The Brian Lehrer Show Air Travel, Then and Now
Dec 1, 2025
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy advocates for a return to etiquette and dress codes in air travel. Listeners share nostalgic memories of flying from the 1950s and 60s, contrasting them with modern experiences marked by lower fares but also increased stress. Discussions highlight the improvements in flight tracking and safety since the no-smoking ban, while some express frustration over airlines' cost-cutting measures. There's a debate over the relevance of civility in today's travel culture, reflecting on how 9/11 changed security protocols and travel dynamics.
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Manners Framed As A Fix For Air Travel
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged a return to old-fashioned travel manners and dress to curb bad passenger behavior.
- The suggestion conflates individual civility with nostalgia for a bygone era rather than addressing structural airline changes.
Cheaper Flights, Fewer Luxuries
- Brian Lehrer and callers note that flying is cheaper now and smoking is banned, improving passenger comfort and access.
- They contrast lower cost and safety improvements with lost amenities from the mid-century “golden age.”
Smoking Memories And Better Communication
- Sanjivani recalled that smoking on older flights bothered her asthmatic sister and that first-class amenities were out of reach.
- She highlighted how modern flight tracking and texting greatly improved arrival coordination.
