It truly is amazing to look back in time and see how drastically airlines have changed over the years. As changes are occurring before us, they may not seem as though they are making much of an impact but over a span of say, 100 years; a lot can happen.
Did you know airplanes used to only be available to those who were extremely wealthy? Flights weren’t something your everyday person could afford on a regular basis like today. Much has changed since the 1900s. Security is a lot tighter, full meals are no longer served by the flight attendants and your luggage is no longer included in the price of your ticket.
Flying Used to be a Rare Luxury
A trip on an airplane used to be a very rare experience. Typically the only people who could afford to fly at all were the upper classes. All passengers would wear elegant clothing and many who traveled did so simply for business purposes a few times a year at most. These days, it’s pretty rare to see anyone dressed up and those who are wealthy are typically going to be in the first class section.
Whatever Happened to Meeting Up at the Gate?
Before the disaster of 9/11, families and loved ones would wait right outside the gate and watch as people boarded and departed their planes. These days, the only place you can meet your loved ones is at baggage claim. If you do not have a boarding pass on hand these days, security will not let you go any further than that.
There are exceptions to this rule so if you or someone you know needs assistance to their gate; it’s always a good idea to call the airline ahead of time so they can come up with a solution to meet your personal needs. Oftentimes, special passes can be given so parents or caregivers can help children or disabled individuals reach their flight safely.
Airplane Food Isn’t What it Used to Be
Meals on a plane used to be something to die for. There were all sorts of options to choose from. It’s sickening looking at how much a simple soda costs these days. This is why so many people now bring their own meals and snacks to hold them over until they reach their destination. The toughest part about packing your own food is the fact that there are so many restrictions when it comes to what you are allowed to bring with you inside the plane. All bags have to be scanned under an x-ray machine. If you would have said to someone even 20 years ago that airports would one day be so complicated, they would have been in complete shock.
TSA Restrictions
There are many restrictions these days and more are added all the time. It’s always a good idea to check the TSA restrictions before assuming you can bring something with you on a plane. This is going to save you time and money; because you don’t want to end up throwing items away at the airport in order to reach your flight on time.
One rule to keep in mind is: liquids and gels must be in containers that are smaller than 3 ounces. If more than 3 ounces, they have to remain in your checked luggage underneath the airplane.
A World all about Fees
These days, it’s difficult to save money on flights. It seems as though every aspect of your flight is being targeted so airlines can increase their revenue. Luckily, there are some airlines out there that are choosing not to charge ridiculous fees and some will waive fees if you have a frequent-flier card. There are typically ways around these charges if you do a bit of research and have quite a bit of patience. Taking the time to see what can be done can save you a large sum of cash in the long run.
Luggage Fees
In order to avoid luggage fees, many flyers will simply pack a minimal amount of items. This can save you money but proves to be quite frustrating when you can’t carry as many of your personal belongings as you used to.
Burt Kramer is a travel agent who assess individual’s and business people’s needs to help them make the best possible travel arrangements through Khmtravel.com.