment of some kind. Bring a stick to walk with, even if you don’t need it 😃 ---
**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:** [March 15, 2004, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/27 "2004-03-15T00:41:17Z")
And if you follow **Walloon** ’s link a little further, you’ll find that every seat on this plane has its own video screen with [on-demand entertainment](http://www.usairways.com/about/aircraft/a330/inflight.htm). That certainly helps to pass the time if you can’t sleep. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/28 "2004-03-15T01:27:58Z")
Oh Airbus is a dirty word in this town! 🙂 Hubby didn’t mention U S Air had a “blended family.” Sorry I gave you incorrect information. Could someone hold my shoe? It gets wet when its in my mouth! ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/29 "2004-03-15T01:43:47Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > [hijack] > > You’ve flown Qantas and the service has been “uniformly polite and extremely helpful”? You must fly business or first class, then. > > I’m an Australian, and am rather proud of the national carrier’s safety record. But Qantas flight attendants have been among the most surly i’ve encountered on any airline. Within Australia, they have exactly that reputation, although it’s probably more on domestic rather than international flights. They’ve been fine to me–although not as obsequious as say, SIA staff–but I’ve never flown Qantas domestically. Only Ansett in the old days (sniff) and now Virgin Blue (no free food, but their attendents all seem to have a sense of humour.) ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/30 "2004-03-15T02:41:42Z")
If you are interested in the seat configuration of your flight I suggest you check out [seatguru.com](http://seatguru.com). They rank the comfort of seating on all the major us carriers. You also might want to check out [flyertalk.com](http://flyertalk.com) where they talk about flying and carriers in general. I fly quite a bit and still enjoy it. Major changes in 30 years; Seat pitch is smaller, food is worse but still mostly edible especially trans-continental, entertainment is better, stewards/esses are not as genial, security is way more evident, but not obnoxious (most of the time). Not to worry, have a good time. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/31 "2004-03-15T03:51:29Z")
Paris? You GO Girl! Here are some things you’ll find different, although some of them have already been mentioned: As **Susanann** pointed out, “Stews” are now Flight Attendants. They may be male, over 25, conservatively dressed, or any combination of the above. If this is progress or not depends on one’s point of view. Male passengers will not be wearing coats and ties. The female passengers won’t be in their Sunday Go To Meetin’ outfits. Indeed, you will see travelers in shorts, ripped jeans, and other unseemly garb. Again, if this is progress or not depends on one’s point of view. Contrary to other poster’s opinions, I carry _nothing_ on board with me, except maybe a book. Place it all in baggage, because the process of having your carry-on luggage searched is annoying. It’s hard enough to get through the screening without getting strip-searched as it is. Be at the airport much earlier than you used to. Two hours ahead of flight time isn’t too early. Tip: If, after you’ve checked your baggage, you find that you forgot and still have your pocket knife with you (I know you carry one), look around for a large potted plant. When you’re certain you’re not being observed, stick the knife down into the dirt in the plant pot. Dig knife back up on your return. (Worked for me) Enjoy your trip with your granddaughter! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/32 "2004-03-15T05:06:43Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > Tip: If, after you’ve checked your baggage, you find that you forgot and still have your pocket knife with you (I know you carry one), look around for a large potted plant. When you’re certain you’re not being observed, stick the knife down into the dirt in the plant pot. Dig knife back up on your return. (Worked for me) This is very, very clever, and unfortunately strikes me as exactly the sort of thing that, if noticed, would result in a long, long stay in a little room. I can’t remember if it’s Seattle or Nashville, but one of those airports has a service near gate security that allows you to mail certain types of forbidden items to yourself. I hope this service catches on everywhere; I pity all the little old ladies who have their best knitting needles taken away. This sort of thing is SO silly; anyone could sharpen a plastic toothbrush into a lethal shiv inflight, if they had a mind to. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/33 "2004-03-15T05:44:54Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > 1. Carry _NOTHING_ sharp, pointed, or heavy. That includes nail clippers, little bitty screwdrivers for glasses. No aerosol cans. No chemicals that could hurt someone in any way, like splashing in the eyes. Go through your purse while you’re packing. Its where a lot of women get caught. “Oh I just forgot” doesn’t fly anymore. I had a little flashlight they took away. It wasn’t 6 inches long, I’m not sure how I could take over the plane with an itty bitty flashlight, but they seemed to think I could. > 2. Avoid anything metal in your carry-on if possible. things they can’t identify with x-ray has to be unpacked & looked at. (No fruitcake, it doesn’t x-ray well.) > 3. If you’re carrying a film camera, don’t put film in it, they may want it opened. Digital is no problem. > 4. Your checked luggage will probably be opened out of your sight.This is home land security, not customs. The airlines and airports have down-played the increase in theft since the increased inspections, but better to be safe. If you’re carrying anything of great value, you should carry it with you. It may mean taking it out to show and tell, but better than losing it. > 5. As you might have guessed, getting to the airport early is a must. They will do what they can to get you on your flight if they lines hold you up, but no garantees. > The security folks work under unpleasant conditions. They work long, hard hours mostly on their feet. They are cranky. Don’t try to joke with them. You’ll end up in a little room. Don’t argue with them. You’ll end up in a little room. Just follow their directions, and get through as quickly as possible. > Good Luck, and enjoy your trip! Some good information, lots of misinformation here. According to the [TSA website](http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=183&content=090005198007e349) (and they should know!) The following items **are** allowed on planes: [ul] [li]eyeglasses repair tools (including small screwdrivers)[/li][li]Nail files[/li][li]Nail clippers[/li][li]Personal care or toiletries with areosols in limited quanties[/li][li]Scissors plastic or metal with rounded tips (pointed metal scissors are **not** allowed)[/li][/ul] The list is mum on flashlights, but I travel with one or two mini Mag-lites in my briefcase every week. ::: shrug::: YMMV I guess 2. Metal is not the problem, I travel with a license plate for the cars I drive, never have a problem. Items they cannot identify is the problem. One thing they are death on is tools of any type. I have had end wrenches, and allen wrenches (tossed into my briefcase by mistake) taken away. From the TSA website > [@](#): > > Put metal IN your carry-on bag. This includes jewelry, loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs). 1. DO NOT put any film into your checked luggage, the X-Ray machine for checked luggage is more powerful and will fog your film. 2. Judging by the number of TSA “We opened your luggage” notes I have gotten over the last three years, I would change the probably in your statement to maybe or might. A month or so ago I got into a conversation with a baggage guy for United at Denver. According to him United in Denver handles about 100,000 pieces of luggage per day at that airport alone. There is no way in hell the TSA could open every bag even if they wanted to. Again what you have in the bag will determine if your bag gets opened. When I travel with lots of tools and test equipment my bag gets opened 100%. Just clothes, never. 3. Best. Piece. Of. Advice. Yet. Flying internationl three hours before flight time is not too early. If you are late, the security lines will be long. If you are early they will be short. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/34 "2004-03-15T05:46:34Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > And if you follow **Walloon** ’s link a little further, you’ll find that every seat on this plane has its own video screen with [on-demand entertainment](http://www.usairways.com/about/aircraft/a330/inflight.htm). > > That certainly helps to pass the time if you can’t sleep. This is certainly nice. I travel a lot and usually fairly long distances (Japan - N-E America - Europe) and this helps. These systems will typically have three movies playing in loops on different channels. You can decide which movie you want to see on your private tv screen. Last summer, I flew Malaysian Airlines and you could even play video games on that system. A word of advice: drink a lot. The air in an airplane is very, very dry and you dehydrate fairly quickly. Plus, you’ll have a good excuse to stretch your legs when you go to the bathroom. That being said, appart from the on-demand entertainment system, I’m surprised at how little international flights have changed in the 25 years or so I’ve been flying. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/35 "2004-03-15T13:06:29Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > 1. Metal is not the problem, I travel with a license plate for the cars I drive, never have a problem. Items they cannot identify is the problem. I was bemused to have my violin and case given a thorough 10 minute search - until they discovered that what they _thought_ was a razor blade was actually my practice mute, a 2-inch piece of rubber :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/36 "2004-03-16T08:25:25Z")
**Walloon** , Once again, you are my research hero! At my age I like where my seat is located…close to the bathroom. I’ve already chosen my movies to fall asleep to! Being located close to the lavatory justifies the expense of those Bose noise cancellation headphones. 😃 [bGorillaMan\*\*, since Paris is a little hilly, I gave in at the last minute and got a fold up cane that I will carry in my purse. I will just get it out a little earlier than I had planned. **John Carter** , I have two big Swiss army knives and then two little ones on my keychains. I will pack one of the big ones in my checked baggage and try to remember to rid myself of the others before leaving home. But you are wickedly clever! I had previously used potted palms only for espionage missions. **picunurse** , cute shoes! 😃 Thanks for all of your suggestions. I am going to be wearing compression hose. I found some in a catalogue and they are even better than support hose. I’m carrying along some regular hose too in case the other are too tight. My shoes are roomy and easy on/easy off. I know some foot and leg exercises to do also. I’m wearing comfy clothes but a little chic for me. After all…it’s Paris. 🆒 **Rick** , thanks for the link. Looks like I’m going to have to leave behind my meat cleaver, saw, saber and axe too. (sigh) **PictsiePat** , I’m going now to check out [seatguru.com](http://seatguru.com)! Thanks for the suggestion. Again, my thanks to all of you for your tremendous kindness in taking so much time in answering my questions! Zoe (from the Jack Daniels District of the United States) ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195/37 "2004-03-18T03:06:03Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > As a young’un, I still find it hard to believe that people would _ever_ dress up just to fly. If that’s what you were thinking of doing (no idea if they were still doing that in the 1970s), don’t bother. The only people you’re likely to see in suits and uniforms while flying now are business travelers, the military, and Boy/Girl Scout troops. Even business travellers don’t usually dress up anymore, except perhaps those heading directly to a meeting where they’ll want to have on their power suit, without any chance to change in between. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-flying-changed-in-30-years/234195.md?page=1)