When it comes to flying, I sure miss the “Good Old Days.”  In the '60s & '70s jet travel was still new and the airlines were regulated, so they were guaranteed a profit, and they treated you like a KING.  This also meant fares were cheap to major cities, but not system wide.  For example, from LA to NYC fares were cheap and most flights were half full, because there were more planes than people flying.  The airlines served good hot food free, on real dishes, with metal forks and knives.  On most flights if you were still hungry, a beautiful stewardess would offer you a second meal. 

First class WAS first class, I remember on a TWA flight they wheeled around a cart and craved up a Prime Rib.  First class included big seats, hot towels, Hot Fudge Sundaes, and all the booze you needed.   Even the coach seats (now called economy seating) were fluffy and you’d have three or four pillows, and all blankets you needed to make a bed across three vacant seats.  The flight crew was always gracious and polite; your fellow passengers were all well mannered.  You could check or carry on anything, in almost any quantity or weight, at no extra charge.  

Most of this “Class A” service continued into the early '80s.  But as the government continued to deregulate the airlines, the service, the style, and all the freebies flew away.   From the late '80s to the late '90s flying was not as much fun, but who cared?  Airline tickets were ridiculously cheap. 

Now everything has changed. Ticket prices are expensive and it’s aggravating every time you fly.  No more beautiful stewardesses, now discourteous, rude, flight attendants, and on most flights all the seats are full, with grumpy ill-mannered passengers. 

But who wouldn’t be grumpy after sitting four hours on the seats of most major airlines?  They should give out a tube of Preparation H with every seat.  There is a charge for everything, water, soft drinks, cold food, and snacks.  They charge for checked baggage, and for a seat with more legroom.   No more pillows, or blankets. 

All the major airlines stink; American, Continental, US Airways, Delta, United.  But there a two airlines that are better than the rest.  The NEW Premium Airlines for our age, SOUTHWEST & JET BLUE

Southwest and Jet Blue don’t give you the service of the “GOOD OLD DAYS.”  But their seats are soft leather; they serve free soft drinks and snacks.  Jet Blue has free TV, and Southwest has lots of magazines.  Jet Blue lets you check one bag free, and with Southwest you can check two bags free.  Their planes are new and clean, and sometimes on Southwest, you get a hot babe for a flight attendant. 

But like Hot Fudge Sundaes and free booze, beautiful stewardesses are gone forever.