I remember being a kid and thinking the airline industry was so prestigious that I wanted to be a flight attendant. I thought their uniforms were elegant and classy. But now all I read in the headlines is that the airline industry is in major financial trouble. Whether it’s the FAA fining a company millions of dollars for safety regulations or airlines laying off hundreds of employees, charging more for extra bags, and of course raising fares because of fuel costs, it’s apparent the industry is suffering. But, so are its customers.
I was one of the unfortunate people to get caught up in the mess in Atlanta last Monday. It took me nearly 15 hours to fly from Indianapolis to Ft Lauderdale. I had never had any really terrible airline experiences, except for the occasional delay. This time was just ludicrous.
First off, Indianapolis had beautiful weather. The plane was on time, but the employees were not. Our flight was supposed to depart at 12:20pm; we didn’t start boarding until 12:05pm. As I boarded the plane, an employee said my carry on bag was too large (which wasn’t a problem on the way there). I looked around at other passengers’ bags and mine was about an inch taller. After a quick argument, the employee took my bag away. I wondered if I’d ever see it again.
The flight finally took off at 1:30pm, an hour late. As we got closer to the Atlanta airport, the pilot got on the intercom to warn us the weather was too bad to land and we didn’t have enough fuel to circle the airport. The plane was being diverted to Knoxville Tennessee to refuel. After sitting on the plane for an hour in Knoxville and missing our 2:55pm connecting flight, we arrived in Atlanta at 4:30pm. We raced to the airline’s help counter only to be directed to a telephone. What happened to the days of customer service?
Four hours later, at 8:30pm we took off en route to sunny South Florida. Ironically on my flight home, I sat next to a gentleman who sells executive airplanes. I was stunned he was sitting in coach on a mega airline carrier. I asked him why he was not taking a private jet. He said he thought it was going to be a quick flight to Knoxville to close a deal. We talked about the usual… jobs, traveling, life and when saying goodbye, I said after this travel experience I might be visiting him soon… well of course once I have at least 10 million dollars.
I have heard plenty of traumatic travel stories. Looking back on my ordeal, it wasn’t that bad. But if you saw me on Monday, you would have seen a whole different person -- one with horns forming and smoke coming out of her ears. Do you have a travel horror story that beats mine?
Comments
Yes I do. I spent 25 years traveling by air when I was and Executive for Grolier, Inc. I covered the entire USA flying is gas propeller planes, from DC3 up. We flew through the weather, not above the weather as the modern jests do. Many flights were so rough that meals could not be served. Often we had to land in an alternate city or country (Canada). I taught myself to sleep for the entire trip, from before take off to landing. I knew most of the flight attendants of all the airlines and they knew me. On boarding they would say, “Yes I know, nothing to drink or eat, wake you went we get to our destination.” I would fly off hours to get three seats, and with several blankets and pillows could make a comfortable bed. I admired those beautiful women that worked so hard. I only had once narrow escape and it was on a trip that I took my small son Michael. As we were landing, the pilot had to abort and as we hit the ground gave it full throttle and was able to get us back up into the air. Michael was not aware of the narrow escape then or now so I will send him a copy of this.
The airline buisness, in my opinion has become a racket that is only made worse by rising oil prices. These rising prices cause airline executives to make budget cuts. Unfortunatly the greedy executives usually will reduce cost in areas that will make us as passengers suffer, such as less bagggage handlers, tighter flgiht times, and overworked crew members. I feel your pain, keep your head up! one day it might get better...