New Orleans Eats Forums at NOLAEats.com

It has become true in our lives, that the "good old days of commercial air travel" are something we will never get to experience again. Here are some of my fond memories, what are yours.

1) Travelling once a month NY to LA and return, United Red/White/Blue service. Company paid standard White class service, we could (and did) upgrade to Red (FIRST CLASS) for $25.

2) Travelling once a month NY to LA and return, American Airlines had the piano bar in their early 747 service. I would play for much of the flight and never had to buy a drink.

3) Travelling NY to LA at night, the cockpit door usually ajar, being able to get invited in for a while. Coming across the dark southwest plains, approaching Las Vegas and its million lights at night, is an unbelieveable sight from the cockpit.

My second flight ever was on a commercial DC3...from Guatemala City to Tikal in 1966...dirt strip and all.
I remember nice 747 flights from Honlulu that had stand up bars.....now a days everyone just dresses like they're going out to dinner in NOLA in the summer.

For me, nostalgia would be a flight where there was an open seat next to me.

How big were 747's? Where was the piano?

Are big. They used to be in the area around the stairway up to the second floor. There are still some old movies around showing the interior with the bar and piano.

Piano Bar in the rear section of American 747.

Jerry wrote:everyone just dresses like they're going out to dinner in NOLA in the summer.

Sweet.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296053,00.html

It's piano! It's a bar! NO! You're both right!!! (Check the foot rail on the "piano bar".)

Jerry wrote:My second flight ever was on a commercial DC3...from Guatemala City to Tikal in 1966...dirt strip and all.
I remember nice 747 flights from Honlulu that had stand up bars.....now a days everyone just dresses like they're going out to dinner in NOLA in the summer.

Not only do the passengers dress terrible but the flight attendants are pitiful. I flew with Eastern Airlines in the early 70's and NEVER would we have been allowed on a flight looking like some of the HAGS that fly today. I cannot believe the airlines tolerate it. We could not have a hair out of place and never could we have flown without makeup and our uniforms in perfect condition. Wow...what has happened to society?

I would not mind if the stewardesses went back to being nice. Even in first class these days, the staff is usually pretty sad.

I know what ya'll are saying about the change in air travel, but I'm sorry, I just don't see the point of getting "dressed up" to sit in a cramped seat after waiting for what seems like hours at the airport(b/c the flight was inevitably delayed). After getting off the plane and to my destination, I always just feel DIRTY and want to take a shower. I'm sorry, but I'm not putting on a nice skirt, blouse, and shoes for that experience. I'll wear my shorts,shirt, and tennis shoes and not feel bad or guilty about it. Someone else can be miserable in a suit and tie or dress.