Not So Auspicious

Not all journeys have auspicious starts.  This is one of those journeys.  Before we left the house we learned our first flight was delayed.  When we arrived at the airport we learned that we would have a mere four minutes to make our connection in Atlanta.  Fortunately we were given alternate flights through alternative cities to make our way to JFK, US city from which we would ultimately make our exodus to Iceland.  When we arrived at the appointed gate at the appointed time for our first flight we found it was lacking a plane.  This scenario would be duplicated at the next airport and at the next gate as well.

Spend any appreciable amount of time in an airport and you'll eventually ponder the question "what hath the invisible hand of the market done to air travel?"  The amenities are egregiously overpriced, but the service is offered by people who obviously begrudge their employment.  Every pleasurable aspect has been carefully examined and wrung out of the travel experience.  To top if off, messages of fear and paranoia are broadcast over the loudspeaker at five minute intervals.

I can't help but to compare this experience to traveling in Asia last year.  The food in the airport was not only reasonably priced, but dare I say, good.  The flight on Dragon air was as pleasurable a traveling experience as I can remember.  It included multiple meals, tea services, and an ice cream course... at no additional charge.  Can you imagine such a dollop of luxury on a domestic flight?  Such customer creature comforts are an extravagance that can no longer be suffered.  It makes me want to warn Asia.  If you follow in our path, in ten years time your air travel will be joyless and soul sucking.  Learn from our example and avoid this fate. 

On the plus side I'm pretty sure one of our flights had the most awesome button ever.  Dawn contests this fact and I did not endeavor to press the button to prove her wrong.  I am confident in my assessment that the middle button is the one you press if you'd like the flight attendant to bring you a top hat.