I’ve always loved to travel, even on business. New places, new people, new restaurants, new experiences. Traveling broadens my perspective on regional culture and people, and traveling for work broadens my perspective on business and design.
But lately, I’ve come to realize that I’ve grown to hate flying and the hassle of airports, rental cars, and security. I hate it all.
I hate being screened for security, but not because of the inconvenience or personal sense of intrusion. I hate it because I hate the security personnel, and the dehumanized way in which they treat travelers and their belongings. I hate the smug attitude which they all seem to possess, because they know that they can fuck with you however and whenever they feel like it. I hate having to practically undress before walking through the xray gate. And most of all, I hate the futility and randomness of it all — I mean let’s face it, $8 an hour isn’t exactly going to attract the best and brightest core of security professionals out there. In the end, it’s going to be blind, dumb luck that saves us from a terrorist attack, not grandmas and toddlers getting patted down for explosives.
But security isn’t the worst of it. The worst of it is the planes themselves, and the deplorable level of service (or lack of it) these days. The seats are ridiculously tiny, the meals are nonexistent or inedible, and the flight attendants have become nothing more than soda and peanut vendors who’ve been desensitized by the non-stop moaning and whining of countless hungry, tired, uncomfortable, pissed-off passengers.
And for the love of God, I wish people would stop bringing onboard so much damn carry-on luggage. The plane is tight enough, so check in that stupid duffle bag or that enormous overhead bag that you’re convinced will fit in overhead space. And hey, old people — if you can’t lift the piece of luggage you’ve packed, then check the fucker in when you get your damn boarding pass.
Speaking of boarding pass — what the hell is wrong w/ assigning seats to people, instead of making them rush for seats in groups like fucking animals? I hate flying Southwest for that very reason. It’s asinine and utter inhumane treatment of passengers.
Lastly, when you get to where you’re going, it can often take longer to exit the airport, ride a shuttle to the rental car mall, and get out with a car, than it did to fly to that destination. That happens everytime I fly to LA. I swear that the counter help at the LAX Hertz must take classes on how to process clients as slow as possible, and elicit as much frustration as possible — cause they’ve got it down to a fucking art. Really, they should publish a book about it.
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Through it all, I’ve learned small ways to survive and streamline the process so that the torture is a little more bearable.
I now check-in online before I leave for the airport. And I always check to see if there are emergency aisle seats available, or if I can upgrade up a class.
I bought a nifty overnight luggage set that still accommodates my laptop, my business papers, along with enough clothes and personal items for a couple of days, yet somehow takes up half the space of a typical overhead carry-on wheeled suitcase.
I buy a sandwich at the deli downstairs in my office building and pack it in case the flight is delayed or doesn’t serve food.
I bought a set of noise-canceling headphones that allows me to listen to my iPod or the in-flight movie.
I registered for Hertz’s Gold Club, which is nothing more than an extorsion scam for the frequent business traveler who’s become too beaten down to further endure regular counter check-in torture. But that’s me, so I registered.
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So how do you endure plane travel? Do you have any tips or tricks that you can share w/ your fellow design professionals?
Do you have a favorite airline or rental car brand you’d recommend for business travel? Or would recommend to avoid?
Any interesting business travel stories? What’s the biggest item that you’ve seen someone try to carry onboard a plane?
Which airport do you like best? Which airport has the best-designed wayfinding system and signage? Which has the worst?
If flying is a brand experience, which airline and airport has the best and worst?
The captain has turned off the seatbelt sign. You’re free to roam about.
Tan,
This is a great post, and very useful. Thanks for putting it together.
I too loathe flying these days, but it's a reality that I have to deal with. My biggest issue is sitting for too long. To deal with the awful seats and tight compartments, I get up every 40 minutes---unless it's a short hop---and go to the bathroom. I'll do some yoga, stretching, and calasthenics in my own little studio. Then I return to my seat refreshed and continue reading or snack on any one of the treats I've brought on board. Lord, I mean really, who's paying $7 for that crummy snack box? M&Ms, a granola bar, some beef jerky? You've got to be kidding me. My dog eats better food than that.
On Aug.04.2005 at 04:34 PM