Gkpetery From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 115 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 2651 times:
I just took a round trip "fright" on AA from LAX to MIA. The only nonstop between LAX-MIA. It was terrible on both flights.
I saw the "We know why you fly" slogan on a poster at baggage claim at the end of my journey at LAX. I remembered that most of the AA television commericals focused on people wanting to get home or be with their family. It's wasn't because AA has good service, nice seats, good food on the planes!
I'm sure after interviews with focus groups, the AA marketing department realized they couldn't focus on any of their good service attirbutes because they really don't have many.
Some of my gripes about my AA experience:
1. Long lines to check in
2. Flight delayed 1 hour and the staff didn't apologize or give an explantion... they had a very "it's normal" attitude and "we don't care" and "Sit down and be quiet during the flight"
3. In-flight service didn't greet the passangers when they boarded
4. Baggage took 1 hour to come out of the plane
5. Food (Buy On Board) is not that good. No snacks, even for a 5 hour flight! SWA and JetBlue give pretzels and chips!
6. Old planes with cheap interiors
7. If I wanted to change my return flight, I would have to pay $50 PLUS THE DIFFERENCE OF THE FARE! Which was an extra $250! What a rip off. SWA and JetBlue really should be not be considered low-cost carriers anymore with AA's performance.
I'm planning to fly to Florida more often and even with the only direct flight to MIA, I'd rather take UA or CO with a connection. Never AA again.
OB1504 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2966 posts, RR: 8 Reply 2, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 2436 times:
Why do people automatically equate "low-cost" with "low-service"? Or "low-cost" with "low-fare"? All of the legacy carriers are desperately trying to lower their cost bases to match those of established LCCs like WN and B6, and some have already made it there or close to it. Of course, whether or not they choose to pass on the savings to the consumer is entirely up to them.
And why shouldn't they focus on the first class passengers? They're paying anywhere from two to ten times more than the passengers at the back of the airplane, and are most likely loyal AA fliers, as opposed to the "w00t! $99.99 coast to coast on Expedia!" fliers. Granted, that's no reason for AA to completely ignore the passengers in the back, either.
Aaer 777 From Ireland, joined Aug 2000, 199 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 2382 times:
AA's in-flight service was never a strong point. But it has really become abysmal since all the drastic cost-cutting measures have been taken.
The philosophy now is: you are flying for cheap and getting airmiles. Don't complain.
777STL From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 3033 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 2347 times:
Quoting Aaer 777 (Reply 4): AA's in-flight service was never a strong point. But it has really become abysmal since all the drastic cost-cutting measures have been taken.
The philosophy now is: you are flying for cheap and getting airmiles. Don't complain.
If anyone is to blame for AA's lack of service, it's the pax themselves. Consumers have proven time and time again they won't pay more for a better product, so why bother? AA must be doing something right, considering they've managed to stay out of BK.
CygnusChicago From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 758 posts, RR: 8 Reply 6, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 2276 times:
Quoting Gkpetery (Thread starter): Flight delayed 1 hour and the staff didn't apologize or give an explantion... they had a very "it's normal" attitude and "we don't care" and "Sit down and be quiet during the flight"
This is something that has always amazed me about AA. Out of my 17 AA flights this year, 12 were delayed by more than an hour. Not a single one had an apology for the delay. The "it's normal" attitude rains. Unfortunately, I think this is correct, it is simply business as normal for AA. My true belief is that AA doesn't have flight schedules, they merely have a list of suggested departure times.
If you cannot do the math, your opinion means squat!
Halls120 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 2246 times:
Quoting Gkpetery (Thread starter): they had a very "it's normal" attitude and "we don't care" and "Sit down and be quiet during the flight"
A commonplace attitude on AA these days. The F/A's treat you like you like flying on AA is a privilege you've been granted, not a service you've paid for.
Quoting Gkpetery (Thread starter): Food (Buy On Board) is not that good. No snacks, even for a 5 hour flight!
AA's BOB selections make United's poor offerings a gourmet treat by comparison.
DesertAir From Mexico, joined Jan 2006, 1389 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 2230 times:
Last summer I flew SMF-DFW-ORD-TUS on AA. I found the FA pleasant, the flights on time and the onboard service the usual beverage service. While there was nothing special about the experience, it was not negative in any way.
Cory6188 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2686 posts, RR: 6 Reply 9, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 2110 times:
I'm sorry, but I have to call you out on your complaint about having to pay the fare difference. What do you expect, that AA will just give away super-high fare seats to a person who paid a low fare simply by paying the change fee? This is standard practice on every single airline - AA, CO, DL, NW, UA, US, B6, WN, F9, TZ, FL, etc...
Mir From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 19695 posts, RR: 56 Reply 10, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 2049 times:
Quoting Cory6188 (Reply 9): I'm sorry, but I have to call you out on your complaint about having to pay the fare difference. What do you expect, that AA will just give away super-high fare seats to a person who paid a low fare simply by paying the change fee? This is standard practice on every single airline - AA, CO, DL, NW, UA, US, B6, WN, F9, TZ, FL, etc...
Good luck finding an airline that won't have this policy.
-Mir
7 billion, one nation, imagination...it's a beautiful day
, i don't agree with you... i remember when AA started promotions like " we put flying back to where it belongs" or something similar. They were the one's who started with the price war and all US based airlines had to follow them with it. As well they started to put lesser seats into economy class at the same fare and so on.. so who is there to blame?
AllegiantAir From United States of America, joined Sep 2006, 1729 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1986 times:
I flew AA and AA Eagle MCO-LAX-MRY over Christmas break in 2004 and had a fine experience other there was a thunderstorm that we were going through on the Saab 340 hop from LAX to MRY
Futurecaptain From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1986 times:
Quoting Gkpetery (Thread starter): In-flight service didn't greet the passangers when they boarded
Do you need to be greeted when boarding a plane? Sure it may be nice but most people can find their seat alright and why should you get a special greeting when boarding an aircraft? Besides, they flight attendants are not there to greet you, smile, serve you food/drinks/beer, lift your luggage, clean up after you, and give you personalized attention. Many of them do this, but they are really there for your safety. So listen up to what they say and dont complain you didnt get a smile while boarding.
Eat before you get on the plane. It shouldn't be expected that you will get tasty food on a domestic flight anymore, it just doesn't happen. You'll survive though for a few hours I hope.
Was the interior bad or do you simply not like having a ptv to entertain you? And since when does the age of the plane matter to anyone except the mechanic and the bean counters?
Quoting Gkpetery (Thread starter): I'd rather take UA or CO with a connection. Never AA again.
Good, I think you will find that they also cannot control their check in lines, will serve you crappy food, will have some crews that go over the top and some that fall short of the mark. It seems like you will readily complain about all the little details so go ahead and see if they are any better on a consistent basis.
AA61Hvy From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 13975 posts, RR: 59 Reply 14, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1977 times:
It's a domestic American carrier... News Alert: this is not the 70's and 80's anymore. What do you expect? The airline industry is in the toliet, service is going to reflect that.
I'm taking AA next week and I know what exactly I'm going to get...A drink, bag of pretzles an inflight movie and I plan on arriving there safely...That's what you get with AA...I don't see a problem.
JetBlueAUS From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 1145 posts, RR: 8 Reply 15, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1974 times:
Quoting AA61Hvy (Reply 14): I'm taking AA next week and I know what exactly I'm going to get...A drink, bag of pretzles an inflight movie and I plan on arriving there safely...That's what you get with AA...I don't see a problem.
That's not what you just get on AA, that's what you get on most carriers now-a-days.
Not all of us can be heroes, some of us can only stand on the sidewalk and clap as they go by.
Quoting Futurecaptain (Reply 13): clean up after you, and give you personalized attention
yes, i want to be greeted when i enter a plane! ( and i can find my way to my seat )
yes, FA's are here to serve food , snacks and drinks! We all know that actually here for safetey aspects!!
but still it is nice, when you are greeted while entering and directed to your seat, it is nice if you are served a decent meal and drinks during your flight and if you are been given personalized attention.
ey man, its their job!!! as well as to evacuate the plane in an emergancy.
I guess basically my point is that while all those extras are nice they are not required and should not be expected when you spend your $200 for a cross country round trip. That's the reality of domestic US flying, don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.
And really....when is the last time we got good food in cattle class? I can't remember getting any in at least 5 years, and yet we still complain about it?
United319 From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 513 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (6 years 3 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 1933 times:
Personally, I dont like AA at all. All of their CSR's and Ramp employees at the airport I work in are extremely friendly but the airline as a whole is just not a pleasant experience. My feelings for them went from bad to worse after the TWA buyout happened and they royally screwed the TW employees. Oh well. I do find AA's service subpar but its not much different than any other US major.
Quoting Flyorski (Reply 3): AA needs to get rid of those Mad Dogs, or at least give them some cabin upgrades.
They have upgraded their interiors.
Quoting Futurecaptain (Reply 13): And since when does the age of the plane matter to anyone except the mechanic and the bean counters?
I agree with you 100%. I find UA's 757 seats more comfortable than the AA 757 and theyre roughly the same age. Another good example is being on a US 733 or a CO 733 theyre both around the same age but the CO ones are much more comfortable. I flew on an NWA DC-9 a couple months back, and they were just fine despite their age.
Quoting Gkpetery (Thread starter): If I wanted to change my return flight, I would have to pay $50 PLUS THE DIFFERENCE OF THE FARE! Which was an extra $250! What a rip off. SWA and JetBlue really should be not be considered low-cost carriers anymore with AA's performance.
Any airline will charge you a change fee unless you pay the big bucks and purchase a non-refundable ticket.
I'm sorry but I dont' see how the price of a ticket factors whether or not there is a member of the crew there to greet the passengers. It doesn't cost anything, and make the airline look, in my opinion, 100% better than an airline that doesn't have a cabin crew member there to greet the passengers. I've only been on one flight when the FA was not at the door when I boarded, and that was because she was helping a mother with a small child get to her seat. I dont' consider myself a flyer with high expectations because I don't really have any, but I do think that no cabin crew greeting passengers for no good reason is inexcusible. As DALelite pointed out, it is their job!
AA61Hvy From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 13975 posts, RR: 59 Reply 20, posted (6 years 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1896 times:
Quoting YYZYHZ (Reply 19): I don't really have any, but I do think that no cabin crew greeting passengers for no good reason is inexcusible. As DALelite pointed out, it is their job!
Do you even know why aircraft type you were on? That route is 75's 763's and T7's. I can understand the 757 because of the cramped coach but the plane in itself is not ever old for an airliner...and if you were on a 763 or 777 you have another thing coming when you decide to fly WN or JetBlue. I respect your opinion on your two AA bad experience flights but to never fly them again....Also I haven't had a great experience with the LAX crew's either but the ORD ones have never let me down
Cmk10 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 513 posts, RR: 4 Reply 22, posted (6 years 2 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 1749 times:
I used to be unwavering in my support for American but it's finally become too much for me. When I was under 21 they made sense as I could only join American's or United's lounges due to the liquor policy and as I didn't want to fly mainly Ted (I'm based in Phoenix) I flew AA so I could use the Admirals Club.
For a while they seemed good, I made AAdvantage Platinum and I always got the upgrades I wanted and many flights I took were meal flights. I excused the rotten MD-80's and outmoded aircraft on many of their routes because I was getting fed and I was getting to use lounges. Then the upgrades began to get harder to get, the food service began to drop off as coach became non existant and a lot of First Class routes turned from real meals to half hearted attempts at service.
Then I turned 21 and finally listened to a trusted advisor to try out Skyteam. I have discovered with Continental an airline with more meal flights, better food on these flights, newer aircraft (738s go everywhere I do it seems) and better lounges with free booze and wireless at CO's. This year I've done far more CO/NW/DL than AA. For an airline without free upgrades I'll take UA.
"Traveling light is the only way to fly" - Eric Clapton
AerorobNZ From Rwanda, joined Feb 2001, 6325 posts, RR: 14 Reply 23, posted (6 years 2 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 1737 times:
Quoting Gkpetery (Thread starter): 1. Long lines to check in
2. Flight delayed 1 hour and the staff didn't apologize or give an explantion... they had a very "it's normal" attitude and "we don't care" and "Sit down and be quiet during the flight"
3. In-flight service didn't greet the passangers when they boarded
4. Baggage took 1 hour to come out of the plane
5. Food (Buy On Board) is not that good. No snacks, even for a 5 hour flight! SWA and JetBlue give pretzels and chips!
6. Old planes with cheap interiors
7. If I wanted to change my return flight, I would have to pay $50 PLUS THE DIFFERENCE OF THE FARE! Which was an extra $250! What a rip off. SWA and JetBlue really should be not be considered low-cost carriers anymore with AA's performance.
You have flown before within the USA right?? They're all below par, some just charge more for the privilege of flying with them than others. Unfortunately Aviation caters for the lowest common denominator. Budget driven Consumers. Everything becomes about saving money rather than enhancing the experience. I'd love to have it go back to the days of the flying boat when it was more about etiquette and style than the "less is more" mentality rife in the industry, but unfortunately the masses have spoken with their feet, and that won't happen.
MDL412 From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 53 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (6 years 2 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 1704 times:
People won't pay for good service any longer, especially domestic routes. Even those in first-class often aren't paying full fare, if they are it's likely not on their dime.
FAs these days are basically there because they have to be by law, at least in coach class. I firmly believe that if airlines could ever have the option, they'd go with nobody in the cabin and robots flying up front.
All the other posters pretty much drive home the point, these days, US-Domestic... in coach, don't expect much. Hopefully you and your luggage will get to where it says on the ticket, ideally with a snack and drink. That's the level of service the average consumer wants. Few of them really liked the days of $700 FLL-BOS and a chicken breast made of rubber, the $89 internet fare with blue potato chips and DirecTV does the job fine.
PanAm747 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 4242 posts, RR: 10 Reply 25, posted (6 years 2 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 1690 times:
Quote: And why shouldn't they focus on the first class passengers? They're paying anywhere from two to ten times more than the passengers at the back of the airplane, and are most likely loyal AA fliers, as opposed to the "w00t! $99.99 coast to coast on Expedia!" fliers. Granted, that's no reason for AA to completely ignore the passengers in the back, either.
If the airlines have such a problem with people flying transcon on a $99 fare, then they should stop offering those fares!!
If the airlines have such a problem with first class being populated by elite flyers upgrading for free, then they should stop offering those upgrades!!
I am flying AA this summer SAN-FSM. I don't expect food, snacks, a lot of room, and certainly not cutlery. But I paid what AA asks, and I certainly would appreciate a "thank you for flying" if nothing else.
My two cents.
Pan Am:The World's Most Experienced Airline - P(oor) S(ailor's) A(irline): San Diego's Hometown Airline-Catch Our Smile!
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 115 posts, 
From Ireland, joined Aug 2000, 199 posts, 
From Mexico, joined Jan 2006, 1389 posts, 
Good luck finding an airline that won't have this policy.
From Switzerland, joined Jun 2000, 1770 posts, 
From Canada, joined May 2006, 96 posts, 
From Rwanda, joined Feb 2001, 6325 posts, 
.
Printer friendly format 
