Scott McCartney charted the highs and lows of flying for 20 years in his column. Here’s what he’s learned along the way.

Scott McCartney
Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
Scott McCartney is the author and creator of the weekly Middle Seat column on airlines and travel in The Wall Street Journal, as well as the Middle Seat Terminal blog.
Mr. McCartney has been on the airline and aviation beat for more than 18 years and makes numerous radio and television appearances. He was part of the Journal’s team that won the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news reporting for coverage of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. His transportation coverage in 2000 won a George Polk award and the Deadline Club award from the New York City Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2003, The Middle Seat was named the best online column by the Online News Association. It has consistently been one of the most popular features on the Journal’s Web site.
He is the author of four books, the most recent of which was ``The Wall Street Journal Guide to Power Travel: How To Arrive With Your Dignity, Sanity and Wallet Intact.’’
A native of Boston and graduate of Duke University, Mr. McCartney spent 11 years with The Associated Press before joining the Journal. He is an instrument-rated, multi-engine private pilot, and lives in Dallas.
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As Scott McCartney wraps up his time in the Middle Seat, he looks at the many ways that travel has worsened—and the few things that have gotten better.
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