Thanks chaps; easyflyer for not reacting more strongly; PAXboy for reinforcing what I have been trying to bear in mind throughout.
Times are hard; but when a round trip of 24 hours or so in that tube leaves you lamenting the realization that in about 45 years of flying you have never felt less welcome and more of an object, a rethink is necessary.
There are airlines (Asian?) that I know have not sunk so low. But do I fancy going via Dubai?