IP: The new reality of air travel

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 15:10:13 -0700 (PDT)
> From: "Ole J. Jacobsen" <ole () cisco com>
> To: David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>
> Subject: The new reality of air travel
>
>
> For IP:
>
> United Airlines: First Impressions after a disaster
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> After waiting several days for the direct Atlanta to San Francisco flight
> to NOT get canceled, I managed to get on a United flight to Chicago (ORD)
> followed by another to San Francisco. The following are my notes on the
> "new reality" of air travel.
>
> Arrive at 4:45am at ATL. The checkin line at United already has about 150
> people for the coach, but only about 6 for first class. We all wait until
> 5am until United decides to open the counters. There are tables set up
> next to the check-in counters and random searches of luggage is being
> performed. One in ten, or perhaps less of the checked-in passengers have
> their bags checked on the tables.
>
> I accidentally join another long line for American Airlines check-in,
> thinking it is for the security check-points, but realize my mistake after
> a minute or two. The security screening is the same as it always has been
> with two exceptions: you have to show your boarding pass and an officer
> from the US Customs Service is watching. I am (as always) underwhelmed by
> their attention to detail, expecting at least to be asked "what is in your
> bag". (Earlier in the week I shipped anything resembling a knife home). I
> make my way to the gate which is near the United Red Carpet Club which
> United has very helpfully "closed until further notice". It is not 5:30am.
> I stand in line for another 15 minutes to get coffee at Starbucks. The
> flight turns out to be full of United flight attendants and pilots, and I
> notice that even they get asked the usual security questions.
>
> Flight to ORD is uneventful. On arrival at Chicago, I see flags everywhere
> including a long row of large ones at half-staff on the entranceways to
> the airport. The police presence is noticeable. The number of people and
> planes is noticeably reduced. United claims they are running at 40% of
> normal traffic today, and that they will be back to 80% by Thursday.
>
> We wait about 45 minutes beyond the announced boarding time, when they
> finally assemble all 16 flight attendants who board. But before they can
> board, each and every one has to punch in their code and watch the door
> lock go green. (A manager is carefully watching this).
>
> Once on the plane, things are pretty normal except for 4 things:
>
> - The meal carts have passed through security and have stickers on them
>   just like your suitcase would.
>
> - The knife on the meal tray has been replaced by one made out of NYLON,
>   that's right, it is so flexible you can wrap it round your wrist. Never
>   mind that there are still TWO stainless steel forks on the tray.
>
> - An announcement is made that "unusual comments" will not be appreciated
>   (this is obviously not a good time to make jokes).
>
> - Although the plane is only 1/2 full: "All passengers MUST remain in
>   their originally assigned seat." This is apparently the new policy.
>
>
> We arrive in San Francisco about an hour late. It's good to be home!
>
> Ole
>
>
> Ole J. Jacobsen
> Editor and Publisher
> The Internet Protocol Journal
> Office of the CTO, Cisco Systems
> Tel: +1 408-527-8972
> GSM: +1 415-370-4628
> E-mail: ole () cisco com
> URL: http://www.cisco.com/ipj



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