Koolau
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
At my age, I recall when flying was intentionally a good experience. It was just at the time that typical air travel had switched from DC7s and Constellations to jets. Airlines wanted your business and travelers were mostly civilized and exhibited at least minimal social graces. Most men wore suit and tie. Ladies wore skirts or dresses. Even coach had room to stretch. Carryons were purses and camera bags since checked luggage was free. 707's and 727's were virtually as fast as 777's are today. True, air travel was relatively expensive back in the day.
Now everyone flies. Flights are "cheap." But it now actually takes LONGER to get anyplace because of security and crowded airports. The experience of air travel is dramatically worse than it used to be. I think that's what most of us are reacting to. Imagine folks who were able to switch from 2 day train rides to less than a day's plane travel from the midwest to either coast. Who would have cared about a crying baby or a rude flight attendant (which actually didn't exist at the time.) Now, we notice the degradation of the experience while the trip is actually "longer." We've regressed and the main (almost only) advantage now is that it's "cheap." Even paying more (as in upgrading to 1st class/business) offers only a bit more seating/eating comfort. Other than that, the experience is still much worse, for the most part, than 50 years ago. YMMV
Now everyone flies. Flights are "cheap." But it now actually takes LONGER to get anyplace because of security and crowded airports. The experience of air travel is dramatically worse than it used to be. I think that's what most of us are reacting to. Imagine folks who were able to switch from 2 day train rides to less than a day's plane travel from the midwest to either coast. Who would have cared about a crying baby or a rude flight attendant (which actually didn't exist at the time.) Now, we notice the degradation of the experience while the trip is actually "longer." We've regressed and the main (almost only) advantage now is that it's "cheap." Even paying more (as in upgrading to 1st class/business) offers only a bit more seating/eating comfort. Other than that, the experience is still much worse, for the most part, than 50 years ago. YMMV