The Absent Uncle: Advances in travel

My wife and I are in the midst of a trip to California to see old friends and her family. Plus, the adventure of her 55th class reunion in San Diego.

As we were planning the trip and making arrangements, I reflected on the incredible changes/advances in travel. 

When I was a young guy, our family didn’t take vacations, other than visiting distant relatives occasionally, and those generally were within a hundred or so miles of the Southwest Minnesota family farm. 

My first airplane ride was to fly to San Diego for the U.S. Navy boot camp in 1971. What an experience! Of course, all arrangements were made by the Navy, and after multiple stops along the way we were met and transported to the base – all planned and executed (I am sure) on a daily basis.

After that, I was pretty much on my own. 

I remember having to work with a travel agent, usually in person, who would assemble the possibilities of what was available from the area you were in to points close to where you wanted to go. Dates, times, and what airlines were dictated by what you wanted to do. Very few competitive choices or timing choices were available. Pretty much – this is it. 

Then you had to figure out how to get to the departure point, and the transportation from the arrival airport to the ultimate destination. Parking lots, car rentals, and shuttle services just didn’t exist in those days.  

Bit by bit, advances were made.   

Until today, most arrangements are made online without any personal assistance from the companies providing the service. From suggestions on computer browsers, to comparing prices, hours of service, and the amenities to choose from, it is really quite amazing to have seen the progress in a lifetime. 

Today’s youngsters will have all of these fantastical tools to start off with; I wonder what progress they will note when they look back on the changes in their lifetime. (And I pray the changes are good and positive)