EL AL Matmid - Save the Date! 15/07 - Ebzed does Economy (And a letter to Shkedi...)

Well, After 4 full years that my foot didnt stepped in Economy, on the 15/07/10 i will be J Classed on TLV -> EWR..., Its not that i dont have points,
There is simply no place in X (for me an the whole family...).
I promise that if i will survive this, I will post a flight report! 8-)

----
And to a more seriouse thing, I have written 2 weeks ago a letter to shkedi:
1. Unified Service
I was complaining about the fact that you never get the same service or
benefits in EL-AL (Like they allow me to go to F Lounge, and not other TPLs),
Or some Parsers really give you good feeling being TPL and some still think
TPL is TL and so on, So either all give same bad service or vice versa

2. The fact that doe to economic situation PL/GLs for long time loose the
status because now they do 20 flights in K rather in S, And EL-AL should
find a solution for such loyal customers.

3. Condition of planes
I am not talking here about how old the fleet, but about how easy it to clean
a plane from flight to flight (clean screens, use alcohol wipes to clean the plastics that are black (tested, with alcohol wipes they become clean very fast!)

4. Knowing the Rules...
I find myself sometimes "arguing" with parsers/ground crew about benefits
which are granted (according to EL-AL) to certain status, and the EL-AL
people simply dont know.

5. Upgrades
Why the heck when the door closed, and there is free seats in Business or First not upgrade loyal customers... It wont cost anything to EL-AL but having
a happier customer.

(It was in hebrew, and much more longer with exampleS)

Knowing some people in EL-AL, I have heard that my letter got to the right
places which made me happy...
Today i got a letter from Shkedi, thanking me for having the time to write
the letter and my care about EL-AL, And that things were taken seriously.

My letter was less about me, and more about my TL/SL/GL/TP friends out there (I know TPL should not mingle with those but shh...).


I also heard about a new initiative by shkedi, which from time to time he brings FF (so far only TPL) to lecture EL-AL managment about how they see EL-AL, and what should be improved/fixed.

Thanks,
Ebzed.

(And in advance, This was written from a tablet with no spell checker,
so dont search for spelling mistakes! 8-))

maybe LY can organize a 'do (maybe in mid october? after the hagim) like CO has done 4 times...

Get our perspective and perhaps get better answers than what we get from the occasional post from LY Rep here.

Well Eran I am sorry that your children will suffer having to spend the trip to Jersey on coach but I'm sure a few days in mouse world will make it all better. At least El Al pretends like it cares...in the US the airlines don't even bother to feign concern. Enjoy the vacation...we need you tan, rested and ready,

maybe LY can organize a 'do (maybe in mid october? after the hagim) like CO has done 4 times...
They do it every 2 months, for FF travelers, but its per specific destinations
(USA, East, Europr (France, Madrid, London)...


Well Eran I am sorry that your children will suffer having to spend the trip to Jersey on coach but I'm sure a few days in mouse world will make it all better. At least El Al pretends like it cares...in the US the airlines don't even bother to feign concern. Enjoy the vacation...we need you tan, rested and ready,

First, Its EL-AL Couch... Second, Nothing that an extra shot of Clexan wont
solve..., Third, I have to say that all my businenss trips (as i know my friends to work read this forum as well) are either from points upgrade or paid out of my pocket (The amount of time the corporate paid are really really low....).
I dont feel sorry for anyone, I have explained more than once why i am
again coach, and why its specific not good for me.
I think that you and i are on the same size (more or less), I dont need to explain you how uncomfortable it is.

I Think EL-AL Cares, I got several invetations, from being in the FA HQ,
to visit a plane while its being prepared for a flight and so on, In order
to see that what looks so obivous for us the passangers, is very hard
for EL-AL (Like i care... I pay for a service, i want the service, if they need
more people/planes, its not my problem!)

Well EranOh dear, I hope OP doesn't mind you using his real name here.

I have to say, I would never do that even though I know it, as I do many other on here.

But I guess they might not care.

Well, After 4 full years that my foot didnt stepped in Economy, on the 15/07/10 i will be J Classed And on a long one too!
Good luck... ;)

Not meaning to be pedantic but I find it confusing using J to describe Economy, as J is widely used on FT for Business (as is C) while Y is used for Economy.

Oh dear, I hope OP doesn't mind you using his real name here.

Basically i do care, but its not that a big problem, I believe that from reading my posts people who knows me, will recognize me..., And as i always say,
If you dont want people to know something, dont post it in the Internet...

5. Upgrades
Why the heck when the door closed, and there is free seats in Business or First not upgrade loyal customers... It wont cost anything to EL-AL but having
a happier customer.


+1

I never understood that either. Why not charge FF points +20% to upgrade to unused business class seats.

Good luck in economy :)

Upgrades
Why the heck when the door closed, and there is free seats in Business or First not upgrade loyal customers... It wont cost anything to EL-AL but having
a happier customer.Because they can charge for it?

Seriously, how many airlines can you think of that do that? Probably none!
In fact the vast majority of airlines upgrade on a space needed policy (i.e. they need your seat) rather than upgrading simply because there is space available in the higher cabin as LY do.

And I disagree that it wouldn’t cost them anything.
It will, first of all because a customer in C cost them more, and secondly because even more customers will refrain from booking C in the first place in hope that if a free seat in available on the flight they will simply ask to be moved.

On a separate (well not really separate but anyway...) well done for writing that letter because is seems you get pretty good and personal service and writing that letter was more for the benefit of other than of yourself.

Well, After 4 full years that my foot didnt stepped in Economy, on the 15/07/10 i will be J Classed on TLV -> EWR...

Good luck! Keep us posted. ;)
Did it a month ago (on the other direction) and survived.

And to a more seriouse thing, I have written 2 weeks ago a letter to shkedi

Interesting. Let us know what the reply is.


Not meaning to be pedantic but I find it confusing using J to describe Economy, as J is widely used on FT for Business (as is C) while Y is used for Economy.

True, but this is the LY forum after all. He was referring to fare buckets, and explaining he had to be placed in economy due to no availability of X fares.

And I disagree that it wouldn’t cost them anything.
It will, first of all because a customer in C cost them more, and secondly because even more customers will refrain from booking C in the first place in hope that if a free seat in available on the flight they will simply ask to be moved.

I dont agree with you, It wont cost them anything, And i will correct myself
"After closing the door, and the parser finished begging people to move for money from economy/business to business/first as it bring him additional income".

I didnt asked it will be done for free, I dont mind paying for it in points, Even paying more points that if i would upgraded in the airport.

Knowing people that fly in C (Including myself), I dont build on luck:
1. I check the flight prior to booking
2. Below 5 empty seats in C, I check if i am the only TPL, And waiting list (sometimes its free in C class, but waiting list on D or W/Z...) ->
3. If results are "against" me, i dont take chance, I will upgrade in full points or change ticket from S/Y to Z (2 weeks ago, 350$, did it without thinking twice)

Thanks for your Thanks, I am very bored lately that beside the letter,
Last week i educated the parser on the CDG -> TLV flight, And had to
explain one passanger (known in the political swamp in israel), that he
bought a seat and not a plane. (They bough cought me in my warrior mood).

Oh dear, I hope OP doesn't mind you using his real name here.

I have to say, I would never do that ever though I know it as I do many other on here.

But I guess they might not care. (bolding mine)
He or she.

My dear frind Ebzed

Please tell us how it was. I am sure you will get the seat at the airport.
I was lucky to fly C and and F in the past 13 years and never in Y.
But I am sure that one day it will hit me :-)

My son is going to the Army in 2 weeks and I took him to London for 30 hours
I took A class for me and P for him.
The service was great from arriving to the KD where he was welcomed with
chocklates (for his birthday) and to the plain where he went alone and
4 F/A checked his ticket 4 times to make sure he is realy in F and not in Y.
We went to the cockpit to see that landing and I showed him that he doesnt
need to jump from the plain in 3000feet (he is going to the unit in the army
that doesnt trust pilots and jump from the plain before landing)

Sent from my iPad with no spell checker

Lior

We went to the cockpit to see that landing and I showed him that he doesnt
need to jump from the plain in 3000feetNice to see you are still alive Lior.... ;)

So LY still allow flight deck visits? And I thought that was something that was banned and strictly enforced on any airline post 9/11.

I didnt asked it will be done for free, I dont mind paying for it in points, Even paying more points that if i would upgraded in the airport.
That's a different story.

I thought you were suggesting this was done for free.

Knowing people that fly in C (Including myself), I dont build on luck:
You (and others) maybe, but you would be suprised how many people do.

So LY still allow flight deck visits? And I thought that was something that was banned and strictly enforced on any airline post 9/11.
Nope, If you know the crew or the parser, Or you know someone enough powerfull in EL-AL, you can ask nice and they will arrange it for you.

Prior going to the deck you will be requested to show your passport to the FA.

If you want to visit the deck next time you fly, and you promise not to complain about it after while, i might be able to help (And yes, this is personally to you, As i know your brother..., I am not offering this to everyone!)

You (and others) maybe, but you would be suprised how many people do.

And you will be surprised how those people become bitter, and complain about
whatever they find because they were not upgraded and they feel bad about it.

I had a serious discuss about this with Amos Shapira (Once upon a time),
Expecting to be upgrade without finally being upgrade cause you feel worse
in the flight rather knowing you are not suppose to be upgraded or that you are already on business, Call it the stress in waiting, Call it the "They never upgrade me", Call it "I am sure they upgrade some one else instead of me because he is the brother if the toilet cleaner in EL-AL"...

If you want to visit the deck next time you fly, and you promise not to complain about it after while, i might be able to help (And yes, this is personally to you, As i know your brother..., I am not offering this to everyone!)Thanks! I really appreciate that, and I promise not to complain about it... ;)

And you will be surprised how those people become bitter, and complain about
whatever they find because they were not upgraded and they feel bad about it.That doesn't surprise me at all, but then in a way it's almost LY's fault because of their upgrade policy, although they have made it more difficult in recent years.

I remember a time a few years ago when I was upgraded on over 90% of the flights I booked in Economy.
So while I did purchase C class I well, I knew almost for certain that if I bought Y I would be upgraded anyway.

Sent from my iPad with no spell checker

Lior

Don't show off - I have one too ;)

I think it's an amazing device and I'm not Apply crazy - this is my first Apple product, I don't even have an iPhone, but wow - it's great- I love it.

ebzed - I feel for you but I'm sure it won't be too bad.

Well, After 4 full years that my foot didnt stepped in Economy, on the 15/07/10 i will be J Classed on TLV -> EWR...

So nodoby dare mention the word "spoilt" again!

I only fly 2 RT a year BUT I have yet, in the past 3-4 years seen a flight where there have been NO visitors to the flight deck. On some flights it is a steady stream of folk talking their way past my seat ( as I try to sleep) on the way for their visit.

My Dad says it's not the same EL-AL,

It's not the EL-AL where staff are nice, the food is good, and the service is outstanding. It's not the 70's/80's where when you board the plane you Hear the old theme tune ( *Latus EL-AL, tsipor ha kesef ha agdola la hine noseket ve ola la me ever yam.... *). It's not the time when the aircraft had a beautiful two tone blue stripe livery which warm's your heart. After the privatization it all fell to be honest ...

My Dad says it's not the same EL-AL,

It's not the EL-AL where staff are nice, the food is good, and the service is outstanding. It's not the 70's/80's where when you board the plane you Hear the old theme tune ( *Latus EL-AL, tsipor ha kesef ha agdola la hine noseket ve ola la me ever yam.... *). It's not the time when the aircraft had a beautiful two tone blue stripe livery which warm's your heart. After the privatization it all fell to be honest ...

Tell your Dad that on the 70's he never heard this song..., It was written only on 1981 by Naom Shemer... Also the two tone blue stripe look was created on 1971 for the 4X-AXA, Designed by Dan Reisinger (or whatever was his last name) and then applied to the other planes...,
He probably remember Zehava Shilon and the cool EL-AL uniforms at that time!


Thanks,
Ebzed...
"And on the 2,083,785th day, ELAL was created."

Tell your Dad that on the 70's he never heard this song..., It was written only on 1981 by Naom Shemer... Also the two tone blue stripe look was created on 1971 for the 4X-AXA, Designed by Dan Reisinger (or whatever was his last name) and then applied to the other planes...,
He probably remember Zehava Shilon and the cool EL-AL uniforms at that time!


Thanks,
Ebzed...
"And on the 2,083,785th day, ELAL was created."

I know that from my Bible ! Marvin Goldman's EL-AL book ! And he's not good with dates but he's saying that 70's/80's were the glory ages for EL AL.

I disagree with you concerning the livery; the old livery was nice, but the new livery is modern and so elegant... :)
Concerning the service, I can't compare, the frist time I flew LY was in 1991 on a 762 (nonstop flight CDG-ETH!!!), and I fell in love with the airline

Don't show off - I have one too ;)

I think it's an amazing device and I'm not Apply crazy - this is my first Apple product, I don't even have an iPhone, but wow - it's great- I love it.

ebzed - I feel for you but I'm sure it won't be too bad.

i got the Ipad just to show off :)
I am spoilt like Ebzed :)
I have 2 of my magic apps running very nice
on the Ipad.
I hope Elal will have an app soon.
I told them to build one long time ago.
LiorM

the frist time I flew LY was in 1991 on a 762 (nonstop flight CDG-ETH!!!), and I fell in love with the airlineYou don't say... :D ;)

I hope Elal will have an app soon.
You do realise that the chances of that happening anytime soon are about as slim as winning the lottery...

Or can you spell some of your magic on them? ;)

I have 2 of my magic apps running very nice
on the Ipad. - Nice ones... i have to say!

Anyway, Just to sum up my "Oy yo yoy, I am flying economy", Just called
a phone call from EL-AL, It seems we all will fly business, They have done above
and beyond to prevent me stepping on that misirable place! (Guys, take things in propotions, some humor please...).

"Sof Tov, Hakol Tov" (Happy Ending....)

i got the Ipad just to show off :)
I am spoilt like Ebzed :)


He was prepared to fly economy (even he had the option of telling his kids that he'll sit up front while they sit in the back)! so I won't take any more of this nonesense

It seems we all will fly businessNice one. ^

What a shame I didn't post what I was thinking when I read your post yesterday...
That you will end up flying Business! :)


Have to say though, that as someone who doesn't end up in the back of the bus very often myself, it is actually quite nice doing it every once in a while just to remind ourselves that not everyone is us lucky as us, and to just appreciate it more next time.

Have to say though, that as someone who doesn't end up in the back of the bus very often myself, it is actually quite nice doing it every once in a while just to remind ourselves that not everyone is us lucky as us, and to just appreciate it more next time.

I have already said more than once the reason i fly business, even if i need to pay from my own pocket the different between Y and C..., If have done economy for 11 years, And i still do it on short flights or weirdo routes (where metroliner/Merlin and Expediter are considerd the "Jumbo"s...)

BTW, few posts disappeard from this thread... find it very strange...

BTW, few posts disappeard from this thread... find it very strange...Probably same reason for that first post in the thread started earlier today about Matmid vs BAEC just disappeared and then re-appeared this evening.

Indeed something strange is going on...

Probably same reason for that first post in the thread started earlier today about Matmid vs BAEC just disappeared and then re-appeared this evening.

Indeed something strange is going on...

That re-appeared after I sent a message to the mods.

That re-appeared after I sent a message to the mods.

Not sure, The message from Tin"something" with the boo to me, still missing...
Anyway this is not a great loose to the world.