Airlines

[QUOTE=Sportsman]Well, get you ass down here then. Memorial Day weekend is good for me.[/QUOTE]It could happen, but I'm looking at Brazil as well.
And I'll bet your in my apartment that week, which leaves me possibly having to rent from little boy.

[QUOTE=Punter 127]It could happen, but I'm looking at Brazil as well.

And I'll bet your in my apartment that week, which leaves me possibly having to rent from little boy.[/QUOTE]No, I'll only be here for the weekend. So you can have the apartment since you'll probably be here longer.

April and some May Delta tix (coach) RT west coast-EZE fom $719 inclusive depending on day and route (via ATL or IAH [on Continental coded as DL]) [url]www.delta.com[/url]. It is well hidden, buried in the DL fares (several pages down)I got a line on the $719 (from SEA) directly via [url]www.itasoftware.com[/url].

[QUOTE=Sidney]I offer other observations of air travel.

USA bag charges for Delta are $40-$90!

For US Air, zero for 2 bags!

Outside porter check-in at US Air of overweight bag resulted in no charge.

AA will repair or replace a bag damaged internationally, but refuses any compensation domestically.[/QUOTE]US Scare's baggage charges are posted on their site. I reckon you got lucky but could pay them in the future.

First bag $15* $65* $115* Not accepted.

Second bag $25* $75* $125* Not accepted.

Third - ninth bag $100* $150* $200* Not accepted.

Airport pricing beginning July 9 for flights booked on / after April 23, 2009

Checked bags Under.

50 lbs /23kg 51-70 lbs /23-32 kg (includes $50 weight fee) 71-100 lbs /32-45 kg (includes $100 weight fee) Over 100 lbs /45 kg.

First bag $20* $70* $120* Not accepted.

Second bag $30* $80* $130* Not accepted.

Third - ninth bag $100* $150* $200* Not accepted.

Damage:

All airlines (IOTA members) cap their liability at 3300 US per ticketed passenger. No airlines will fix your zippers or any parts that protrude wheels, handles, etc. Airlines MUST fix or replace bags they damage, which really means crush or rip because once you take away zippers, handles, and wheels all that's left is the body of the bag. Never use duffle bags, especially ones that are kind of cheap and overpacked. Ramp guys throw, yes throw, them by the handles and if the stiching at the handles gives way the entire side of the bag will most likely fail. Because the rip started at a protruding part nothing will be covered. If it happens as they load your bag at your departing airport you are really fucked because the rip will worsen when they unload your bag. Then some of your shit will fall out as they haul it through the rain in an open cart in your connecting city, then more when they toss it unto the belt loader for your connecting flight and more inside the airplane as you fly to your destination. The last of your shit will fall out as it's being drug behind the cart that is taking it to the terminal where you pick up your ripped in half empty walmart dufflebag. Of course the Pakistani that answers the phone when you call customer service will be VERY helpful.

Strangly enough international liability is always less than domestic because it goes back to agreements made in the 50s. 3300 domestic and 1500 international.

All this stuff is covered in each airlines "Conditions of Carriage" which is the contract you agree to when you buy the ticket. One of the funny clauses in all of their conditions is they don't promise air travel, mearly carriage. So if they get you to your final destination, even if it's three months later because they sent you in a horse drawn buckboard, they have fulfilled their contract with you.

Like LEO Getz said about drive throughs, "They fuck you because you can't do anything about it."

As with anything YMMV, if you are a million mile traveler on any airline they will fix your bag and most likely give you a BBBJ for your trouble. If you have no status you will be taking it up the shitter.

Mongers, Sidney. Etal-

I could not agree more with you that US-based airlines are all complete shit. I recently took two flights on Latin American based airlines that I could have flown on AA. First, on LAN from Buenos Aires to Miami. Not only was the LAN flight cheaper by $300 USD, but the 767 I flew on had VOD screens at every seat, decent food, free unlimited booze, and young attractive flight attendants. The second flight, on Avianca from Miami to Medellin and back, was again $150 USD cheaper than AA, and again had VOD screens at every seat, attractive flight attendants, decent food, and free booze. Also, they raffled off two roundtrip free tickets to a preselected destination during the flight. AA or other US-based airlines cannot compare this level of service, and cost more to boot.

Suerte,

Rock Harders

Since I have to fly between BsAs and Europe / USA 5-6 times per year, I'll add my dos centavos.

Lately, I've been using Continental when I have to go back to the US (West Coast) Every plane I have had between EZE and Houston has had a seat back screen, seemed relatively new and clean, and the staff was not overly rude.

Of course, the flight from Houston to SF is always as bad as any other domestic stock trailer.

I stopped using AA and UA although I have many miles. Their shitty planes and even shittier service drove me away.

I'll be flying Air France in two weeks. If that sucks, I am thinking of converting to a 100% LAN customer on any flight over 5 hours. That means I'll have to have add an extra leg on most trips, but it will be worth it.

Happy flying,

S

[QUOTE=Rock Harders]Mongers, Sidney. Etal-

I could not agree more with you that US-based airlines are all complete shit. I recently took two flights on Latin American based airlines that I could have flown on AA. First, on LAN from Buenos Aires to Miami. Not only was the LAN flight cheaper by $300 USD, but the 767 I flew on had VOD screens at every seat, decent food, free unlimited booze, and young attractive flight attendants. The second flight, on Avianca from Miami to Medellin and back, was again $150 USD cheaper than AA, and again had VOD screens at every seat, attractive flight attendants, decent food, and free booze. Also, they raffled off two roundtrip free tickets to a preselected destination during the flight. AA or other US-based airlines cannot compare this level of service, and cost more to boot.

Suerte,

Rock Harders[/QUOTE]They were running crazy cheap flights between JFK and EZE.

Rock what are these "young attractive flight attendants" I thought F / As had to be fat grandmothers by federal law.

In the last two years, I have become a fan of flying LAN because the planes are invariably clean, new, and comfortable; the cabin crews are polite, helpful, and usually attractive; and the fares are reasonable. I usually go to either Salta or Cordoba when I am in BA, and I have been using LAN for those internal flights as well. As a private pilot, I have a lot more confidence in LAN's maintenance procedures than in Aerolineas'.

Well I read that LAN is nice, but let me tell you that United Airlines is the best.

I fly to BA every 2 months and the 767 that fly's out of Dulles airport is the best. I fly first class, of business class and the seats in those cabins turn to beds. Yes beds just like in your sweaty bed. And you have the 21 inch tv screen, with your own control and movies out the ass and a dock for your laptop and I pod. The food is real good for airline food, booze till you drop for free.

United is the way to go if you want to get there in a relaxed state.

The flight is 10:30 minutes.

But the best thing is that I am an employee of United and the flight for first class or buiness is free.

Don't hate.

Willy

I have to disagree with you there, Meforu. United is the all time worst airline in the world, in my book. I've flown them from both Sao Paulo and elsewhere in Latin America and I have absolute horror stories. I didn't even know they flew to Buenos Aires but it wouldn't have mattered. I refuse to fly them domestically or internationally anywhere anymore.

One example: The last time out of Sao Paulo, I booked business class. United (geniuses that they are) sent the wrong plane and no longer had space for business class. So, they upgraded me to first class. Cool. I got on the plane, and after 10 minutes of sitting down, they realized that they'd given out too many business class upgrades to first class. I already had a seat at that point. So, a battle axe flight attendant (aren't they all? Comes on to instruct me that I have to move back to coach or get off the plane to complain, but if I get off the plane I will not be allowed back on. This beeotch is as rude as I've ever seen a flight attendant. She never once apologizes even though they're the ones that sent the wrong plane and then issued me the new first class seat. After 10 minutes of haggling, I finally agree to go back to coach so the other business class upgrade can sit in my first class seat.

Still fuming, I finally ask for the name of the battle ax who booted me back to coach. She's removed her name tag at that point, or whatever identifying characteristics they used to wear. Another passenger tells me they have to give out their employee number so that you can identify them if you want to complain, and the coach class flight attendant (who saw what happened) confirms this. But, the battle ax refuses to give out her number. Her fellow flight attendants are aghast but clearly don't want to get involved. I finally had to take a picture of the battle axe with my cell phone so I would have something to indicate who the beotch was. She spent 5 hours on the flight avoiding me once she saw I had a cell phone and intended to take her picture, but I finally got it on the way out the door as we deplaned.

What did United do in response to a lengthy complaint? Not a darn thing. Why would they? They're employee-owned, and I was complaining about an owner.

I've got dozens of other horror stories with United, but I won't bore you. Suffice it to say that if there's one airline that I hope would go bankrupt and get liquidated, that would be it.

Sorry, Meforu. I understand you work for them but that won't change the fact that I reflexively spit whenever I hear that name. I am not a big fan of American, either, but I'll choose AA over United in this life and the next. I've only flown Continental once down there and thought they were the best so far. Looks like I'll have to give LAN a try.

[QUOTE=Meforu 2000]well I read that lan is nice, but let me tell you that united airlines is the best.

I fly to ba every 2 months and the 767 that fly's out of Dulles airport is the best. I fly first class, of buissness class and the seats in those cabins turn to beds. Yes beds just like in your sweaty bed. And you have the 21 inch tv screen, with your own control and movies out the ass and a dock for your laptop and I pod. The foor is real good for airline food, booze till you drop for free.

United is the way to go if you want to get there in a relaxed state.

The flight is 10:30 minutes.

But the best thing is that I am an employee of united and the flight for first class or buiness is free.

Don't hate.

Willy[/QUOTE]

It's fine to hate United (plenty of people do) but don't blame it on employee ownership. That all changed in bankrupcy and wasn't really true even before as while employee's had an ownership interest, they had no actual influence over management actions. Management deserves all the credit for making United into the company it is today.

I say this as both a proud member of the US business management class and and a loyal United customer. They've had some real winners running it over the last 10+ years.

[QUOTE=Stan Da Man] Looks like I'll have to give LAN a try.[/QUOTE]LAN is an excellent airline but not to Buenos Aires. I decided to do the Lima connection on my last trip to BA and it was a 22 hour nightmare.

When I bought the ticket I thought the plane was going to unload then re load (in lima) as I waited on the plane. Wrong. I only found out in Lima that I had to wait and make another connection for a Chile bound plane to catch my BA connection. They were very polite about it but it was a miserable experience.

I went through security again in both Lima and Chile.2/3 hour layover times.

I now deal with AA direct from JFK. I don't like them either but anybody who flys direct goes to the top of the list. I believe Continental makes you change in Houston? If this is the case add another few hours to your trip and you also need to monitor the weather and your hometown departure. IMHO too many things HAVE to go right. Pay extra or go on an airline you don't like. As long as it is a direct flight you come out ahead.