How many times have you been on an airplane

[GTaudiophile]

I have too. So superior to air travel it isn't even funny.

I have to add that Germany's Die Bahn only continues to get less punctual, less reliable, and more expensive...to the point that even flying within the country is more cost effective and takes less time, depending on the distances.

 

[Engineer]

Probably 24 to 30 times or so (that includes switching planes going on longer trips).

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Anyone flown first class, if so how pimp is that?

 

[JimmiG]

Problem in the USA is that the freight rail companies own the tracks. They have no reason to improve them.

But yeah, Antrak is embarrassing to anyone who has been on a German/French/Swiss/Japanese high-speed train.

I guess even our 160mph would be considered pretty good over there, then. Heck, even the commuter train I usually ride reaches 125mph over a 25-mile stretch with only two stops.

Here it's the opposite, freight companies are the first that have to give way when we run into capacity problems, which is happening a lot recently. But everyone is affected and something needs to be done if people are to keep choosing the train over the much less energy efficient airline service.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Anyone flown first class, if so how pimp is that?

Only worth it internationally.

The biggest plus is the space/leg room/ability to really get some sleep. It's also quieter at the front of the plane. Otherwise you get food menu options and unlimited snacks, drinks, and alcohol. The latter is not really worth the price of admission but the former is. And yeah, you may be able to board and exit faster but you still have to wait for your bag like everyone else in coach. In my experience, you rarely benefit from having a "priority" baggage tag.

 

[CVSiN]

I have only flown 2 times, once to Vegas and once to Sacramento. Pretty bad flight record. I think I was in my thirties when I flew for the 1st time. Its cool, leaving John Wayne rocks since they have to get up to speed quickly.

more times than I can count starting at age 5 up to now at 39

family was split half in Texas half in Cali from age 2 up..
they bounced us back and forth for summers/holidays and more constantly.
family also took many trips that required air travel.

Joined the Navy at 17 prolly flew at least 500 times in 10 years.

 

[coxmaster]

Anyone flown first class, if so how pimp is that?

Flew it domestically a few times (free upgrade). Its nice, but I wouldn't pay for it. Never flown international though i hear its better

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Only worth it internationally.

The biggest plus is the space/leg room/ability to really get some sleep. It's also quieter at the front of the plane. Otherwise you get food menu options and unlimited snacks, drinks, and alcohol. The latter is not really worth the price of admission but the former is. And yeah, you may be able to board and exit faster but you still have to wait for your bag like everyone else in coach. In my experience, you rarely benefit from having a "priority" baggage tag.

The leg room etc would be the best reason for me, I doubt I would ever get the chance though. I am not a big traveler.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Is the food as bad as movies etc make it seem? I got some peanuts, cant fuck those up.

 

[amdhunter]

Once, but it hit a building and scared the shit out of me.
I'll never forget it.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Once, but it hit a building and scared the shit out of me.
I'll never forget it.

Most times hitting a building means you never post again, or breathe etc etc.

 

[BoomerD]

Way too many...especially if you count all the military flights on helicopters and small aircraft.
Commercial jets...at least 100...maybe double that. I've never kept track.

 

[Sumguy]

2 round trips, so 4 times total.

 

[olds]

Never been on one.
Been in a bunch of them.

 

[skyking]

Yes, many 6 hour flights to Hawaii and a couple 9 hour flights to UK. Several ~3 hour trips to Mexico. I'd say 18 round trips and a few one ways.
Probably 1000 flights as a pilot, longest of those was 6 hours. I was bent after that one.

 

[njswift10141980]

About 20 all mixed between domestic and international

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Anyone have time on the really long flights, like 12 hours or longer? Those seem like they would be brutal.

Yep, I have a few flights in the 10 to 12 hour range. Fortunately, a couple of those were in business class. :awe:

I couldn't tell you the total number of flights I've been on, as I have no idea. I'd say several dozen.

Anyone flown first class, if so how pimp is that?

We flew first class on the way back from Hawaii. It was worth every penny.

 

[MotionMan]

I have only flown 2 times, once to Vegas and once to Sacramento. Pretty bad flight record. I think I was in my thirties when I flew for the 1st time. Its cool, leaving John Wayne rocks since they have to get up to speed quickly.

I have flown too many times to count, or even estimate. Some of the places I have flown to or from: Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, Seattle, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas City, New York, Syracuse, Delaware, London, Dubai, Athens (Greece), Istanbul, Tokyo, China. I am sure there are others I will remember once I press "Submit Reply".

P.S. Reminded me of this thread (the poll has gone missing!).

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

Anyone flown first class, if so how pimp is that?

I've flown Business Class from LA to London and back twice. It is very sweet. (Business Class on international flights IS First Class. First Class on those flights is Crazy Class.)

MotionMan

 

[Zenmervolt]

Anyone seen Up In The Air? Is 10 million miles realistic?

Consulting in just the continental US I racked up about 150,000 miles a year. At that rate it would take me about 70 years to hit 10 million miles.

However, people who consult internationally and who are jumping around every week can triple that yearly amount without really thinking about it. So in a 23 or 24 year career 10 million miles is possible.

Also, bear in mind that most frequent flier programs award double miles once you hit a certain tier, so frequent travelers would only need 5 million "actual" miles to have 10 million frequent flier miles.

ZV

 

[MotionMan]

Napkin math says at 600 mph, you'd need roughly 2100 8-hour flights.

I'd say in 20 years of heavy flying, it's certainly possible, especially with lots of international travel. Gate to gate, my trip to South Africa was about 23 hours in the air each way.

He also got miles on every purchase because he used miles credit cards (Remember the huge meals he would order?).

He worked the system so that the actual flying miles were only part of the equation.

MotionMan

 

[Schadenfroh]

About 6 times, all domestic.

 

[Powermoloch]

20+

 

[fatpat268]

3 times.
Germany -> Virginia (2 years old)
Virginia -> Germany (8 years old)
Germany -> Texas (10 years old)

4 times if you count helicopters. I got to ride in a Huey back in highschool for a Football Pep Rally. We landed on the fifty yard line and jumped out of the helicopter. Pretty neat experience.

That's it. Kinda of a shame since I love airplanes, but I just don't have a need to travel anywhere. Hell, I haven't been out of the state of Texas since 1996.

 

[MotionMan]

4 times if you count helicopters. I flew on a Huey back in highschool for a Football Pep Rally. We landed on the fifty yard line and jumped out of the helicopter. Pretty neat experience.

To quote myself from the other thread:

I have been on a helicopter a couple times. They are pretty fun to ride in (I even got to sit next to the pilot once) but I definitely felt more likely to die than on a commercial airplane.

MotionMan