We really poop our kale for you!

If you told people back then about the TSA, they'd get really excited about the new Orwell book you must be talking about

Fare prices were fixed by the government (no, really), so airlines differentiated themselves based on service. Reagan ended that.

Actually it was Carter, my bad. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airline_Deregulation_Act

Interesting. The quote from Justice Stephen Breyer at the end of the wiki article makes a fair point. Here are a few lines that interested me:

"What does the industry's history tell us? Was this effort worthwhile? Certainly it shows that every major reform brings about new, sometimes unforeseen, problems. No one foresaw the industry's spectacular growth. . . .Nor did anyone foresee the extent to which change might unfairly harm workers in the industry."

and

"So we sit in crowded planes, munch potato chips, flare up when the loudspeaker announces yet another flight delay. But how many now will vote to go back to the "good old days" of paying high, regulated prices for better service? Even among business travelers, who wants to pay "full fare for the briefcase?""

As long as it doesn't drip on the miles of frayed wiring you're fine, you big baby

I'm pretty sure it's as inflated as most commercials are. Nothing was ever really like this, just like you can't actually drive your Ford in the Grand Canyon.

There were problems as with anything.

The one I was on (with ghost bar) I could imagine being like this at one point. Basically it was like they just took out most (or maybe all) of the middle row in first class and replaced it with a bar. There would've been ample room for tables and chairs, but I fail to see the point considering there's probably going to be turbulence. That being said, I would've loved flying in the 70s. Last time I was on a flight longer than however long it is from Portland to SLC, it was before iPhones and apps and stuff, and I got super addicted to the in-flight quiz game on the LCD screen in front of me. I guess anyone can do that now as long as they've got a phone and an app, but it made an 8 hour flight feel like a one hour one. In the 70s, I could drink and smoke.. fuck I would've totally paid for first class.