In-flight Beverages

I'm not a big fan of domestic flights. They're crowded, rarely on time, and most airlines won't give you a tiny packet of imitation Chex mix anymore. You can't even listen to your iPod during the most uncomfortable and unnerving parts of the flight. And God help you if you have your seat leaning back 4 miserable inches during takeoff or landing.

I don't blame the flight attendants. I really don't. Of course, there's always going to be one snotty one out there that gives the rest of them a bad name, but for the most part, they actually want your flight to be as pleasant as possible. But they have rules to enforce. Bags have to be under the seat in front of you. I get it. If shit hits the fan, that lady's 30 pound purse will smack you in the face. But it's just so damn unpleasant.

It's not like an international flight where they feed you (and airline food, Jerry Seinfeld jokes aside, has gotten much better) and you get a complimentary alcoholic beverage, plus various forms of entertainment to keep you somewhat relaxed during a long flight. That's how flights should be. An acknowledgement of the discomfort we're all experiencing (except you lucky bastards in first and business classes) and an attempt at mitigating the awfulness that is air travel. When it comes down to it, it's the little efforts that make the biggest difference in keeping passengers content.

That's why I love the in-flight beverage service. There are few things more refreshing to me than a can of Coca Cola served with a little plastic cup full of crystal clear ice cubes. (Root beer is one of the few things more refreshing, but I haven't seen it on planes in my lifetime.) Coke usually leaves me with a sugary, sticky feeling in my mouth on terra firma, but not so at 30,000+ feet. Maybe it's a psychosomatic thing. Maybe I'm just so desperate at that point for some sort of small nicety that I ignore my usual disdain for Coke and love the heck out of it. Maybe it has to do with enjoying air travel as a child; knowing that it'll never go back to the way it was and seeking to hold on to every happy tradition and memory I have of it. The "why" is not important. The fact that airlines still serve beverages in-flight seems to be their one saving grace as they cut costs, routes, and employees.

I can't take that can of Coke and ice for granted. It's too hard for me to ignore. I usually ask the flight attendant to wake me up for the beverage service if I'm sleeping because I hate the thought of missing the one part of the flight I truly relish.

When those flight attendants come around with that beverage cart, don't pass up their offer. Don't take the drink and leave it sitting on your tray table while the ice melts and you fall asleep. Cherish that drink. Savor it. The way the airline industry is going, it may not be around for too long.

And that's when I'll start taking Amtrak everywhere.