Pull the red toggle
Jun 21, 01, 1:44 pm
Just completed MSP-MDW-LAX return this week. Seeing the ticket cost $238.50 inclusive compared to $450+ tax on other airlines, I was more than willing to try ATA and forgo the measly points I would have earned for this trip. OK, here's the details:
All flights landed early. The ATA gate areas at MDW are a dump, but this will be fixed by the end of 2001. Meal service includes free soft drinks/juices/coffee and either potato chips and cookies or cereal bars. You get what you pay for!
MSP-MDW Re-engined ex Braniff 727. Surprisingly quiet! Aircraft starting to show age: panels separating, overhead bins slightly bent out of shape from excessive use. Crew OK.
MDW-LAX. 1 year old 757. Nice and clean. Seat 5E. My neighbours: psychopath by the window, obese man on the aisle. Absolutley terrific crew: 30 min into the flight the senior crew asked the large gentlemen if he would like to move to the last cabin as "there were plenty of spare seats and it would be more comfortable for you and these other passengers"! He moved! 3 hours of comfort to LAX...
LAX-MDW. 757. Seat 4C. Completely full. One pax even had pet cat as cabin baggage. Most pax passengers loud, overweight, and complaining. The exception: the small, twitching, tatooed skinhead in baggy jeans across the aisle who drank rum and cokes the whole flight and whose only movement was to pick up the ecstasy pills that dropped out of his pants while paying for the booze.
This is the fault of deregulation! Crew OK.
MDW-MSP. Same aircraft as MSP-MDW. Half empty flight, uneventful. Crew OK.
The verdict: would I do this again? The fare was great, the in-flight service OK, the other passengers a worry. Still undecided...
All flights landed early. The ATA gate areas at MDW are a dump, but this will be fixed by the end of 2001. Meal service includes free soft drinks/juices/coffee and either potato chips and cookies or cereal bars. You get what you pay for!
MSP-MDW Re-engined ex Braniff 727. Surprisingly quiet! Aircraft starting to show age: panels separating, overhead bins slightly bent out of shape from excessive use. Crew OK.
MDW-LAX. 1 year old 757. Nice and clean. Seat 5E. My neighbours: psychopath by the window, obese man on the aisle. Absolutley terrific crew: 30 min into the flight the senior crew asked the large gentlemen if he would like to move to the last cabin as "there were plenty of spare seats and it would be more comfortable for you and these other passengers"! He moved! 3 hours of comfort to LAX...
LAX-MDW. 757. Seat 4C. Completely full. One pax even had pet cat as cabin baggage. Most pax passengers loud, overweight, and complaining. The exception: the small, twitching, tatooed skinhead in baggy jeans across the aisle who drank rum and cokes the whole flight and whose only movement was to pick up the ecstasy pills that dropped out of his pants while paying for the booze.
This is the fault of deregulation! Crew OK.
MDW-MSP. Same aircraft as MSP-MDW. Half empty flight, uneventful. Crew OK.
The verdict: would I do this again? The fare was great, the in-flight service OK, the other passengers a worry. Still undecided...