I’d also like to praise the simple pleasures of the Amtrak Northeast Regional. About once a month I take what I like to think of as the longest possible New York commute-starting at 6:20am from Boston Back Bay Station and returning on the 7:50pm-and the sights can’t be beat. Stone fences and horse pastures leading into Rhode Island fishing towns and seaside Connneticut before terminating with the New York City skyline. Even better in winter, when I board the train in pitch darkness and watch the sunrise over New England.
OTOH it’s a useful service. These are the same people who do not wash their hands when they should and they are letting us know to avoid them lest we pick up a communicable disease.
The window allows us to see what we were never meant to see, from the beautiful landscapes to the opposite side of the clouds. For the lack of a better word, it is a miracle. It’s true immersion without the Vision Pro. Plus, I get control of the window shade.
1. I feel like there are a few Alaska customers in Portland who have good reason to choose the aisle from here on out.
2. For me, the calculus changes a bit depending on the length of the flight. Two or three hours? Window, baby. Anything over that, and I know I’m gonna have to get up.
(Relevant: I’m also 6’4” and I often travel with two kids.)
Couldn't agree more. Flying through space to go somewhere else in a matter of hours, with minimal risk of death, is when you think about it, such a miracle of modern life. I love looking out the window. But my own family (wife and daughter) give me endless grief for getting up more than once to use the restroom. Oh well then, next time, YOU take the window!
That was so evocative of the best parts of the travel experience.
But this is the internet so of course I immediately fixated on a minor point - neck pillows.
Personally I don’t like the way many people leave them dangling from their gear because it just looks sloppy and disorganized, and they are then frequently bumping into things, including people. And I suppose it’s another example of making public what should really be private, which I also dislike. OTOH I can see their utility on a long overnight flight, where arriving less tired and sore is a good thing.
So I’m curious to hear more about why you object to them. Is it that you would prefer that they stowed away until needed because of the horrendous aesthetics (I agree). Or is it something else?
Would be a great issue to explore with Michael on the pod so he could give you a hard time (always the funniest part of the pod IMO).
Ha! Humanity survived very well without the neck pillow and can continue to do so. What about the people *wearing them around* the airport? This is insanity. The whole thing is out of control and should probably be stopped.
I always like the idea of the window seat, but I’ve gravitated to the aisle, because I like the option of getting up to use the restroom without inconveniencing anyone else. Maybe I need a stronger bladder.
I’d also like to praise the simple pleasures of the Amtrak Northeast Regional. About once a month I take what I like to think of as the longest possible New York commute-starting at 6:20am from Boston Back Bay Station and returning on the 7:50pm-and the sights can’t be beat. Stone fences and horse pastures leading into Rhode Island fishing towns and seaside Connneticut before terminating with the New York City skyline. Even better in winter, when I board the train in pitch darkness and watch the sunrise over New England.
OMG wearing a neck pillow around the airport is indeed depraved behavior.
It’s a slippery slope!
OTOH it’s a useful service. These are the same people who do not wash their hands when they should and they are letting us know to avoid them lest we pick up a communicable disease.
I've flown on the 4th of July a few years in a row. It's amazing to see thousands of fireworks and flights are cheap!
The window allows us to see what we were never meant to see, from the beautiful landscapes to the opposite side of the clouds. For the lack of a better word, it is a miracle. It’s true immersion without the Vision Pro. Plus, I get control of the window shade.
I like looking out the window, too. But:
1. I feel like there are a few Alaska customers in Portland who have good reason to choose the aisle from here on out.
2. For me, the calculus changes a bit depending on the length of the flight. Two or three hours? Window, baby. Anything over that, and I know I’m gonna have to get up.
(Relevant: I’m also 6’4” and I often travel with two kids.)
Couldn't agree more. Flying through space to go somewhere else in a matter of hours, with minimal risk of death, is when you think about it, such a miracle of modern life. I love looking out the window. But my own family (wife and daughter) give me endless grief for getting up more than once to use the restroom. Oh well then, next time, YOU take the window!
Drinks are on me if we meet across the aisle 🥃🥃
That was so evocative of the best parts of the travel experience.
But this is the internet so of course I immediately fixated on a minor point - neck pillows.
Personally I don’t like the way many people leave them dangling from their gear because it just looks sloppy and disorganized, and they are then frequently bumping into things, including people. And I suppose it’s another example of making public what should really be private, which I also dislike. OTOH I can see their utility on a long overnight flight, where arriving less tired and sore is a good thing.
So I’m curious to hear more about why you object to them. Is it that you would prefer that they stowed away until needed because of the horrendous aesthetics (I agree). Or is it something else?
Would be a great issue to explore with Michael on the pod so he could give you a hard time (always the funniest part of the pod IMO).
Ha! Humanity survived very well without the neck pillow and can continue to do so. What about the people *wearing them around* the airport? This is insanity. The whole thing is out of control and should probably be stopped.
I always like the idea of the window seat, but I’ve gravitated to the aisle, because I like the option of getting up to use the restroom without inconveniencing anyone else. Maybe I need a stronger bladder.