How did people buy plane tickets before the internet?

HarryCaray · Apr 28, 2015

Not sure why I was thinking about this today. Just amazed at how important smartphones have become to our lives.

So before apps and Expedia and the internet, if you wanted to fly somewhere what did you do? Did you literally call the airline (after looking up the # in the yellow pages) and shop for tickets on the phone? And then they told you the price, you agreed, and then paid with a credit card and they mailed you the paper tickets? And if you lost the paper tickets you were fucked? What if you didn't have a credit card, you had to send them a check?

The whole thing is just mind-boggling to me.

mountain · Apr 28, 2015

HarryCaray said:
Not sure why I was thinking about this today. Just amazed at how important smartphones have become to our lives.

So before apps and Expedia and the internet, if you wanted to fly somewhere what did you do? Did you literally call the airline (after looking up the # in the yellow pages) and shop for tickets on the phone? And then they told you the price, you agreed, and then paid with a credit card and they mailed you the paper tickets? And if you lost the paper tickets you were fucked? What if you didn't have a credit card, you had to send them a check?

The whole thing is just mind-boggling to me.

Travel agencies, they hooked us up for everything. Used to be dozens in the city back in the day

wilbur · Apr 28, 2015

HarryCaray said:
Not sure why I was thinking about this today. Just amazed at how important smartphones have become to our lives.

So before apps and Expedia and the internet, if you wanted to fly somewhere what did you do? Did you literally call the airline (after looking up the # in the yellow pages) and shop for tickets on the phone? And then they told you the price, you agreed, and then paid with a credit card and they mailed you the paper tickets? And if you lost the paper tickets you were fucked? What if you didn't have a credit card, you had to send them a check?

The whole thing is just mind-boggling to me.

I called Tri State Travels and gave them a check

HarryCaray · Apr 28, 2015

WTF you guys serious?

I vaguely remember travel agents. So did that profession pretty much go the way of the milkman and polio?

HamGlaze · Apr 28, 2015

How did we go about knowing and verifying things prior to Google and the internet? I mean, did we actually believe other people's bullshit if they sounded believable?

festeringZit · Apr 28, 2015

I rarely if ever used a travel agent. You'd just call the airline over the phone, and they'd mail you the tickets, or over-night them if need be...

HarryCaray · Apr 28, 2015

festeringZit said:
I rarely if ever used a travel agent. You'd just call the airline over the phone, and they'd mail you the tickets, or over-night them if need be...

So they could just tell you whatever fare they wanted? I'd imagine it was hard to comparison shop.

"OK, $250? I'm gonna call some other airlines and call you back."

Weird

wilbur · Apr 28, 2015

HarryCaray said:
WTF you guys serious?

I vaguely remember travel agents. So did that profession pretty much go the way of the milkman and polio?

I would still use an agent in case something gets fucked up,they have to fight not you.
Internet isn't great for everything.

HarryCaray · Apr 28, 2015

wilbur said:
I would still use an agent in case something gets fucked up,they have to fight not you.
Internet isn't great for everything.

Seriously? I book a flight in 60 seconds using 3 clicks, knowing I got the best price. It's tied to my frequent flier number and my itinerary is now on my phone. Then I use the airline app to check in with about 4 button touches and have my boarding pass on my phone. Stores my preferred payment method(s) so I can upgrade seats, buy wifi pass, or check bags with one click.

No tickets to worry about, just bring my phone which I will always have.

I can't imagine choosing to do it any other way. And you pay these people? For what? Just in case shit hits the fan? You can't handle it yourself old man?

hno:

HamGlaze · Apr 28, 2015

20 - 40 years from now they/we are going to wonder how we were able to get by with the way we do things now.

wilbur · Apr 28, 2015

HarryCaray said:
Seriously? I book a flight in 60 seconds using 3 clicks, knowing I got the best price. It's tied to my frequent flier number and my itinerary is now on my phone. Then I use the airline app to check in with about 4 button touches and have my boarding pass on my phone. Stores my preferred payment method(s) so I can upgrade seats, buy wifi pass, or check bags with one click.

No tickets to worry about, just bring my phone which I will always have.

I can't imagine choosing to do it any other way. And you pay these people? For what? Just in case shit hits the fan? You can't handle it yourself old man? hno:

I flew Delta in 1984

RoofTop · Apr 28, 2015

HarryCaray said:
Seriously? I book a flight in 60 seconds using 3 clicks, knowing I got the best price. It's tied to my frequent flier number and my itinerary is now on my phone. Then I use the airline app to check in with about 4 button touches and have my boarding pass on my phone. Stores my preferred payment method(s) so I can upgrade seats, buy wifi pass, or check bags with one click.

No tickets to worry about, just bring my phone which I will always have.

I can't imagine choosing to do it any other way. And you pay these people? For what? Just in case shit hits the fan? You can't handle it yourself old man? hno:

We used to be able to carry pocket knives on planes. We didn't have to takes half our clothes off going thru metal detectors. We were not packed in like sardines like planes today.

HarryCaray · Apr 28, 2015

HamGlaze said:
20 - 40 years from now they/we are going to wonder how we were able to get by with the way we do things now.

I know it. Crazy thought.

wilbur · Apr 28, 2015

HarryCaray said:
Seriously? I book a flight in 60 seconds using 3 clicks, knowing I got the best price. It's tied to my frequent flier number and my itinerary is now on my phone. Then I use the airline app to check in with about 4 button touches and have my boarding pass on my phone. Stores my preferred payment method(s) so I can upgrade seats, buy wifi pass, or check bags with one click.

No tickets to worry about, just bring my phone which I will always have.

I can't imagine choosing to do it any other way. And you pay these people? For what? Just in case shit hits the fan? You can't handle it yourself old man? hno:

I've got your old man, punk!!!

Slapping-silly90))

Want more?

kth)(&^

Done yet?Loser!@#0

HarryCaray · Apr 28, 2015

RoofTop said:
We used to be able to carry pocket knives on planes. We didn't have to takes half our clothes off going thru metal detectors. We were not packed in like sardines like planes today.

Yeah I remember the easy security. I remember when smoking was allowed on airplanes. I'm not THAT young. It's just when I flew then I was a child and didn't book my own tickets so I never really thought about it.

I remember when online check-in (and bringing your printed out boarding pass on an 8.5x11 to the airport) was new.

Vlad the Impaler · Apr 28, 2015

HarryCaray said:
WTF you guys serious?

I vaguely remember travel agents. So did that profession pretty much go the way of the milkman and polio?

You cans still make money off of polio but few and far between. MS is the new polio.

RoofTop · Apr 28, 2015

I know, picking up a phone and making a reservation is so painful.

Vlad the Impaler · Apr 28, 2015

MS
Cerebral Palsy
Severe strokes
Muscular Dystrophy
ALS
Any neurological disorder

The old folks love to smoke so make money from COPD and emphysema as well. They all have arthritis. Neuropathy is a good one. Put the fear of God in them about falling.

Oh yeah, lots to be made

This one old lady. Her chart said she smokes 3 packs a day and has for 50 years. LOL. It was like lobbing one over the plate.

HamGlaze · Apr 28, 2015

Vlad the Impaler said:
MS
Cerebral Palsy
Severe strokes
Muscular Dystrophy
ALS
Any neurological disorder

The old folks love to smoke so make money from COPD and emphysema as well. They all have arthritis. Neuropathy is a good one. Put the fear of God in them about falling.

Oh yeah, lots to be made

This one old lady. Her chart said she smokes 3 packs a day and has for 50 years. LOL. It was like lobbing one over the plate.

WTF is your major malfunction?

HarryCaray · Apr 28, 2015

HamGlaze said:
WTF is your major malfunction?

He's making a serious run at most annoying poster.

Getting close to demanding a re-vote, consider PR has chilled out (and never really annoyed me in the first place).