I remember when..............

Flying was an exciting event, and expensive, it was a privilege. First you noticed the aroma of kerosene, coffee, and cigarettes. There was no 'jetway,' you climbed stairs from the tarmac, in all kinds of weather. You wore your nicest clothes. The stewardesses were friendly, young, and beautiful. At 10 years old, my folks had no problem putting me on a plane unaccompanied and changing planes. Airline tickets were paper with carbon copies. The pilot would show a kid the cockpit if there was time. Food was served....there was a smoking section. One leg of the trip might have been on a jet with a mind-boggling cruising speed of 600 mph, with loud screaming engines that left trails of black smoke...but the other flight(s) were likely to be on a prop plane.