If you can afford it, flying private is the way to go

Flying across the country used to be fun. It was an adventure people anticipated.

Before 1978, people often wore business attire for the occasion. Great service, along with on-time arrivals, were taken for granted.

But like everything else, times change.

Now flying can be drudgery and even downright miserable. There's the difficult airport parking, twohours-before-flight-time security lines, on-and-off mask mandates, unruly passengers, stressed flight attendants, tight seating, lost luggage, missed connection flights and numerous last-minute cancellations.

Some have given up on airlines altogether, while others have discovered the convenience of private jet services. As airlines become more intolerable, private jets have taken off in popularity among those who can afford them.

One of the more popular planes for cross-country travel is the Gulfstream G650. It's quite an engineering marvel and can compete with the best of passenger carriers. A number of services rent these jets to you. One is Clay Lacy Aviation out of Los Angeles.

Lacy is best known for having the first private jet charter company, which was established in 1968. There's a local area interest in that he has owned a home in nearby Groveland's Pine Mountain Lake. His company has dozens of jets for rent, sale or lease.

A cross-country trip in a Gulfstream G650 is one you won't forget. Take a Stockton to Washington, D.C. round trip, for example.

First of all, there's no waiting or security line issues. You avoid the commercial terminal by using the local jet center. Prearrangements have the plane waiting - ready for use when you are.

Like most private jets, you enter by fold-down stairs on the port side near the front of the plane. A look to your left finds the cockpit with the pilot and copilot checking a modern instrument panel that's covered with little screens. It looks like a video control room. Gone are the days of the old round mechanical flight gauges.

Just to your right is a small galley with a sink, ice box, refrigerator, microwave and a couple of rows of glasses. Some are champagne and others crystal-like tumblers.

Straight ahead is a lavatory normally used by the crew.

The first thing you notice as you turn right, walk through the galley and into the main part of the fuselage is the roominess for a private plane. A six-and-a-half foot ceiling means no ducking for most. Seats are wide a face each other. They are in single arrangements, along with one set of 2+2s near the aft.

Seats are wide, comfortable and covered with hand-crafted beige leather. Each has a power control much like your car with various positions but also included are recline and massage. Other switches control the window shades, lights and air. Push another button and most seats have large fold-out tables for working or eating that eject out of panels on the wall. There's a couch in the middle of the plane opposite a 42-inch flat screen TV. Apple TV is available with some charter companies.

“Goodie” drawers are located under the television with snacks, such as chips and peanuts. An assortment of chilled wine and champagne is also present. A flight attendant is available to handle any of your personal needs.

In the aft is a private cabin with another couch, chair, small vanity and commode.

The plane can handle at least 16 passengers, depending on the interior arrangements of each $65 million-dollar-plus aircraft.

With its two Rolls-Royce BR725 engines, the G650 can take off in a relatively short 5,800 feet. It can land in only 3,100 feet. The flight experience is smooth, comfortable and quiet with a cabin noise level of just 47 decibels. Continuous clean air gives passengers a comfortable breathing and refreshing experience.

When arriving at Washington's Dulles International Airport, you again avoid the crowds and hassles of the main terminal. The private jet center is clean, comfortable and quiet. You might even meet a celebrity waiting or relaxing for his or her next trip.

Since you've REALLY gone firstclass up to this point, there's no need to take Uber or a shuttle to your final destination. Why not have a limousine service waiting for you at the jet center? Doesn't this sound great?

There's only one drawback to traveling this way, and that is of course, the cost. Rising gas prices have not made things any easier. Prices differ depending on the charter company and a number of other variables. But for the trip I just described with a three-day layover, you can expect to pay around $175,000 — give or take a few thousand.

Now you could mortgage the house, have a wealthy compadre, or bring several of your everyday friends along. If you can convince 15 others to go along for the ride, you're only talking around $10,939 apiece. That's really not bad considering all the money you just spent on that new electric vehicle — right?

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