The real insult of commercial air travel started well before political terrorism gave excuse to the terror of bad service and manners. The old White Star Line failed miserably to protect it's clients on R.M.S.Titanic, but at least the orchestra dressed in tails and provided music. I used to fly the old PSA airline from San Francisco to L.A. on frequent leaves home. I became good friends with Wilheminia, a senior attendant. 'Willie' thought I was hopeless , dressing in uniform when it was unpopular, bringing her flowers from Market Street, reading some half forgotten author inflight and commenting how the cloud cover over the lights of L.A. looked like the Peter Pan ride at Disnyland. But she always reserved my seat over the wing by the emergency door and knew how I took my $1 whiskey. Willie perished in the San Diego crash and I stopped flying soon after. Airport security is vulgar, but no less than the behavior of people driving to that same airport. Motorcars were once seen as an elegant escape from crowded trains and dusty carriages. Now they are T.V. wrestling mentality armoured cars with insular environments the envy of NASA. I've taken to walking again. I carry a proper brit 'brolly.' God have mercy on any surly dog, neon swathed Lance Armstrong wannabe or self indulgent Cellphone Borg. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />