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I think you are talking about primarily US airlines here. And I agree, they are absolutely the worst and least reliable as compared to most airlines from other countries. That is probably due to the dilapidated airports, poor state of other infrastructure, labor policies and unethical approach to conducting business. I had never had problems on European or Asian airlines.
In general I think this country needs reliable high speed train service to connect adjacent cities. For what I understand, air travel is not proving to be feasible over the medium distances of a few hundred miles to a thousand miles.
Absolutely!
That's why I fly myself as PIC on trips like that. At 120 to 130 knots, its faster than driving of course, but also faster than the airlines for distances up to 800-1000 miles
Not to mention, other than bad weather, I can come and go when I want on my own schedule 2) Its a heck of a lot more fun and hassle free when you can carry whatever you want onboard without worrying about it being lost, and 3) I don't have to get the TSA treatment
And it hasn't always been this way. Airlines used to serve real food with real silverware. People used to dress up to fly. They were selling an experience. Now they are selling a conditional promise to take you somewhere on a general timeframe if it's not to difficult for them to do so. I understand that competition from bargain carriers and a desire for cheap travel drives this to an extent, but it has gone so far now that I can't contemplate going through this dehumanization and indignity just to have a cultural experience.
Would it be less dehumanizing to spend a couple weeks (instead of a few hours a trans-Atlantic flight takes) at sea cramped into a small cabin and suffering from sea-sickness like in the good old days before mass air travel?
Americans are just too pampered by all these creature comforts.
How many of you are curtailing your travel plans and to what degree, in view of air travel having become too much of a trial by fire?
Since most of members of my immediate family (and quite few of my extended as well) live far away from me - the only realistic way to travel to them is by air. So the only reason for me to curtail air travel plans are due to finances and time.
The airline experience in the USA, is a reflection of society in the USA. I agree the industry itself has become greedy and uncaring and very unprofessional. So yes the airlines set the ball rolling for a miserable experience. The experience beyond that is a societal problem. Many passengers today have no business, being let out of the house. Let alone on a cramped plane.
The airline experience in the USA, is a reflection of society in the USA. I agree the industry itself has become greedy and uncaring and very unprofessional. So yes the airlines set the ball rolling for a miserable experience. The experience beyond that is a societal problem. Many passengers today have no business, being let out of the house. Let alone on a cramped plane.
That is very funny Jimrob, so I gave it a "like." But I could go on and on with grievances about the airlines that have nothing to do with my fellow passengers. From the TSA screening process where you have to practically get undressed, to no leg room (or ass-width room for that matter), to no free meals anymore, and no free drinks even on international flights [like I said I could go on and on]. In Europe and Asia the airlines made you pay for bags over 7 kilos. On several flights I paid more for my bags than the tickets. And the people in first class all using their credit card miles gained from buying groceries and gasoline, ugh. They queue up at the desk demanding their upgrades like children.
Sorry, just had to vent. I agree with the OP. It has gotten to be a hassle, and I don't look forward to travelling like I used to.
-We did it by booking with expedia vs direct to save $20.
-We did it by choosing the "bad" carrier over the "good" one because the bad carrier was $5 cheaper.
-We did it by flocking to the low cost carriers who unbundled the extras
This goes on. And yes, the market research shows that consumers will go for the cheapest, even when it's a trivial sum. I wasn't exaggerating with the $5 difference.
When I can, I now go up front - much more humane with priority security, lounge access, and a "bed" seat. The next trip though is expensed out, so I will be in the back of the bus.
Airlines used to serve real food with real silverware. People used to dress up to fly. They were selling an experience.
…for about three weeks' pay to fly from New York to London. The airlines were guaranteed a profit by the Civil Aeronautics Board, so they didn't have to fill the plane, could put in nice wide seats, and could have a piano bar upstairs on a 747.
This experience is still available on La Compagnie and on the FC sections of most international carriers, also for three weeks' pay. For those of us who aren't billionaires and who basically started flying after deregulation, the experience is not so great but *the price is right*. (I just bought a ticket from New York to Chicago for $69.50 one way.)
I used to have to fly 100 times a year with my own money and that would have been literally impossible at pre-deregulation prices.
As far as rebooking during irregular operations goes, the airline is going to offer you the option that is the easiest thing for the front line customer service agent to do. There is often a pretty limited overlap in whether this is the best option for you. The keys are 1) to be proactive- as soon as you sense there is going to be a misconnect or cancelled flight, it's straight to the counter at that time to get a new flight with confirmed seat assignments...
No! Get on the phone! The phone agent does not have 200 angry, tired people in front of her all wanting the handful of available seats on the next flight out. And you can ascertain seat availability on the various flights you're interested in, using your smartphone.
No! Get on the phone! The phone agent does not have 200 angry, tired people in front of her all wanting the handful of available seats on the next flight out. And you can ascertain seat availability on the various flights you're interested in, using your smartphone.
Phone and counter both have their uses. When an airline's hub goes into full ground stop mode, even the highest level elites will end up with an hour+ phone queue. And during those times, I can usually look around and find a gate agent who, bizarrely enough, only has 2-3 people in line ahead of them.
For what I understand, air travel is not proving to be feasible over the medium distances of a few hundred miles to a thousand miles.
You're kidding, right? Try this schedule by train; allow yourself to imagine a 300 kph TGV.
Oct 6 Chicago
Oct 7 New York
Oct 10 Chicago
Oct 15 Phoenix
Oct 19 Chicago
Oct 25 New York
Oct 28 Chicago
Nov 4 Los Angeles
Nov 6 San Diego
Nov 10 Chicago
…and I don't even have a job! I'm a self-employed consultant.
I did not experience any delays except on the first Chicago-New York flight which was an hour late.
With TSA Pre-check, getting through security takes 5 minutes and does not involve taking off your shoes or jacket or taking your computer out of its bag.
Bring your own food. Bring a good book. Fly first class if you're tall or wide.
As Ricky Gervais said, when all this gets to be too much, remember you're ON A CHAIR IN THE SKY.
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