Which airlines do you think are the worst?

[GRLMGC]

I hate American airlines. Like, I heard that airlines have stopped feeding customers but I figure they'd at least give you a bag of peanuts or something. Last July, I flew Alaska and Delta and they fed me. American Airlines sold a crappy snackpack for 3 bucks and an salad wrap for 5. Also, the staff was really unfriendly.

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. I've always liked and preferred American, and hated United.

Sadly, for the last number of years, United has been the cheaper airline, and that's the one I have my 60,000 miles racked up on.

Sad, but true.

I also hate Northwest.

I love Midwest and JAL.

And oddly enough, only once have I flown Delta.

[GRLMGC]

4. It was actually Delta I flew on

I just remembered that I had to lay over in Atlanta and that's where they're based.

[devilgrrl]

2. They are all pretty bad these days.

Northwest (Northworst), US Airways (USeless Airways), Delta (don't have a snarky nickname for them), air service in the past decade has gotten really bad all around.

[bbinacan]

3. I hate Southwest

and it's like ya know not so cool. :sarcasm:

Jeez, speak English and spare me this Valley girl junk.

Oh, and airlines have stopped serving peanuts b/c some kids are deathly allergic. A little primer to the parents on these flights. Don't give the kid peanuts. Damn, I hate the lack of responsibility of parents.

[GRLMGC]

5. Are you fucking kidding me?

I said "like" once. I speak the way I speak and you can deal with it. Also, they don't have to serve peanuts. Just some other cheap snack that'll hold you over.

[bbinacan]

50. I apologize for

taking issue with your use of "like". I was out of line.

[REP]

10. Southwest Is Repulsive

Everything about them is bad.

[Fleshdancer]

13. I disagree

I find nothing repulsive about Southwest.

[laheina]

24. They aren't very nice

And you are smooshed into a plane from the 70s.

I didn't really like them, but I've only flown SW four or five times.

[Catch22Dem]

11. Wow, are you trying to be a dick, or just kidding?

I mean, I see the sarcasm thingy, but I'm still not sure.

[bbinacan]

16. Both

I'm in a bad mood. Sorry. I hate a comment that starts out with the word "Like". It makes people look dumb. If you're offended, PM me.

[GRLMGC]

18. Then ignore it nt

[Kerrytravelers]

49. No one knows how to ignore phrasing, spelling or grammar they

don't like. It's amazing what I've seen on DU the past week.

[laheina]

28. "Like" is a vocal pause

used often in California. We have other linguistic peculiarities, but they aren't "dumb," they are cultural.

Everyone in the Generation X generation and younger in CA does it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

31. Sure, and almost everyone in Germany in the 1930s/40s was a Nazi

doesn't mean that being a Nazi is a good thing.

[laheina]

69. While I often criticize the use of absolutes,

and can understand why you would take issue with my use of the word "everything" without a limiter like "almost," what I can't understand why you would bring the Nazis into this issue. Your false analogy, wrapped around a faulty emotional appeal, and delivered ad populum is not only a poorly executed argument, but it is extremely unfair.

[Rabrrrrrr]

70. No, I was taking issue with the idea that because something exists,

and is popular it must therefore be "good" or "acceptable", which is what you were saying about the use of the word "like" - your point was that since it is so popularly used, it's okay.

I merely drew the analogy that in Germany in the late 30s/early 40s, being a Nazi was very popular. Doesn't mean it's good.

Which is why we also have a Constitution, to ensure (theoretically) that a tyrrany of the majority cannot happen.

Perhaps I didn't need to play the Nazi card so quickly, but it's such an obvious and easy analogy, I thought it was fitting to prove my point that just because something is popular doesn't mean it's good or acceptable. I suppose I could just as easily have used the analogy of slavery, women not being allowed to vote, pet rocks, moon boots, or Kenny G, but I didn't.


on a p.s., I don't understand, at all, how you felt I had an issue with your use of "everything". Hell, I didn't even notice it, until you pointed it out. Ah, the vagaries of trying to communicate via typing, without sound or visuals.

[laheina]

73. Easy and obvious--part deux.

"No, I was taking issue with the idea that because something exists,
and is popular it must therefore be "good" or "acceptable", which is what you were saying about the use of the word "like" - your point was that since it is so popularly used, it's okay."

No, my point was that it is a cultural tick, and that while someone on the east coast may not be familiar with it, that doesn't necessitate that DUer drawing hasty generalizations about another user being stupid. I did not mean that many people doing it (or everyone doing it) makes it a cultural-linguistic thing. Not "right," but different than many people are used to.


"I merely drew the analogy that in Germany in the late 30s/early 40s, being a Nazi was very popular. Doesn't mean it's good."

One should never "merely" use analogies to the Nazis. It should never be done lightly--ever. If the discussion was regarding fascist regimes and their policies, and there was a *very* strong parallel, then fine. But the vagaries of valley-girl-dialog do not warrant it.


"Which is why we also have a Constitution, to ensure (theoretically) that a tyrrany of the majority cannot happen."

Now the word "like" denotes a tyranny. Your point may be ad populum, but at least you are consistent.


"Perhaps I didn't need to play the Nazi card so quickly, but it's such an obvious and easy analogy, I thought it was fitting to prove my point that just because something is popular doesn't mean it's good or acceptable."

Obvious and easy, yes--but not fitting at all.

And you keep missing my point. People in CA don't talk the way they do because it is *popular* any more than those in the Southern US do. It is just how they talk. I never said that it was right--it just is. Basing ideas about another person based on social differences is wrong.


"I suppose I could just as easily have used the analogy of slavery, women not being allowed to vote, pet rocks, moon boots, or Kenny G, but I didn't."

None of those are apt analogies either: not to the subject at hand, or each other. Comparing slavery to pet rocks is a little twisted. Not unlike invoking the Nazis in an exchange regarding linguistics, but it was obvious and easy.


"on a p.s., I don't understand, at all, how you felt I had an issue with your use of "everything". Hell, I didn't even notice it, until you pointed it out. Ah, the vagaries of trying to communicate via typing, without sound or visuals."

Actually, I said everybody. My interpretation of your line of reasoning was that I meant that "everybody" does it here, so that makes it okay. You said "your point was that since it is so popularly used, it's okay." Is there really a difference? That wasn't my point--see top of page.

[Rabrrrrrr]

81. I love your constant use

of ad populum.

It's, like, so bitchin'.


There is no difference between something being a "cultural tick" and something being accepted and approved on the sole basis of, as you love to say, ad populum.

I am pointing out that appealing to the old canard of "everybody does it, so it's okay" is wrong. It is de facto wrong, whether it's a linguistic error or whether it's political error or popular music or ignorant fads or theological, philosophical, or scientific wrongness.

The use of "like" as a "pause" is as wrong as the use of "um" or "uh" or "and stuff", no matter how many people are using it. You call it a "cultural tick", but that's just as irresponsible an excuse as "everybody does it so it's okay" or an appeal ad populum.

[Misunderestimator]

43. Like, cool your jets, man.

:eyes:

[bbinacan]

47. My jets have cooled and

I'm in a much better mood today. Sorry for the rant.:pals:

[freethought]

6. I just arrived back from a flight on Northwest.

Soda or juice didn't cost you anything but wine or beer was $5.00. They also had for sale a sort of trail mix for sale - one buck. Not only that they were plugging it like some sort of K-Mart "Blue Light" special. "And for this week, Northwest Airlines is offering trail mix as a snack, usually $3.00, now only $1.00!" It was almost surreal to hear it announced. You think "What? Are they f_____g serious?! What's next? They going to charge me for the Oxygen that comes through those masks that pop down in an emergency?"

Oddly enough the single worst flight I had ever been on was a Swiss Air flight to Geneva. Cramped, uncomfortable, lots of screaming children. I have never seen more people become sick on a single flight.

[SeattleGirl]

7. I usually fly Alaksa

but with the cabin pressure problems they've had lately, I think I'll stay away from them until they get things figured out! :scared:

[GRLMGC]

8. I didn't hear about their problems

I have to admit though, the airplane didn't look too stable, haha

[SeattleGirl]

9. They've had several incidents over the past few months

so on the news today, they said Alaska was going to do an inspection to see what is going on.

[uppityperson]

21. How about-YOU FIRED THE UNION WORKERS and replaced them with

untrained workers? Maybe that might be a good place to start. I always used to fly AK Air, but not no more (I know, improper English, but it is meant to convey a yokle sort of feeling, like we are all just buddies yuck yuck. Sorry, tired)

Edited to add, crashing luggage thingies into airplanes, luggage handlers inside planes stacking luggage getting hurt, people with directional flashlights to get planes into proper ending postition not trained well enough, etc etc etc

[DenaliDemocrat]

77. Ding Ding Ding!!!!

We have a winner. Alaska Airlines replaced their union mechanics with non-union scabs. You get what yo pay for. I don't like to fly Alaska Airlines any longer, but the problem is up here, flights are soooo expensive, sometimes you have to take what you can get. $750 per person when there are five you makes principal shopping pretty tough.

[uppityperson]

22. today's AK Air news story is:

Company that handles AK Air baggage, since unions kicked out.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002826382_webhandlerfight24.html

Alaska handler cited in altercation with United workers

By Seattle Times staff

A worker for the company that handles baggage for Alaska Airlines has been cited for misdemeanor assault after an altercation with United Airlines workers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, an airport spokesman said.

The Tuesday altercation erupted because the Menzies Aviation worker was allegedly driving a "tug," a vehicle that pulls luggage carts, too fast through the United Airlines area, said airport spokesman Bob Parker. A shouting match ensued and the Menzies worker pushed two United employees. One of them fell onto a baggage loading belt.

The incident comes as Menzies has increased oversight of its workers following mishaps at the airport in December and January, including one that involved a Menzies employee crashing a tug into an Alaska jet and not reporting it. The damage caused the plane to depressurize after takeoff.

John Fulford, a Menzies vice president, said the company was investigating the altercation, but stressed that the company has extra supervisors on site to watch employees.

[Blue_In_AK]

55. Isn't that something?

I can't believe all the issues they've had lately what with baggage handlers punching holes in their airplanes and all the pressure problems. We almost always fly Alaska, but luckily we're not going anywhere any time soon.

[Fleshdancer]

12. Northwest is the worst IMO

I've never had a problem-free flight with Northwest and I've never talked to anyone who has had a good experience with Northwest. In fact, I remember talking to a stranger in St. Louis telling me his Northwest horror story. He was a sweet elderly man who was bumped and canceled and patronized so many times during his rare vacation to see his grandchildren that I now refuse to fly that airline because of his story. I can accept my own hell, but not the hell of sweet people like him.

as far as the best, I would say Continental for international because the seats are comfortable and Southwest for domestic because the people who work for Southwest always seem so happy and fun. I fly Delta a lot and like their customer service and the last Delta flight attendant I flew with kicked ass. 5 yrs ago I couldn't stand Delta but my opinion is changing.

And when it comes to a certain message upthread...

Like, Southwest not wanting to, like, kill anyone with peanut allergies is so not a bad thing. In fact, miniature pretzels are much better than the stupid peanuts anyway so get over it.

:eyes:

[GRLMGC]

15. I've heard nastiness about Northwest

My friend flew on it from Wisconsin to CA and there was a horrible delay where they kept the customers on the plane for hours. Also, there was this little elderly lady trying to get her bag in the overhead compartment and the irritated flight attendant helped her, rolled his eyes and said "What would you do if I wasn't here?" That's horrible!

[sakabatou]

19. The only international plane I was on was British Air

and that plane was sweet!

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. I dunno nothin' about them big airyplanes, don'cha see

But I've got several friends in the Midwest who swear by Midwest Express, or whatever it's called. None of 'em ever said why; they just love it.

[sakabatou]

17. Southwest

[Kali]

20. Prarie Companion Airlines - someone JUST e-mailed this to me

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE LUTHERAN AIR IS NOW OPERATING IN

MINNYSOTA..ALSO SERVING VISCONSIN, NORT AND SOUT DAKOTA.

If you are travelin soon, consider Lutran (Lutheran) Air, da no-frills
airline. You're all in da same boat on Lutran Air, where flyin is a
upliftin experience. Dere is no first class on any Lutran Air flight. Meals
are potluck. Rows 1-6, bring rolls; 7-15, bring a salad; 16-21, a main
dish, and 22-30, a dessert. Basses and tenors please sit in da rear of da
aircraft.

Everyone is responsible for his or her own baggage. All fares are by free
will offering and da plane will not land 'til da budget is met. Pay
attention to your flight attendant, who will acquaint you wit da safety
system aboard dis Lutran Air 599.

Okay den, listen up. I'm only gonna say dis vonce. In da event of a
sudden loss of cabin pressure, I am frankly going to be real surprised and
so vill Captain Olson, because we fly right around two tousand feet, so
loss of cabin pressure would probably mean da Second Coming or someting of
dat nature, and I wouldn't bodar with doze liddle masks on da rubber tubes.
You're gonna have bigger tings to worry about den dat. Just stuff doze back
up in dair little holes. Probably da masks fell out because of turbulence
which, to be honest wit you, we're going to have quite a bit of at two
tousand feet, sort a like driving across a plowed field, but after a while
you get used to it.

In da event of a water landing, I'd say forget it. Start saying da Lord's
Prayer and just hope you get to da part about forgive us our sins as we
forgive doze who sin against us, which some people say "trespass against
us," which isn't right, but what can you do?

Da use of cell phones on da plane is strictly forbidden, not because day
may confuse da plane's navigation system, which is seat of da pants all da
way. No, it's because cell phones are a pain in da wazoo, and if God meant
you to use a cell phone, He would have put your mout on da side of your
head.

We start lunch right about noon and it's buffet style with da coffee pot
up front. Den we'll have da hymn sing; hymnals are in da seat pocket in
front of you Don't take yours wit you when you go or I am going to be real
upset and I am not kiddin!

Right now I'll say Grace: "Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let deze
gifts to us be blessed. Fadar, Son, and Holy Ghost, may we land in Dulut or
pretty close." Amen.

[Bunny]

30. HAHAHAHAH!

:rofl:

[BlueCollar]

23. at AA we do our maintenance in house

costs a few bucks more...

but go ahead and fly on the other airplane maintained by the lowest bidder...

your choice...enjoy your free snacks

[GRLMGC]

26. I don't fly that often

and if AA is cheapest I'll fly them. I just don't like the customer service but you don't really have a choice I suppose considering the airlines have the upper hand in this relationship. Could you be more passive aggressive? If you're gonna shit on me you can do it directly, I don't mind.

[BlueCollar]

38. passive aggressive?

I doubt that was my intention.

As to the "airlines hav(ing) the upper hand in this relationship.." I disagree with the premise. You stated clearly that your intent was to fly the "cheapest" and that is your decision to make as a consumer. Low cost is low cost

Here's my thought...You can buy a blouse at WalMart and you can buy a blouse at Macy's. A blouse is a blouse...same as a plane ticket from LAX to DFW on AA or DL or any other carrier serving that route. You, as the consumer get to select which flight you take, at what price and at what level of service.

I apologize on behalf of thousands of AA'ers who work hard every day trying to compete for your business, and I'm sure that every day there is an event where somebody is rude or inconsiderate but I think you're painting with a broad brush.

BTW...what do you do for a living?

edit: spelling

[GRLMGC]

58. You're probably right

The two flights I took on American were different and the second one was more unpleasant. I don't really have the luxury of being able to fly the right airline because I'm a student and I don't have much of an income.

[Madrone]

74. BlueCollar - I always tell people to fly American.

I don't fly much at all - but have more in the last 8 years than ever before in my life. (I moved to WA from MI, so fly home from time to time)

Twice now I've had to fly home for an emergency. The first time was about 4 years ago when my mother found out she had a brain tumor. She was scheduled to go to a hospital in Chicago on a Monday, and didn't know if they'd take her immediately to surgery, tell her to schedule an appointment 2 weeks out, or what. No one knew what would happen. I found out about this the Thursday before this was to happen.

After thinking about it I decided I wanted to go home the Saturday before the trip to Chicago so I could go along. I didn't know what would happen - I'm the only child, and I was afraid not only of her dying but of her not remembering me, etc after the surgery. I hadn't seen her in 3 years, so I decided it was best to go and spend those days with her before the appointment so she'd know I was there and we could spend some time together before she ended up hospitalized. SO...

I called all the airlines. I didn't have a lot of money, and it was short notice. Fares were $1200+ - and I was getting more and more worried. No one would let me take a bereavement fare because she wasn't hospitalized or dead yet. Unbelievable. I had one lady (United) tell me that I should just wait until my mom was in surgery, THEN if she had complications or died (!!!) I should fly home.

Then I called American.

The people I spoke with at American were WONDERFUL. They were kind, compassionate, helpful and understanding. They worked with me in every way they could to get me the bereavement fare. In the end they told me I needed to get information about the hospital she'd be in, and the doctor she'd be seeing and to call them back - as that would be all they'd need. I did that, they gave me the better fare (still almost $600) and then very sincerely wished me and my mother luck and good health. This after every other airline practically insisted on a death certificate before they'd accommodate me at all.

2 years later ...

I get a call on New Years Day from my mother who sounds completely abnormal. Her husband has had a heart attack and is in the hospital. I didn't get to the phone before she hung up so I found the number of the hospital and called them. The nurse gives me my aunt, who is in the waiting room. My aunt tells me I need to come home NOW - a nurse has let her know that my mother must not be left alone, as the phone call is expected to come at any time. It's very serious, he's on life support, and he's not expected to make it.

Fuck any other airlines. I call American immediately.

Same story as before. Kindness, compassion, and sincerity from the person booking the tickets. But this time my flight was delayed leaving Seattle because Chicago was having weather issues. I had a 3 hour layover in chicago, so I kept calm - but after finally boarding the plane and starting to move we pulled over and stopped. The pilot came on and told us he just received word that it would be another hour before we were allowed to take off. At this point - I'm getting worried and anxious. I head to the front of the plane to talk to the airline attendants but before I an get there a guy jumps out in front of me and starts laying into them. I patiently stand there, trying not to cry, and wait for him to get done bitching while the women exercise a HUGE amount of patience with the guy. When he finally storms back to his seat I approached them and said I promised not to go off like the last guy, but I had an emergency at home and needed to be there asap - and I was worried I would miss my connecting flight. What could I do? One of the attendants gave me a napkin w/ a 1-800 number and told me to go back to my seat and call to see if I could make other arrangements. I tried that - but my flight out of Chicago was the last one that night...the next one wouldn't be leaving until almost noon the next day. That's when I started crying.

Later in the flight the attendant that had given me the # came back and asked if I'd been able to do anything. Here I am - totally pathetic w/ fat tears slowly streaming down my face and I tell her that no, there are no more flights until the following day. She was very concerned, and told me not to worry - she'd make sure I got home - which I kind of blew off - I mean, what could SHE do?

When the drink cart came around I asked for a full can of v-8 - as I hadn't eaten and had forgotten to specify "vegetarian" when making flight arrangements. Again - same attendant, very concerned. She shows up a little while later with a TRAY from FIRST CLASS (I'm in the very back row of the plane) and gives me a nice pasta salad they were serving in first class. Wow! That blew my mind. About 45 minutes before we landed in Chicago she comes back to me again and tells me to get up, get my stuff from the overhead bin and to follow her. ?????? Okay........ She leads me to the front of the plane, points to the very first seat in first class and tells me to sit - grabs my bag and stows it in the bin. She then hunkers down next to me and hands me a napkin w/ a phone number written on it. She tells me that my connecting flight has been delayed, and there may be a chance I can make it. She's moved me to first class so I can be the first one off the plane. She tells me to RUN to the gate and try to make my flight. If I miss it, I'm to call the number on the napkin - her cell phone number - and she will DRIVE ME TO KALAMAZOO. (3 hours, one way) !!!!

We land, I stand up to get off the plane and some chick blabbing on a cell phone pushes past me. By this time - all the attendants are aware of what's going on w/ me and the guy standing at the front door shoots the chick a DIRTY look. He looks at me, leans forward and says quietly - "Don't you worry, sweetheart. YOU'RE the first one off this plane." Then he shoots the chick another dirty look. lol

When I got off the plane I found out that my connecting flight had been canceled. Exhausted and defeated I sat in one of the chairs at the gate. Shortly after the last passenger got off the flight attendants appeared. The woman that gave me the napkin came up to me and asked what I'd found out and I told her the flight was canceled. She told me to ask to have my bags pulled if possible and to meet her outside the baggage claim. It would have taken 45 minutes minimum to get my baggage, so I said forget it, I'll pick them up at my destination the following day and I went to stand outside. The flight attendant pulled up and did indeed drive me 3 hours to Kalamazoo where she dropped me off, then headed back to Chicago.

I can't say enough about American Airlines. It will always be my airline of choice.

[aQuArius]

80. Wow! THANK YOU!

It is so re-assuring to hear stories like yours. It is always hard to hear about the "bad-news" that your company is facing (bankruptcy, union strikes & bad publicity). But its stories like yours that makes me proud to go to work everyday. I am so glad you received the excellent customer service that I wish everyone could receive. THANK YOU!!!

[fleabert]

25. I hate all of them except Jet Blue, SW, and Continental.

southwest has been the best consistantly over the last 28 years I have been flying. I started with SW when I was 4, flew by myself twice a year until I was 12, and then an average of three times a year until now. (eight round trips in the last 12 months actually, so my average is probably up to 4) I have seen it all.

of the big ones, Continental sucks the least. of the smaller airlines that don't do international, JB and SW do well, in different markets.

[GRLMGC]

29. I'm going to fly JetBlue this summer

Based in Long Beach, gotta give them my love, haha. I like their ticketing system too.

[Benfea]

27. Space A on military transports.

You don't want to know what it's like to fly in a C-141 across the Pacific ocean.

The military can convert cargo planes for moving large numbers of passengers, but those planes are designed to move cargo, not provide a pleasant ride for human beings. It's loud, bumpy, and for some planes (such as the C-141) they install the seats backwards so that between that and the noise and the bumping you're guaranteed to vomit several times during the flight (and I'm immune to nausea from carnival rides or theme park rides).

[Babette]

66. Oh yeah!! I know all about those....

Flown from Guam to Hawaii. Guam to California. Flying from Guam to Japan, getting bumped in Okinawa and spending three days waiting in the terminal for a space to open up and having to live on beef jerky and pepsi the whole time, counting the rivets on the bare metal floor to try to keep from throwing up, FREEZING, and looking at the big cargo boxes strapped under webbing not 20 feet from you wondering what weapons might be in there.

On the upside, cheap transportation and since I was a kid I really liked the can of Country Time lemonade they gave me.

[GalleryGod]

32. Havent A Clue. Fly free on Delta.

Sister-In-Law is wayyyyyyyy up the Corporate Ladder with Delta:headbang:

[mwooldri]

33. US Scareways for one...

Delays after delays.... overbooked even on the international flights, service on board is nothing like BA, and sorry but the air crew must have been fed the Bush Kool-Aid, they're as cheery as Karl Rove.

British Airways on the other hand - excellent experience all the way through. Even when things go wrong, they do what they can to put things right. It's a darn shame they ceased flying out of Charlotte.

Since then if I have a preference, it's Continental to London via Newark. I can fly from Greensboro rather than driving to Charlotte. Their service is better than US Scareways - but BA is still the best IMHO.

Mark.

[Puglover]

34. Being a 27 year airline employee I'll put on my flamesuit and

weigh in. So tell me, what do you all want for 199.00 rt O'hare-Lax-O'hare? Fine dining and the employees to kiss your ass all the way there? LOL...I would love to see any of you behind a podium putting up with the unbelievable bullshit passengers come up with for 5 min.
Here's a few examples from my personal experience.

1. Snow falling so heavily that they can't keep the runways uncontaminated with fog on top of that so the planes aren't going anywhere. People SCREAMING at me. Ummm take a fucking look out the window folks. :think:

2. A guy grabbing me while I was peeing at a urinal and yanking me back. (I should have peed on the motherfucker) Telling me he wanted to take a gun to all of us. This because he missed a connection.

3. Working the ticket counter and dealing with a long line. A women comes SCREAMING up to me. "Excuse me ma'am, I'll help you in a second." She doesn't skip a beat. "You'll help me now!!!" "Ma am, please calm down and give me a moment" Her..."I'm a nurse and if you or any of your family needed help I'd let you die!" Alrighty then.

4. A guy who I had never seen or dealt with walks up to my podium and sez.."This is what I think of your airline." He proceeds to whip out his pecker and piss on the carpet in front of the podium. Him I called the airport police on. :crazy:

We always used to say there is an invisible ray right inside the airport door that turns normal people into assholes. It's hard work :evilgrin: but it can be alot of fun. I hate rude employees. I could/can be firm without being an asshole and you have to know when to be firm with passengers.

Granted the airlines are in a HORRIBLE state. I just took a 19 percent pay cut. But it's no different then Walmart. You the consumers are demanding low airfares. And when I speak of the consumers for the most part I do NOT mean business travelers. The LCC are having an easier time of it then the legacy carriers and I wonder where it will all end.

[BlueCollar]

35. fellow airline employee

no flames from me

[pink-o]

54. me too, me too

...for the dreaded Alaska in San Francisco. I could add volumes to the stories told by puglover, because I work the counter/gates as well--however, just know the crazies and the hostiles are a very small minority. We remember them like the squeeky wheels, but most passengers are pleasant and enjoy my strange sense of humour. Flying sucks--TSA is a pain, the security check-point should just put poles up for the strip-tease you need to do just to get thru without beeping, crowded airplanes put you in waaaay to intimate of a situation with your fellow human and you've relinquished control of your life for up to 14 hours while you buzz across the glob in a flying lawn dart. So please understand, most of us in the airlines do whatever we can to minimise the agony. Me, I love to travel, hate to fly. I'll ALWAYS have sympathy for you, even if you're having a bad day. As long as you don't get personal with me (doesn't happen very often: I'm a 6'1" amazon woman.)

And as for the peanut thing---you all need to know that some people are so deathly allergic that just the aroma of 150 little bags of nuts being opened in a confined space can send them into anafylatic shock. It's nothing to trivialise--people can actually die.

[Gormy Cuss]

36. The rest of us don't deserve to be treated like crap.

I've gotten many extras from customer service reps over the years simply by being one of the polite and reasonable passengers in the midst of a ticked-off throng.

Consumers have been trained by the airline to seek lower fares by the insanely complex fare pricing structure. If I take a train or bus, there are usually one or two fares (advance purchase discount, and regular price.) If the airlines took such an honest approach I wonder what that would do to the bottom line.

As a long time business traveler I can attest that price sensitivity is an issue there as well. Where I worked in Boston there were some employees traveling to DC every day. We used heavily discounted vouchers, offered to us because the company was a high volume user. When the company couldn't negotiate the discounted rate for National flights we would fly into Dulles. We were also encouraged to stay and play on weekends if that saved money on total costs too.

Is LCC low cost carrier?

[Puglover]

37. Yeah sorry...

I should have written that out.

And I agree, noone deserves to be treated like crap. Period. But when passengers are abusive that really should'nt be surprized at what comes back at them.

[kwassa]

52. I have worked in customer service positions ...

on the other side of the podium. I've seen the crazed customers from the employee side.

That said, I've certainly had some issues with treatment at airline counters, usually from lack-of-explanation from the employees. Mostly it is from being kept in limbo without any explanation on airport delays, or what is currently happening. If you want to get me angry, keep me waiting in a long line and tell me absolutely nothing.

Also, in these days of heavy airport security, the experience is wildly different in different airports. Some are relatively quick and efficient, others just crawl.

[GRLMGC]

59. No doubt customers can be assholes

I don't think that employees should have to put up with abuse but I also don't think they should be rude to customers who aren't jerks. I just take issue with anyone treating anyone badly if the person doesn't deserve it. If the person is an asshole, then the person deserves all the grief he or she can get

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

71. Another fellow airline employee.

No flames from me, either. I don't work in a customer service position, but I fly a lot and I see what the CSAs have to put up with. I couldn't do it.

But everybody wants the cheapest fares, wants to pay less than it costs for that trip just in fuel. Sure, Southwest is cheap, but did you know that they've outsourced almost all of their maintenance for years, long before anybody else did? And that they make their flight attendants clean the airplanes? And that JetBlue is a non-union airline? Sure, they're cheap; they don't pay shit, and now the unions at all the other airlines are forced to take the same shit wages to compete with the LCCs. Ultimately you get what you pay for: Like Puglover says, for WalMart prices, you get WalMart service.

Added: I don't mean this justifies being rude to passengers; that's never OK. But the days of "extras" are gone because of the costs. It's bare-bones for the foreseeable future.

[blindpig]

39. US Air

Two years ago our connecting flight was canceled at the last minute. We were told that no other flight was available yet some fliers were quietly hustled to a side door where another turboprop was waiting on the tarmac. We had to go home to return the next day. Cost us a day of our anniversary trip including a trip to Copan, non-refundable. Then that next day the flight was late, causing us to spend our 1st night in an airport motel in Honduras when we were suposed to be in a jungle lodge. Bastards.

To be fair I must say that the plane which was canceled crashed 2 days later, killing about 20 people. My beef is why weren't we among the "chosen" who were put upon the alternate flight?

[JCMach1]

40. KLM has to be the worst international carrier

the food is :puke:

Virgin Atlantic is also highly overrated...

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

53. I loved Virgin Atlantic.

They were great to and from London. I even got a free bottle of champagne because my tv broke. I didn't care. I was passed out on xanax. They woke me up to tell me my tv was broken.

[Kerrytravelers]

41. Which airline wouldn't let a gay employee who won a contest take his

partner as his guest? That would be my pick.

[Misunderestimator]

44. Wow... which one is that?

[babylonsister]

46. Northwest, BUT... see this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=221&topic_id=28192

[Puglover]

64. Thanks for posting this...

I posted in the original thread on this from down in Mexico where I flew with my partner on a pass. His passes are just as valid as a spouse with NWA. Although I've had DP benefits with NWA for years and KNOW they honor DP with other airlines several of our expert DUers weighed in with what monsters of gay discrimination NWA is. That must be why they have a float in the gay pride parade every year in Minneapolis. :eyes:

I wonder where they are in the thread you post. You always hear these bloviations and then when refuted all you can hear is the crickets.

[babylonsister]

67. Anytime. And I agree; lots of

knee-jerk reactions happen here. My husband works for an airline, so when I first heard about this and Northwest, I was very skeptical. As a company doing business with the public, they really can't afford to discriminate. I'm glad it was cleared up.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

42. I have been underwhelmed with Northwest, and as a Minneapolitan,

I have few options.

But given their labor troubles, I take the other options.

My principal gripe is always cramped seating. I can compensate for anything else (bad food or overpriced beverages: bring own, lack of video: bring books, long flight: bring neck pillow and Benadryl, etc.) but I can't compensate for being squashed into a seat designed for people under 5 feet tall.

In August I paid $299 for 12 months of Economy Plus access on United Airlines. I tried it out for the first time in October when I went to Japan, and I was very pleased. The food was mediocre, and the service was offhanded, but the leg room was great.

I'm going to Japan again in June and most likely to Europe in August, so I'm a United customer for the time being.

(Yeah, I know they're union busters, but they're not in a series of current labor disputes, the way Northwest is.)

By the way, I like the Asian airlines, especially ANA. Even China Airlines, yet the airline of mainland China, is more pleasant than the average U.S. airline.

[Puglover]

65. Lydia

as always the 16,000 MN based employees of NWA who are trying to hold onto their jobs thank you for your fine support.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

68. Ditto.

I've often wondered about the dichotomy between not doing business with a corporation because you don't like something they are doing, and the harm resulting to the rank and file employees, who don't make corporate policy. CEOs don't care; they'll do fine no matter what happens to the company. But what about the employees?

[Initech]

45. I've had some absolutely horrible experiences on American

[Jara sang]

48. UNITED suckes ass

They are with out a doubt the worse. No meal service on cross country flights.

[WolverineDG]

51. I've had bad experiences on almost all the airlines

I've flown, but my personal flight from Hell was CDG-IAH on AirFrance. First, they screwed us up on the jetway. In most airports, the jetway leads you to just one plane & if not, then someone or something directs you to the correct plane. NOT AIR FRANCE! The bastards just stood there & watched while we boarded the wrong tram which took us to the wrong plane. Then, when it all gets sorted out, we finally get to the right plane, only to have THEM blame US for the screw up. We also took off about 2 hours late.

During the flight, they kept the seatbelt light on in coach so no one could go to the bathroom. Finally, the light was turned "off," so I ran to get in line. Wouldn't you know, just as soon as I locked the door, the damn light came back on. One flight attendant came up & started banging on the door, insisting that I get out & go back to my seat. Um, sorry, no, I'M PEEING. :grr: The bitch then yelled at me all the way back to my seat.

I want to point out that at this point, I had been nothing but polite to the crew & I didn't see anyone else being snotty or rude to them either.

But all this is peanuts compared to what happened once we got to IAH. It seems there was a big storm which prevented us from landing, so we circled IAH FOR HOURS. We were diverted to DFW & were told that we could deplane there (THANK GOD) and they would put us on other flights home. We get to DFW & are then told, no we can't leave the plane because (oh get this) THERE ARE NO IMMIGRATION OR CUSTOMS OFFICIALS AT THIS AIRPORT. Those of us in coach, having been incredibly patient despite the abuse perpetrated on us by the flight attendants, revolted. This was pre-9/11 so no air marshalls were available to start shooting passengers. Anyway, the captain restores order, then gets on the intercom & tells us it will be FOUR HOURS before we can leave DFW for IAH. Every passenger with a cell phone whipped it out & started calling Continental & AirFrance (they were code-sharing at the time). I asked the rep when my flight was supposed to land in IAH. I was told "It shows that the flight should be landing in the next 20 minutes." Me: "That's funny, because I"m on the plane & we're in Dallas & the pilot says we're not leaving for another four hours. We've been on this damn plane (sorry ma'am) for almost 24 hours & I just want to go home!" About 10 minutes later, we're told to get back to our seats because we're leaving DFW ASAP.

I found out later that we were diverted to DFW so they could refuel, which they did WHILE PASSENGERS WERE ON THE PLANE. The ground crew wasn't much more helpful or polite. In short, we were lied to, treated horribly--imo it bordered on abuse, & treated incredibly rudely & unprofessionally. I understand that weather delays cause a lot of stress, but that doesn't account for the crappy treatment & attitude we got before & during the flight. I vowed never to fly that airline again & I haven't, even though it cost me a bit more when I went to Cairo.

Any subsequent problem I've encountered has paled in comparison, so I try my best to keep a good attitude & a smile on my face because I know something's going to screw up, but not as badly as that flight.

dg

[pink-o]

56. OMG! That happened to me on Continental...

I was on a flight from IAH (why is it always there? And this was before they named the airport after Papa CIA Bush!) to London and all hunkered down ready to sleep through the whole hellish experience. Suddenly, we're over the Atlantic and the captain comes on the radio to tell us he has a problem with one of his communications modules and we have to turn back. We made an unscheduled landing in Newark at around midnight local time, and get this: WE WERE TOLD WE COULD NOT DEPLANE BECAUSE WE FLEW OVER INTERNATIONAL WATERS AND WOULD NOW HAVE TO CLEAR CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION!!!!! So ***of course*** there were no government officials still at work at midnight--Gawd forbid! They actually made us wait till 8am before they let us off and re-booked us. I mean: we were coming from TEXAS!!! Since when is that suddenly no longer part of the US??? (Insert joke here).

This was 20 years ago, before I worked for the airlines and I was still considered "revenue". But even now when I tell the story to fellow employees and even customs agents, they can't believe the stupidity.

[ThomCat]

57. Horrible experience on American

I flew to Puerto Rico. I use crutches that don't fit in the overhead bin so they get stored in a locker up front. The flight attendants refused to get them for me so I could get up and go to the restroom.

I had to wait for an hour and a half, and 2 other passengers in my group had to insist that the flight attendants get my crutches before they bothered.

:grr:

[DanCa]

60. United the stew insulted me.

I flew United this time around and it was a big mistake. When I am nervous or upset sometimes my hands shake so much I need help with the seat belt. So after I got on board the plane I asked the stewardress if she could help me with my seat belt. She said and I quote "why is your waist to big?" Than I politely said no my hands are shaking because of Parkinsons and I need help to fasten it.
Reluctantly she helped but than said, "I don't think you should get anything to drink on this flight because you may spill it on the person next to you." I didn't know what to say so I just nodded. Oh well at least she didn't correct my grammar.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

61. The absolute best airline is SkyHigh Airlines.

Amazing service, an innovative ticket pricing system, and they have some great accessories for the frequent flyer. Check it out: http://www.skyhighairlines.com

[AzDar]

62. An Inter-island flight on Hawaiian...I saw the Captain eating boogers

before takeoff, and a male flight-attendant flirted outrageously with my husband. For some unknown reason,he handed him a giant sack of about 100 packs of peanuts, and winked. As we were landing, the plane shuddered so that I actually began to PRAY.I burst into tears( shock? gratitude?) as soon as I entered the Terminal...

[AngryAmish]

63. Spirit Air

Next time I'll book one class up and use Greyhound. I'd rather f'n walk.

[aQuArius]

72. Again, I work for American Airlines......

I understand your frustration and I understand that some of our customer service needs some work. However, I hope you realize the point that BlueCollar was trying to make. It is your choice on which airline you fly, probably based on the fare that you pay. I know American tries to be competitive with other low-cost carriers. However, I truly believe that American is one of the best and fair airlines to its employees. American was able to avoid bankruptcy while negotiating concessions with all of its hard-working unions. We have all been asked to come-up with cost-cutting measures and I know charging for food is one of those measures. I really hope that you'll give American another try, just buy some food before you go on-board. I really do hope you have a better experience on American and I would be happy to do whatever I can to make YOU more comfortable. Please feel safe knowing that American does all of its maintenance "in-house" instead of a contractor and saved union jobs by not shutting down any of its maintenance bases since 9-11. My job was cut, but instead of being laid-off (because I am lowest on seniority) I was able to try for a promotion and I got it!!! I am leaving my position that no longer exists but I am going to a department within the company willing to pay me more! I wish you happy travel and if you're ever in DFW, send me a PM and I'll make sure you are treated well!!!!!

[Madrone]

75. aQuarius -

Read my post # 74 about American. I love you guys. :loveya:

[GRLMGC]

76. That's certainly food for thought

I'll certainly take that into consideration when flying. I don't wanna screw over workers and I know that many airlines treat their employees badly. I should not have made generalizations and, honestly, the flight to Boston was not so bad and I wasn't hungry so the lack of food wasn't an issue. I guess I was tired and hungry on the way back to Los Angeles and some of the rude workers just annoyed me. I'm sure the majority of AA workers are very professional.

[aQuArius]

79. I understand everyone has BAD flying experiences.....

And I fully understand the frustrations when traveling. On a lighter note, I "get" to fly stand-by and I had to travel to Vegas for my sisters wedding. However, I was traveling with my two VERY SMALL (ages 2 & 4 at the time) children and had to wait 6 hours to finally get on a flight home to Dallas. Believe me..... after that (HELLACIOUS)) experience, I waited a very long time to fly again.

[Blue_Tires]

78. USAIR

they completely destroyed my garment bag on a trip to Omaha (for a job interview, no less!!)

and i was reimbursed fuck-all

[begin_within]

82. I flew on Cathay Pacific Airlines from LA to Hong Kong, and it was great.

The staff did everything they could to make the passengers comfortable on the 13-hour flight and the food was excellent, for airplane food.

[begin_within]

83. China Southern Airlines had the scariest takeoffs and landings, but

the attendants were very pleasant and helpful. It's just that the pilots are a little inexperienced and the landings are not smooth - very bouncy and one was so rough, the entire planeload of people screamed and then laughed a minute later after we came to a stop.