PDiablo7
Mar 19, 02, 1:07 pm
Flew the return leg of a IND-NY trip last night.
AA349 LGA-ORD MD80
Check in line was short for First, but the normal line looked to be about 25 minutes. I had called several times, and was pleased that my upgrade had cleared by the time I reached the airport. I've never upgraded using stickers out of LGA before, and I figured that I'd have a tough time as a lowly Gold. Luckily, however, I received 5A, my favorite F seat on the Super 80. Noted several others arrive at the gate for check in asking if they had First available for an Exec Plat. made me smile! I guess thats the benefit of the 24 hour window. Even though everyone was refused, 5B went out empty...strange!
The flight was scheduled to depart at 6, but was delayed until 615. Boarding didn't begin until about 610. Weather and visibility were poor in NY, so this was to be expected, but I worried for my ORD-IND connection, as Indiana doesn't observe daylight savings. This time of year, there is only an hour to make the last flight out to IND. Wheels up was about 645, so I thought it might be cutting it kind of tight.
Service was fantastic. Actually, this was the best service I've gotten on a domestic flight in a long time. Drinks were served twice before takeoff, and coats taken within 10 seconds of sitting.
Warm nuts were refilled, and the FA kept all 13 passengers glasses full throughout the entire flight.
Hot towels and warmed nuts were nice. I fly TWA mostly now, and the service simply is not nearly up to par with American's. I had forgotten how nice it was.
Dinner choice was Beef Stew or Poached Salmon. I had the salmon with a nice salad, and a lovely shrimp appetizer. Sometimes I'm leary of seafood on planes, but all of this was fresh, and cooked perfectly. The salmon was delicate and delicious. Wine glasses were refilled more than needed, and the Chocolate cheescake was tasty.
We arrived at ORD a mere 15 minutes late, showing how much slack there really is in the schedule, despite the delay and strong headwinds.
AA4147 ORD-IND EMJ4
Became a little concerned when we hadn't boarded 10 minutes before departure time. The flight was oversold, and volunteers were requested...$200 voucher and hotel with the first flight out the next morning. Needless to say, no one was too taken with the idea. I was shocked to see that instead of raising the anty, the CSA announced that if no one volunteered, pax would be bumped according to the order they checked in. I asked, and she would not budge in raising the offer. At departure time, the captain came off the aircraft and a 45 minute delay was posted. The aircraft had a brake problem, and there were no others available, despite only two flights left to go out later that night, and at least 7 or 8 EM4s at gates.
The problem was fixed, volunteers volunteered, and we were off only about an hour behind. Short 35 minute flight with a modified beverage service. Nice FA whose jokes made the flight seem like Southwest. I don't see this often, and was quite upset I had left my SOSs at home. I did get his name though, and will send one.
Arrived in Indy 55 minutes late, and waited for bags. Only 1 out of my 2 made it! Classic case of Murphy's Law. I debated on checking my roller, which had a VCR and food in a freezer pack in it, and went ahead and did it as I thought security might not like a VCR too much. Of course that bag was the one that didn't come. Hopefully it will today. I checked in more than an hour before my LGA flight, and with delays leaving both LGA and ORD, there is really no reason whatsoever for a lost bag.
Despite the delays, service is not suffering at all in my estimation, and I was very glad to see full loads on both flights.
Next week Eagle and TWA to Kansas City.
[This message has been edited by PDiablo7 (edited 03-19-2002).]
AA349 LGA-ORD MD80
Check in line was short for First, but the normal line looked to be about 25 minutes. I had called several times, and was pleased that my upgrade had cleared by the time I reached the airport. I've never upgraded using stickers out of LGA before, and I figured that I'd have a tough time as a lowly Gold. Luckily, however, I received 5A, my favorite F seat on the Super 80. Noted several others arrive at the gate for check in asking if they had First available for an Exec Plat. made me smile! I guess thats the benefit of the 24 hour window. Even though everyone was refused, 5B went out empty...strange!
The flight was scheduled to depart at 6, but was delayed until 615. Boarding didn't begin until about 610. Weather and visibility were poor in NY, so this was to be expected, but I worried for my ORD-IND connection, as Indiana doesn't observe daylight savings. This time of year, there is only an hour to make the last flight out to IND. Wheels up was about 645, so I thought it might be cutting it kind of tight.
Service was fantastic. Actually, this was the best service I've gotten on a domestic flight in a long time. Drinks were served twice before takeoff, and coats taken within 10 seconds of sitting.
Warm nuts were refilled, and the FA kept all 13 passengers glasses full throughout the entire flight.
Hot towels and warmed nuts were nice. I fly TWA mostly now, and the service simply is not nearly up to par with American's. I had forgotten how nice it was.
Dinner choice was Beef Stew or Poached Salmon. I had the salmon with a nice salad, and a lovely shrimp appetizer. Sometimes I'm leary of seafood on planes, but all of this was fresh, and cooked perfectly. The salmon was delicate and delicious. Wine glasses were refilled more than needed, and the Chocolate cheescake was tasty.
We arrived at ORD a mere 15 minutes late, showing how much slack there really is in the schedule, despite the delay and strong headwinds.
AA4147 ORD-IND EMJ4
Became a little concerned when we hadn't boarded 10 minutes before departure time. The flight was oversold, and volunteers were requested...$200 voucher and hotel with the first flight out the next morning. Needless to say, no one was too taken with the idea. I was shocked to see that instead of raising the anty, the CSA announced that if no one volunteered, pax would be bumped according to the order they checked in. I asked, and she would not budge in raising the offer. At departure time, the captain came off the aircraft and a 45 minute delay was posted. The aircraft had a brake problem, and there were no others available, despite only two flights left to go out later that night, and at least 7 or 8 EM4s at gates.
The problem was fixed, volunteers volunteered, and we were off only about an hour behind. Short 35 minute flight with a modified beverage service. Nice FA whose jokes made the flight seem like Southwest. I don't see this often, and was quite upset I had left my SOSs at home. I did get his name though, and will send one.
Arrived in Indy 55 minutes late, and waited for bags. Only 1 out of my 2 made it! Classic case of Murphy's Law. I debated on checking my roller, which had a VCR and food in a freezer pack in it, and went ahead and did it as I thought security might not like a VCR too much. Of course that bag was the one that didn't come. Hopefully it will today. I checked in more than an hour before my LGA flight, and with delays leaving both LGA and ORD, there is really no reason whatsoever for a lost bag.
Despite the delays, service is not suffering at all in my estimation, and I was very glad to see full loads on both flights.
Next week Eagle and TWA to Kansas City.
[This message has been edited by PDiablo7 (edited 03-19-2002).]