Myriad ruminations. Random thoughts from the road. Airlines have transformed travel into an expensive exercise in humiliation, inconvenience and institutionalized stupidity. Fellow passengers provide endless opportunities to contemplate the decline of civilization. Common sense has apparently been discontinued, along with complimentary meals and adequate legroom. Everywhere I look, absurdity reigns supreme. These are scattered observations, unsolicited grievances and occasional flashes of enlightenment from a thoroughly disgusted traveler who refuses to stop noticing.