posted on March 22, 2001 11:06:52 AM new
Just got back from an extended weekend business trip to Orlando. Of four flights, all four were delayed, up to two hours. In flights last November, I got to be resident guest at DFW for over 7 hours, always being told that the delay would be no more than 30-45 minutes. All this courtesy of American Airlines who gets my vote for the worst service (mind you, I will give them credit for friendly ticket agents and pilots who have to live with all sorts of crapola).
posted on March 22, 2001 11:13:07 AM new
Well, isn't that special and they are buying TWA now they can be polite and screw up internationally. The way airline passengers are kept in the dark and held in planes on runways is horrible, if we were animals the Humane Society would be all over them. Thank goodness my days of necessary air travel are done, my heartfelt sympathy to you. Hurry up and wait.
posted on March 22, 2001 12:10:35 PM new
Great - I am leaving Seattle Saturday for a business trip to Orlando and my scheduled flight arrives at 11pm - delays etc. could be a real nightmare. I am flying SW and so far have had pretty good luck.
Used to fly a lot and the only airlines I absolutely hate is United.
posted on March 22, 2001 12:19:11 PM new
The airline that will have my undying emnity is UNITED... I HATE THEM!
They completely screwed my return from Hawaii last summer, and I spent the entire time I had with my family in CO trying to get our bags back (one which we didn't get back until our return to London) and buying replacement clothing for four of us with $100 (yeah, right!).
The staff were incompetent, rude, appalling and whatever other negative adjectives you can think of. They SUCK!
We wore badges on the final leg of our return flight saying "Don't Fly United". Yep, they had me marked as a troublesome customer, but I sure as hell wasn't going to let them get off without some protest.
I will NEVER fly United again. I don't care if Denver is their hub, I will use ANY other airline before I will put myself in their hands again. And neither will my children. They will remember the holiday that United ruined.
So what do I do with their stupid "compensation" flight vouchers?
posted on March 22, 2001 01:06:07 PM new
Delta. The worst. It was United that let us on their flight to come home, because Delta tried to pawn off the plane they brought us back to the airport in, due to engine failure, as a NEW plane. They forgot that we passengers could see the black smoke still on the engine covers, but insisted it wasnt the same place. So I went to United and begged them to bring us home (myself and family), and they made room for us.
posted on March 22, 2001 01:27:55 PM new
I used to fly every week for about 13 years. I knew where was the best place to bed down in all the airports, Logan, O'Hare, Atlanta, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Anchorage, Dallas... I sure don't miss that mess. I guess my least favorite airlines would be the one with the best departure record... the way they get that record is they'll load the plane and as long as it pulls away from the gate on time the departure is listed as 'on time'. They don't mind making folks wait on the runway for 45-90 minutes while the mechanics tinker with a problem.
Basically an airplane is a claustrophobic inducing restaurant serving nasty food with some real uptight and snotty waitresses.
My dad makes me look like a homeboy, he was commuting to Beijing from Mississippi once a month for years (18 hour flight). But nothing matched his adventures in Peru, when flying from Iquios to Lima at one point the passengers were given a rubber hoses to breath oxygen when they had to get enough altitude to cross the Andes. He did that routine every two weeks for about 2 years. He never told my mom about it till they left Lima, she probably wouldn't have understood.
posted on March 22, 2001 02:12:34 PM new
America West has been ugly every time I have tried them.
My worst single flight was on United - My best single flight was on United
Worst defunct carrier - Frontier - Brought out a blasted sledgehammer and a block of wood and beat the door shut when the Stew couldn't get it closed - (I'm not making this up)
Another time - Frontier pilot came out after landing shaking his head. Found out that the props would not reverse (Maybe) next time we were to land. They flew in a one-toothed mechanic from Tulsa and you could see him rapping his knuckles on the panel in the cockpit - came out and gave us the big "thumbs up". The next landing that trip was F U N.
posted on March 22, 2001 06:45:01 PM new
Which one do you want to hear about? The times the luggage didn't arrive when we did? Or, the time the luggage was stolen? Or, the time items were stolen from the luggage (locked)? Or, the time the "just a little turbulance" made the Magnum Roller Coaster at Cedar Point look like a kiddie ride? Or, all the mystery meat meals? Or, the cancelled flights and re-routing through the worst airports (another topic)? Or, being on an international flight that makes and unexpected over night stop for repairs...they kindly put you up for the night, but your luggage is "checked international" so you don't see it? Granted, if the plane is in need of repairs, I'll happily stay on the ground..but, please, in the terminal and not sitting onboard for hours on end. Being herded like cattle and fed peanuts/pretzels is just another of the reasons I rather drive if at all possible.
posted on March 22, 2001 06:48:20 PM new
None that really stand out-but my vote for best goes to Southwest. Friendly, usually punctual unless weather interferes. And the best safety record in the business.
posted on March 22, 2001 09:13:25 PM new
mivona-
I'll take your vouchers!
I only fly United. One time, because the ticket was cheaper, I went USAir. Yuck!! Not very friendly and had a very rough ride.
I travel every summer with United and haven't had a bad experience...yet...
posted on March 23, 2001 02:34:11 PM new
A Navy transport jet flying on one engine and the flight crew preparing the passengers to ditch in the ocean.
As for airlines, y'all haven't really flown until you fly THY(Turkish Airlines). I mean, there's nothing like having the pilot leave rubber as he takes off and lands...
