Airlines should abandon idea of standing-room-only passengers

ALL the glamour of airplane flying flew out the window years ago as passengers were subjected to a variety of embarrassing disrobing procedures at security, limited food options, charges for luggage and the inevitable jostling for physical space on board.

There is no end to the insults of flying, as at least two airlines consider a new way to cram more people onto airplanes: standing-room only. One carrier in Europe is considering the idea; so is one in Asia.

Hang onto your ... well, please find something to hold onto. Spring Airlines, a relatively new carrier touting itself as China's first low-cost airline, is seeking authority to adjust some planes to allow for stand up "seats," reports USA Today. Passengers securing such a slot would stand during the flight and pay less.

Ryanair of Ireland is also considering configurations with passengers strapped to stools or railings. Ryanair chief Micheal O'Leary cannot be taken lightly. He has also discussed plans for charging for restroom use and making overweight passengers pay more.

Passengers who fly in the U.S. can look at these lower-than-low-cost airlines and be glad they don't fly too often in foreign airspace because U.S. regulations do not allow such configurations.

"The regulations ... are very specific, said Les Dorr, spokesman for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. "Everybody above the age of 2 has to have a seat or a berth."

There is no wiggle room in the old-fashioned definition of a berth. Everybody needs a strap-in seat.

Whew. Flying is flying — all the good, bad and ugly of it. Standing on a plane or even a stool for four or five hours, after paying for luggage, and eventually for the bathroom, is too ugly to contemplate.