What's wrong with these airlines ?

[Heracles 417]

That's an inspiring story. I have a similar one involving, would you believe, a loud-mouthed Australian. Although it was an American lady who told him to STFU, to much snickering.

That is the exception. Australians are by no means the type of people to stand at a counter shouting at people. Not in or culture.

It's just BS they have to cancel all these flights. There is plenty of time to comply with safety guidelines when the new rules are handed down. Yesterday, no one said, you MUST have all these in compliance by tomorrow. They often have months to years to comply. It's BS that at the last minute they are cancelling everything to comply. Poor management is absolutely right.

No, I wouldn't want my plane to crash because they are lax on their safetly regulations. But, I also would not want to sit in an airport overnight because they didn't take care of their business on a timely basis. I've spent nights in airports and had airlines put me up in hotels......it's not all it's cracked up to be.

I know if my boss told me to do something and I waited till beyond the last minute, working overtime and making other people work overtime to help me do something I should've been working on for months, I would get my a$$ fired.

Isn't that the truth. It always amazes me how people keep their jobs. I have never had a job where I would get away with that, and I hope I never do.

Union

Of course. Why else would old hags still be flight stewardesses. And its not their age that is the issue but their attitude.

[*JG* 2]

Not all Americans stand at a counter and shout at people either. I cannot do that to anyone. I just take it and then complain about it on the internet.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Boo Yah - I have seen Australians at the counter shouting at people quite a few times, msot notably at the train station in Aswan, Egypt. It is not the preserve of Americans,

[DeadPoolX 9]

What do people expect from 100 year old planes. The airline industry here is pretty much bankrupt. I agree with incompetence but what do people seriously expect. It all comes down to management. When will American companies finally wake up and realize bottom dollar cut throat policies do not work in the long run. I work with people who boast about having ivy league degrees under their belt but do not have a drop of common sense. Something which is needed in every industry. Google gets it..

100 year old planes? As I recall, the planes grounded are MD-80s. Those were first released in 1979. I was born in 1979. I don't think I'm a century old yet. If I am, well... I think I look pretty damn good for someone my age.

[Heracles 417]

Not all Americans stand at a counter and shout at people either. I cannot do that to anyone. I just take it and then complain about it on the internet.

Not all but definitely more than others. I find people from large cities here definitely have a knack for speaking loudly in public. You can usually tell by the accent.

What do people expect from 100 year old planes. The airline industry here is pretty much bankrupt. I agree with incompetence but what do people seriously expect. It all comes down to management. When will American companies finally wake up and realize bottom dollar cut throat policies do not work in the long run. I work with people who boast about having ivy league degrees under their belt but do not have a drop of common sense. Something which is needed in every industry. Google gets it..

100 year old planes? As I recall, the planes grounded are MD-80s. Those were first released in 1979. I was born in 1979. I don't think I'm a century old yet. If I am, well... I think I look pretty damn good for someone my age.

yeah it was a joke. I meant old planes but thought I would be silly.

Speaking of airlines what the hell is going on with the boeing 787. More delays.

[*JG* 2]

The routes I have had issues with are domestic. I can always get the international planes I want.

I don't think it's appropriate to fire the veterans and replace with younger unless they are not performing their jobs. Otherwise it is discrimination. I doubt you would want that to happen to you.

The airports I have issues with are usually those that have been updated.

Food on airplanes.....I could take it or leave it. Not really fond of eating in those seats anyhow.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Not all Americans stand at a counter and shout at people either. I cannot do that to anyone. I just take it and then complain about it on the internet.

You could always try using Rule 240. If you're on a major airline such as Continental, United, Delta, Northwest or even American, they "should" honor it. It's a holdout from before deregulation, so it may not work 100% of the time. Expect the ticket/gate agents to be PO'ed if and when you make them do this, since they don't assume most passengers even know about it (and it forces them to perform more paperwork).

Edited April 11, 2008 by DeadPoolX

[Heracles 417]

The routes I have had issues with are domestic. I can always get the international planes I want.

I don't think it's appropriate to fire the veterans and replace with younger unless they are not performing their jobs. Otherwise it is discrimination. I doubt you would want that to happen to you.

The airports I have issues with are usually those that have been updated.

Food on airplanes.....I could take it or leave it. Not really fond of eating in those seats anyhow.

Unions have used discrimination as a means of covering up poor performance for years now. They need to haver a career progression path for air stewardesses as many other international carriers do. Why should I have to put up with poor service just because she cannot be fired under discrimination laws.

Airports like LAX have not been update since they were built in 1984. Not only is that a major airport it is also the first and last point many people from abroad get to see America.

Qantas has some great food kits for their domestic flights. Even on a 1 hour Melbourne to Sydney flight you get a nice breakfast, snack pack for lunch or dinner. It is the little details that count. The Qantas lounges are also awesome..

Edited April 11, 2008 by Boo-Yah!

[Empress of Groovy 373]

That's an inspiring story. I have a similar one involving, would you believe, a loud-mouthed Australian. Although it was an American lady who told him to STFU, to much snickering.

That is the exception. Australians are by no means the type of people to stand at a counter shouting at people. Not in or culture.

That's a joke, right?

I think the Australia you often describe exists only in your mind.

I'm sure you're aware that Americans and Australians (particularly males), according to stereotypes prevalent in Europe and the UK, share many characteristics: Loud, brash, unsophisticated, want to tell you all about [u.S. or Australia] and how they do things there, how much better it is than [whatever country they're visiting and/or describing].

Sound familiar?

I hate to break it to you, BY, but in terms of obnoxious (but usually friendly) behavior abroad, your precious Aussies are just like we are.

Back to the airlines: Phoenix is home to the worst U.S. domestic airline, US Airways, following US Airways' merge w/ America Worst (er, West). If the plane actually leaves within four hours of its scheduled departure, I'm happy. Low standards can help out.

People in the industry often say that deregulation was the beginning of the current mess. I don't know enough about it to express an opinion, but I am old enough to remember when it seemed that airline and gate staff gave a $#it.

I miss Eastern.

[panamania79 2]

That's an inspiring story. I have a similar one involving, would you believe, a loud-mouthed Australian. Although it was an American lady who told him to STFU, to much snickering.

That is the exception. Australians are by no means the type of people to stand at a counter shouting at people. Not in or culture.

That's a joke, right?

I think the Australia you often describe exists only in your mind.

I'm sure you're aware that Americans and Australians (particularly males), according to stereotypes prevalent in Europe and the UK, share many characteristics: Loud, brash, unsophisticated, want to tell you all about [u.S. or Australia] and how they do things there, how much better it is than [whatever country they're visiting and/or describing].

Sound familiar?

I hate to break it to you, BY, but in terms of obnoxious (but usually friendly) behavior abroad, your precious Aussies are just like we are.

Back to the airlines: Phoenix is home to the worst U.S. domestic airline, US Airways, following US Airways' merge w/ America Worst (er, West). If the plane actually leaves within four hours of its scheduled departure, I'm happy. Low standards can help out.

People in the industry often say that deregulation was the beginning of the current mess. I don't know enough about it to express an opinion, but I am old enough to remember when it seemed that airline and gate staff gave a $#it.

I miss Eastern.

Me too.I used to fly Eastern or PanAm to Panama all the time.

[Heracles 417]

PanAm was great airline. Even their name sounded good.

[HAL 9000 96]

I miss Eastern.

I always flew for free with them...

I think there needs to be more talk about the safety aspect of governmental inspections. The news are talking about it a bit.

The airlines are voluntarily/involuntarily being proactive based on years of allowances by overly lax inspections.

[Heracles 417]

Three US airlines just shut down last week.

[panamania79 2]

I miss Eastern.

I always flew for free with them...

I think there needs to be more talk about the safety aspect of governmental inspections. The news are talking about it a bit.

The airlines are voluntarily/involuntarily being proactive based on years of allowances by overly lax inspections.

How did you manage to fly for free ? I want your connections.

[Mags 112]

That's an inspiring story. I have a similar one involving, would you believe, a loud-mouthed Australian. Although it was an American lady who told him to STFU, to much snickering.

That is the exception. Australians are by no means the type of people to stand at a counter shouting at people. Not in or culture.

That's a joke, right?

I think the Australia you often describe exists only in your mind.

I'm sure you're aware that Americans and Australians (particularly males), according to stereotypes prevalent in Europe and the UK, share many characteristics: Loud, brash, unsophisticated, want to tell you all about [u.S. or Australia] and how they do things there, how much better it is than [whatever country they're visiting and/or describing].

I see the point you are making, Big Agnes!. I don't think any culture is innocent nor can say "we'd never act like that!". I've seen people from many different cultures and from many different countries be quite obnoxious. No one is exempt.