classism

i spent a hell of a time trying to get back home from pittsburgh yesterday. i’ll spare you the details, but high winds in chicago delayed and cancelled multiple flights, making yesterday a big fat mess. i should have not tried to get home earlier, and just waited for the evening nonstop, which would have saved me a lot of headache.

however, the one silver lining was that on the long return leg out of chicago, i was kindly upgraded to first class, which i had never flown before. what an incredible difference. in economy, you get into this rhythm which lets you know how much longer you have until you’re set free: you take off, you’re served one drink, you wait, the drink cups are picked up, they come around to serve/sell you food, the movie starts, they pick up the food plates, there’s a long rest, the movie ends, they come around and serve you another drink, and then seats and tray tables up, it’s time to land.

but in first class, you’re wonderfully separated from all of that. you have drinks all the time, they’re constantly checking on you to make sure that everything is ok, they call you by your name (and even pronounce it correctly!), and the food is not only gratis, but substantially better.

flying first class is at least ten times better than coach. if not more. who knew it’s not just about the big seats?

Posted at March 6, 2004 8:19 AM