You captured my thoughts on this.
I can't image sitting next to someone that reeks from Tokyo to the US -- especially a flight to the East coast.
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Too Smelly to fly
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I can't image sitting next to someone that reeks from Tokyo to the US -- especially a flight to the East coast.
I must have hit the jackpot this one time. I was on a full plane and was seated next to a very, very large woman who smelled awful. She was the last person to board so by the time I realized her smell, the door was closed and the plane was pulling back from the gate. Did I mention she wouldn't ****ing sit still for more than 2 minutes.
To make a long story short, it was an awful, awful cross country (LAX>JFK) flight. I was livid and the flight crew kept giving me free drinks since there was nothing else they could do.
We landed and I planned to go speak with with the airline people on the ground but decided to duck out for a smoke first. I get to the counter and who is in front of me complaining about all kinds of crap? You got it, my lovely neighbor from the flight. The guy behind the counter made his displeasure of her quite evident. After like 10 minutes she left and he called me over. Asked how he could help. I simply said, I just experienced the most awful flight ever. I was seated next to your previous customer. He didn't bat an eye and simply asked, would a $500 voucher make up for it?
To make a long story short, it was an awful, awful cross country (LAX>JFK) flight. I was livid and the flight crew kept giving me free drinks since there was nothing else they could do.
We landed and I planned to go speak with with the airline people on the ground but decided to duck out for a smoke first. I get to the counter and who is in front of me complaining about all kinds of crap? You got it, my lovely neighbor from the flight. The guy behind the counter made his displeasure of her quite evident. After like 10 minutes she left and he called me over. Asked how he could help. I simply said, I just experienced the most awful flight ever. I was seated next to your previous customer. He didn't bat an eye and simply asked, would a $500 voucher make up for it?
That's a long haul to be in that situation.<snip>After like 10 minutes she left and he called me over. Asked how he could help. I simply said, I just experienced the most awful flight ever. I was seated next to your previous customer. He didn't bat an eye and simply asked, would a $500 voucher make up for it?
Although, you got some compensation.
Yeah, I have read that SWA employees in general have a really high job satisfaction rating. It seems like a pretty good place to work.
Ah, that makes a little more sense. I think everyone who replied to you thought you meant you wanted a seat for $50-75 total.
Flights
Flying used to be amazing. It was a thing to look forward to, a glamorous means of transportation.
It is so terrible these days!!!
I cant recall the last flight I have actually enjoyed...
-TSA
-Over booked flights
-Cramped seats
-TSA
-Lack of meal/drink
I , for one, would have NO problem paying even a $100 extra fee for a bit more legroom and wiggle room. I am a tall person (6'2) and after flying my legs hurt for a few days.
I cant recall exactly, but I believe it is United that has a "Coach +" class. It is like a $40 upgrade, but soooo worth it.
Flying used to be amazing. It was a thing to look forward to, a glamorous means of transportation.
It is so terrible these days!!!
I cant recall the last flight I have actually enjoyed...
-TSA
-Over booked flights
-Cramped seats
-TSA
-Lack of meal/drink
I , for one, would have NO problem paying even a $100 extra fee for a bit more legroom and wiggle room. I am a tall person (6'2) and after flying my legs hurt for a few days.
I cant recall exactly, but I believe it is United that has a "Coach +" class. It is like a $40 upgrade, but soooo worth it.
I normally hate doing this, but uhh...THIS!!
I hate flying. I'm not afraid of it. In fact, I have long thought about getting my private pilot's license. I just hate the process of commercial flying, for the same reasons you mentioned. I figure if things keep going the way they have been, the TSA will force everyone to strip naked and wear hospital gowns while in flight.
Thankfully, I like driving. If I can drive to my destination in a day or so, I usually will. When driving: 1) I know where my luggage is, 2) I get to control who sits next to me (usually), and 3) No TSA body cavity searches.
Yeah, it's Economy Plus on United, not available on all flights and price varies on flight length. I think I paid $80 for it on a Chicago-London flight, and it was well worth it.
Now they just need to implement a "too smelly for amtrak" policy on the trains and we'll be getting somewhere.
Too smelly for amtrak is no different than too smelly to fly. Those train cars are pretty well sealed up and the humans on them can be less than springtime fresh at times. The last time I was on amtrak the girl next to me smelled so strongly of onions that I could still smell onions after I'd gotten off the train and walked three blocks to my bus stop. Also when people toot on an amtrak car the toot lingers like a frickin science experiment. There's also no weight limit on amtrak, so if the sea cow in the seat next to you is spilling over the armrest and you can smell the infrequency with which they wash the areas between their folds, you're basically SOL.
But it's not 50-75 bucks
Bus class can still be pretty pricey though. I'd rather suffer for a bit in economy and save the money to spend on vacation.
From my experience, business class is easily twice as expensive as the coach. The flying is far more enjoyable; the impact on the wallet is not.
My fault though, I left out the premium wording and edited it later. It was late and I was on my iphone in bed trying to sleep.
I would fly an airline that is slightly upscale all the time. First class airfare is ridiculously priced and there isn't that much room in coach, plus everything is nickle and dimed; checked baggage, drinks, food. I haven't seen those "upgraded" seats on United, but perhaps it would be worth it. I just want a little more sitting space and a couple of drinks. 50 bucks for a nicer seat, 2 drinks and perhaps first bag checked free would be a deal for me.
There is no way an airline can offer that and turn a profit. They're not even profitable now (except for Southwest, but they're profitable because they're no frills)
I don't mind flying. The only unpleasant neighbours who have sat beside me both involved a lot of talking.
There was one guy who insisted on talking to me on a 15-20 hour flight from London to Malaysia (forget the exact length), which would normally be OK if our conversation would last only for 1 hour or so, and if his breath didn't smell like curry vomit with a hint of fart. He was nice, and I didn't want to be rude by not making eye contact or looking away from him, so when he spoke, I looked at him and took the direct hit to the face. I wanted to throw up.
My other bad experience also involved a guy who couldn't stop talking. He gave me some life advice during our 7 hour flight together. I don't mind talking for 30 minutes or so, but on most flights, I just want to watch a film and sleep. I didn't want to talk to him for 5 hours or anything. Anyway, I just smiled and pretended I was interested.
There was one guy who insisted on talking to me on a 15-20 hour flight from London to Malaysia (forget the exact length), which would normally be OK if our conversation would last only for 1 hour or so, and if his breath didn't smell like curry vomit with a hint of fart.
He was nice, and I didn't want to be rude by not making eye contact or looking away from him, so when he spoke, I looked at him and took the direct hit to the face. I wanted to throw up.My other bad experience also involved a guy who couldn't stop talking. He gave me some life advice during our 7 hour flight together. I don't mind talking for 30 minutes or so, but on most flights, I just want to watch a film and sleep. I didn't want to talk to him for 5 hours or anything. Anyway, I just smiled and pretended I was interested.
Yep, read on..
I just read an article in Newsweek about layoffs. SWA was mentioned as being well positioned for business to pick up after 9/11 because they did not have massive layoffs to cut costs as other carriers did. The author's premise was that businesses that lay people off take longer to rebound. One other example cited was Circuit City. They let go dozens (hundreds?) of their higher paid managers to cut cost. Instead, they got less capable employees, and ran the business into suicide mode.
I'd prefer an airline that catered to only proven knowledgeable fliers, and pay a good premium for that. Those who know how to go through security correctly (you don't need to put each shoe in its own plastic bin, and no, liquids haven't been allowed in years). Those who always have the correct documentation out and ready. Those who know what one carry-on and one personal item means (that means not three full-size duffel bags). Those that know how to board, get their stuff put away, and get in their seat and out of the way quickly. Those that don't put their carry-ons in the first overhead bin when they are seated in the back. Those who don't feel that everyone on the plane wants to hear them talk on their cell phone. Those who generally understand how to behave in public. Flying definitely exposes you to some of the most annoying of humankind.
Unfortunately, I don't think that would ever work.
Unfortunately, I don't think that would ever work.
I do love airports that have experienced flyers lines for security. Orlando and Miami have it. I'm sure others do.
Experienced aka business travelers are the worst cell phone/Blackberry offenders.
You're in Atlanta? They should raze your damn airport. Never been on-time ever at that damn airport.
Do you mean your flight has never been on time, or you have never made it to your gate on time. Either is interesting, because I have rarely had problems with either. Usually, it's coming back home that I get delayed!
That sounds great in theory, but how many people go through the line thinking they know what they're doing and then hold it up when they put a shoe in each bin and leave their laptop in the bag? If the lines actually work, then they need them at more airports.
They can raze O'Hare while they're at it too.