True, both parts. I just don't remember flying ever being as little fun as it is now. As expensive, yes, before deregulation, but now it's usually a PITA from start to finish. All the security, obviously. And they would rather gnaw off their own arms than give you even peanuts or pretzels, much less a meal. The last time I flew down here they announced at the beginning of the flight that the snack cart would be coming down the aisle if you wanted to buy a snack for $6. Bags of potato chips, stuff like that.

And if possible, the rental car companies are even worse. Pretty soon we are going to have about three of them left. Avis has merged with Budget, Thrifty will Dollar. And it's sure not budget, thrifty, or a dollar. The only thing that has been saving me at all has been has been John Ryan's tip to use Priceline for rental cars. Otherwise they're hitting you for over $50 a day with all the new surcharges.

Heading home in the morning, probably the last flight for a while. I feel badly about messing up here but need to focus on getting back on track.

>They're running a business Mike and they need to make as much as they can. You have a choice to pay or not.
>
>Be good for you to be home and start over.
>
>>I can't honestly think of an airline that is fun to fly on any more. They're all losing their shirts and gouging customers any way they can think of. Today I changed my flight home from the 12th to tomorrow and they nailed me for another $240. That's a little steep to take the same flight, not full, on a different day.
>>
>>>I read/heard recently that they even charge you £5 for printing off your own e-ticket ... at home!
>>>
>>>I wouldn't fly with them for all their penny-pinching.
>>>
>>>>Ryan Air are planning to charge for use of in flight toilets on their planes.
>>>>
>>>>http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jun/02/ryanair-airline-oleary-toilet-charge