Hysterical.  Although I missed it in real-time, I saw a replay on TV tonight.  Letterman addressed the on-going airlines cost-savings measures.  Yes, the airlines have taken away the mainstream magazines (that happened long ago), blankets, pillows, they’re charging for checked baggage, charging for soft drinks and even water in some instances. 

Letterman revealed the new “Push-to-Start” method which involves passengers pushing the aircraft to get it off the ground.  Way to go airlines!!  That’s a creative cost-savings measure, for sure.  Oh, yes, you’ll find me pushing that plane.  Anything to improve on-time departure and make airline travel more passenger friendly. 

As a teenager (in the dark ages)  I used to take the Greyhound bus from my home town in MA to NYC.  I used to go into New York City to visit my sisters who lived there and it was a great adventure for me.  At that time, it was not risky as it is today … granted it was gritty, but not risky.  I saw what bus stations were like and what was a short trip revealed a somewhat raw world of bus travel. 

Fast forward to 2008.  New York’s Port Authority of old was not so different from the airports of today.  Airports and air travel remind me more and more of bus travel of old.  Sitting in the departure “lounge” with the constant noise pollution of delay announcements is much like a bus station. Unless there is access to an airline club lounge, one is faced with the thrumming sound of overhead announcements and the understandable grumbling of fellow passengers as they realize they will miss connections because of the delayed and cancelled flights.

I almost wish I’d not experienced earlier times of air travel – when it was special and enjoyable.  I’d prefer today not to have that frame of reference.  Where is this ultimately going to end up?