Cletus

Observations on AA:

I've had excellent service on every flight.

The "prayer cards" -- first appeared days after an AA jet made an unscheduled nose-dive into the Pacific. I'm sure it was a matter of respect for lives lost -- if it's not your belief, just appreciate the sentiment.

If you were late due to being searched 3 times, just bear in mind the 2-hour advanced arrival they recommend. Perhaps your attitude during searches already had the crew on edge?

Also -- AA does not have "exclusive" rights in Alaska....we have most major carriers. For the summer, anyway, until that blessed time when the tourists stay home.

xxx

IMO, the older flight attendants have control issues. They think the cabin is their domain and they can do whatever the hell they want. Ever read the book, "Turbulence," by John Nance? It's about a senior flight attendant who ran the cabin with an iron fist and after a series of events the passengers declared a mutiny. Interesting read.

Armstrong Wong

Cletus ([email protected]), we did arrive in Fairbanks International Airport 3 hours in advance. The security searches were performed by different teams of crews.
"Perhaps your attitude during searches already had the crew on edge?" May I know how you draw such insensible conclusion? We have no problem with the security searches. In fact, we eagerly help other old ladies to lift their heavy luggage on the search counter.

In any case, I won't expect to pay expensive tickets to get insults from Alaska Air. Due to the poignant experience, we will never take Alaska Air again in the future. After all, it's my hard-earned money. You have no right to lecture me how I should be screamed at. Being oriental, we always try to avoid confrontation and escalation.

Sincerely,
Armstrong Wong
Hong Kong

John

Sorry, Cletus, the prayer slips have been a feature on AS for at least 20 years.

What other interstate carriers serve Fairbanks? Juneau?

Anita

Hi Armstrong. I know this is a totally different topic, but I thought it was proper to use the word asian as an adjective for people and oriental as an adjective for things . . . or atleast that's what my asian friends explained to me in college. Is it a generational issue? i.e. younger folks adhere to this?

Julie

Regarding the issue of the bag not fully under the seat> I believe that it is to allow easy access out of the inside seats in case you have to get out quickly. Would you rather your child trip over the bag and perhaps perish or stow the bag properly.??

Randy

Cletus,get your codes straight....AA=American...AS=Alaska Airlines!

hey

There was a thread here recently about some woman who is suing Delta for what seemed a lot less harrassment than what you endured, Armstrong. Something about a vibrator.... By god, I think AS should pay too!!!!!

frequent flyer

Some things to remember

1. Every story has two sides.
Although Armstrong makes a strong case since his post didn't appear to be irrational.

2. Alaska Airlines is not owned by the state and has every right to put scriptures out. If you don't like it, DON'T FLY ON ALASKA AIRLINES.

kkj

Problems like Armstrong's could be easily eliminated if we didn't allow passengers to bring everything they own on as carry on luggage. Also, those annoying wheeled bags take up way too much room. I've always felt if it is a carry on it should be carried on -- not wheeled on. Everyone is entitled to put their carry on in the overhead compartment. If half the plane had those wheeled carry-on's than the other half would be out of luck.

Also, if you have a small bag, why can't you put it under the seat ahead of you.

And for those of you that argue that your luggage gets lost or you want to save time at luggage claim. Well you know if you didn't insist on taking everything on board we could board the plane much quicker. We could also get off the plane in half the time it currently takes.

I would like to see more flight attendants stop people from the back of the plane putting luggage in the front of the plane. Bravo to those flight attendants that I've seen stopping that practice.

sss

twice this year I have had my carry on taken as i was entering the plane because there was not any more over head bin space left. I asked the AA flight attendant why don't they watch what people bring on and enforce the carry on policy and she looked and and said yeah right. It is amazing what some people take on the plane. As people get on the plane and as the flight attendants greet you they should tell everyone to put their things above their asigned seat, and they should police that. I have seen numerous times that people try to put there things at the front of the plane and then walk back toward the back to go to their seat. The only way to avoid this is to get on the plane as soon as possible and sit there for ever.

Rich

Not AS-related, but since we're complaining about carry-ons....

The flight attendants on Southwest seem to always encourage passengers sitting at the rear of the plane to put their stuff in the overhead bins at the front of the plane. They announce something like, "If you see empty overhead space, don't pass it up -- put your stuff up there on your way to the back of the plane." The result, of course, is that by the time half the people are on the plane they announce, "All our overhead space is full, so we'll have to start checking bags."

KenCT

Since this has turned into a discussion about carry-ons, I must say that I just don't get it. People who insist shelpping whatever they can get away with, then complaining about the problems they have.

There might have been some logic to this in the past, but now, when you run the risk and the embarrassment of having your stuff inspected before boarding, then encountering all sorts of hassles getting it onboard, it just doesn't seem to make sense.

Since I fly on the cheap, I always have to connect through a hub, so there's the added issue of taking it off one plane, finding a way to get it into a restroom stall, and then going through the whole deal over again.

The answer to all of this is simple. Check your bags. With thousands of miles in my travel past, I have had exactly one bag lost, and it was delivered to my hotel a few hours later.

At present, all I take is a couple of days worth of medication, some reading material, a sweater which can double as a pillow, snacks and reading material.

Even if I'm targeted for an extra extensive search, I'm through security in a breeze - except the other day when I wore shoes with metal eyelets and nobody could figure out why I kept setting off the alarm.

OK, so you're not the first one out of the airport at your destination. The time saved at the other end makes it well worth it.

f.o.d.

Armstrong said that he did manage to put a camera bag and a piece of luggage in the overhead somewhere. And in addition to that he had a backpack. (Or at least, that's how it appears from his postings.) So it seems like you can't just blame everyone else on the plane for carrying on a lot of stuff.

Armstrong Wong

Anita ([email protected]),thanks for your correction.That's exactly why I love traveling all over the world in the hope to understand and appreciate the diversities of cultures. Without posting the thread on fodors' forum, I could have never known about the FAA regulation. As a matter of fact, I appreciate every comment, both positive and negative posted here, which help me learn about how other people may perceive and feel.Again, many thanks for everyone's valuable input.


Sincerely,
Armstrong Wong
Hong Kong