When I was a kid, I use to love to fly. I’d love to sit in airports and watch people and then get in a big airplane and go somewhere exciting. Now I hate airlines, most airports, and most airplanes. The airlines rip you off every step of the way with their completely random hidden charges and they force you to sit in seats designed for people who are 5’3″ and 95lbs. Airports are poorly laid out, overcrowded hellholes full of overpriced shops and restaurants with crummy parking and not enough seats. Flying has become the necessary evil that exists to get me from point A to point B without needing a boat and a 3 month journey.
I do have to say that a lot of this is probably because, as a diver with my own gear including a fairly professional photography setup, I never ever make it under the allowed weight. But it’s a bunk charge anyway since I’m 70kg and I’m allowed 20kg of baggage. Some big fat bastard who weighs 120kg is also allowed a 20kg bag. Personally, I find this offensive and proof that the airline’s baggage allowance is completely arbitrary.
There should be a maximum weight allowance of, say 120kg for a passenger plus their bags plus their carry-ons. Then you’re penalizing no one specifically while making it look like there’s actually a reason for the overweight charges.
Also I would like to say the San Francisco International terminal is how all airports should be. Ample parking, plenty of space, plenty of seating, good food, plenty of power points for laptops, and a train station. Koh Samui airport is also very nice. Less of an airport, more of a resort. -jp
