Flying Isn't Cool

[Marauder]

Last three commercial flights, I noticed that virtually all the window shades were closed during daylight.  No one seems interested in looking out the window and the daylight interferes with the tablet screens.

The thrill of flight has certainly waned.

I have been flying commercially a lot lately and noticed the same thing. At one time wasn't it a requirement they were open for take-offs and landings? I could see people getting irritated when someone opened one to look out how dare they?!

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[Mooneymite]

 

At one time wasn't it a requirement they were open for take-offs and landings?

I'm  not aware of any FAR, but it seems to be up to the airline.  It makes sense that emergency rows keep the window shades open.  One wouldn't  want to open the exits closest to the fireball.

[Hank]

Last three commercial flights, I noticed that virtually all the window shades were closed during daylight.  No one seems interested in looking out the window and the daylight interferes with the tablet screens.

The thrill of flight has certainly waned.

The really sad thing was my window shade was pulled down tight too.

That's because nobody can see out front, and when above a layer, there's nothing to look at . . . . .

[Mooneymite]

That's because nobody can see out front, and when above a layer, there's nothing to look at . . . . .

Except it was clear and a million.....

Even the pilots were sitting in back with the shades down.  Apparently the were using Bluetooth on their i Phones to interact with the autopilot.  They said the cabin service was terrible in the cockpit....with the cockpit door locked, they couldn't even get a cup of coffee up there!

[MyNameIsNobody]

I participated in a pennies a pound event today and what shocked me is that there was a long line of volunteering airplanes and few participants. If anything, I would think that there would be a line of people interested in a below cost ride in a G36, Columbia, C210, or 201!? Nope! Pilots were sitting around waiting for participants to come around. 

I know people have their gizmos and what have you, but flying is real. I honestly can't understand why flying isn't cool?

Let me try and help you understand:

The very definition of "cool" is no longer what it used to be.  The progressives have attacked "ALL" that was cool to create their utopian vision of cool.  Individual freedom of flight in "dirty" old "rich-man" flying machines have been and continue to be under attack from the left.  

Children today are not encouraged to entertain themselves with play.  They are not told to go out and explore their world independently.  They are not told to think for themselves.  Not encouraged to make friends.  Aviation is the ultimate form of individualism.  Freedom and General Aviation go hand in hand.

No, children are hearded from one organized/supervised structured event to another.  Their time is managed.  Their "freedom" is going online and living a world that is cyber where they can be "cool" they can be anonymous.  They can be expressive without fear of recrimination.  They can fly, kill, be killed explore without fear of reality.  They can re-create themselves and be whatever they wish to be...

Intoxicating.  Why go and wait to "ride" in a real small oily gas burning old plane when they can get "actual" stick time themselves...and shoot others down.  Fantasy is BETTER than reality and costs very little from a monetary standpoint or a risk of being judged.

Most children will choose an animated world of their creation to the "real world" where what clothes they wear, how they look, speak interact is "judged" by their peers and perhaps found lacking.  

The world is a difficult place.  Friendships and passion require energy and fear of failure.  Human beings choose the path of least resistance when push comes to shove.  THAT is why geeks now rule the world.  THEY are now "cool".  

Airplanes, sports, reality, not so much.

Edited October 29, 2015 by MyNameIsNobody

[MyNameIsNobody]

Last three commercial flights, I noticed that virtually all the window shades were closed during daylight.  No one seems interested in looking out the window and the daylight interferes with the tablet screens.

The thrill of flight has certainly waned.

The really sad thing was my window shade was pulled down tight too.

Really?  A commercial air flight as a passenger is NOT something to be enjoyed, it is something to be endured.TSA, tight seats, crying babies, kicking your back seat, yacking at 100db with your seat-mate about something that everyone in a three row radius cares zero about, but must listen to...come on man.  GA is about getting there.  Commercial is about what you do AFTER you get there.  The romance with commercial air transport is as glamorous as riding a Greyhound...but shorter in duration of pain.

[PTK]

Really?  A commercial air flight as a passenger is NOT something to be enjoyed, it is something to be endured.TSA, tight seats, crying babies, kicking your back seat, yacking at 100db with your seat-mate about something that everyone in a three row radius cares zero about, but must listen to...come on man.  GA is about getting there.  Commercial is about what you do AFTER you get there.  The romance with commercial air transport is as glamorous as riding a Greyhound...but shorter in duration of pain.

There is only one minor detail: 

No pretty flight attendants on the bus!

[Hank]

There is only one minor detail: 

No pretty flight attendants on the bus!

There are fewer on the airlines every year, too . . .    And no, I won't ever learn to appreciate steward-dudes . . .

[PTK]

There are practically no US airlines with younger flight attendants on international flights either. The worst is US Air imo. All you see are steward-dudes and grand moms. 

European carriers on the other hand are the opposite. Almost exclusively pretty ones. Although Lufthansa has more dudes than any other.

Apparently in the US long international flights go to the ones with most "seniority."

Edited October 29, 2015 by PTK

[WardHolbrook]

I participated in a pennies a pound event today and what shocked me is that there was a long line of volunteering airplanes and few participants. If anything, I would think that there would be a line of people interested in a below cost ride in a G36, Columbia, C210, or 201!? Nope! Pilots were sitting around waiting for participants to come around. 

I know people have their gizmos and what have you, but flying is real. I honestly can't understand why flying isn't cool?

A while back I was asked to participate in career fair at the local high school. A retired American Airline pilot and I manned the Aviation Booth. It's a fairly large school and they also bused over kids from the local Jr. High. It was pretty disappointing - although all of the senior and junior high school kids walked passed the booth at one time or another, a grand total of TWO kids came and spent time with us talking about career possibilities. One of those kids was working on her private license. It was a pretty disappointing turnout. Personally, I think don't that that GA is in it's death throws, but it is certainly being stressed. How can young people afford $150+ per hour dual rental rates or the ownership costs while they are in their career building years, especially when the airlines and business is in the state it's in? It has always taken a certain amount of career fixation and tenacity to make a successful career in aviation, perhaps even more so now. Then there's the fact that video games, like M/S Flight Sim, give most kids all of the flying fun the want.

[Awful_Charlie]

There are practically no US airlines with younger flight attendants on international flights either. The worst is US Air imo. All you see are steward-dudes and grand moms. 

European carriers on the other hand are the opposite. Almost exclusively pretty ones. Although Lufthansa has more dudes than any other.

Apparently in the US long international flights go to the ones with most "seniority."

its far from perfect in Europe (although I rarely get one as long as the Mooney is running), but long haul has for a long time since moved from "Trolly Dollies" to "Wagon Dragons"

[Yetti]

When people ask why there are not more women in aviation, I say for the same reason there are not more men.  Most men now days don't want to get down on their knees to check the gas in the gascolator or get their hands dirty with checking the oil. The best line I heard was...  When you get old enough to afford flying, you are too old to pass your medical.  There is pretty much nothing 2 minute microwave bake about staying current as a pilot and keeping your plane current.    People as how is the plane.  My response is "Working fine until the next thing breaks"

[ryoder]

Sorry to hijack but there aren't enough computer programmers in America either.  American kids and especially girls don't want to have anything to do with programming.  When I was a kid if you had a computer you programmed it.  Period.  Windows came out and the Mac took hold and suddenly nobody wanted to program anymore.  Now we have to import programmers from other countries.  

[aviatoreb]

Sorry to hijack but there aren't enough computer programmers in America either.  American kids and especially girls don't want to have anything to do with programming.  When I was a kid if you had a computer you programmed it.  Period.  Windows came out and the Mac took hold and suddenly nobody wanted to program anymore.  Now we have to import programmers from other countries.  

I was über nerd hacker when I was a teenager on my apple II (pre apple ii plus) which I bought when I was 13 with money I got mowing lawns all summer.  10 lawns I had on my route.  Boy it was a hard day after a few days of rain if I had ten lawns to mow.  But good money.

Now.....Im a grown up nerd!  And I train kids to be nerds from around the world, but also from our country.  I see really strong and excited budding scientists coming through our program who are home grown, and also from abroad.   I work with our future leaders of tech industry every day at my work as a math professor - I am not worried for our future - we got lots of good talent and good work ethic coming through.

Edited November 2, 2015 by aviatoreb

[carl]

My student just finished her schooling , so I could take her flying,(there is some rule...), all she could say before is I want to go flying ...

after the flight all she could say is, and I quote " That is so COOL , I have to lean to fly "  and I think she will. 

I think it is cool ,but I do sleep on commercial  airliners. 

 

carl

[aviatoreb]

Actually, now that I remember - I brought my son back to college two weeks ago, after fall break, and another kid from town here who goes to the same college - a sophomore physics major.  He sat in the copilot seat - so I let him handle the controls a bit.  After the flight he said - also I quote - that was COOL - and he said he needs to learn how to fly.

Edited November 2, 2015 by aviatoreb

[MyNameIsNobody]

There is only one minor detail: 

No pretty flight attendants on the bus!

I waited a few days.  No one is calling you out on this.  This remark is sexist and B.S. Peter.  You can think whatever you want, but to put this down as an actual belief, just wow.  How old are you?  Do you have a daughter?  When I see attractive young people I think of my daughter and son.  I find many people "pretty".  One must engage to identify if their beauty is merely skin deep.  I find your comment creepy.  I guess I am the only one.  Here is a hint.  Keep this shit to yourself as you will leave others wondering if you are "that guy" instead of confirming it.

[MyNameIsNobody]

its far from perfect in Europe (although I rarely get one as long as the Mooney is running), but long haul has for a long time since moved from "Trolly Dollies" to "Wagon Dragons"

Jack's surprise that the siren call from Peter brought you in with your emotocon/screen name.  Stay classey.

[MyNameIsNobody]

There are fewer on the airlines every year, too . . .    And no, I won't ever learn to appreciate steward-dudes . . .

I appreciate anyone that does their job well and makes you feel valued.  Whether they have a penis or a vagina is really not relevant as I am not looking at them as a sex-object.  I appreciate well-trained responsive caring staff that provide a quality customer service experience.  Period.

I do think my wife is hot though.

[Andy95W]

I waited a few days.  No one is calling you out on this.....  I guess I am the only one. 

FWIW, I agree with you 100% so I'll express my appreciation that you said something for the rest of us.  My excuse for not speaking up is that I was considering the source.

Is everyone from New Jersey like Peter?

[PTK]

its far from perfect in Europe (although I rarely get one as long as the Mooney is running), but long haul has for a long time since moved from "Trolly Dollies" to "Wagon Dragons"

In the very early days of commercial aviation cabin crew were men. They used to call them "cabin boys" or "couriers."

Then airlines realized that young and pretty flight attendants attracted passengers. They had to be single, have an RN degree and had to retire at age 32! And it wasn't just men passengers. Women were just as attracted to pretty young attendants. 

Personally, I have tremendous repect for all flight attendants. They perform a very difficult and important job.

I do prefer them to be young, curvaceous and very beautiful. Air France has the prettiest attendants, imo.

 

Edited November 3, 2015 by PTK
Spelling

[ryoder]

I hope we aren't at that point where we can't comment on how flight attendants used to be pretty and that we generally are attracted to attractive women.  It's not creepy.  This world is getting so PC it's ridiculous.

[Danb]

Ryan, spot on..again.  I'm just an innocent old man but with the choice of a spectacular looking person vs. a say less than spectacular I'd choose the one easy on my eyes if all other items were similar i.e. both Do a good job etc. if I want to see a beautiful lovely young lady I can still go home to my bride of 43+ yrs.

[MyNameIsNobody]

I hope we aren't at that point where we can't comment on how flight attendants used to be pretty and that we generally are attracted to attractive women.  It's not creepy.  This world is getting so PC it's ridiculous.

Really?  We are THERE TIMES INFINITY.  I SEARCH TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THE ASSININE.  I was really just shooting the messenger on this one.  Peter always entertains me.  One must now find entertainment where one can find it.  No politics on the thread so I will be the P.C. police.  May even have a badge made.  Mirrorred sunglasses.....YES, I bet you dirty old men wear them inside.

[MyNameIsNobody]

Ryan, spot on..again.  I'm just an innocent old man but with the choice of a spectacular looking person vs. a say less than spectacular I'd choose the one easy on my eyes if all other items were similar i.e. both Do a good job etc. if I want to see a beautiful lovely young lady I can still go home to my bride of 43+ yrs.

Turkey Buzzard or Eagle.  Both are beautiful in their own way.  I am glad the world has both...