On Sun, 07 Oct 2007 16:13:15 -0500, Michael Ash
wrote:

It would be a hell of a lot more pleasant for sure, and also a hell of a
lot more expensive. Remember the term "jet set"? Remember *why* that term
was used to refer to the leisure rich?

Was? G

Personally I'd rather have today's craptastic air travel than go back to
top-class service which I can't ever afford to have.

Travel across the field to the charter terminal, or visit your local
"executive" airport. Also, research "NetJet" charters and "shared"
charters.

That's where lots of airline profits went post-9/11. No security
hassles, no waiting in long lines while the cattle deal with their own
security hassles (Why can't I carry my spear gun or taser in the
cabin?), easy parking, and a perceived lower likelyhood of somebody
messing with the airplane to start with. On a shared charter, you
might even pick the departure time.

Many of the folks you see these days in First Class didn't buy the
ticket, they exchanged FF miles, or got them through some corporate
travel come-on. The executives, athletes, celebrities, all far below
the leisure rich, are over at the private side of the airport.

Remember 20 years ago, when we'd see famous folks in the airport while
we waited to board?

Once upon a time, the full-fare coach and first class passengers paid
lots of costs, and the super-saver fare was profit in empty seats. Not
to mention an enormous amount of mail, banking documents, and express
freight. Most of which now either moves by FedEx or UPS, or not at
all, as it's gone electronic.