ALL ABORD

I'm on the road again and for the first part of my journey I had the pleasure of flying.  I really enjoy flying and even get a kick out of the airport experiences. This trip to Escanaba Michigan began as usual in West Palm Beach at out relatively small PBI airport. The only reason West Palm airport gets to be an "international" airport is because of the frequent daily flights to the Bahamas. We have to do our part to share our tourists with less fortunate but far more beautiful places in the islands. And all the pot heads appreciate a quick run to Freeport for a smoke.
From PBIA I had a sort flight to Atlanta Heartsfield airport which is considerably larger than West Palm.  Atlanta airport is like driving blindfolded through Manhattan at rush hour during the Christmas season.Total chaos and packed with travelers who are all searching for the terminal and gate they need to get to.  Atlanta has about 6 different terminals that are all connected by a train or endless walkways all of which contain confused travelers carrying all sorts of suitcases and/or "carry-ons". All of which are terribly oversized and cumbersome and can inflict the nastiest of bruises should you be unfortunate enough to get within bumping distance. None of these travelers are the least bit aware of their surrounding travelers so it is completely up to you to run the obstical course without being injured. Should you be so unlucky as to be attacked by one of these bulky items you will get the "Look of death" from the owner of the item, as if you are at fault and have some how damaged their property.  The fact that the suitcase or package REALLY should have been checked at the gate and stowed safely in the belly of the plane is not an issue. Why do people have to carry their suitcases and crap ON TO THE PLANE ?  With today's technology you really can be sure that your valued possessions WILL arrive at the same destination as you. Not only are you a pain in the ass carrying all this shit with you but then there is the boarding process that takes twice as long because of the idiots who insist on shoving their 40 pound carry-on into the over head compartment that was originally designed to hold your jacket and maybe an attaché case. Not only does the bag NOT fit but half the little old ladies can't lift their damn bag and must stand in the middle of the aisle searching for a poor slob to lift it for them.
And the airlines do NOT help. Not with the lifting but with them allowing people to bring these huge items on to the plane in the first place. I have mentioned before that it would make so much more sense for the airlines to charge for carry-on's rather than checked bags. Their profits would triple in a month. The airlines, with the exception of my wonderful Southwest, are also idiots when it comes to boarding process.  If a person has chosen a window seat would it not make sense to get them onto the plane first so they don't have to climb over two other people in order to get to their seat? That and the logical move of boarding the back of the plane first so people aren't blocking the aisle putting bags in the over head compartment or having to get out of ther seats to allow the window seat passenger in.
I'm thinking this is all just common sense but I know it gets down to the almighty dollar. If Joe Schmoe buys his Delta super Sky Club Platinum ticket he wants to board the plane FIRST! No matter that he is assured that his special fat seat is waiting for him no matter if he is the first person on the plane or the last.  He is ENTITLED to get on that plane before everyone else.  You would think that by sitting in that seat early and getting bashed in the head and bruised by all the passing carry on crap you would want to board last but oh no, "I am part of the Elite" so I want on first.
It don't make sense to me but then I fly cheap and am always in BORDING ZONE 3, what ever the hell that is.