Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Rebel in Seat 16D
Ok, there is no rebel in 16D, because that person is usually me. In the last year, I traveled over 25,000 airline miles, some business, most pleasure, though sadly not all on the same airline. Most were on US Airways in the same seat so I won't have to keep neurotically checking my ticket on my way to sit down. My most recent trip was on AirTran.
AirTran has great points that look even better when they're the lowest fare. The planes are newer, and therefore the inside is brighter, seats are cleaner, etc. The attendants have a humorous take on their jobs similar to that of Southwest (who unfortunately doesn't fly to Boston). The air systems even have fresher air, so you're less brainfogged when you arrive at your destination, and XM Radio which is in some ways better than an iPod considering nobody tells you to turn it off during takeoff and landing.
Right on the other hand, what is the deal, people? I've never seen such a rebellious bunch of travellers in my life. At least 3 different parties of people picked seats regardless of their tickets, and then proceeded to huffily flounce into different seats, still not their own, until they were finally relegated to sitting in their proper seats on a full flight, much to their rancor and dismay. On every leg of the flight up there and back there were quite a few people who wouldn't put their seats up for take off or landing and had to be reminded. Then, as soon as the attendant would walk away, they'd slam their seats back down like sullen teenagers...and yet they were full grown adults. What point are you trying to prove there? I really don't get it.
My biggest problem with the flights, though, didn't have to do with the passengers, and isn't confined to one airline. In my experience, considerate pilots keep you updated with news. For example, the flight is slightly delayed by 15 minutes; we're 14th in line for takeoff; we're going to sit here for an hour, so if you'd like to use the bathroom, go ahead. What's rude is saying nothing...nothing...nothing..keeping the seatbelt light on...nothing... 45 minutes later, "Hey, folks, we're next in line for takeoff!" Um, thanks?
Are you telling me they don't know these things before they pull out of the gate? Of course they do. Why don't they warn you, just for mental health, as you're sitting down? "We're going to get where we're going, and we'll probably be on time thanks to headwinds, but don't save your good book 'til we're in the air, if you know what I mean." Heading off air rage starts on the ground, and yet, amazingly, notification is still up to the good graces of the pilot.
The rules and laws governing passengers on flights continue to grow, while those governing airlines don't keep up with common sense. With the news in the last few days, it's obvious very few airlines have contingency plans once the passengers have embarked. When you're on, you're on for the duration, and apparently if they're stuck on the ground, they just figure it out on the fly, pun intended. And that is why I support this:
Proposed Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights
All American air carriers shall abide by the following standards to ensure the safety, security and comfort of their passengers:
*Establish procedures to respond to all passenger complaints within 24 hours and with appropriate resolution within 2 weeks.
*Notify passengers within ten minutes of a delay of known diversions, delays and cancellations via airport overhead announcement, on aircraft announcement, and posting on airport television monitors.
*Establish procedures for returning passengers to terminal gate when delays occur so that no plane sits on the tarmac for longer than three hours without connecting to a gate.
*Provide for the essential needs of passengers during air- or ground-based delays of longer than 3 hours, including food, water, sanitary facilities, and access to medical attention.
*Provide for the needs of disabled, elderly and special needs passengers by establishing procedures for assisting with the moving and retrieving of baggage, and the moving of passengers from one area of airport to another at all times by airline personnel.
*Publish and update monthly on the company’s public web site a list of chronically delayed flights, meaning those flight delayed thirty minutes or more, at least forty percent of the time, during a single month.
*Compensate “bumped” passengers or passengers delayed due to flight cancellations or postponements of over 12 hours by refund of 150% of ticket price.
*The formal implementation of a Passenger Review Committee, made up of non-airline executives and employees but rather passengers and consumers – that would have the formal ability to review and investigate complaints.
*Make lowest fare information, schedules and itineraries, cancellation policies and frequent flyer program requirements available in an easily accessed location and updated in real-time.
*Ensure that baggage is handled without delay or injury; if baggage is lost or misplaced, the airline shall notify customer of baggage status within 12 hours and provide compensation equal to current market value of baggage and its contents.
*Require that these rights apply equally to all airline code-share partners including international partners.
You should too. Sign the petition here.
The Stranded Passengers blog.
Also, please don't write me or them and say, "You get what you pay for...People want to spend $79 on a ticket to Reno blahblahblah, etc."
1. Nobody made the airlines offer low priced tickets.
2. The last time my ticket up north was less than $200... well, I don't remember. Who exactly is it that's lucky enough to get these tiny fare tickets people keep yapping about? My recent fare to Las Vegas was over $400.
3a. The first class passengers who presumably paid more for their tickets do not get treated better or let off the plane while it's on the runway.
3b. Buying a discount ticket should not mean you're relegated to Titanic Steerage status.
It is a big problem, and someone needs to create some guidelines.
AirTran has great points that look even better when they're the lowest fare. The planes are newer, and therefore the inside is brighter, seats are cleaner, etc. The attendants have a humorous take on their jobs similar to that of Southwest (who unfortunately doesn't fly to Boston). The air systems even have fresher air, so you're less brainfogged when you arrive at your destination, and XM Radio which is in some ways better than an iPod considering nobody tells you to turn it off during takeoff and landing.
Right on the other hand, what is the deal, people? I've never seen such a rebellious bunch of travellers in my life. At least 3 different parties of people picked seats regardless of their tickets, and then proceeded to huffily flounce into different seats, still not their own, until they were finally relegated to sitting in their proper seats on a full flight, much to their rancor and dismay. On every leg of the flight up there and back there were quite a few people who wouldn't put their seats up for take off or landing and had to be reminded. Then, as soon as the attendant would walk away, they'd slam their seats back down like sullen teenagers...and yet they were full grown adults. What point are you trying to prove there? I really don't get it.
My biggest problem with the flights, though, didn't have to do with the passengers, and isn't confined to one airline. In my experience, considerate pilots keep you updated with news. For example, the flight is slightly delayed by 15 minutes; we're 14th in line for takeoff; we're going to sit here for an hour, so if you'd like to use the bathroom, go ahead. What's rude is saying nothing...nothing...nothing..keeping the seatbelt light on...nothing... 45 minutes later, "Hey, folks, we're next in line for takeoff!" Um, thanks?
Are you telling me they don't know these things before they pull out of the gate? Of course they do. Why don't they warn you, just for mental health, as you're sitting down? "We're going to get where we're going, and we'll probably be on time thanks to headwinds, but don't save your good book 'til we're in the air, if you know what I mean." Heading off air rage starts on the ground, and yet, amazingly, notification is still up to the good graces of the pilot.
The rules and laws governing passengers on flights continue to grow, while those governing airlines don't keep up with common sense. With the news in the last few days, it's obvious very few airlines have contingency plans once the passengers have embarked. When you're on, you're on for the duration, and apparently if they're stuck on the ground, they just figure it out on the fly, pun intended. And that is why I support this:
Proposed Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights
All American air carriers shall abide by the following standards to ensure the safety, security and comfort of their passengers:
*Establish procedures to respond to all passenger complaints within 24 hours and with appropriate resolution within 2 weeks.
*Notify passengers within ten minutes of a delay of known diversions, delays and cancellations via airport overhead announcement, on aircraft announcement, and posting on airport television monitors.
*Establish procedures for returning passengers to terminal gate when delays occur so that no plane sits on the tarmac for longer than three hours without connecting to a gate.
*Provide for the essential needs of passengers during air- or ground-based delays of longer than 3 hours, including food, water, sanitary facilities, and access to medical attention.
*Provide for the needs of disabled, elderly and special needs passengers by establishing procedures for assisting with the moving and retrieving of baggage, and the moving of passengers from one area of airport to another at all times by airline personnel.
*Publish and update monthly on the company’s public web site a list of chronically delayed flights, meaning those flight delayed thirty minutes or more, at least forty percent of the time, during a single month.
*Compensate “bumped” passengers or passengers delayed due to flight cancellations or postponements of over 12 hours by refund of 150% of ticket price.
*The formal implementation of a Passenger Review Committee, made up of non-airline executives and employees but rather passengers and consumers – that would have the formal ability to review and investigate complaints.
*Make lowest fare information, schedules and itineraries, cancellation policies and frequent flyer program requirements available in an easily accessed location and updated in real-time.
*Ensure that baggage is handled without delay or injury; if baggage is lost or misplaced, the airline shall notify customer of baggage status within 12 hours and provide compensation equal to current market value of baggage and its contents.
*Require that these rights apply equally to all airline code-share partners including international partners.
You should too. Sign the petition here.
The Stranded Passengers blog.
Also, please don't write me or them and say, "You get what you pay for...People want to spend $79 on a ticket to Reno blahblahblah, etc."
1. Nobody made the airlines offer low priced tickets.
2. The last time my ticket up north was less than $200... well, I don't remember. Who exactly is it that's lucky enough to get these tiny fare tickets people keep yapping about? My recent fare to Las Vegas was over $400.
3a. The first class passengers who presumably paid more for their tickets do not get treated better or let off the plane while it's on the runway.
3b. Buying a discount ticket should not mean you're relegated to Titanic Steerage status.
It is a big problem, and someone needs to create some guidelines.
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