How far we come

In yet another cost saving measure, the airlines continue to fall from the elegant means of travel to flying cattle cars.

"Just in time for the summer airport onslaught, Continental Airlines has decided to test what they call self-boarding, and what we call DIY air travel. Once travelers at Houston Intercontinental Airport swipe their ticket, a turnstile door will open to allow the passenger entry into the airplane. While automated boarding does not require the human touch, an attendant will be on hand to deal with the usual customer service problems.

And we can imagine plenty of problems. Does anarchy rule in this experiment? No longer will passengers be called by row or color-coded boarding pass. Instead, they'll be expected to make a dash through a turnstile. Amazingly, the TSA is onboard, as it were, with self-boarding. The practice is already in place at many international airlines, like Air France and Air New Zealand. You'll be glad to know that human pilots are still required to fly the plane. For now."

Airlines were once glamorous and air travel was elegant and sophisticated. Deregulation in the 1980s was supposed to bring competition to the airline industry and savings to the passenger. Instead as each company tried to undercut its competitor, fewer and fewer perks could be offered to the passengers. Rising fuel costs and increased ramp fees further reduced passengers incentives as the price of the ticket could not be raised without risk of losing the passenger to a competitor.

In my opinion, another important factor was the transition from stewardesses to flight attendants. The intent was to take the stewardess from an idealized position available only to attractive, slim women and open it up to everyone. In the name of equality, this was a necessary step but it carried an unintended consequence. Stewardesses were selected on looks and charm. Stewardesses conducted themselves as ambassadors for the airlines. The switch from stewardess to flight attendant eliminated discrimination based on looks and gender but it also eliminated some of the mystique which added to the travel experience.

Before I get hate mail, think about it this way. Anyone who meets the basic physical and aptitude requirements can join the military but only a select few can become a Navy SEAL. Both the engine mechanic and SEAL are proud to serve but which position holds mystique?

Stewardesses were glamorous and insured the passenger was comfortable as well as safe. Flight attendants became employees and while they are just as professional, there was something lost. There is a certain indifference now with most of the flight attendants. Many seem grim or tired which is another unintended consequence of modern air travel. Gone is the glamour and now flight attendants are just employees like the rest of us.

Of course the biggest change to airlines has been 9/11 and our friends at TSA. If air travel had become less glamourous over the last 20 years, the TSA has made it down right grueling. Long security lines with surly TSA personnel sets the tone for the rest of the experience. No one seems to think anything now of having to arrive two hours early for a flight that may not even last one. Flight attendants, already salty because of long hours and poor working conditions, now have to play cop and determine if the passenger is a security risk or just rude. Either way, the rest of us lose.

Air travel will not become the glamorous experience it once was. We are one more terrorist attack away from the few remaining airlines to go under. Hopefully other means of public transit, such as rail, will be revitalized as a result.