There's so much airline bashing these days that I thought I would take the opportunity to tell you about a refreshing four flights we experienced last week, all on USAir. We flew from Boston to New Orleans, via Charlotte, and back. The flights left almost on-time, arrived on time; the crews were friendly and polite; and, the biggest shock: the food in those little blue boxes was surprisingly good (not great, but an assortment of stuff like yogurt, little sandwiches, cheeses, fruit, good quality cookies or crackers, etc.). Finally, my ticket had been mistakenly booked in my married name, which I have never used; I thought that getting my frequent flyer miles would be a huge hassle (and had even made a copy of my marriage license to send); one telephone call later, I have my mileage--no problem. Now if they could just do something about those seats...

I flew USAIR last week also: Providence to San Diego via Pittsburg. I had the opposite experience. My flights out were both delayed. My flight back from SAN to PIT was delayed and I missed my connection and ended up deciding to flying to Boston instead. All USAIR employees that I was in contact with were very apologetic and helpful though. This was the first time I flew USAIR, so I was pretty dissappointed, but delays are inevitable in air travel. I'm glad you had a good trip!

Betsy's reply struck a nerve.

Last week I flew my usual one-connection route from LAX to Huntsville, Alabama. Three of the four flights were delayed from a minimum of one hour to a maximum of three hours. I missed both connections at DFW.

I've flown about two hundred flights on American within the last three years, racking up an ungodly number of miles. Yet, during that time, I would guess that, conservatively, I have arrived or departed on time less than one-third of the time.

During my many delays, while I become overly familiar with the interior of the DFW terminals, these are things I wonder:

1. Is United this bad?
2. How is it that the on-time percentage for American is about 75%, while I am ALWAYS late?
3. Should I get a new job?
4. Why do the flight attendents always say, "Thank you for your patience" well after mine has run out?
5. Why does the food in the Bistro bag so resemble that of my son's sack lunch?
6. Why does a glass of Shiner Bock cost six dollars?
7. Who thought up the idea of handing out army cots to stranded passengers, thus making the terminal resemble a refugee relief site?
8. Why, after knowing their pathetic DFW hub was already badly overcrowded, did American decide to EXPAND the operation?
9. Why is it so hot in Dallas?
10. How many flights to LAX (my point of departure) have I missed while waiting for a nonexistent flight to a place I do not wish to visit?


Answers to any or all of these questions would be welcome to both me and my analyst.

In answer to your question about United, yes they are as bad! And flying through O'Hare is no picnic either. I think it's something in the water there because the gate agents are always surly. Should you get another job?? Depends on if you can stomach traveling when all the mergers go through.

Here's a vote FOR US AIR! We flew
Buffalo-Ft. Myers via Charlotte in Oct. and again in May. Absolutely PERFECT
both times!

I actually fly USAirways quite a bit and have generally had good experiences. However, it does seem to me that we have reached a sad point if we actually rejoice at simply having things go exactly as they should. In my opinion, the vast majority of flights should be on-time, with polite flight attendants, decent food, etc. It should be remarkable if the flight fails to meet those standards, rather than being remarkable if the flight meets them. Sometimes I worry that we are getting used to such poor service that we are thrilled with anything approximating average.

Bill,

Great post!

In answer to your questions.

1. United's problems are about as bad if not worse.

2. Just your luck, particularly if you fly through the hubs alot.

3. Depends on how much they're paying you.

4. It is a perfunctory statement that if they don't say it, they'll get in trouble.

5. Because well, it is your son's lunch.

6. In the airport, you are considered a "captive audience." You're not going anywhere, so they know they've got you.

7. Some cheapskate executive who realized it was cheaper than putting passengers up at Motel 6.

8. Supposedly to help relieve the overcrowding by getting 18 more gates. Hasn't worked.

9. Geography my friend, pure and somple geography.

10. No idea.

Dear M.J.:

Thank you for answering my questions. You are a sage--a wise and gifted traveler. I now do not dread my impending landing at DFW. Good luck at O'Hare.

Oh...I almost forgot! Thank you, too, Lucy.

Hi -
Agree completely with Lisa's comments. so true. pathetically true. *sigh*

Bill - you see "on time" departures but late arrivals because "on time" reflects the time the plane leaves the GATE, not the time they take off. I, too find it interesting that flight times on tickets are 2-1/2 hours, but in truth, flight time is only 1-3/4 hours, or less. That gives the airlines "on-time" stats, but who cares when they actually take off or land? Not them, apparently.

As for US Air--recently took them from Ohio to USVI, and flights were okay. They were on time, more or less, but we had a 45 minute delay both ways after leaving the gate in Philadelphia. This is apparently a standard--might be that hub city angle, but there is just something wrong with this system--another post perhaps.

Our flight from Phila to USVI was supposed to take off at 9:45, with breakfast included (breakfast at 10:30 on a weekday? come on). We finally took off around 10:30, and around 11:15 were served the nastiest meal I've seen on a plane in a long time (and that's saying something). Scrambled eggs ICE COLD, nasty fruit, entire meal disgusting and inedible. Many around us just gave 'em back to the attendants. Know that I do not expect a quality culinary experience on any airline meal, but I do expect the appropriate meal to be served depending on time of day, and at the least, food should be served hot/cold where appropriate. When I mentioned the cold eggs, the attendant said, "oh well!" in a sing-song voice. I couldn't care less about the eggs, but his attitude really ticked me off. I know they get grief from passengers, but this was totally uncalled for. A good example of what Lisa was saying. They could have given everyone a turkey sandwich & an apple and had an easier time of it all around. Who makes these decisions anyway? just my $.02. thanks for the soapbox.