Shannon MatternI’m heading off on my second flight — my first international flight — in three years. I’ve noticed on both occasions that the airlines are now not assigning seats, and when you attempt to *choose* seat, you’re informed that all of the regular economy seats are sold out, and in order to make a selection, you’ll have to pay a $200+ upgrade. Yet another upcharge scam.
As if the environmental impact weren’t sufficient reason, the ever-deepening unpleasantness of travel — delays!, everything’s an upcharge!, everything’s self-service (balance your luggage and check yourself out on this little ledge while opening our origami shopping bag with your pinkie!) — confirms that I won’t be doing any more of those “let’s pop over to the EU for this two-day event in the middle of the semester, and get back for class on Monday” trips anymore.
$8 for a Coke! Obligatory face recognition at the gate! Touch screens everywhere!