With the latest draconian restrictions on air passengers now including a warning to keep mobile phones charged lest they be mistaken for an IED, it's time to reminisce once more about the "Golden Age Of Flying"™.
When men came out of the womb already dressed in starched suits, and women didn't let a little feminism get in the way of their mini skirts, when you could smoke yourself silly on a six-hour flight, and airline food came on starched linen.
But was it really a golden age? And would you be comfortable with the security measures that were in place in the 1950s?
Airlines: Now vs Then
1950s: Fly from New York to London - for £1482(01 of14)
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2014: Fly from New York to London - for £211(02 of14)
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1950s: Not all luggage was checked(03 of14)
2014: Security includes baggages checks and body scans(04 of14)
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1950s: Metal detectors were declared to be useless(05 of14)
2014: You must declare 'dangerous' substances - even if that substance is a lipstick(06 of14)
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1950s: You are way more likely to die in a plane crash(07 of14)
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2014: You are pretty safe up there(08 of14)
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1950s: Inflight entertainment = Postcards(09 of14)
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2014: Inflight entertainment = In-flight Wi-Fi, movies, music, games, digital shopping and maps(10 of14)
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1950s: Smoking and drinking are positively encouraged(11 of14)
2014: Smoking and drinking is banned or limited(12 of14)
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1950s: Food was fine dining(13 of14)
2014: Trays of reheated gunk(14 of14)
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