Thinking of YouFriends, it feels like forever since I’ve had a chance to reach out! I’m so sorry to have been out of touch. I wish I could say it was just a matter of taking a random vacation. Instead, family obligations kept me busy and out of town all last week.

Generally, I’m a huge fan of traveling. I’m known for some of the crazy road trips I’ve gone on, and for the longest time I even loved to fly. Now, it just isn’t as much fun as it used to be.

When I was a kid, I remember being really psyched to fly with my mom to visit family. I especially loved earning those crappy little plastic wings and pinning them to my little outfit. Even into college I remember loving being on the go, the anticipation that the flight might be overbooked so I could get out of Monday classes and earn a free flight voucher by giving up my seat.

Now flying is far from fun. It’s not just that you have to pretty much undress and unpack just to get through security. Not that I deny it’s (mostly) necessary. Our Homeland Security is (mostly) doing what needs to be done to keep us safe. I’m just saying that safety isn’t often much fun.

It’s more than that, though. Once you’re on the flight, it seems like the airlines are just inventing new ways to be mean. Even the flight attendants aren’t nice like they used to be. This week, I watched a Delta employee berate an older woman who was clearly having trouble understanding exactly what was being asked of her. She was yelling at the poor lady to put her item “under the seat… under the SEAT… UNDER THE SEAT” as if she were leading a military drill. I half-expected her to drag the poor woman from her row and demand that she drop and give her 50! All it would have taken was a simple “Ma’am, can I help you get that item under your seat?”

And then there’s the choice between practically riding in the luggage bay or cashing in your kids’ college fund to be treated with an ounce of humanity. I got to thinking about those silly little perks that are now exclusively enjoyed by the 8 or 12 people who get into first class.

It occurred to me that if the airlines just took a good look at how many rows upon rows of people in coach there are and figured out how much money they’re actually losing by being so exclusive, they’d kick themselves. Why not offer “Class a la Carte” (I made that up)?

When we book our flights, we should be allowed to add on perks for a price. Think about it! I can do without that bigger seat, but I’d totally pay a meal add-on for, like, $15. Maybe someone else would prefer for pre-boarding and would be willing to add on $5 or $10. Or maybe someone in a teeny tiny back seat would throw down $10 for the privilege of being served pre-flight drinks $10 (plus the drink costs).

What do you think of flying these days? What would you totally pay extra for? I’d love to hear from you!

Hugs!

P.S. Please stow your trays and put your seats in the upright position.