Just got back from Orlando, Florida, after 6 days in beautiful sunshine and 70+ degree weather, a most welcome change from the miserable snow & cold of Wisconsin. However, I thought I'd share something here. My wife booked our flight (from Minneapolis) and I prepared myself for about 4 hours without a cigarette. The flight was listed as being 3 hours and 4 minutes in length, plus I add about a half-hour on either side (going through Security, sitting before takeoff, sitting after landing, etc.) On our return trip, however, there was a stop in Chicago (Midway). I assumed, OK, no biggie, it'll take about 2 hours to fly there, then when we change planes, I can smoke before getting onto the next one. WRONG......We landed in Chicago, and had to REMAIN SEATED on the SAME PLANE that would eventually go on to Minneapolis! I assumed that if you had a stop in between, you would be on another plane. THEY WILL NOT LET YOU get off to have a quick smoke. As a result , I went six miserable hours without a cigarette, which is something I haven't done since I was 15, and I will NEVER do that again! If you have a stopover, and are a smoker who has tendencies to rip your hair out after 3 or 4 hours of abstinence, BE VERY CERTAIN to check your ticket if you have a layover somewhere. This was one of the most tortuous ordeals I ever had to endure, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It's bad enough that you can't smoke on planes anymore or in most airport terminals. This in itself is inhumane, but to be forced to sit in a plane for an hour when you could have a couple of quick cigs before flying again is pure hell. My rant is now complete.

Sounds like you were flying Southwest, Pat - the Greyhound bus with wings...I know what you mean though. Even with a stopover, if you have to connect to another flight in an hour or less, it can be very hard to find the time for a smoke with security and all that, assuming the airport doesn't have any smoking areas in the terminal, which sadly, fewer and fewer of them do.

I stopped flying forever once they banned smokers. I realize, sadly, most can't or won't do that. Tobacco and alcohol were all that got me through a flight anyway, as I am terrified of flying almost as badly as fatass John Madden.

I gave up flying when they banned smoking. I have wondered if all smokers and their families gave it up if it would open anyone's eyes to the impact it would have.

I see the real problem as it is not fair to children not to take them on vacations that require flying to get there in a reasonable amount of time.

I also believe that if a large number of smokers and I mean very large, don't get together and start avoiding non-smoking businesses and establishments nothing will change.

Even then I don't know if it would really help.

Disney World has become quite unfriendly to smokers. Homosassa Springs (state park manatees) has totally banned tobacco and related products in the park.

Maybe get people together, pick days that smokers to not patronize restaurants, another for bowling alleys, another for non-smoking parks, etc.

The bottom line is get organized in large enough numbers to really have some impact.

I feel that this is happening without organization as you look at attendance figures from the parks, conventions, and beaches.

Who determines where a parent is going to spend their hard earned money, the parent or the children, anyway? The children are on vacation all summer, have various lengthy breaks from school throughout the year and various holidays. Who needs a vacation, the parent or the children?

Why should a working parent sign up for their vacation at a place where they are uncomfortable and treated like a leper?

Children remember "quality time" spent with family and rarely remember times spent at theme parks or vacation destinations especially if their parents did not enjoy the trip as much as they did.

Adults forced to abstain from smoking will not encourage the children to have a good time for more than they are use to abstaining. Once their limit is met, it is time to go. Long lines in the hot sun do not enhance the time of any adult, if they are smokers it is pure torture.

I would recommend to families looking for a real family vacation to rent a motor home and see the country. Another option is tents and sleeping bags. Trials of travel for parents and children are remembered when all participate.

I agree with you but I don't see enough people on any sites that would do the bans, freelance won't work the way I see it.

Need a large group, organized, that can have enough clout to actually wake the businesses up.

Many if not most people do try to accomodate their children.

Another thing that happened on this trip...incidentally to Disney World...Yes, it's true that smokers are forced to find "smoking areas" OUTDOORS "for the comfort and safety of all our guests." I knew this, because I was there in 2004 (and remembered where the smoke areas were). Anyway, a Hispanic lady was resting on a bench with her infant. She had the audacity to turn to me and say, "Excuse me, sir. Could you move? Your smoke is drifting towards my baby." I replied, "You shouldn't be sitting there if that concerns you. This is a smoking area." I moved a few feet, and suddendly, her comprehension of English disappeared, as she didn't respond. Amazing....

On the other note, I'd much rather drive on vacations, but my wife won't travel anywhere by car that's more than about 500 miles from home, since we never take more than a week off at a time. The real challenge will be going to Norway, as we are tentatively planning. The only possible way to do this so I will be comfortable is the following: Minneapolis to New York. New York to Reykjavik, Iceland. Reykjavik to Oslo. In 3-4 hour increments, with ample layovers in each city. Unfortunately, the Concorde is no more. Even if it still was available, the cost is atrocious, anyway.