Airlines And Service

[ELP_WN_Psgr]

Which airlines they choose might be limited by corporate travel policy, but I doubt any employer limits you to just one airline.

Generally, government employees are restricted to the contract carrier in any given market unless they have a REALLY good reason for not riding the contract carrier.

By good reason, I mean:

There is a far generally available to th public on a non contract carrier which is less than the contract carrier.

A non contract carrier offers a later departure than the contract carrier which will eliminate the need to stay overnight.

The contract carrier is full on the date requested.

That's about it. Otherwise, if you work for Uncle Sam, you are on the GSA contract award carrier in any given market. I don't mind AA, and I'd rather be eaten by fire ants than fly Delta. But if I am going to Atlanta, I'm on Delta.

 

[JS]

True; I was thinking only of private employers.

 

[KCFlyer]

Which airlines they choose might be limited by corporate travel policy, but I doubt any employer limits you to just one airline.

[post="255361"][/post]​

Maybe not, but in the public companies I have worked for, I had to provide some SERIOUS justification for choosing a flight that involved 5 hours travel time with a change of planes versus a 2 and a half hour nonstop flight. "Upgrade opportunities" didn't fly as a valid reason.

 

[JS]

If it's the same price (or lower), I don't see what the problem is, assuming that you don't charge for travel time. If I want to drive the long way to work instead of the most direct route, my boss doesn't get mad. The same holds for air travel.

 

[bofie]

. I still maintain it's the job of the employer to provide that perk. In most cases, the person "buying" the thousands of dollars of tickets most likely rarely ever boards an aircraft.

[post="255335"][/post]​

[/quote]


Speaking as an employer, I can tell you that only the highest in the company would get upgraded, not the travelling masses.

 

[SKY HIGH]

Well let me give you an Example of POOR Service. This last Tuesday we flew to CLT at 2:50pm. We all boarded the aircraft at 2:30pm for an On-Time Departure in First Class. The F/C cabin was Full. There was no drink service prior to pushback and once in flight, the F/A got up a served as normal. She took drink orders, passed around the basket and that was it. Only problem is she only served ONE drink. After the first drink, she NEVER asked if anyone needed anything else adn proceeded to the Jump Seat to read her book.

Sky high states: WHICH AIRCRAFT were you on? 20 minutes to board all the passengers? What was the passenger load? You leave out important factors that help EXPLAIN flight attendant actions. Just yesterday, someone in first class asked for a drink on a late flight. I apologized and EXPLAINED that getting the FLIGHT OUT was a PRIORITY and that the people with connections would appreciate that. She rolled her eyes and said, "but I'm THIRSTY!" Years ago, we didnt have to deal with the roll-aboards, now EVERYONE has one which causes space problems and I cant TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES PASSENGERS simply RUN THEM INTO MY LEGS when trying to do a "predeparture beverage service". :down: and when I get the "why didnt you come out here and hang my jacket "LOOK" I explain with humor, "sorry I didnt get out here sooner to retrieve your jacket, but I didnt want to get RUN OVER!" Passenger behavior has changed through the years.....I never thought someone would throw a bag at me, but it's happened.
Flight attendant STAFFING has changed through the years as well. 4 flight attendants on an aircraft that carries nearly 200 passengers? It can get challenging to deal with wheelchair passengers, unaccompanied children, the elderly, and the hundreds of bags that everyone EXPECTS to bring onboard. Boarding has got to be the most difficult part of a flight attendants job now. Ya see, I just spent WHAT USED TO BE A FEW MINUTES OF DOWN TIME on my knees picking up GARBAGE between flights as well. Pleading with the gate agent for more lavatory supplies has become commonplace.
I hate the "bottle water" service too. But you cant have consistency with many of the factors I've mentioned above. And YES, apathy is out there too.

 

[JS]

That's no excuse. I've gotten a pre-departure drink in First Class on Delta every single time. Even if the flight is running late, they make it a point to offer all First Class passengers a pre-departure drink of their choice. Delta uses the same minimum FAA flight attendant staffing as US Airways, so that's not the reason.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Delta uses the same minimum FAA flight attendant staffing as US Airways, so that's not the reason.

[post="255784"][/post]​

Well, not necessarily true. Two weeks ago we rode the van to the airport with a DAL "extra" flight attendant.

Jim

 

[700UW]

Then fly Delta to get your pre-departure drink and stop whining.

 

[balloonguy]

Well let me give you an Example of POOR Service. This last Tuesday we flew to CLT at 2:50pm. We all boarded the aircraft at 2:30pm for an On-Time Departure in First Class. The F/C cabin was Full. There was no drink service prior to pushback and once in flight, the F/A got up a served as normal. She took drink orders, passed around the basket and that was it. Only problem is she only served ONE drink. After the first drink, she NEVER asked if anyone needed anything else adn proceeded to the Jump Seat to read her book.

Sky high states: WHICH AIRCRAFT were you on? 20 minutes to board all the passengers? What was the passenger load? You leave out important factors that help EXPLAIN flight attendant actions. Just yesterday, someone in first class asked for a drink on a late flight. I apologized and EXPLAINED that getting the FLIGHT OUT was a PRIORITY and that the people with connections would appreciate that. She rolled her eyes and said, "but I'm THIRSTY!" Years ago, we didnt have to deal with the roll-aboards, now EVERYONE has one which causes space problems and I cant TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES PASSENGERS simply RUN THEM INTO MY LEGS when trying to do a "predeparture beverage service". :down: and when I get the "why didnt you come out here and hang my jacket "LOOK" I explain with humor, "sorry I didnt get out here sooner to retrieve your jacket, but I didnt want to get RUN OVER!" Passenger behavior has changed through the years.....I never thought someone would throw a bag at me, but it's happened.
Flight attendant STAFFING has changed through the years as well. 4 flight attendants on an aircraft that carries nearly 200 passengers? It can get challenging to deal with wheelchair passengers, unaccompanied children, the elderly, and the hundreds of bags that everyone EXPECTS to bring onboard. Boarding has got to be the most difficult part of a flight attendants job now. Ya see, I just spent WHAT USED TO BE A FEW MINUTES OF DOWN TIME on my knees picking up GARBAGE between flights as well. Pleading with the gate agent for more lavatory supplies has become commonplace.
I hate the "bottle water" service too. But you cant have consistency with many of the factors I've mentioned above. And YES, apathy is out there too.

[post="255770"][/post]​

Now isn't the real answer the fact that the FA's don't give a damn and are generally lazy?? Absolutely!! With rare exception, US FA's don't even begin to know what good service is these days.

 

[JS]

Then fly Delta to get your pre-departure drink and stop whining.

[post="255841"][/post]​

My point, which you missed, was countering the flight attendant's excuse that pre-departure drinks cannot be served to First Class passengers because the flight is delayed, or passengers bring huge carry-ons (they do that on Delta, too).

 

[usairways_vote_NO]

In defense of the flight attendents on US, have you seen the "Goat Rodeo" that the boarding process is now thanks to EVERYONE trying to stow EVERYTHING on board?

We know why that is and it prevents quicker turns on the aircraft and hinders operation AND customer satisfaction.

[post="255976"][/post]​

What is the reason? Maybe customers are getting wiser? Could it be the reason most airlines workers themselves dread having to check their own bags? Of course they are flying no-rev too but they still know the dirty secrets about checking a bag. Actually maybe cats outta bag and it isn't secret anymore.

I know you like to talk about yourself Piney do you like checking bags? Would you? Or do you make it a point not to pack enough to have to check a bag?

 

[KCFlyer]

In defense of the flight attendents on US, have you seen the "Goat Rodeo" that the boarding process is now thanks to EVERYONE trying to stow EVERYTHING on board?
.

[post="255976"][/post]​

What's this....the eastern version of the "cattle call"

 

[SKY HIGH]

Now isn't the real answer the fact that the FA's don't give a damn and are generally lazy?? Absolutely!! With rare exception, US FA's don't even begin to know what good service is these days.

SKY HIGH states: SERVICE? Yeahhhh, anyone remember the PIT to PHL breakfast? PIT to ORD dinner? TRAY SERVICE on a 45 minute FLIGHT? Time and time again, they give GOOD SERVICE when expected and permitted.

 

[SKY HIGH]

That's no excuse. I've gotten a pre-departure drink in First Class on Delta every single time. Even if the flight is running late, they make it a point to offer all First Class passengers a pre-departure drink of their choice. Delta uses the same minimum FAA flight attendant staffing as US Airways, so that's not the reason.


Sky high states: I DONT BELIEVE YOU! :down: :blink: