At the risk of starting up more arguments I am posting anyway. I can always yank this this post if I am too inflammatory.
Honestly, I read this thread with my mouth hanging open in absolute astonishment. I cannot believe the complaints I am reading. Does anyone here read their ticket? The airline doesn't HAVE to take you anywhere, and you are subject to their rules when you sign the contract (or purchase the ticket). If you don't like their rules, don't fly. If you want to fly, suck it up and let them do their job. I have flown so many times I truly don't believe I could count the number of flights I've been on. And actually, when a lot of this thread was being written...I WAS ON A PLANE! The only folks I have seen having trouble are the ones who ask for it by being belligerent or trying to do something they shouldn't. I just flew an entire ball team of girls and 6 assorted coaches, managers and parents out and had not ONE issue. Why not? Because we followed the rules. No biggie at all.
Corey, if you don't fly why on earth are you complaining? It doesn't affect you so let it go. Are you in a particularly argumentative mood lately? The last two threads I've read where you posted this much have been rather combative. You haven't been over the line or anything, but it baffles me that in both cases you insist that you are not involved but you continued to argue at length in both threads.
Adillo, forgive me, I didn't thoroughly read the second last page of posts so I may have missed something. I sympathize about your plight with the artificial joints. Is it not possible for you to get a statement from your physician that you might hand the security attendants to prevent some issues?
And as for price, well again, do your research and decide for yourself what its worth to you to fly instead of getting there via another method.
I personally feel so blessed that it is possible for me to see things in this world that would never have been possible for me even 100 years ago. The fact that we can so take for granted such an amazing blessing makes me shake my head. How entitled we are. There are people in the world who will only ever see things within reach of their own two feet, or at the most what a 4 legged beastie can carry them to. I just flew 1000 miles, watched my kids play some really excellent softball (4 games) took them to the ocean, let them sail, let them wander a boardwalk and meet people they never otherwise might have met, all in just 3 days. Some of my girls had never been on a plane before, seen the ocean, or been on a boat. They were so joyous I can't even find the words to describe it to you. Definitely worth the paltry monetary price we paid in my opinion.
I am very sorry if I have upset you folks. I know I come across as being a mom and slapping you on the wrist. I have tried to make my point without being nasty or negative so if I have failed please let me know and I will remove this post. I merely want to point out that in this life, we all have choices and decisions to make. To fly is one such choice and act like we are entitled to something like that bothers me greatly.