Chalkie
Jan 3, 06, 7:17 pm
I have been meaning to write and post a TR on an AONE4 I did in October last year. I now realise that time constraints won't permit a report to the level of detail that some of our esteemed posters achieve, but I thought I might just offer some "high level" comments on the sectors I travelled.
My trip was for business, and I was circumnavigating the globe in three weeks to attend a conference, do some work and see some clients. My employer will pay for J class international travel. Being Australian, and having most of my business in London and the USA, my international sectors are always long-haul. Time is almost always at a premium, but I also aim for as trouble-free a travelling experience as possible. I use my flying time to work, sleep and occasionally relax a bit. Therefore I use a combination of upgrades (when I can get them) and money out of my own pocket to pay for F class travel. I am quite prepared to pay the difference between J and F class travel, but my expectations are correspondingly high.
First sector: QF9 MEL-LHR (via SIN) – a perfect QF sector. Good crew working in F, great food and wine. Did quite a lot of work and slept 8 hours, so didn't avail myself extensively of IFE. Breezed through immigration in LHR, which was nice.
Second sector: BA217 LHR-IAD – again, a trouble-free flying experience, although the BA F product is, sadly, IMHO, not what it once was. The IFE on the 777 is a bit of a joke, and the finesses which once characterised the BA F product as amongst the finest in the air seem to be disappearing.
Third sector: AA2187 DCA-MIA – the beginning of my US travel woes. I used to love flying the US (I started at the end of the glory days of US flying). I now look at it with ever-increasing dread. Check in at DCA was the usual debacle with getting bags tagged, then taking them off to the x-ray. The security queue was long and deeply annoying with everyone being asked to remove their shoes under threat of SSSS (I would love to tell the security agents to sod off regarding my shoes, but having enjoyed the tender mercies of SSSS several times in the past, given I didn't get SSSS once on this trip, I didn't want to chance my luck).
The F breakfast meal on this 2.5 hour sector was equivalent to what is served in the QF Y cabin on MEL-SYD (a one hour or so sector). I was looking forward to a hot omelette. Instead I got cold cereal.
Fourth sector: AA960 MIA-LGA – remind me NEVER to travel through MIA again. What a nightmare. Why those shop stalls are permitted in the middle of the AA check-in area is a mystery to me. It makes moving around impossible. And there's nothing worth buying at them. Again, the F luncheon on this 3 hour or so service was abysmal: a turkey wrap. I get a hot meal in QF J MEL-SYD.
Fifth sector: AA509 BOS-ORD – a deeply irritating sector. The two pieces only of carry on started being enforced this week. I had a small (ie, meeting Australian carry on requirements) wheelie, my laptop and one of those black plastic garment bags (that you get when you buy a suit) for my suit. I had to go through the debacle of putting my laptop bag in my garment bag so I had only two items of carry on.
I did, however, have the pleasure of meeting fellow FT'er Jaguar in the AA lounge. We had a pleasant chat about the delights of US air travel nowadays.
We were also trapped on the tarmac for 2 hours because of bad weather/air traffic control. No hot meal for dinner in F (another turkey wrap). At least the cabin crew kept the G&T well topped up. The taxi queue at ORD was long (and it was cold outside). To avoid the queue, I ended up taking a shared limo downtown, and was treated to one of the passengers getting car sick. Delightful.
The late departure/arrival also led to a very annoying experience at the W Chicago – notwithstanding two calls from my secretary in Australia (whom I had been sending email via my Blackberry to keep her apprised of my delay and in turn to keep the W Chicago informed), the W Chicago gave my room away, and I was stuck with a smoking room. It was truly awful – it smelled as though it had been kept closed for weeks. The smell of smoke had permeated the bed clothes. I had to sleep with the window open (it was 2°C in Chicago that night) just to get some fresh air. The Manager of that establishment got a blistering letter from me that morning. I cannot say I was completely satisfied with the handling of the situation, but I only had two nights in Chicago and couldn't be bothered moving hotels once I was moved into a non-smoking room.
Sixth sector: AA729 ORD-LAX – I actually like flying out of ORD. In my experience, the airport is reasonably efficient (for an American airport, that is). There is an AA Flagship Lounge for me to use, which is more like what I am used to in the lounge department (regular readers will know that QF lounges in Australia offer complimentary food and drink all day, with complimentary grown-up drinks after 3pm). The flight was uneventful. I believe there was a hot meal, but it was utterly forgettable.
Seventh sector: AA169 LAX-NRT – this sector was memorable for a couple of reasons. First, when the orders for lunch were taken, I asked the Purser for the lobster salad and the Japanese main. On all other oneworld carriers that I fly (QF, BA, CX), such a request would be accommodated without comment. The Purser on this flight, however, proceeded to explain that would not be possible because it would confuse things with the trays. I was slightly taken aback, but firm in my resolve to have the lobster salad followed by the Japanese main meal. The F cabin was not full (maybe 4 others besides me) so I asked whether it was a catering load issue. The Purser said no, and repeated that it was confusing for the galley crew with the trays. I politely insisted, was told "no" by the Purser, and then when the salad cart came around, asked the other F crew member for salad. She gladly accommodated my request, simply by returning to the galley, obtaining an additional plate and cutlery, and serving me the salad. When the Purser saw that I had subverted her, she proceeded to treat me quite frostily for the remainder of the flight. I mean, really! I am a oneworld emerald, travelling as a paid (NOT upgraded) F passenger. To be so inflexible and disdainful towards a fairly small request is ludicrous, and unacceptable in a premium cabin.
The second memorable aspect of this sector was the other F flight attendant. She was a delightful woman, with whom I struck up a conversation. As it turned out, we had several similar interests and spent a couple of hours discussing music, food and languages. She told me that the Purser with whom she usually crewed on this sector was a charming gentleman (in comparison to our rather stern and culinarily inflexible Purser), whom I would have liked to have met.
As much as I love the people, geography and diversity of the US, truth be told though, I was glad to be leaving flying in the US behind. It has become such a chore, with the earlier check-in times, increased security, mostly disorganised and poky airports, absence of decent lounges and general absence of decent in-flight service in the F cabins. Unfortunately, my business takes me to the US at least twice a year, and I usually have six or seven sectors to fly each time.
Eighth sector: CX521 NRT-HKG – at last, true civilisation. This was my first trip to Japan, and I loved everything about it. NRT was wonderfully efficient. The staff at the Airport bus bowed to the bus as it left. Real service. No tipping. Fabulous bathing facilities. Exquisite food. Clean taxis. Great shopping. Fascinating culture. I cannot be complimentary enough about Japan and cannot wait to get back there.
I enjoyed NRT immensely – huge terminals, lots of space. The CX lounge was a bit sparse, but comfortable and with everything one needs to have an enjoyable time (including draught Japanese beer – how delightful). The lounge was a source of some small fun – sitting in the F section, a couple of other passengers and I were subjected to that most amusing of creatures: the loud (American) business traveller. He was having trouble with his telecommunications, and had a series of very loud conversations with his people Stateside about those troubles. Everyone else in the area having conversations on mobile telephones were doing so quietly and discreetly. The loud business traveller is usually quite unaware that s/he is disrupting others, and possibly breaching confidence. The reason I find them so amusing is that they are usually ignorant of the glares they're getting from those around them. I simply put my Bose noise reducing headphones on and listen to music if they become too unbearable.
On board I had the kaseki (sp? Apologies, I cannot seem to find my copy of the menu) meal. Not for the food fainthearted I would say (there were several dishes which would have troubled those who are delicate of palate), but for those like me who eat – and want to eat – everything the world has to offer, a wonderful experience. The CX service was, of course, exquisite. Personal introductions from the crew, warm smiles, my needs anticipated, and everything the galley had to offer plied upon me! In contrast to the AA LAX-NRT experience, when I asked if I might have a little smoked salmon to start with, the senior FA said I could have everything on the menu if I could fit it all in! She also suggested the premium sake with the kaseki meal, which was a superb recommendation. By the time I got to my JW Blue Label, I was feeling very replete and mellow.
Ninth sector: CX105 HKG-MEL – again, a perfect CX experience. I went to the Pier as my departure gate to MEL was in that part of the airport. A pleasurable aquatic experience in the Pier shower rooms, followed by some work, champagne and a little smoked salmon as I waited for my flight. The service on the sector was exquisite, as is usual for CX. I had some trouble with my seat, and was reaccommodated immediately. Caviar and champagne, followed by some delicious Chinese food and several hours of sleep. An ideal way to fly.
Some reflections on this trip:
1. US air travel continues on its downward spiral in terms of convenience and service standards. Although I appreciate the greater leg and seat room, I do wonder why AA bothers with an F cabin on anything other than the transcontinental sectors nowadays. The experience is so far removed from proper "F" travel that it is grossly hypocritical to name the cabin as "F". I know that this is debated often on this site, and I've read the arguments on all aspects, but the simple fact is that air travel in the US is not as convenient or pleasant as it once was. Other places in the world also have to deal with issues such as security, and they seem to do a better job at making things less intrusive and more comfortable for the passengers.
However, I will be stuck with flying in the US for business and pleasure for the rest of my life, so I suppose I should be grateful for what I have now, because doubtless it will be worse in the future.
2. AA is lagging a long way behind CX and QF, and some way behind BA, in terms of premium cabin service and comfort. BA needs to lift its game a bit with its F cabin service and amenity. IMHO, CX and QF are at the head of the oneworld pack (I understand that there is some subjectivity in this judgment, as some regular travellers are not enamoured with the QF F service. I haven't had a bad QF F experience, whereas I have had a couple of less than desirable BA F experiences, and I think that BA's F cabin service is not what it used to be).
3. CX continues to delight and amaze with every aspect of its service. I intend to structure my future flying to utilise CX as much as possible. As I almost always travel on an AONE4, that shouldn't be too difficult.
My trip was for business, and I was circumnavigating the globe in three weeks to attend a conference, do some work and see some clients. My employer will pay for J class international travel. Being Australian, and having most of my business in London and the USA, my international sectors are always long-haul. Time is almost always at a premium, but I also aim for as trouble-free a travelling experience as possible. I use my flying time to work, sleep and occasionally relax a bit. Therefore I use a combination of upgrades (when I can get them) and money out of my own pocket to pay for F class travel. I am quite prepared to pay the difference between J and F class travel, but my expectations are correspondingly high.
First sector: QF9 MEL-LHR (via SIN) – a perfect QF sector. Good crew working in F, great food and wine. Did quite a lot of work and slept 8 hours, so didn't avail myself extensively of IFE. Breezed through immigration in LHR, which was nice.
Second sector: BA217 LHR-IAD – again, a trouble-free flying experience, although the BA F product is, sadly, IMHO, not what it once was. The IFE on the 777 is a bit of a joke, and the finesses which once characterised the BA F product as amongst the finest in the air seem to be disappearing.
Third sector: AA2187 DCA-MIA – the beginning of my US travel woes. I used to love flying the US (I started at the end of the glory days of US flying). I now look at it with ever-increasing dread. Check in at DCA was the usual debacle with getting bags tagged, then taking them off to the x-ray. The security queue was long and deeply annoying with everyone being asked to remove their shoes under threat of SSSS (I would love to tell the security agents to sod off regarding my shoes, but having enjoyed the tender mercies of SSSS several times in the past, given I didn't get SSSS once on this trip, I didn't want to chance my luck).
The F breakfast meal on this 2.5 hour sector was equivalent to what is served in the QF Y cabin on MEL-SYD (a one hour or so sector). I was looking forward to a hot omelette. Instead I got cold cereal.
Fourth sector: AA960 MIA-LGA – remind me NEVER to travel through MIA again. What a nightmare. Why those shop stalls are permitted in the middle of the AA check-in area is a mystery to me. It makes moving around impossible. And there's nothing worth buying at them. Again, the F luncheon on this 3 hour or so service was abysmal: a turkey wrap. I get a hot meal in QF J MEL-SYD.
Fifth sector: AA509 BOS-ORD – a deeply irritating sector. The two pieces only of carry on started being enforced this week. I had a small (ie, meeting Australian carry on requirements) wheelie, my laptop and one of those black plastic garment bags (that you get when you buy a suit) for my suit. I had to go through the debacle of putting my laptop bag in my garment bag so I had only two items of carry on.
I did, however, have the pleasure of meeting fellow FT'er Jaguar in the AA lounge. We had a pleasant chat about the delights of US air travel nowadays.
We were also trapped on the tarmac for 2 hours because of bad weather/air traffic control. No hot meal for dinner in F (another turkey wrap). At least the cabin crew kept the G&T well topped up. The taxi queue at ORD was long (and it was cold outside). To avoid the queue, I ended up taking a shared limo downtown, and was treated to one of the passengers getting car sick. Delightful.
The late departure/arrival also led to a very annoying experience at the W Chicago – notwithstanding two calls from my secretary in Australia (whom I had been sending email via my Blackberry to keep her apprised of my delay and in turn to keep the W Chicago informed), the W Chicago gave my room away, and I was stuck with a smoking room. It was truly awful – it smelled as though it had been kept closed for weeks. The smell of smoke had permeated the bed clothes. I had to sleep with the window open (it was 2°C in Chicago that night) just to get some fresh air. The Manager of that establishment got a blistering letter from me that morning. I cannot say I was completely satisfied with the handling of the situation, but I only had two nights in Chicago and couldn't be bothered moving hotels once I was moved into a non-smoking room.
Sixth sector: AA729 ORD-LAX – I actually like flying out of ORD. In my experience, the airport is reasonably efficient (for an American airport, that is). There is an AA Flagship Lounge for me to use, which is more like what I am used to in the lounge department (regular readers will know that QF lounges in Australia offer complimentary food and drink all day, with complimentary grown-up drinks after 3pm). The flight was uneventful. I believe there was a hot meal, but it was utterly forgettable.
Seventh sector: AA169 LAX-NRT – this sector was memorable for a couple of reasons. First, when the orders for lunch were taken, I asked the Purser for the lobster salad and the Japanese main. On all other oneworld carriers that I fly (QF, BA, CX), such a request would be accommodated without comment. The Purser on this flight, however, proceeded to explain that would not be possible because it would confuse things with the trays. I was slightly taken aback, but firm in my resolve to have the lobster salad followed by the Japanese main meal. The F cabin was not full (maybe 4 others besides me) so I asked whether it was a catering load issue. The Purser said no, and repeated that it was confusing for the galley crew with the trays. I politely insisted, was told "no" by the Purser, and then when the salad cart came around, asked the other F crew member for salad. She gladly accommodated my request, simply by returning to the galley, obtaining an additional plate and cutlery, and serving me the salad. When the Purser saw that I had subverted her, she proceeded to treat me quite frostily for the remainder of the flight. I mean, really! I am a oneworld emerald, travelling as a paid (NOT upgraded) F passenger. To be so inflexible and disdainful towards a fairly small request is ludicrous, and unacceptable in a premium cabin.
The second memorable aspect of this sector was the other F flight attendant. She was a delightful woman, with whom I struck up a conversation. As it turned out, we had several similar interests and spent a couple of hours discussing music, food and languages. She told me that the Purser with whom she usually crewed on this sector was a charming gentleman (in comparison to our rather stern and culinarily inflexible Purser), whom I would have liked to have met.
As much as I love the people, geography and diversity of the US, truth be told though, I was glad to be leaving flying in the US behind. It has become such a chore, with the earlier check-in times, increased security, mostly disorganised and poky airports, absence of decent lounges and general absence of decent in-flight service in the F cabins. Unfortunately, my business takes me to the US at least twice a year, and I usually have six or seven sectors to fly each time.
Eighth sector: CX521 NRT-HKG – at last, true civilisation. This was my first trip to Japan, and I loved everything about it. NRT was wonderfully efficient. The staff at the Airport bus bowed to the bus as it left. Real service. No tipping. Fabulous bathing facilities. Exquisite food. Clean taxis. Great shopping. Fascinating culture. I cannot be complimentary enough about Japan and cannot wait to get back there.
I enjoyed NRT immensely – huge terminals, lots of space. The CX lounge was a bit sparse, but comfortable and with everything one needs to have an enjoyable time (including draught Japanese beer – how delightful). The lounge was a source of some small fun – sitting in the F section, a couple of other passengers and I were subjected to that most amusing of creatures: the loud (American) business traveller. He was having trouble with his telecommunications, and had a series of very loud conversations with his people Stateside about those troubles. Everyone else in the area having conversations on mobile telephones were doing so quietly and discreetly. The loud business traveller is usually quite unaware that s/he is disrupting others, and possibly breaching confidence. The reason I find them so amusing is that they are usually ignorant of the glares they're getting from those around them. I simply put my Bose noise reducing headphones on and listen to music if they become too unbearable.
On board I had the kaseki (sp? Apologies, I cannot seem to find my copy of the menu) meal. Not for the food fainthearted I would say (there were several dishes which would have troubled those who are delicate of palate), but for those like me who eat – and want to eat – everything the world has to offer, a wonderful experience. The CX service was, of course, exquisite. Personal introductions from the crew, warm smiles, my needs anticipated, and everything the galley had to offer plied upon me! In contrast to the AA LAX-NRT experience, when I asked if I might have a little smoked salmon to start with, the senior FA said I could have everything on the menu if I could fit it all in! She also suggested the premium sake with the kaseki meal, which was a superb recommendation. By the time I got to my JW Blue Label, I was feeling very replete and mellow.
Ninth sector: CX105 HKG-MEL – again, a perfect CX experience. I went to the Pier as my departure gate to MEL was in that part of the airport. A pleasurable aquatic experience in the Pier shower rooms, followed by some work, champagne and a little smoked salmon as I waited for my flight. The service on the sector was exquisite, as is usual for CX. I had some trouble with my seat, and was reaccommodated immediately. Caviar and champagne, followed by some delicious Chinese food and several hours of sleep. An ideal way to fly.
Some reflections on this trip:
1. US air travel continues on its downward spiral in terms of convenience and service standards. Although I appreciate the greater leg and seat room, I do wonder why AA bothers with an F cabin on anything other than the transcontinental sectors nowadays. The experience is so far removed from proper "F" travel that it is grossly hypocritical to name the cabin as "F". I know that this is debated often on this site, and I've read the arguments on all aspects, but the simple fact is that air travel in the US is not as convenient or pleasant as it once was. Other places in the world also have to deal with issues such as security, and they seem to do a better job at making things less intrusive and more comfortable for the passengers.
However, I will be stuck with flying in the US for business and pleasure for the rest of my life, so I suppose I should be grateful for what I have now, because doubtless it will be worse in the future.
2. AA is lagging a long way behind CX and QF, and some way behind BA, in terms of premium cabin service and comfort. BA needs to lift its game a bit with its F cabin service and amenity. IMHO, CX and QF are at the head of the oneworld pack (I understand that there is some subjectivity in this judgment, as some regular travellers are not enamoured with the QF F service. I haven't had a bad QF F experience, whereas I have had a couple of less than desirable BA F experiences, and I think that BA's F cabin service is not what it used to be).
3. CX continues to delight and amaze with every aspect of its service. I intend to structure my future flying to utilise CX as much as possible. As I almost always travel on an AONE4, that shouldn't be too difficult.