The indignities some First Class passengers must suffer!

[bigvalboy]

Actually, I prefer First Class on Amtrak. In the real world, given the choice of flying or driving, I'll take driving every time. I can travel door-to-door Houston to Dallas by car faster than flying and I get to listen to my own music, take a break when I want to, and have any meal I choose (although restaurants can be few and far between on I-45) and it costs less, too. A couple of weeks ago, I had to make a last-minute trip from Houston to Chattanooga. The airfare was $3,000.00 for coach (round trip). No Thanks! I gassed up the car and drove, non-stop, for 875 miles, did what needed doing, and drove back--all in less than three days time and saved a bunch of money (enough to go on several cruises or continue my wicked ways and hire providers that are well reviewed and well regarded)....

 

What? That seems outrageous....

[bigvalboy]

Only once, on a particularly vexing leg of the Overland Trail. It was raining and I found myself with five strangers bumping along a muddy stretch between Atchison and Big Sandy, where I was to meet an old school chum who, by a remarkable coincidence, was also known as Big Sandy.

 

But I digress.

 

My fellow passengers were, to my left, a traveling purveyor of notions; to my right, a preacher on his way to tend to his flock in San Francisco; and, across the narrow footwell, a matronly older woman and her two even more matronly daughters. When Big Sandy climbed on board a few stops later, with what she considered an adorable Pekingese tucked under her arm, conditions went from bad to worse. The babble was incessant and even a generous sip of laudanum could not settle my jangled nerves.

 

At Plum Creek, where we stopped to rest the horses, I noticed the moon beginning to break through the clouds and shyly asked the coachman if he ever felt lonely perched on his bench in the nighttime stillness. When he confessed he did sometimes wish for company, especially guiding his team past the old fort just ahead, I took pity and offered my own humble yet willing companionship for the hours ahead. The bench was just wide enough for two, and a small pocket in the foot rest accommodated my travel flask perfectly.

 

Big Sandy was grateful for the extra room inside the carriage, as was her little Princess.

 

And Flip, our coachman, told me later that it had been the ride of his life. http://www.boytoy.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

 

http://s3.amazonaws.com/findagrave/photos/2001/222/mccluredougbio.jpg

 

Absolutely delightful....

[Guest Starbuck]

And Flip, our coachman, told me later that it had been the ride of his life. http://www.boytoy.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

 

http://s3.amazonaws.com/findagrave/photos/2001/222/mccluredougbio.jpg

 

Aunt Fancy ... Loved the tale ... Loved the picture ... Love the fact that I am not too old to remember one of the first men who clued me in to the fact that, yeah, men were NICE ... I do believe that's the late (but eternally hunky) Doug McClure.

[bigvalboy]

Aunt Fancy ... Loved the tale ... Loved the picture ... Love the fact that I am not too old to remember one of the first men who clued me in to the fact that, yeah, men were NICE ... I do believe that's the late (but eternally hunky) Doug McClure.

 

 

But Aunt Fancy says his name is Flip.....is it possible you are wrong SB?

[Guest Starbuck]

But Aunt Fancy says his name is Flip.....is it possible you are wrong SB?

 

It's Doug McClue appearing as Flip in the Warner Brothers Production of Aunt Fancy on the Overland Trail.

 

Actors play many roles--they drive Aunt Fancy's coach; they lead boys down the primrose path to ... other boys.

[bigvalboy]

It's Doug McClue appearing as Flip in the Warner Brothers Production of Aunt Fancy on the Overland Trail.

 

Actors play many roles--they drive Aunt Fancy's coach; they lead boys down the primrose path to ... other boys.

 

Oh dear God!!! LMAO.....Now that was funny and very clever SB, and with that, I am heading to bed, hopefully to dream about Aunt Fancy's coachman.

[Lookin]

You guys are good! I didn't watch much in the way of Western-themed shows but every time Doug McClure showed up on the cover of TV Guide, that issue eventually found its way to my teenage bedroom. Didn't know his character's name until tonight. As I recall, he also filled out a pair of breeches pretty nicely. http://www.boytoy.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/whistle.png

[Guest Starbuck]

You guys are good! I didn't watch much in the way of Western-themed shows but every time Doug McClure showed up on the cover of TV Guide, that issue eventually found its way to my teenage bedroom. Didn't know his character's name until tonight. As I recall, he also filled out a pair of breeches pretty nicely. http://www.boytoy.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/whistle.png

 

I think we can safely say that, to most people, he was most famous for playing Trampas on The Virginian. But to you and me and boys like us, Lookin, he was that sexy actor tightly packed into those breeches.

[+ azdr0710]

the indignities of a thread that veers horribly off-topic....

 

 

http://www.pinterest.com/dendie/doug-mcclure/

 

 

http://www.briansdriveintheater.com/beefcake/dougmcclure/dougmcclure15.jpg

 

 

and Clint Eastwood and Doug....(what the hell??!):

 

http://content9.flixster.com/photo/49/32/24/4932247_ori.jpg

[bigvalboy]

the indignities of a thread that veers horribly off-topic....

 

and Clint Eastwood and Doug....(what the hell??!):

 

http://content9.flixster.com/photo/49/32/24/4932247_ori.jpg

 

OK azdr. I was sleeping and got up to get some water, and decided to peek in on the forum...WHAT THE HELL? disturbing image...lol....can anyone say nightmare.

[+ Gar1eth]

Only once, on a particularly vexing leg of the Overland Trail. It was raining and I found myself with five strangers bumping along a muddy stretch between Atchison and Big Sandy, where I was to meet an old school chum who, by a remarkable coincidence, was also known as Big Sandy.

 

But I digress.

 

My fellow passengers were, to my left, a traveling purveyor of notions; to my right, a preacher on his way to tend to his flock in San Francisco; and, across the narrow footwell, a matronly older woman and her two even more matronly daughters. When Big Sandy climbed on board a few stops later, with what she considered an adorable Pekingese tucked under her arm, conditions went from bad to worse. The babble was incessant and even a generous sip of laudanum could not settle my jangled nerves.

 

At Plum Creek, where we stopped to rest the horses, I noticed the moon beginning to break through the clouds and shyly asked the coachman if he ever felt lonely perched on his bench in the nighttime stillness. When he confessed he did sometimes wish for company, especially guiding his team past the old fort just ahead, I took pity and offered my own humble yet willing companionship for the hours ahead. The bench was just wide enough for two, and a small pocket in the foot rest accommodated my travel flask perfectly.

 

Big Sandy was grateful for the extra room inside the carriage, as was her little Princess.

 

And Flip, our coachman, told me later that it had been the ride of his life. http://www.boytoy.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

 

http://s3.amazonaws.com/findagrave/photos/2001/222/mccluredougbio.jpg

 

Dougie was definitely nice- as was Clint Eastwood- but my 'fancy' :o was always for Heath Barkley!!!

 

http://z5.ifrm.com/9060/140/0/p1028735/lee_majors_shirtless_the_big_valley_color_4x6_bv227_094df.jpg

 

Gman

[bigvalboy]

Dougie was definitely nice- as was Clint Eastwood- but my 'fancy' :o was always for Heath Barkley!!!

 

http://z5.ifrm.com/9060/140/0/p1028735/lee_majors_shirtless_the_big_valley_color_4x6_bv227_094df.jpg

 

Gman

 

+1...Love the quiet types. Very sexy, with that hairy chest.

[Steven_Draker]

I was sleeping and got up to get some water, and decided to peek in on the forum

 

Thank you for your regular tweets and keeping the World updated each time you get up at night to pee and fart. http://www.boytoy.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

[+ Gar1eth]

 

http://z5.ifrm.com/9060/140/0/p1028735/lee_majors_shirtless_the_big_valley_color_4x6_bv227_094df.jpg

 

Gman

 

+1...Love the quiet types. Very sexy, with that hairy chest.

 

The producers and directors knew what they had in Lee Majors. I can't even find a shirtless picture of Nick (Peter Breck) on the web although I think there might have been a few episodes where he was shirtless. And Jared (Richard Long) as a lawyer was probably never shirtless except maybe once or twice in the entire series, and I couldn't find an example of that either. In fact probably because it is so old now, but I was having trouble of finding any Big Valley pictures or at least any that I could easily upload.

 

 

 

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cQpT7M648Ew/SpSk5F3ufPI/AAAAAAAAAGI/3jxALlCPqEY/s320/BigValley2.jpg

 

Gman

[bigvalboy]

The producers and directors knew what they had in Lee Majors. I can't even find a shirtless picture of Nick (Peter Breck) on the web although I think there might have been a few episodes where he was shirtless. And Jared (Richard Long) as a lawyer was probably never shirtless except maybe once or twice in the entire series, and I couldn't find an example of that either. In fact probably because it is so old now, but I was having trouble of finding any Big Valley pictures or at least any that I could easily upload.

 

 

 

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cQpT7M648Ew/SpSk5F3ufPI/AAAAAAAAAGI/3jxALlCPqEY/s320/BigValley2.jpg

 

Gman

 

Thanks Gman for researching Lee Majors and Big Valley, I always thought that he and Paul Newman both aged quite well. Even in his later years, as my mom would say, "He cuts a fine figure"

[Guest]

OK, I might not be the most popular respondent person here. I have to say, first class is not what it use to be. Me, I'm a big person and pay extra for first class. OK, I know that people in coach have to go to the bathroom but it seems they have to go very often after the flight takes off, that's just a pet peeve of mine. But what I get upset about is where are the perks anymore with first class. With USAir you're lucky to get pretzels and they almost get pissed if they have to serve you a drink. Delta, a bit nicer, with hot towels, hot food and glass instead of plastic. Am I a stuck up, no, but I pay and expect some first class experiences.

 

As a dedicated US Airways customer, who usually gets upgraded to first class, I would like to set the record straight about the experience in first class on US Airways. The only time you will not be offered an at-will, never empty snack basket is on a flight lasting less than 90 minutes:

http://www.usairways.com/en-US/Resources/images/traveltools/intheair/envoyfirst/FC_Header.jpg

You will even be offered this on regional jets, such as Oakland to Phoenix (although most OAK to PHX flights are on A319s), and, yes, all of US Airways' regional jets have a first class section. The only time you will be offered a plastic cup in first class is the before take-off drink, when you get to watch the hoi polloi do the walk of shame (JUST KIDDING!). I twice flew Delta 1st class this year, and they do the same thing. Once you're up, it's glass glasses, and any flight over 3.5 hours other than red-eyes comes with a choice of hot meals:

http://www.usairways.com/en-US/Resources/images/traveltools/services/whats-new/FirstClassFood_13q1_703x198.jpg

I've never had a problem getting as many drinks as I'd like. In fact, flight attendants have often, without prompting, given me 2 or three Cosmo mixer bags/vodka bottles combos--and will gladly do it if I specifically ask for them. The only issue I've had with drinks is that on transoceanic flights when I ask for a 2nd Courvoisier VSOP cognac, they usually say "OK, but that's our last bottle." Unless I ask them not to, they usually warm the cognac. I usually prefer it cold, because when it's warmed up, it burns my nose when I put it in the cognac glass. Do most of you drink your cognac heated or room temperature?

And while I joke about the 4th row of first class being uncomfortably close to coach, there is a hard barrier between those rows...

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww334/ronen763/P1010216.jpg

[tyro]

Hm. Am I the only one who just goes on Hotwire and gets whatever's cheap?

T

[Guest Starbuck]

Hm. Am I the only one who just goes on Hotwire and gets whatever's cheap?

T

 

You most certainly are not! There are better things to spend extra money on than a seat on a plane, for instance ...

[tyro]

To be fair, though, my right butt cheek falls asleep on almost every flight I take. (The same thing happens if I drive too long, which isn't long at all for most people.) Maybe the cushy-tushy seats are a better investment than I thought.

T

[actor61]

I almost always fly coach on domestic flights but I refuse to on international. In the old days, coach/economy on the 747s to and from Europe and Asia was great. The food wasn't bad and believe it or not, there was ample legroom but now it's just torture, especially in the middle rows that have 4 or 5 seats across. You get 31 inches of space, no recline, disgusting meals and you have to stand in line for the toilets. There are very reliable sites online for discount Business and First Class seats. I used one last year and got Business Class round trip Los Angeles/London for less than $3,000; the fare on the airline's web site was $4,800. I go to Europe once a year to visit family, and I save like crazy so I can sit up front, have real glass, real china, real silverware, a lie flat seat, lounge privilieges and extra baggage allowance. Some people splurge on escorts, I splurge on Business Class!

 

A lot of the international carriers now have Premium Economy or Economy Plus. I've flown Premium Economy on Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Air France and United. The fares are generally about $1,000 more expensive than normal coach. You get about 4 to 5 more inches of legroom in a small private cabin and a little extra baggage allowance but the food comes from the coach galley, the utensils are plastic, there is no lounge access and it's not worth it. On British, not only do they charge you extra for their Premium Economy but then you have to pay to preselect your seat unless you wait until 24 hours before your flight. Then it's free but usually all that's left is the middle seat in the back row. Qantas and Air New Zealand have the best Premium Economy cabins but they don't go anywhere I need to go!

[Tighty]

I almost always fly coach on domestic flights but I refuse to on international. In the old days, coach/economy on the 747s to and from Europe and Asia was great. The food wasn't bad and believe it or not, there was ample legroom but now it's just torture, especially in the middle rows that have 4 or 5 seats across. You get 31 inches of space, no recline, disgusting meals and you have to stand in line for the toilets. There are very reliable sites online for discount Business and First Class seats. I used one last year and got Business Class round trip Los Angeles/London for less than $3,000; the fare on the airline's web site was $4,800. I go to Europe once a year to visit family, and I save like crazy so I can sit up front, have real glass, real china, real silverware, a lie flat seat, lounge privilieges and extra baggage allowance. Some people splurge on escorts, I splurge on Business Class!

 

A lot of the international carriers now have Premium Economy or Economy Plus. I've flown Premium Economy on Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Air France and United. The fares are generally about $1,000 more expensive than normal coach. You get about 4 to 5 more inches of legroom in a small private cabin and a little extra baggage allowance but the food comes from the coach galley, the utensils are plastic, there is no lounge access and it's not worth it. On British, not only do they charge you extra for their Premium Economy but then you have to pay to preselect your seat unless you wait until 24 hours before your flight. Then it's free but usually all that's left is the middle seat in the back row. Qantas and Air New Zealand have the best Premium Economy cabins but they don't go anywhere I need to go!

 

I kind of like premium economy on international flights as well. Amazing how a few inches would do. My seatmate no longer bumps into my arm. And the people seems more civilized. Lots of people on economy behaves badly. I only wish I have infinite budget to ride first class all the time.

[Frequentflier]

I almost always fly coach on domestic flights but I refuse to on international. In the old days, coach/economy on the 747s to and from Europe and Asia was great. The food wasn't bad and believe it or not, there was ample legroom but now it's just torture, especially in the middle rows that have 4 or 5 seats across. You get 31 inches of space, no recline, disgusting meals and you have to stand in line for the toilets. There are very reliable sites online for discount Business and First Class seats. I used one last year and got Business Class round trip Los Angeles/London for less than $3,000; the fare on the airline's web site was $4,800. I go to Europe once a year to visit family, and I save like crazy so I can sit up front, have real glass, real china, real silverware, a lie flat seat, lounge privilieges and extra baggage allowance. Some people splurge on escorts, I splurge on Business Class!

 

Actor, I view this topic similarly. I have been 1K on United for many years. I'll take free upgrades in the US but won't pay for an upgrade domestically or buy a First Class seat. I'd rather see the cash in my bank account (or my year end bonus) and First domestically isn't what it used to be so no need to pay for inferior value. And for International, Business First. I flew Lufthansa economy/coach once and it was actually quite good. Real food, free alcohol, decent seats with room. They even make everyone put seats upright for meals and lock them in that position until the trays are cleared!! United's Business First International is getting better but Lufthansa Business is still better.

 

I overall don't see a "better class" of people in First Class versus economy. One cannot really "buy class". Many of those in First Class are free upgrades, or using miles, and many have no manners, dress poorly and think the plane should be renamed for them during the flight. Flip/flops and shorts on a man in First Class pisses me off (doesn't matter if he's good looking or not). Don't like it much in Economy either but it disappoints me less. I fly so often I can tell a First Class cash buyer from an upgrade in a second. If someone is upgraded and is "normal", that's great. If they are upgraded and offensive I'd much prefer they toss his/her ass off mid flight. Just not an "all hat, no cattle" type of guy like some. Some may not realize it but there are lots of multi millionaires in Economy.

[Steven_Draker]

One cannot really "buy class". Many of those in First Class are free upgrades, or using miles, and many have no manners, dress poorly and think the plane should be renamed for them during the flight. Flip/flops and shorts on a man in First Class pisses me off (doesn't matter if he's good looking or not). Don't like it much in Economy either but it disappoints me less. I fly so often I can tell a First Class cash buyer from an upgrade in a second. If someone is upgraded and is "normal", that's great. If they are upgraded and offensive I'd much prefer they toss his/her ass off mid flight. Just not an "all hat, no cattle" type of guy like some.

 

+1

 

"There are some things in life money can’t buy – for everything else, there’s Mastercard"

[Tighty]

I don't mind people wearing sandals or such as long as they leave me alone, that means don't bump into me! Don't yap in a loud voice or rush to get in the plane as if its the last plane out during the fall of Saigon. I swear people bring so much shit on their carry ons and fight for overhead space. One time I saw a guy carrying a shopping bag containing nothing but folded shopping bags. Another time I saw a luggage within a luggage. He went over the weight thus had to reduce content and that's how I saw it. Lol.

 

Oh during the summer I'm one of those bums that wear flip flops and walking shorts even on international flights. Try wearing slippers once and you won't go back!

 

Uhhhhhhh I'm suffering bad karma. I can't even get an economy seat for the date i want on Cathay for the Xmas season. Premium economy sold out.

[+ purplekow]

I always go first class. well I sit in coach but I take some first class sedatives with a first class anti anxiety agent and a first class headset and I wake up where I need to be. I dont need to spend a $1000 to be comfortable, just a few bucks on first class drugs.

 

Allow me to add, at no other time do I take these so they usually work very effectively. I usually try to take the last flight out at night or the first flight in the morning. For the morning flight, I usually stay up all night the night before and am ready for shut eye. What is that horrible sound in the back of the plane? Is the engine falling off? Is the landing gear stuck? No it is Purplekow grabbing some ZZZZ's and oblivious to the world inside the flying tin can.