largsmantravelling

Probably a more realistic question to ask would be. Does anyone actually enjoy the flying experience.

As something like fifteen percent of the population take seventy percent of the flights. This question is irrelevant but in a travel blog certain to raise a response.

Flying is useful and convenient. It shortens journey times, safe, easily accessible and cheap. From a local airport such Stornoway, Isle of Lewis regular flights to regional centres such as Glasgow and Edinburgh access the international networks. Enabling travellers to be anywhere in the world within a day. Reliably, securely and cheaply too. Democratic open to anyone with the desire and fare. You have opened up the world too which is good.

Recently, however, not without reason,the environmental impact of flying is raising concern.

As it is a growing business supplying the population then it must be popular therefore liked.

Since leaving school in late seventies flying has been part of my life. Flights to join ships on the other side of the world. Flights to take me home from the far side of the world. Holiday flights, flights to see the family. Even flights for educational and cultural purposes. Some have been rough, some comfortable, all have taken me there and got me home. My life and the life of similar others wouldn’t have been possible without the ability to fly so easily.

The act of taking a flight is no longer the glamorous experience of the nineteen fifties advertising. Typical flight comprises of three elements. Departure, the flight, and the arrival.

After travelling to the airport along a busy motorway or packed train to arrive at the airport. Normally situated on the periphery of a major city, first established in the sixties or perhaps earlier. Usually close by a motorway because everyone is going to drive there. By now it has gone through a process of continual enlargement. So it surrounded by car parks and access roads. Security means you get to say farewell at a drop off point near the departure building. Two hours prior to the departure, about ninety minutes before the gate closes.

Once dropped off you you enter the system. Once it meant queuing at a ticket desk now check in is online, baggage handling is also automated now too. So no human contact. Next is the security.

Terrorists have found airports and aircraft attractive since the sixties. Therefore security has been an issue since then too and the complexity of the process has increased too. Herded to the security check point where you unpack your carry on bag,empty your pockets and take off your shoes. Once through, you put on your shoes, repack your bag and collect you change. And continue to the waiting area.

Leaving the security area behind you progress to the departure gate. This will be displayed on the one of the many departure displays throughout waiting area. You can also find it on your phone. With about a hour to spare before boarding, you loiter in a shopping mall that has many coffee shops, bars and retail outlets. Generally it will be packed as there are now more people flying than the airport was designed for. It could be quite a distance to the departure gate. I’ve never really understood why those shops are there or why you can’t get anything decent to eat.

The planes are now larger. About thirty years ago the standard short distance flight carried just over one people or so. Now the planes carry more than twice the number. So boarding takes at least twenty minutes. The luggage racks will be crammed full carry on bags of the standard size. It will be rather an urgent operation too. Once seated, you will there until you can disembark. There is much space where you’re seated so I just read a book and keep myself to myself. The most settled part of the journey. Flights are reliable, so punctuality is good. Taking you own food is a good idea too.

The final stage is short and quick. People hurry off the plane. Usually I feel I’m be swept along by a river current and clear the airport in about fifteen minutes. It is if you’re spat out of the system.

It’s all functional and routine. Just something to get through.