How did ppl book flights before the internet?

[Remote]

The level of ignorance in this thread.

 

[Diyhai]

The level of ignorance in this thread.

its a solid question
if you clearly know the answer u just old

 

[Remote]

Boy I’m glad I wasn’t an adult in the 80s and 90s

I know.
It was horrible.

You might have been able to afford college and a house before politicians and the financial industry boosted income inequality, destroyed unions and pensions and globalization sent your job 6,000 miles away. Parties and dinners without everyone taking selfies.

It was awful.

 

[Dafunkdoc_Unlimited]

 

[Zime]

gen z ass nikka

 

[Prince.Skeletor]

Before the internet anytime I would need to catch a flight I would go see a gypsy with a crystal ball
She would tell me all the available flights and if the person sitting next to me would be fat or a PAWG
And she'd book my flight

 

[ThrobbingHood]

I had to explain to my young cousin that we had to actually request music videos, call a girl on her house phone and book tickets to the movies over the phone. My little cousin looked at me like I was Fred Flintstone.

 

[ThrobbingHood]

Remember when being grounded and not being allowed to go outside was actually a punishment?

Times have changed.

 

[Dafunkdoc_Unlimited]

Boy I’m glad I wasn’t an adult in the 80s and 90s

You missed out.....



​

 

[jadillac]

Folks used to go to the airport just to watch the planes take off. There was no real security. You could walk all over without any kind of travel plans

Yep. For all the jokes in this thread, the flying process was easier.

All this bs about me taking my even a piece of lint out of my pocket to walk thru the body scanner, wasn't even a thought.

Also, flying was just very similar to getting a rental car. You just show up get what you want and then go.

None of this waking up at 5am for a 830am flight. Younger posters can laugh but it's really an inconvenience now to fly more than it was for older people

 

[Umoja]

Stupid question.

Common sense should tell you that the middle men you see online would have more of a physical presence before the internet.

 

[skylove4]

You'd walk into the airport, look up at the big board, and figure out where you wanted to go
Then walk up to the window and get a ticket
You could pay cash
You did not have to show any id

If you traveled frequently, you collected a set of catalogs
Like" holiday inn 1981"
You look up the city and state, then phone a hotel long distance to book a room
Next year there'd be a new catalog, and you'd throw the old one away

Travel books were a big industry -Frommers etc
You could read reviews of restaurants, bars, hotels, etc
So you know where to go in a new city
you would visit something called B Dalton at a place known as the Mall to purchase one of these books

Today it is mostly roadside assistance, but AAA used to have a bunch of brochures and catalogs for popular destinations
They would mail you a fat envelop stuffed with travel guides and special offers

Travel used to have a lot more randomness
Your wife would sit there with a highlighter going through all the paperwork
But eventually, we'd just pack a bag and wing it

I'll spare you the stories about travelers cheques
Ill also spare you my first experience with an atm that gave me an extra $5

Are you just using that as a example or were you really an adult in 1981
how old are you bruh

 

[Sad Bunny]

From my great aunt:

“Travel agents; directly to the airlines via telephone. That’s a real funny question. There was once an airline called People Air, didn’t last very long, and you paid when you got on the plane, just like if you were riding public transportation. I only took it between Ny and D C. Travel agencies were brick and mortar businesses. Good question”

“Right! There was only the luggage scan. No shoes off, no hands over your head etc. once a toy gun that had belonged to the original Thaddeus was found in Barbara’s bag. No big deal. You could pack your drugs in your bags, no problem. There weren’t as many black people flying because of cost.”

 

[ThrobbingHood]

Are you just using that as a example or were you really an adult in 1981
how old are you bruh

It’s like you ignored his username.

 

[Diyhai]

Stupid question.

Common sense should tell you that the middle men you see online would have more of a physical presence before the internet.

the thing is before and now you never have to use the middle men
and there are still people that use travel agents
I don't think its a dumb question
I would have to ask someone older this