We've been lucky so far (I say, as I rap my knuckles on my head as if it's made of wood). Our travel experiences--at least in recent years--have been mostly smooth, with minimal delays, no one demanding that we switch seats, no lost luggage (yet). I know I'm tempting fate by even mentioning it.
That isn't to say we haven't been uncomfortable. And as we age, it's getting harder to fold ourselves into the designated space on an airplane, harder to pack entirely in a carry-on (because yes, we do need all that medication and that portable fan and that hearing aid dryer), harder to get by on whatever food is available because it upsets our stomachs. And I owe an apology to the person who got moved next to me when I was (unknowingly) flying home with Covid.
But for me, the destination is still worth the journey. I know the flights and the transfers and the TSA process are going to be annoying at best, but I'm willing to deal with them. I wish I could say the same for my husband. He's a dedicated homebody. Granted, the journey is even more uncomfortable for him due to back issues; but even when I asked where he would want to go if he could just teleport, he couldn't think of anyplace.
We will continue to travel, because we agreed to, and he says he'll follow me to Mars. But we're definitely hoping to improve our own resilience (and to address his back issues). I do try to mentally prepare myself for mishaps, and we usually schedule travel with buffers on either end to accommodate delays. And I might need to find a travel buddy or go solo for some trips!
I understand your reluctance to undergo the plane travel part of a journey in order to arrive at your chosen destination. My husband dislikes this part so much that he is less and less willing to travel at all. Case in point: We recently boarded a plane in Vienna, Austria, for a return trip to Dublin. And proceeded to sit there for almost 3 hours in 90 degree temperatures (and me with a newly fractured right arm) because they could not get the stairs to retract! This also meant that we missed the connecting bus that would take us across Ireland to our home on the west coast. Which means we had to book an airport hotel in Dublin and buy new bus tickets for the following day, adding to the expense and frustrations of the trip. No fun at all.
As you say, 'in these moments of extreme stress and frustration, we usually aren’t laughing' but when you arrived at your destination the 'stress and anxiety evaporating', both of these polarizing statements are so true! In our experience as hotel owners, our remote location was a 'short' 3 1/2 hours from the San Jose airport (not including time spent getting through customs!). We had many a guest who had those stressful, frustrating (and might I also say long travel days), only to arrive at the hotel, taking in the view (and maybe a tropical drink or bourbon), and we knew exactly when their stress of the travel day would evaporate and they'd relax into their vacation mode. It was a joy to see, and we hoped it was because they arrived at our destination, but I think for many traveler, it's the joy of finally making it to wherever they are looking forward to getting. Pura Vida!
That’s wonderful to hear. More and more I’m finding myself so grateful when someone helping us at a hotel or just any travel service can read when you’ve had a long day and need a break and they do what they can to alleviate some of that stress. That’s strikes me as a particularly special skill and I’m unsure how much of that can be taught or is just an innate quality some people have but seeing someone who’s attentive to another person is really special and heartwarming to me. I wrote in a previous post that I think the culture of hospitality and having good hosts are really the linchpin to us having quality travel experiences.
Haha glad to hear you appreciated that. I certainly want to travel on more trains if that is an option. Planning to take the train from Dublin to Belfast when I visit in November so very much looking forward to that experience.
I recently read a book about the Grand Tour, the time when British aristocrats traveled to the Mediterranean region in the 18th and 19th centuries. Their journals and letters brim with hardship: broken wagon axles that took days to repair, buggies pulled by sickly slow horses, corrupt boat captains who waylaid ferries to unmarked docks to be robbed or extorted, roving bands of bandits, sickness and disease, and guesthouses with flea-ridden bedding and rancid food.
I suppose by that standard, some overpriced mediocre pub fare in an airport lounge isn't much of a hardship in exchange for traversing whole continents or oceans in a few hours. But I think the gap between what is promised and what is delivered is what makes modern travel so soul-destroying: back in the day, travelers knew they were signing up for hardship when they embarked on these journeys, and they knew they might not even return. We, on the other hand, are sold luxury and paradise, even at budget levels.
The good thing is that long, brain-numbing journeys often seem to take forever in the moment, but collapse to an instant in my memory. Looking back, each flight or airport delay is compressed in my mind to a single frame, as if time has stood still. But the good memories from my travels grow better with age and sustain me in the times where I can't travel. The mind is strangely elastic that way, especially in the way it perceives time. Some amount of self delusion is useful, I guess. And that's why I still love to travel despite it all.
Wonderful commentary Gary! May I ask what the book on the Grand Tour is titled? I’ve been really wanting to research that subject more. And great points. I always view things in terms of tradeoffs and as much as I wouldn’t want to endure a lot of those true misfortunes, they would also come with some profound adventures that I just might be willing to take the risks to experience. My time on the Appalachian Trail showed me what slow wandering looks like and it’s something I’d gladly be doing far more of if I could rather than taking the planes, trains, and automobiles. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and let me know what that book is when you can. Thanks! 😊
What an insane experience. The traveler journey still isn't smooth, lots of pain points along the way. But great to hear that once at destination, the stress was gone.
It's even worse when these things happen at the end of a holiday...
We just had this exact thing happen in Atlanta but luckily our flight attendants did let us go first, we ran the whole way and made our flight! But we had spent the night before in a hotel (paid by the airline) from another delayed flight.😋
We just prepare mentally to go with the flow knowing it’s about the destination. And it’s always been worth it.
Sorry you had such a crap trip to get to the wedding. Over seven years of full time travel we've certainly had our mishaps and airports we avoid. Perhaps it's because we don't spend much time in the US, most of our trips go just fine.
And as a former flight attendant, well, what you say about your experiences with those Delta flight attendants doesn't track with my experiences.
I'd also note that flying is cheaper than ever and that consumers almost always choose the cheapest fare -- and that has a lot to do with what flying has become so bad in there US.
Thanks Michael! And I don’t mean to besmirch all of Delta. I think when we’re in sour moods that tends to distort our perceptions of others. Plus, they’ve been far better than a lot of the other airlines for us over the years and I don’t honestly have many complaints. After some haggling we were able to get reimbursed for our hotel too so kudos to them. Your last point is a good one to note too. Thanks for your thoughts here. Cheers! 😊
Look you may be a bit jaded, but you’re not wrong. I would say though that the problem isn’t necessarily ‘modern travel,’ It’s ‘attempting to cram a long-ish flight in the US into a long weekend.’ Go somewhere for longer and the hell of transit isn’t such a big deal. Fly literally anywhere on earth that isn’t the US and it’s slightly to significantly less horrific. Come on down to Australia, we still fly domestic with liters of liquid carry on and without taking off our shoes, or if you prefer you can transit the whole airport and fly barefoot! Alternatively, fly out of Akron-canton airport, which I recently discovered is still the ‘80’s: no lines, no waits, no delays, just unfortunately no one except me has ever voluntarily visited Akron.
Fair points Nina. I was discussing this recently with a few other travelers and, to your point, it’s not so much modern travel, but the structure of a trip that constrains us and and its connection to a society that typically forces most of us to only have a week or two to take a vacation so we end up having to plan everything within that week rather than being able to book a one-way flight and be in a place for as long as we like. I’d much prefer the latter form of travel if I could swing it but it’ll be a few years before I can travel the mode and speed in which I like. Thanks for engaging. Cheers!
We've been lucky so far (I say, as I rap my knuckles on my head as if it's made of wood). Our travel experiences--at least in recent years--have been mostly smooth, with minimal delays, no one demanding that we switch seats, no lost luggage (yet). I know I'm tempting fate by even mentioning it.
That isn't to say we haven't been uncomfortable. And as we age, it's getting harder to fold ourselves into the designated space on an airplane, harder to pack entirely in a carry-on (because yes, we do need all that medication and that portable fan and that hearing aid dryer), harder to get by on whatever food is available because it upsets our stomachs. And I owe an apology to the person who got moved next to me when I was (unknowingly) flying home with Covid.
But for me, the destination is still worth the journey. I know the flights and the transfers and the TSA process are going to be annoying at best, but I'm willing to deal with them. I wish I could say the same for my husband. He's a dedicated homebody. Granted, the journey is even more uncomfortable for him due to back issues; but even when I asked where he would want to go if he could just teleport, he couldn't think of anyplace.
We will continue to travel, because we agreed to, and he says he'll follow me to Mars. But we're definitely hoping to improve our own resilience (and to address his back issues). I do try to mentally prepare myself for mishaps, and we usually schedule travel with buffers on either end to accommodate delays. And I might need to find a travel buddy or go solo for some trips!
I understand your reluctance to undergo the plane travel part of a journey in order to arrive at your chosen destination. My husband dislikes this part so much that he is less and less willing to travel at all. Case in point: We recently boarded a plane in Vienna, Austria, for a return trip to Dublin. And proceeded to sit there for almost 3 hours in 90 degree temperatures (and me with a newly fractured right arm) because they could not get the stairs to retract! This also meant that we missed the connecting bus that would take us across Ireland to our home on the west coast. Which means we had to book an airport hotel in Dublin and buy new bus tickets for the following day, adding to the expense and frustrations of the trip. No fun at all.
As you say, 'in these moments of extreme stress and frustration, we usually aren’t laughing' but when you arrived at your destination the 'stress and anxiety evaporating', both of these polarizing statements are so true! In our experience as hotel owners, our remote location was a 'short' 3 1/2 hours from the San Jose airport (not including time spent getting through customs!). We had many a guest who had those stressful, frustrating (and might I also say long travel days), only to arrive at the hotel, taking in the view (and maybe a tropical drink or bourbon), and we knew exactly when their stress of the travel day would evaporate and they'd relax into their vacation mode. It was a joy to see, and we hoped it was because they arrived at our destination, but I think for many traveler, it's the joy of finally making it to wherever they are looking forward to getting. Pura Vida!
That’s wonderful to hear. More and more I’m finding myself so grateful when someone helping us at a hotel or just any travel service can read when you’ve had a long day and need a break and they do what they can to alleviate some of that stress. That’s strikes me as a particularly special skill and I’m unsure how much of that can be taught or is just an innate quality some people have but seeing someone who’s attentive to another person is really special and heartwarming to me. I wrote in a previous post that I think the culture of hospitality and having good hosts are really the linchpin to us having quality travel experiences.
Parcels to the airline industry 😂. Love it.
I prefer long distance trains by the way; where you are able to walk around, take in the views and can sit in the restaurant cart.
Haha glad to hear you appreciated that. I certainly want to travel on more trains if that is an option. Planning to take the train from Dublin to Belfast when I visit in November so very much looking forward to that experience.
I recently read a book about the Grand Tour, the time when British aristocrats traveled to the Mediterranean region in the 18th and 19th centuries. Their journals and letters brim with hardship: broken wagon axles that took days to repair, buggies pulled by sickly slow horses, corrupt boat captains who waylaid ferries to unmarked docks to be robbed or extorted, roving bands of bandits, sickness and disease, and guesthouses with flea-ridden bedding and rancid food.
I suppose by that standard, some overpriced mediocre pub fare in an airport lounge isn't much of a hardship in exchange for traversing whole continents or oceans in a few hours. But I think the gap between what is promised and what is delivered is what makes modern travel so soul-destroying: back in the day, travelers knew they were signing up for hardship when they embarked on these journeys, and they knew they might not even return. We, on the other hand, are sold luxury and paradise, even at budget levels.
The good thing is that long, brain-numbing journeys often seem to take forever in the moment, but collapse to an instant in my memory. Looking back, each flight or airport delay is compressed in my mind to a single frame, as if time has stood still. But the good memories from my travels grow better with age and sustain me in the times where I can't travel. The mind is strangely elastic that way, especially in the way it perceives time. Some amount of self delusion is useful, I guess. And that's why I still love to travel despite it all.
Wonderful commentary Gary! May I ask what the book on the Grand Tour is titled? I’ve been really wanting to research that subject more. And great points. I always view things in terms of tradeoffs and as much as I wouldn’t want to endure a lot of those true misfortunes, they would also come with some profound adventures that I just might be willing to take the risks to experience. My time on the Appalachian Trail showed me what slow wandering looks like and it’s something I’d gladly be doing far more of if I could rather than taking the planes, trains, and automobiles. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and let me know what that book is when you can. Thanks! 😊
What an insane experience. The traveler journey still isn't smooth, lots of pain points along the way. But great to hear that once at destination, the stress was gone.
It's even worse when these things happen at the end of a holiday...
We just had this exact thing happen in Atlanta but luckily our flight attendants did let us go first, we ran the whole way and made our flight! But we had spent the night before in a hotel (paid by the airline) from another delayed flight.😋
We just prepare mentally to go with the flow knowing it’s about the destination. And it’s always been worth it.
Sorry you had such a crap trip to get to the wedding. Over seven years of full time travel we've certainly had our mishaps and airports we avoid. Perhaps it's because we don't spend much time in the US, most of our trips go just fine.
And as a former flight attendant, well, what you say about your experiences with those Delta flight attendants doesn't track with my experiences.
I'd also note that flying is cheaper than ever and that consumers almost always choose the cheapest fare -- and that has a lot to do with what flying has become so bad in there US.
Hope things get better!
Thanks Michael! And I don’t mean to besmirch all of Delta. I think when we’re in sour moods that tends to distort our perceptions of others. Plus, they’ve been far better than a lot of the other airlines for us over the years and I don’t honestly have many complaints. After some haggling we were able to get reimbursed for our hotel too so kudos to them. Your last point is a good one to note too. Thanks for your thoughts here. Cheers! 😊
Yes, travel mishaps happen but we will still do them.
I am currently on "mishap watch" as I have flights in a few weeks and there is the potential for a pilot strike.
Nothing I can do until strike is called and hope it is short. I really do not want to re-book with another airline.
Even if it does go sideways, its all part of the adventure and if we didn't accept the difficulties, we would never leave home.
Air travel? Never. You are simply cargo that loads and unloads itself.
Look you may be a bit jaded, but you’re not wrong. I would say though that the problem isn’t necessarily ‘modern travel,’ It’s ‘attempting to cram a long-ish flight in the US into a long weekend.’ Go somewhere for longer and the hell of transit isn’t such a big deal. Fly literally anywhere on earth that isn’t the US and it’s slightly to significantly less horrific. Come on down to Australia, we still fly domestic with liters of liquid carry on and without taking off our shoes, or if you prefer you can transit the whole airport and fly barefoot! Alternatively, fly out of Akron-canton airport, which I recently discovered is still the ‘80’s: no lines, no waits, no delays, just unfortunately no one except me has ever voluntarily visited Akron.
Fair points Nina. I was discussing this recently with a few other travelers and, to your point, it’s not so much modern travel, but the structure of a trip that constrains us and and its connection to a society that typically forces most of us to only have a week or two to take a vacation so we end up having to plan everything within that week rather than being able to book a one-way flight and be in a place for as long as we like. I’d much prefer the latter form of travel if I could swing it but it’ll be a few years before I can travel the mode and speed in which I like. Thanks for engaging. Cheers!