What do you miss most about old school traveling?

[sam_gordon]

I booked a flight five hours before take off Monday. As normal, once I got to the airport, parked my car, and 15 minutes later I'm at the gate. Obviously depends on the airport.

Regarding dressing up for flights, no thank you. But let's also remember that was a time when many dressed up to go to the grocery store also. And if you want to dress up to fly, there's really no one stopping you.

What I miss is meals on flights. I remember if the flight was much over an hour getting an actual MEAL.

 

[john7994]

1) People that know how to behave themselves and moderate their alcohol intake
2) People that know how to clothe themselves
3) People that are prepared to travel including basic hygiene
4) People that know how to manage their children at the gate and in the plane
5) People that understand what a seat assignment is (or is not)
6) People that know how to follow gate agent instructions for boarding and other information
7) People that can follow crew instructions while on the plane
8) People that don’t treat the plane like they do their homes apparently

 

[Moliphino]

Regarding dressing up for flights, no thank you. But let's also remember that was a time when many dressed up to go to the grocery store also. And if you want to dress up to fly, there's really no one stopping you.

What I miss is meals on flights. I remember if the flight was much over an hour getting an actual MEAL.

Yeah, I'm dressing to be comfortable on a flight, sorry. Unless I'm traveling for work and will be immediately going somewhere I have to look business appropriate, it's going to be lounge wear.

I also miss being fed. Even on international flights now it's not guaranteed.

 

[kdonnel]

I guess I am not old enough for travel to have changed that much in my lifetime.

The only difference I can say I miss is being able to meet people at their gate without having a ticket yourself.

When my daughter was just a few months old my grandparents were flying home through the Atlanta airport. We made the trip to the airport and met the grandparents at their gate and let them meet their newest grandchild during their layover.

But it is easy enough to still meet people at their gate if you really want. Just buy a fully refundable ticket for a flight a few hours into the future, go through security, and cancel the ticket.

 

[Kennywood]

I miss the spontaneity and the leisure of traveling.

When I was a kid, my family would be sitting around the table and talk. Someone would remember our last trip to Disney World. One thing would lead to another and then someone would say, "We should go!" "When?" someone ask. "How about tomorrow?" and off we'd go.

Back then, we would drive from Pittsburgh to Orlando. We would drive until it got dark and then find a hotel. There was no planning ahead or making reservations. We didn't have to be at X destination by Y time. And if we saw something interesting along the way, we'd stop.

We would get to Disney World with no reservations, no schedule, and no plan. We just bought our tickets and we enjoyed the day. When we got hungry, we'd find a nice restaurant (without reservations) and enjoy the break.

Things were so much more relaxing and less stressful then. We actually had fun.

 

[DCLMP]

I disagree. Like others have noted, you used to be able to get to the airport an hour before your flight and walk right on the plane. You had an assigned seat, so no worrying about Southwest's A, B, C boarding system. And there were a lot more direct flights.......airlines didn't make it hard to go somewhere without having to go through their "hub" city.
My wife has family in St. Louis, and we used to fly direct from Sacramento. Now, there is literally ONE direct flight a WEEK.

You still can at some small airports like SNA, or PSP, but LAX? The population has increased, airports have gotten bigger and traffic is worse. Don't fly Southwest there's an easy solution to no assigned seats.

I'm glad I don't have to worry about keeping track of a paper ticket. No such thing as losing a ticket these days. No need to visit a travel agent or call the airlines.
In some ways, travel has gotten more difficult that's mostly because more people fly and the TSA, but in a lot of ways it's gotten simpler.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I miss being able to have friends/family waiting for/with you at the gate in an airport.

 

[BrianL]

Yeah, I'm dressing to be comfortable on a flight, sorry. Unless I'm traveling for work and will be immediately going somewhere I have to look business appropriate, it's going to be lounge wear.

I also miss being fed. Even on international flights now it's not guaranteed.

I agree, though I will say that there is a difference in some decent lounge wear and what some people will wear on planes these days. I mean, being comfortable is one thing, but you don't have to look like you just rolled out of bed! Casual, but presentable is fine.

Me, I'm usually wearing whatever I am wearing to Disney Springs, because that's usualy where I am heading first!

 

[DCLMP]

I guess I am not old enough for travel to have changed that much in my lifetime.

The only difference I can say I miss is being able to meet people at their gate without having a ticket yourself.

When my daughter was just a few months old my grandparents were flying home through the Atlanta airport. We made the trip to the airport and met the grandparents at their gate and let them meet their newest grandchild during their layover.

But it is easy enough to still meet people at their gate if you really want. Just buy a fully refundable ticket for a flight a few hours into the future, go through security, and cancel the ticket.

That's a pretty old change. 20+ years. When the TSA took over security a lot of things changed. I think that was the biggest headache. I have TSA pre-check so I avoid all of that now. Best money ever spent.

 

[sam_gordon]

I miss the spontaneity and the leisure of traveling.

When I was a kid, my family would be sitting around the table and talking. Someone would remember our last trip to Disney World. One thing would lead to another and then someone would say, "We should go!" "When?" someone ask. "How about tomorrow?" and off we'd go.

Back then, we would drive from Pittsburgh to Orlando. We would drive until it got dark and then find a hotel. There was no planning ahead or making reservations. We didn't have to be a X destination by Y time. And if we saw something interesting along the way, we'd stop.

We would get to Disney World with no reservations, no schedule, and no plan. We just bought our tickets and we enjoyed the day. When we got hungry, we'd find a nice restaurant (without reservations) and enjoy the break.

Things were so much more relaxing and less stressful then. We actually had fun.

You can still do all of that.

 

[sam_gordon]

I guess I am not old enough for travel to have changed that much in my lifetime.

The only difference I can say I miss is being able to meet people at their gate without having a ticket yourself.

When my daughter was just a few months old my grandparents were flying home through the Atlanta airport. We made the trip to the airport and met the grandparents at their gate and let them meet their newest grandchild during their layover.

But it is easy enough to still meet people at their gate if you really want. Just buy a fully refundable ticket for a flight a few hours into the future, go through security, and cancel the ticket.

There are airports (I believe Orlando might be one, but maybe only terminal C?) that are allowing passes through security even with no ticket.

 

[kdonnel]

There are airports (I believe Orlando might be one, but maybe only terminal C?) that are allowing passes through security even with no ticket.

Yeah, gate passes are a thing but not at all as easy as it once was to meet family or friends as they stepped off the plane.

https://www.ifly.com/airports/airport-info-and-tips/gate-pass

The concourses in Atlanta are already full of people so maybe it is a good thing there are not thousands more just waiting for people to arrive.

 

[tony67]

Living on an island, technology has enhanced the travel experience and opened up so many possibilities and options. Before the internet, Irish people didnt really travel that much. It was only in the 1980's that international travel became mainstream but it was limited to package holidays to Spain or the big blow out trip to Orlando. Travel between Ireland and UK was seen mainly as a way to visit family or go to England for work.

Yeah no doubt Ryan Air changed travel in Europe for the better. Everyone complains about them and then books with them. Honesty they are no better or worse than what Aer Lingus has become.

I remember paying 300 pounds each to go to London from Dublin - they best you could hope for was 70 some odd pounds each way on a student fare. So yes that has improved a lot.

Aer Lingus had (and sort of still does with the US for the most part) a monopoly so they could charge anything they wanted and you paid it. The staff is not anything like their commercials they are running on you tube currently - they gave us an attitude for asking for a glass of water one time because they were on break. Never seen them offer anyone Ice Cream or offer to help with your bags - more often I get on the plane and their luggage is filling my overhead bin space. They basically go on break for most of the flight after "meal" service. At least the Ryan Air folks are constantly trying to sell you something...

All that said in the US it was far better in the "old" days - none of this showing up 3 hours before your flight and dealing with security who does not even know seem to know what an camera is. Those lenses always mess them up for some reason and its at the point I don't want to carry it unless I have precheck. TSA Precheck is great - but Aer Lingus does not participate - one the the few. I tend to fly elsewhere in Europe and then go to Dublin (on Ryan Air) and fly home from Dublin with Aer Lingus since they have customs there - another great improvement.

Clear is also very good if you fly from a terminal that has it - and yes you can use it with Pre Check - you go to the front of pre-check after going through clear. So another Technology improvement.

I do miss being able to go to the airport bar with people that were going home - you could stay till the flight left - now they have to go through security and just go and hang out alone for a few hours in the airport. That is especially bad when they are upset because they have to go and it may be a year or two before they get back.

I miss the skycaps - lots of places no longer have them.

Being able to wait to pick people up at the airport - cant do that anymore. Technology wise the new Cell Phone lots are great but not as convenient as just being there when folks come out.

Not being able to bring water or liquids on the plane over 3oz - I miss that.

The assigned seating is not an issue for me as I refuse to fly any airline that you cant pay for an assigned seat.
I've done the Ryan Air one or twice back before they let you buy seats in advance and even with priority it was always a mob scene. Never again.

Anyway as with many things there are pluses and minuses - but much of TSA and security is theater IMO. Makes you feel good but the miss a lot. They seem to constantly change things - one day they want to scan your laptop and kindle - the next day they yell at you for having it out.

Anyway In testing they miss stuff all the time - its pretty well documented - it just makes some folks feel good.
Just as an example I had a small knife in my bag (a wine opener) - not even noticed in Austria. Got to London and had to change places and go through security and security was sure there was something in my bag - I thought there was not. Finally after 10 minutes of searching he found the wine opener and confiscated it. I honesty did not even think of it with that tiny blade. So in that case a 50% success rate.

BTW - one time the confiscated my kids Bob the builder butter knife - he was in tears - but they let him keep the spoon and fork. I could do far more with those than the dull butter knife so really what is the point other than no knives. I had a women on my flight last week with knitting needles - those are a dangerous weapon IMO.

 

[sam_gordon]

Not being able to bring water or liquids on the plane over 3oz - I miss that.

um, you can carry how ever much liquid you want on the plane. You just need to purchase it after security.

And that may be changing in coming years... https://www.frommers.com/blogs/arth...-rule-ending-now-that-technology-has-improved

 

[Moliphino]

I tend to fly elsewhere in Europe and then go to Dublin (on Ryan Air) and fly home from Dublin with Aer Lingus since they have customs there - another great improvement.

Going through US customs in Dublin is so wonderful. Last time they took our pictures, asked if we'd spent more than $2000 (? I forget exactly), and sent us on our way. Anytime I've gone through in the US they grill you like you're a criminal. Always so surly.

 

[tony67]

You just need to purchase it after security.

True - but the Duty Free is not a bargain in many cases - and not all airports sell reasonably priced water after security and getting water from Aer Lingus - on short flights you have to buy it and on long haul they give you attitude.

Also if you only have a carry on and want to bring various hair products etc.. with you its limited.

yeah it might change - but not today.

 

[tony67]

Going through US customs in Dublin is so wonderful. Last time they took our pictures, asked if we'd spent more than $2000 (? I forget exactly), and sent us on our way. Anytime I've gone through in the US they grill you like you're a criminal. Always so surly.

It is really nice - other than reducing you time in the main terminal - that is always a PITA as you are rushing to go through the second security to the US and then you are stuck in a much smaller terminal with very limited options.

 

[BrianL]

Going through US customs in Dublin is so wonderful. Last time they took our pictures, asked if we'd spent more than $2000 (? I forget exactly), and sent us on our way. Anytime I've gone through in the US they grill you like you're a criminal. Always so surly.

Yeah, I was amazed the first time I travelled out of the country how easy customs was in my destination (Iceland) and how difficult it was in the US. Well, it wasn't super difficult, but they do have a whole thing they do. Anyway, I got Global Entry and the first time I used it, I scanned my passport at a kiosk and they guy said, "Welcome Home," and that was it. It comes with TSA PreCheck too and is only a little more expensive, so it was super worth it!

 

[gmi3804]

Easy one...I've been lamenting it myself just lately. It's the huge decline in the quality of the cruise experience. When we started 20 years ago, even mainstream lines provided a luxurious experience with amazing service, as was basically all-inclusive except liquor and modest gratuities.

We've avoided cruising since 1999 for this reason, and even then we were only on a 350-passenger ship (Windstar, Mediterranean). We're about to try again, on the brand new (launching this week!) Regent Seven Seas Grandeur. Regent's fares are truly all-inclusive (tours, open bars/wine lists, gratuities, transfers, air, airport/hotel transfers), and the experience is supposed to be nonpareil.

 

[kymom99]

As someone else said, showing up about 30 minutes before your flight, dropping of you bag, walking to the gate and sitting for 10 minutes, then boarding. Or taking your friend/family member to the airport and going to the gate with them and sitting around chatting before they leave.

I remember my brothers family went to Disney when his kids were little (pre 911). It was their first trip and the kids first flight. My sister was going to pick them up when they got back. We all piled in a car and waited to surprise them at the gate. My parents, my husband and I, my sisters whole family. It was so fun. But no more.