In Which I Am Much Disgusted At The State Of Air Travel

[serinde]

1. American (who is running our EWR <-> LAX flights) is, I learn, no longer offering meals on any domestic flights. They will graciously allow you to pay $5 for a "wrap", or $3 for a packet of peanuts or a candy bar. Fuck you, right in your ear.

2. Qantas has found a way to be even more retarded than the TSA. Our Noble Protectors started allowing knitting needles again a couple years ago, but Qantas forbids them. Because why? Because, our spies tell us, someone tried to hijack a plane with a piece of pointy wood. Not a knitting needle, mind you; something much larger in scale, more like a 2x4. But, y'know, it's KINDA LIKE a knitting needle, so those have to go.

I am not packed. Steve is gone to bed, so I can't try to pack. Instead I drink a hot toddy and prepare to fall over, the better to attack tomorrow.

Comments

[blarglefiend.livejournal.com]

It's probably a more general Australian aviation security rule. We tend to implement whatever TSA does, then never review.

[syringavulgaris.livejournal.com]

Our spies work at Qantas, y'see.

(Also, the page of Your TSA Equivalent does not mention this restriction, nor does Virgin Blue.)

[shechameleon.livejournal.com]

The domestic airlines stopped serving meals a while ago. The last several flights I was on, we didn't even get pretzels or peanuts. Airline food sucked anyway. You're much better off bringing your own, or even purchasing something in the terminal. More and more places in the terminals seem to offer decent stuff, not marked up too greatly, conveniently packaged for bringing along. The good news is that the snackies that you pay for in-flight are reasonably sized to share (think full-sized Pringles tube), so it's not like you're paying $3 for seven peanuts. I have not witnessed anyone purchasing the "real" food for sale, so I can't comment on it.

Safe travels........

[shechameleon.livejournal.com]

I wonder what they would do if someone tried to hijack a plane with a soda can? Or one of those mini-wine bottles? Or a drink cart? Or even a pot of hot coffee? Or a whip made from shoelaces and a belt or something equally wacky?

"Hey, let's make everyone fly naked, with no carryons of any type!"

Eeejits.

[briony530.livejournal.com]

That would bring the struggle for airline blankets to a whole new level...

[nancaurelia.livejournal.com]

So a knitting needle is more dangerous than say... a ballpoint pen? And they can "see" plastic or wooden knitting needles in your carry-on?

[(Anonymous)]

It is true that they can't see wooden or plastic needles in the x-ray machine. However, on Qantas flights if you take them out and start knitting I believe that the flight attendants will ask you to put them away or perhaps even take them from you to be returned at the end of the flight.

On the other hand, having flown to Australia multiple times on United and then on Qantas, I would highly recommend Qantas over any American flagged carrier at this point. Everything is better from the seat pitch to the service (free wine in economy!). US flagged airlines are only barely surviving and their staff are very grumpy because they don't have pensions anymore. It is only going to get worse as the price of fuel rises.

Kathryn

[briony530.livejournal.com]

Always knew you knitting types were dangerous. All the extremists have the best sweaters...

[erinfinnegan.livejournal.com]

OMG read this column!! (http://food.yahoo.com/blog/hungrygirl/2053/airplane-eats-exposed-an-hg-survival-guide-to-guilt-free-travel-treats)

On one hand, the lack of meals on flights fricking sucks and I hate it. On the other hand, if you know it's a bunch of overpriced B.S. going into it, you can plan ahead and bring healthy stuff to eat that's tastier than what they'd give you.

When I flew United to Korea we got a midnight snack of instant United-brand ramen Cup Noodle style! Not good for you, but it made the trip easier!

[erinfinnegan.livejournal.com]

Wait!! I was going to make a joke about the Monty Python self defense class! "Pointed Stick, Ay!?