Has Flying has become a nuisance?

Seattle is Alaska's headquarters. It is not as big as many of the other US airlines. So if you live in the Seattle airline - they are great, but they are limited on where they fly direct. Although they fly to many destinations, they fly most in the Northwest. i have flown them quite a bit due to where I live and travel to. I have had little issues with them other than like you note limits on number of flights.

And always consider - cheapest - you get what you pay for. With kids, I'd fly direct if you can. Just picture making a connection and if there are delays where you miss a flight; need to reschedule; it would be a nightmare for you.

You’re right, not worth taking a chance being delayed with three kids. Going to book with American Airlines. Non-stop from LAX to Tampa. You know it’s cheaper to go non-stop then it is to transfer planes!

We've decided to forgo international travel next Spring because of all the headaches and just spend 6 weeks driving east across Canada to the Maritimes. Don't have to worry about queues, delays, lay-overs, over-bookings, bad or no food, and customs and security. Like most people, we love being somewhere else but don't like the hassle of getting there. Canada is a lovely country west of Alberta and east of Manitoba.

I hope you guys have a great time, jc.

Thank you, the kids are looking forward to seeing aunt Isabel. You know the last time I flew alone, business trip, there must have been 80 people in the security line and guess who they decide to pull aside and frisk down? ME! Out of 80 people I’m the one they choose.

They did that to my sister - we were going on a family trip and my sister was about 6, she was so scared. I laughed.

You know the guy that was behind me said they probably choose me because I didn't look like I was going to give him any trouble.

He was probably right.

Completely irrelevant to the discussion, I saw that one major airline is doing away with first class seating.

It's a segue

Try flying internationally, it's gruesome at times. I had 4 hours delay in Houston coming from Europe, the person next to me was re-routed within Europe 3 times and spent 6 hours there before flying another 11 hours to Houston. We're treated like cattle, really.

I know... and the thing is that lately you have your flight shifted at the last minute and it's on you to accept or not. I flew to Vancouver this summer. My flight was supposed to be at 1:00 pm but it was changed to 11:30 pm. What the hell kind of hour is that to fly one province over? I had to cancel the whole ticket and fly with our only other damn airline. I was only going for 5 days so that would have taken away one day. They just cancel and don't really help you rebook. That's why my next trip will be a driving holiday within Canada.

That's a lot of driving for you then, Mame!
I can't do that, but I will avoid Dallas or Houston in future, that's for sure!
Chicago, Philadelphia and NYC are out too!

So they basically loaded up more passengers or even fuel ( or something important like a crew shift ) for the plane and then flew you to the destination.
That is why it was cheap. Maybe it works like using a credit-card at random teller-machine for them to do whatever it is they do business wise. It is cheaper for them down the road and thus you.

Apparently the secret is to fly into a small hub, CJ.

We are used to driving long distances here. When my ex and I were in Bristol, four of us decided to go to Snowdonia in Wales. When his sabbatical colleagues heard we were only going for four days, they were appalled. "You're going to drive FOUR hours for a four day trip?? Here, four hours is a trip to visit family, or for some folks in the rural areas, a trip to the hospital.

Flying isn't the nuisance: the airlines and the airports are the nuisance.

They want to expand Business Class. A friend of mine with Alaska Airlines said it was about not being able to fill First Class these last few years.

It is funny as last spring I was flying and when I went to book it, it popped that for just like $50 more I could fly first class; damn yep I went for it. It was a short flight but completely worth it. So I can see what you are saying as I would imagine that it is not normally that different in price.

I think the low price you paid had to do with a low demand for 1st class on short flights. $5.00, that was a deal!

$50 - not $5 - it was an hour and half flight - but it was nice! It was worth also as you don't pay extra for luggage - so even money-wise it was a good investment