Last September, the twin hurricanes caused $25,000 in damages to my house. In November, the insurance company was offering me $3,300, so I cashed in my 50,000 frequent flyer miles with Delta and went to Europe. I took the insurance company to mediation and eventually got $19,000, but that didn't happen until May. I had not flown a U.S. airline to Europe in over five years, favoring British Airways. Below are a list of my comments on the flights.

Trying to get a free flight with Delta to Europe during the summer can be challenging. I called them in January (can't do it on the Internet) and told them I wanted to go anywhere in Europe--yes anywhere. 45 minutes later they were able to get me into Rome on June 12--not June 9 like I wanted. I accepted. 45 minutes later they told me they could get me out of Berlin on July 6. I accepted. Warning. Don't call on your cell phone. I was on hold for 1 1/2 hours.

PBI to Atlanta on Delta.

If all of the airports were like PBI, it would be a perfect but boring world. Check-in was easy except for the lady working the line who kept telling me you can check in automatically. I had to tell her twice I had an International flight. Driving to PBI was much easier than driving to Miami which I had to do when flying BA. I arrived early and they recommended that I stand by for the earlier flight since a tropical storm had gone by and flights were late. I got the last seat on a MD-88 plane and flew carry-on. Believe it or not my suitcase did find a spot on a full plane as I was the last person to walk on. I had the window seat with no window. Wally didn't like that. I had the smell of the toilets--It wasn't me.

Atlanta to Rome on Delta.

The flight was 30 minutes late due to waiting for people on late flights. Free earphones, a blanket and a pillow were on the seat as I arrived on the plane but there was no toothbrush or toothpaste. Delta used a 767-300 on the flight. During take-off they played commercials on the large screen television at the front of the economy section. Flight attendants came by with a piece of paper with the menus. The food looked good on paper. BA used to have a written menu but didn't last year. They started the movie but with the FA blocking the screen for five minutes during food and beverage service, I lost interested. Wally's suggestion: start the movie after the food carts are finished. BA starts their entertainment with the BBC news. Drinks were $5.00 and people were buying a lot. Wally's suggestion: hand the FA a 50 Euro note. Chances are she will return it saying we can't change it and the drink will be free. I had free drink coupons and tried to use all seven. Only used five.

Dinner was chicken or beef with the smallest plastic fork and knife. Drinks were served in plastic cups. BA put my wine in a glass and used real tableware. Americans are used to plastic but Europeans are not. They gave out free Italian newspapers but not free U.S. newspapers. Breakfast was very small; crossont coffee and juice.

Once arriving in Rome, I had to wait one hour to get my passport stamped. So much for flying carry-on to save time.

The flight attendants were very friendly and smiled often. The only time I was annoyed was when the fasten seat belt sign had been on for two hours and the flight attendant announced on the PA loud at 2:00 in the morning, "please check the security of your seatbelt," and woke everyone up. Well, at least it wasn't "would you like any duty free items."

Delta did try to turn off the fasten seat belt sign 30 minutes after take-off but had to put it back on soon after and pretty much kept it on most of the time.

There were no threats from the Delta staff like you can't drink your own alcohol or don't interfere with us. The head rest needed a protective cloth cover. It looked dirty and I thought of critters crawling in my hair. Even the European trains had that.

Next: Ryan Air Pisa to Barcelona Girona.

I took the train from Rome to Pisa for the day because the Ryanair flight out of Rome was at 6:00 a.m. and they use the other airport. Taxi fare would have been very high. I climbed the Tower of Pisa for 15 Euros. Walking around the top of the tower felt like I had too many drinks. You can walk from the train station in Pisa to the airport but I took a taxi for around ten Euros. Warning: Ryanair weighs your checked bag and if it is over 20 Kilos, they charge you 7 Euros for each Kilo over. Suggestion: Wear your heavy clothes and place your heavy articles in your carry on bag. Don't let them see you do this or they will weight your carry on bag which can only be 10 kilos. The plane arrived at 8:05 and left at 8:30. They had 25 minutes to turn around a 737-800 aircraft with 184 people. They boarded through the front and the back of the plane with the first 50 people who checked in boarding first. Seating was open with the last people on the plane getting middle seats. The flight was full.

There were four young flight attendants. The two ladies wore heals and skirts. The men wore double brested jackets and ties. When the plane took off (5 minutes late) the men's jackets came off and they had a raffle. No free food but for 30 Euros ($36) what does one expect. They sold food and duty free items but there were few takers. The plane had leather seats but no magazine bag. Emergency information was on the back of the headrest. For a short flight, I felt I had enough room. Six minutes after take-off, the fasten seat belt sign was removed but I waited a few minutes to use the toilet because it was still unsteady. The fasten seat belt sign came back on 13 minutes before landing and all four of the flight attendants walked up and down the isle checking to see that everyone had their seatbelt on. A very young, professional crew. After landing at the airport, I purchased a bus ticket to Barcelona for 11 Euros, waited five minutes for my bag and walked to the bus. It took about 1 hour 20 minutes to get from Girona to Barcelona, but for the price, well worth it.

Air Berlin from Zurich to Berlin.

Air Berlin used an older Fokker 100 for the flight. I paid 54 Euros for this flight on the www.airberlin.com website. I was bused out to the plane and walked up the stairs to see a very pretty flight attendant with a tray a candy greeting the passengers. What a nice touch! I took my reserved window seat with a full leather seat and plenty of leg room. The two flight attendants passed out a free newspaper, sandwich and drink. Bier was 2 Euros and Wein and drinks were 3 Euros ($3.65) They even had a selection of drinks with Red Bull for 5.50 Euros. Eight minutes after take-off, the fasten seat belt sign was removed. 14 minutes before landing it was turned back on with both flight attendants checking everyone's seat belt status. Flight attendants told to take seats three minutes before landing.

Both the male and female flight attendants wore a jacket, vest and tie. Very, very professional. Would I fly this airline again, you bet! But if the airline goes broke, both flight attendants can always become models.

I had to show my passport in Berlin Tegel airport because Switzerland is not a EU country. Purchased a bus ticket for 2 Euros from the airport to Zoo Station in downtown Berlin with continuing connections on subways and buses in Berlin. Can anyone think of any city in the world where you can connect from the airport to downtown for just 2 Euros ($2.40)?

Continental from Berlin to Newark.

This was the flight I had dreaded for five months. Flying across the pond on a 757-200 aircraft with $5.00 drinks, no free drink coupons and an airline that usually keeps the Fasten Seat Belt sign on--well that isn't BA. But things were a little different.

I arrived at Tegel airport two hours before the flight. Check in was a Gate 1 and 2. There was a long line at Gate 1. Three people worked behind the desk checking in customers. Ten people (yes, I counted 10!) worked the line. One check someone's bag, others asked security questions and wanted to see passports and E-Tickets. Most just stood there. Security questions included; do you have any electronic devices, have you had them repaired recently, are you bringing anything back to the States for someone or someone else? The questions went on for ten minutes. Another person took my passport from the line and returned ten minutes later. The line didn't move for 30 minutes with people cutting into the line. (It looked like there were two lines.) Then someone else wanted to see the passport. I said, he has it." I showed my passport at least five times getting on the plane. Once I got the boarding pass I was told to go to security as the line was forming. In front of security was another person asking if anyone had given me anything to take on the plane. I explained that I had already answered these questions. She replied, no I want to know if anyone gave you anything when you walked from getting the boarding pass to security. I said, that only took one minute, no. Going through the metal detector I asked if we were taking off shoes. He said it doesn't matter. I walked through and there were no beeps. But then, he ran the hand detector up and down my body, my belt, shoes, I took out the coin from my pocket and then he placed his hands two inches down my underware in the back and front and said there's nothing down there. Wally didn't like that! I beg to differ. When I got to the gate the sign said Boarding, but that was incorrect information. The flight attendants soon arrived--six for a 757-200 aircraft.

The plane was delayed 30 minutes because the security questions took so much time. Free German and U.S. newspapers, a plus. A female flight attendant chewed gum during the safety instructions and looked at individual passengers without a smile. It reminded me of watching the cows chew grass in Switzerland.

There were many empty seats near the front of the plane. The person in front and behind me had the entire row to themselves. I had the middle seat empty. 15 minutes after take-off the FA announced the "fasten seat belt sign was still on." 32 minutes after take-off it was turned off for 22 minutes. A foreign airline will always remind people to pull the window shade down during the movie and bring your seat up during meals. Both Delta and Continental did NOT do this. Since seats do not go back very far, people need to be reminded.

The meal was served with real silverware--not plastic. I liked the idea of using a see-through curtain between the Business Class and Economy Class. If someone tries to get in the cockpit, I'm going to try to serve my country. Also, I noticed that there were not individual tv monitors in Business Class and the seats were not flat in Business. I asked the FA if this plane is usually 1/3 empty and his reply was we have weight restrictions, but I've seen the flight full and we still make it without running out of fuel. I asked another flight attendant if it was true that Continental never turns off the fasten seat belt sign. His reply was often this is the case for night flights but during a day flight the pilot should turn it off for a few minutes. They turned off the fasten seat belt sign for four hours straight!! BA usually has the sign on for the first ten minutes and the last ten minutes. But everyone gets up when the Fasten seat belt sign is on when your on a Continental flight. The FA lock the bathroom doors before sitting down for landing and take-off.

I liked the tv monitors on the Continental flight (they pull down from over the seats) where Delta had a projected TV monitor and unless your in seat B or F it is hard to see. Continentals monitors are smaller but of better quality.

A small snack was served before landing. Very few people purchased alcohol for $5 or 4 Euros. Alcohol is very cheap in Berlin. You can buy a Bier at Burger King for 1.75 Euros. The Continental staff made no threats like drinking alcohol not served by a flight attendant is forbidden or Interferring with us . . .

Actually, the flight wasn't that bad with all of the empty seats, but check-in; they need to work on that.

Newark to PBI on Continental.

Passport Control was very quick at Newark but I had to wait about 25 minutes for baggage claim. This is something I had forgotten that I would need to do since I usually fly BA and it is not necessary to recheck the bag. I always have to go through security again in London (Heathrow) as I did in Newark. This time they didn't stick their hands two-inches into my underware. Wally appreciated that.

The full flight on the 737-800 was one of the tightest seats I have experienced since flying Easy Jet from Athens to London Gatwick. My knees touch the seat in front of me. The pilot came on several times to say we are expecting turbulence and we will be keeping the fasten seat belt sign on. Forty minutes before landing he said it again and said I hope you will all observe the fasten seat belt sign. Personally, I noticed more turbulence on the Atlanta airport people mover.

Would I fly a U.S. airline again to Europe?

For $40, sure. But seriously, I missed that free glass of wine in a glass--not plastic. I like an airline that reminds people to sit up during meals. People actually clapped their hands during landing in Rome and Newark. I had not heard that since flying to Athens in 1991. I like the individual tv monitors that BA and other airlines have and the larger number of channels and often the movies are not edited so much. I don't like all of the interruptions that U.S. airlines make when you are sleeping. FA's should walk up and down the isle and check the seatbelts--not announce it. I don't like the plastic tableware. And did I mention the $5.00 drinks? Flying on a U.S. airline is a three star--not a four star experience. But I will keep checking prices and I'm willing to pay $50 more to fly international. See you in December, British Airways. I will let you know if I get upgraded for free.

Many of us CO regulars have been wondering if the 757-200 has enough range to do TXL->EWR. The answer seem to be "not quite". CO is retrofitting some with the blended wings, but even those may not make TXL->EWR non-stop with full load all the time. I think this is a serious problem.

But news is that CO will be installing advanced audio/video systems on its 757-200. But right now, no. CO's BusinessFirst is never a flat seat. They don't recline to about 172-degree. The seats differ a little among 757, 767 and 777, but the dimensions and recline angle are similar.

Check-in and security is a disaster at TXL, regardless of what airline you fly. My parents flew LH TXL-FRA-US two years ago, and the whole terminal jammed was full of people with lines that do not move. So much for German efficiency. It was really the lowlight of their otherwise great 5 day trip to Berlin.

For comparison, I flew CO's new Bristol, UK flight, also on a 757-200. Probably more passengers on board than yours. No problem with check-in, security and boarding.

My guess is that since the TXL flight just started a few days ago, these new hires at the airport don't know all the rules yet. And keep in mind that the security people (not those behind the check-in counters) are not CO employees, but airport or German federal agents.

BTW, I have never flown a single flight where the FA tell people to raise their seatbacks during meals. Zero. Not US, not European, not Asian.

I don't know why you find the 738 uncomfortable. They have standard seat pitch and the planes are new.

I have some more comments on security and flights to the US.

It's really not unusual to have to show your passports and answer questions 5 times. Depending on airport setup and security level. I beleive you flew before the London bombing, but it doesn't matter. Very often they'll have extra security for any flights coming to the US.

Now, this is what's common. Some one check to see if you have passport and reservation before letting you into the line. Then at some airports, they have to search checked luggage before they let you to the check-in counter. I had that in Hong Kong flying UA a couple of years ago, and I saw that at Edmonton last week. Then the check-in agent needs to see your documents. The regular airport security checkpoint. And then sometimes for US-bound flights, another one right before you board, or if they have a seperate waiting area for your flight, right before that.

So, 5 checks is not out of ordinary. And I would advise you not to ask smart-ass questions, as they can easily pick you for a thorough search of all your belongings.

Blame it on TSA policy, blame it on knee-jerk reactions of Americans on security. It is a real hassle flying back to the US sometimes.

And my dad really thinks TXL is a disgrace to the German people. He's live in Germany for several years and spoke German. He couldn't believe the mess at Tegel, and it wasn't a major holiday or anything.

I must agree about Tegel. With three airports in Berlin, the halls are narrow at Tegel. Even when the Fokker 100 flew in, the baggage claim area was tight.

British Airways and Iceland Air both made the comment to "sit up during meals."

A few generalizations here, don't you think?

For example, I've heard the request to reaise seat backs during meals a couple of times, but there was no pattern at all as to US vs European carriers -- neither does (or doesn't) do it consistently.

Similarly, what's this about "all the interruptions that US airlines make when you are sleeping"? Again, I haven't noticed any pattern here. I must say, don't recall normally hearing a routine seatbelt announcement during the night, only one when there's imminent turbulence. And in that case, doesn't it make more sense to announce it and people react quickly than to have the attendants to check hundreds of passengers, quite a few of whom are sprawled about, visible only by disturbing aisle seat passsengers anyway, and/or covered by blankets?

It's not that I think US carriers are so great, it's just that in my experience on Lufthansa, BA, Air France, SAS, KLM, etc., longhaul in economy is hell regardless.

Entertaining read, Wally!

2 small remarks:

1) Pisa airport has its own train station, you most certainly can't walk there from downtown Pisa - hence the 10 Euro cab ride from there to the airport.

2) Meridiana flies from Florence (the "real" Florence airport) to Barcelona (again the real deal) and also has affordable one-way fares starting at about EUR 100 all in.
www.meridiana.it

3) Air Berlin doesn't charge for drinks - at least non-alcoholic ones. I'm also surprised that you were bussed to your plane in Zurich, as all Air Berlin flights generally dock at terminal E.

Andre

I guess that was 3 remarks, actually ;-)

Andre

The drinks were free unless you wanted alcohol and then you pay 3 Euros. When I'm cheap, I go for the 100% juice. Tomato, Apple--Tomatos are considered one of the top five foods for men. Much of the cranberry juice is only 15% juice so why get it. As for sodas, why drink them, they make your bones weaker.

I think the train station and the airport in Pisa is walkable, but only if you don't have any luggage. But if flying those budget airlines in Europe, be carefull about those early flights when public transportation is not available or you will be in for an expensive taxi ride.

Wally,

Never odered alcoholic drinks on Air Berlin, so didn't realize I would have had to pay for them - thanks for that info!

Although I've never flown to Pisa airport myself, all info I have ever seen - including the aiport's own web site - states that there is a train station directly AT the airport. This is a separate station from the one in the town of Pisa proper (which I've been to BTW).

According to the aiport website, the train station is located all of 40 meters from the terminal:
http://www.pisa-airport.com/sat/cda/...mp;idSection=3

Hope this helps,
Andre

Wally-

Question about CO 757-200's IFE screens- you say they pull down from over the seats- how does it work? Every other row has a screen, every row, every third row, each seat has their own...? Just curious b.c that's the plane type my Co flight from EWR to BFS is on.

ColeraineCutie - CO's 757 has a screen that drop down from the ceiling every about 3 rows, on each side of the plane. So, 9 people watch one screen. It's motorized and is controlled by the flight attendant. You don't get to choose what's on it.

The CO security people at TXL are most certainly NOT airport employees or federal agents. Most if not all US carriers sub-contract those security checks to third party contractots, many of whom are US based, and so those are the people you're dealing with. US carriers have these in place for additional security - mainland European airlines usually don't have them.

Also keep in mind that TXL was designed & built in the 50's for West Berlin, for which it was perfectly adequate even in the late 80's, when there few flights out. Each gate is self-contained, and has its own check-in counters and security equipment. It's not possible to walk from gate to gate without going "completely outside". Now, since it serves the entire city of Berlin + outlying areas, of course it's bursting at the seams. The new BBI (Berlin-Brandenburg International) airport is in the works, but don't count on it for another few years...

Wally-just an FYI. Things have changed a great deal in ECONOMY (especially) on US airlines going overseas since 9/11.Real silverware is still used up in front with glassware;newspapers (both US and of the country you are flying to) are on board but are offered to First/Business class passengers first-thus ONLY Italian papers were passed in ECONOMY to you as that was all that was left. Things like toothpaste/brushes are not real common these days in ECONOMY either-only up front.Breakfast in ECONOMY is usually a continental breakfast on most airlines-Alitalia served that to me a few months ago to Milan.(Remember you just ate dinner 6 hours earlier?)Its a shame that you did not fly into London-these days there are no knifes on the meal trays at all.Times are a changing, Wally-I am pretty impressed that you got a free trip to Rome and Berlin using your miles in summer.

I found it interesting that on the Delta flight from Atlanta to Rome I was given plastic tableware but on the Continental flight from Berlin to Newark I was given silverware. Could it be the caterers? and not the airlines? BTW, the plastic knife was probably sharper then the hard knife.

Also, I have had omelets at a restaurant past the security point at London's Heathrow airport and the ham was finely cut. I assume they allow these knifes past the security point at Heathrow? or was the ham and toast cut elsewhere?