Airlines

[QUOTE=Stan Da Man]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]Try Mexicana, maybe they're no Singapore Airlines but they give you human treatment, seats are of decent size even in coach, but sometimes food sucks (on a second thought, that is not something new in many airlines) give it a try.

The common theme here is US air carriers are staffed by American women. If you have a testicle, you are fucked. Next time you are passing through an US airport, observe the contrast between foreign and domestic crews. The contrast is striking for me. The gringo crews are rude, obnoxious and consider themselves something special. Plus, most are as butt ugly as a women can get: dress like home made shit. They do not care about themselves, how could you ever expect them to ever care about their customers.

The USA is always the innovator and was the first country to abandon the principle that flight attendants should be reasonably young moderately attractive women. Within 20 years they will be hoggers in all countries, taking our lead.

[QUOTE=Moore]The USA is always the innovator and was the first country to abandon the principle that flight attendants should be reasonably young moderately attractive women. Within 20 years they will be hoggers in all countries, taking our lead.[/QUOTE]I actually think the reason for this is simple: Americans are getting fatter, yet the kind of women who most men find attractive IS THE SAME. Thus, there's about the same number of men desiring an ever shrinking pool of young, skinny women. This has greatly inflated the value of being skinny and female.

Airlines are no longer willing to pay the premium needed to have only slim, attractive flight attendants like they used to. It's a cost cutting measure, since the airlines would have to offer a significant premium in wages and fend off lawsuits. But, for economically depressed foreign countries, the pool of skinny young women is much larger. The airlines can get those women in miniskirts working the aisles without paying a significant price premium.

Airlines aren't stupid. No matter where they are located, the hot women in the aisles do increase customer satisfaction scores. The hoggers and ugly flight attendants wouldn't be there at all if the USA Airlines had the money to be more selective.

[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]I agree 100% with Rock. Without going in details, I travel several times a year on many different airlines on different routes worldwide and found that the most hyped international airlines usually offer the worst possible service and the most low profile ones surprised me with some great service and flight.

Cheers

I feel connected at the hip to American Airlines even though I aggree with all of the criticism.

I desperately want coach to business upgrade on long flights-- and when in coach, exit row seats. I have hundreds of thousands of miles of American miles. This permits me to manipulate my choice of flights--whether one hour or ten hours to ensure that I'm in an exit row aisle 95% of the time. I have never been an upper level frequennt flier with another airlline.

The business upgrade policy in the USA, allows free business for my flights over 5 hours based on my own travel patterns. I recice free chits that can be traded foir free business upgrade in the USA. Some times I'll treat myself on a 3 hours flite.

Does anyone have any suggestions that make sense to change airlines. It is more important for me to have an exit row or a cost effective business upgrade than to save $100 on the ticket Miami to BA. It is also a pleasure to have almost all my USA trips in exit rows aisles or free business for long trips.

Does Lan have greater pitch or distance between the coach seats. Lan is part of the ONE World Alliance which also includes American. Can I use this to my advantage. American does not accept Lan miles flown on most routes where LAN competes. Maybe I can change LAN miles into American? I tried to call LAn and they did not seem to understand what I was talking about. American.

Platinum customer service people also would not give me a clear response.

Bob

PS-I am both tall and large and have a number of disc herniations. Flying for 5+ hours in a standard interior coach seat can occasionally result in some serious discomfort if not pain for 48 hours. An exit row aisle seat on an AA 777 is very comfortable for me flying 8.5 hours Miami to BA.

The bottom line is: seat location and leg room are far more important to me than the personalities or attitude of the employees or the appearance of the attendants or the food or free drink policies.

I wholeheartedly agree with the above statement regarding American. Since I have traveled with them 13 times to BA, they accommodate my special requests and have been spot on.

Last time my tv was not working and a pleasant looking milf went into the secret stash to find me a remote tv for my useage.

The only blip was when a plain did not show up on my return and thank goodness I was in gold status and waiting was reasonable and they kept the Intercontinental open for late snack and very nice room as well.

In fact my trip in March was Latin American double miles and it greatly increased my mile status.

While others may have better experiences on competitors, I too am a loyal customer and have not found any true flaws to make me switch vendors.

After Southwest began with "Hot Pants " I do not think anyone will surpass. I did see some very nice stews on my flight to Cordoba 5 yrs ago, but the flight was 1 hr.

I like American. Having said that I am sure my luggage will be lost next trip.

I use United a lot (but only once to BA) and premiere status certainly is a reason.

Never had any problems with UA which I also didn't have with other airlines.

The airline industry in the states is just FUBAR.

[QUOTE=Miami Bob]The business upgrade policy in the USA, allows free business for my flights over 5 hours based on my own travel patterns. I recice free chits that can be traded foir free business upgrade in the USA. Some times I'll treat myself on a 3 hours flite.[/quote] I ’ve never seen anything in regard to flight time effecting upgrades, and none of the domestic flights I ’ve been on even have a business class section. AA does however have 500 mile one class upgrades, as a Platinum member you can be credited with them or they can be purchased;

[quote=AA Webpage] [i]AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Gold members earn four 500-mile electronic upgrades for every 10,000 qualifying base miles flown (including guaranteed minimum miles) during your membership year (March 1 or the date you qualify for elite status, through the last day of February) So, the more you fly, the more upgrades you earn.[/i] [/QUOTE][url]http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/AAdvantage/programDetails/eliteStatus/upgrades.jsp[/url]

[QUOTE=Miami Bob] Does anyone have any suggestions that make sense to change airlines. It is more important for me to have an exit row or a cost effective business upgrade than to save $100 on the ticket Miami to BA. It is also a pleasure to have almost all my USA trips in exit rows aisles or free business for long trips.

Does Lan have greater pitch or distance between the coach seats. LAN is part of the ONE World Alliance which also includes American. Can I use this to my advantage. American does not accept Lan miles flown on most routes where LAN competes. Maybe I can change LAN miles into American? I tried to call LAn and they did not seem to understand what I was talking about. American.

Platinum customer service people also would not give me a clear response.

Bob

PS-I am both tall and large and have a number of disc herniations. Flying for 5+ hours in a standard interior coach seat can occasionally result in some serious discomfort if not pain for 48 hours. An exit row aisle seat on an AA 777 is very comfortable for me flying 8.5 hours Miami to BA.

The bottom line is: seat location and leg room are far more important to me than the personalities or attitude of the employees or the appearance of the attendants or the food or free drink policies.[/QUOTE] Bob to me it does [b]not[/b] make sense to change airlines, but it does make sense to spend a little time studying and learning the benefits of status at your current airline.

[url]http://www.aa.com/content/images/AAdvantage/Plat_Member_Guide.pdf[/url]

[quote=Miami Bob]I desperately want coach to business upgrade on long flights-- and when in coach, exit row seats. I have hundreds of thousands of miles of American miles. This permits me to manipulate my choice of flights--whether one hour or ten hours to ensure that I'm in an exit row aisle 95% of the time. I have never been an upper level frequennt flier with another airlline. [/quote] You could have it more if you raise your status level, for example if you could obtain AAdvantage Executive Platinum status you would be awarded 8 system wide and unlimited domestic upgrades for next year.

[url]http://www.aa.com/content/images/AAdvantage/EP_Member_Guide.pdf[/url]

Also LAN is a member of “One World Alliance” so you can claim AA miles when you fly with LAN, just give them your Advantage number when you book your flight or when you check in and tell them you want AA miles. Here is a link to how your miles are credited on LAN flights. Be sure and check the ticket class before you buy it if miles are important to you. BTW you can also redeem your AA miles on LAN.

[url]https://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/AAdvantage/partners/airlines/lan.jsp[/url]

I hope you find the links helpful but if you really want to know how to play the airline system I suggest you read flyer talk or even better contact Jaimito Cartero he’s the real undisputed flying guru on this forum! (He has saved me money several times, thanks again Jaimito)

United Airlines can ’t be too bad, after all wasn't it United that canned Daddy Rulz?

I think this may be Daddy in the link below on one of his last trip to BA.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe2ncZ1ObIw&feature=related[/url]

Is that really you Daddy? Sorry I just couldn ’t help myself.

[QUOTE=Sidney]ORD and UAL are awful.[/QUOTE]Agree with you about ORD. It sucks ass especially in winter.

I saw a news report tonight that said American Airlines will now allow passengers to use miles for one way tickets.

I actually like that idea.

I would rather cash out as soon as I can than have to endure more flights on a dreaded carrier just to claim a miles reward.

Punter,

AA site does indicate that LAN miles on the USA to South American routes are not accepted by American. I've been trying to learn about this rule by talking to supervisors at platinum cs. I cannot get a clear definite response. AA and LAN share routing on the same planes flying to Santiago and Santiago to BA.

I wanted to fly LAN ARG Miami to BA and still get credits for both miles and platinum qualificaation for next year.