This is the point at which I stop flying

Nothing says comfort like standing for four hours on a plane:

The airlines have come up with a new answer to an old question: How many passengers can be squeezed into economy class?

A lot more, it turns out, especially if an idea still in the early stage should catch on: standing-room-only "seats."

Airbus has been quietly pitching the standing-room-only option to Asian carriers, though none have agreed to it yet. Passengers in the standing section would be propped against a padded backboard, held in place with a harness, according to experts who have seen a proposal.

I don't know about you, but I'm not into bondage, and the idea of being strapped to a backboard and held in with a harness is just a bit too Hannibal Lecter for my taste.

Apologies to my far-flung family members, but when it gets to this point, you'll have to live with phone and e-mail, thank you very much.

Snakes on a plane indeed.