It doesn’t have to be a nightmare

“NIGHTMARES at 30,000 Feet” [Her World, Oct. 29] by Susan Spano really touched a chord.

Since 9/11, I have tried to take more of it with a grain of salt.

A small example: On Aug. 10, I was traveling to LAX from JFK. We boarded liquid- and gel-free.

After they had 300 or so of us boarded and did their cross-checks, the entrance door would not close.

Two hours were spent trying to fix it, three hours more for another plane to be located and driven up to the gate, cleaned, stocked and all of us re-boarded. A six-hour trip became an 11-hour trip.

Except for being dehydrated, it was a small inconvenience in the scheme of things.

It is truly a new world.

CHERYL GENIS-MARKHAM

Irvine

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I couldn’t believe what I read: Spano herself causing a nightmare. She traveled with a fever and heaving stomach -- on a plane, sitting next to others whom she might infect.

To paraphrase her: She behaved badly and can’t expect to avoid punishment.

ARLENE MANEMANN

Tustin

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I would have thought that Spano, being a travel “expert,” would be experienced enough to know that traveling in coach in the bulkhead seat always puts you with children and that most flight attendants these days don’t want to be bothered with crying or ill-behaved little ones.

I have discovered that flying in business class or above not only gives you comfort but also the attentiveness of the flight crew. Any babies in those cabins are usually not a problem.

I am not a wealthy snob but an underpaid registered nurse who has learned that you get what you pay for. Accruing miles, being flexible with travel dates and being willing to pay a little more will make your holiday much more enjoyable.

There’s nothing worse than spending your vacation worrying about how bad the flight home may be.

C. SCOTT

Oak Park