[seeker80]

I did.

I used to fly for the job frequently, years ago, and have the normal horror stories everyone has. I changed jobs years ago which allowed my to slow down and didn't require airtravel. On the infrequent occasions when I would fly for vacation, the crapshoot that is air travel would reappear and I vowed not to put up with the annoyance. We would drive the 10 hrs. to Florida and do the train for 17 hrs. to New Orleans. Loved it.

...No TSA, rude airline employees and the most uncomfortable (seats designed for the 5'2" not the 6'2" I am) mode of transportation devised by man.

Recently, I helped out a colleague at a conference he was organizing. I ran the shuttle around but mostly from the airport to the conference site. Of the 20 people I picked up, 3 had serious delays (more than 1 1/2 hrs.). We had 3 other shuttle drivers (one running to another airport) which has similiar %. The delays caused missed dinners, late speakers and delayed sessions. The reasons varied (overbooking, mechanical, weather) as they always do.

I sat in the cell phone lot and smiled. I was just glad it wasn't me flying. I had rented a car and drove 6 hours to get in. Had I flow it would have taken me at least 5 hours to clear security, connect, gather my bags and it would have cost twice as much, even after taking into account the fuel.

What makes the story even better is that I recently learned I had promoted to a regional job. My territory includes cities that are 6, 8 and 10 hours by car. I have told them I will drive instead of flying. Only one has a direct flight and it costs twice as much as any other connecting flight to the same city. The hours saved by flying v. driving are in the range of 2-4 hours, but for me that is offset by not having to deal with the whole airline world and their neverending issues. And I have the flexibility of leaving when I want to and have a vehicle at my disposal at all times.

Best of all, I can use my phone whenever I want to, not when the flight dominatrix says I can.

I started flying in the '70s when flying could be said to be "fun" with a straight face. When they start making the experience slightly more tolerable, I might consider coming back.

Until then, I will come here for the occasional schadenfreude moment.

Good luck.