We also ordered a drink, and much to my surprise, stirrer was about 7 inches long, made out of stiff plastic with a point as sharp as an ice pick. What a weapon!

I seriously doubt if I could kill or even threaten someone with prohibited small plastic knife. It would probably take a half an hour or so to kill someone, and they would have to cooperate. If someone tried to threaten me with one, I might die of laughter.

You could however easily kill someone with drink stirrer they provided, with a jab in eye, an ear, or throat. This was simply stupid. Why didn't they provide a small plastic straw instead?

Many people are apprehensive about flying under any circumstances, and many became even more so immediately following 9/11. A first time flyer leaving from Newark will have their heart in their throat. Due to noise abatement restrictions, plane must make some severe turns to follow a waterway on takeoff.

Before 9/11 on a another flight, a considerate pilot warned us about takeoff pattern, and told us just before he made turns what was going to happen - not now - it seems that skies are no longer "friendly".

Now with airlines struggling to survive, you would think their service would be top notch to entice people to fly with them - Naw - in my judgement, same old, same old crummy service.

Hey guys, "wake up and smell coffee". These people on plane are your customers. I guess airlines are trying to cut costs, and probably "bailout" by Feds was justified, but if you want them to come back, you better start treating them like customers.

Add inconvenience of having to arrive at airport hours before your departure time, minimum wage security guards who don't instill a lot of confidence, and issuance of a weapon with your drink, I think, like well known sports announcer, I'll consider alternate modes of transportation.

Most of major airlines now offer some sort of notification service, but you have to sign up for it. The same goes for online booking sites like Orbitz or Travelocity. If you’re willing to spend a little time to sign up now you can save yourself a whole lot of frustration later.