Once upon a time, there was this airline- JetBlue Airways- that was different. Always friendly, professional, pleasant and dependable. Always running close to schedule. A "down-to-earth" airline that made flying easier. I have taken 5 legs of JetBlue, and will tell you about my experiences on each one.
12/14 1015 BOS-JFK 4:45PM-6:00
This was my first JetBlue experience, and I was excited. I believed all the hype. I thought I would enjoy a painless flight. I arrived at Logan at 3:30 and made my way to the gate. I saw the flight would be delayed. The explanation was "late arrival of aircraft." At that point, they used E-190s that went back and forth all day between NY and Boston, and weather in both places was clear. Therefore, I was puzzled by the delay. What puzzled me even more was the rudeness displayed by gate agents when we began boarding at 5:15. There was another, later flight heading to JFK scheduled to board while our flight was boarding. Instead of saying, "We are only boarding flt. 1015 at this time, customers holding tickets for flt # (not sure of the number), remain in the gate area as we will be boarding shortly," gate agents barked at confused passengers: "Only the 4:45!" Once aboard, the flight was fine.
Understandably, due to the short duration of the flight, only two choices were given for both snacks and beverages.
THERE WAS NO MENTION OR APOLOGIES of the 45-minute delay during the entire flight. I find that unacceptable. I would later ascertain that a 45-minute delay on a JFK-BOS-JFK run is on the on-time side. When I contacted speakup, they gave me no compensation whatsoever for the delay and lack of acceptable customer service. Fine, I thought, my first leg of JetBlue was a bust, but I'm sure next time they would deliver.
12/18 1002 JFK-BOS 8:00AM-9:15
When I arrived at JFK terminal 6, it was a madhouse. Cars everywhere. Lines out the door. Utter and uncontrolled chaos. JetBlue is too big for this terminal. I checked my bag and entered the 45-minute line for security. I honestly lost track of time because my waits for check-in and security were so long, so when I went to my gate, I took a seat. A very snippy gate agent said, "Are you on the 8 o'clock?" When I said I was. He told me, "Then get on-board! The plane is ready to depart." Before I had a chance to explain I was sorry, I lost track of time, he had ripped the boarding pass out of my hand. When I saw it was 7:35 AM, I was especially shocked at his attitude. I realized JetBlue must be starting some sort of program for the JFK-BOS-JFK flights to decrease delays.
I was greeted on-board by a very overweight flight attendant. Of all complaints, this is the most delicate. I'm not exactly a skinny-marink, and I know that obesity is a disease. However, this flight attendant was easily well over 300 pounds. I feel for this man. I really do. BUT, I feel our safety was at jeopardy. Our lives are in the hands of the flight crew. Emergency tasks require physically fit individuals. I think this JetBlue employee should work in an office for the same pay he would earn as a flight attendant, and hopefully eventually return to the skies when he adapted a healthier lifestyle. Luckily, the flight occurred without incident, so he never had to try to perform any emergency functions. I proceeded to baggage claim.
My bag didn't come off the belt. About 5 passengers from JFK stood around bag-less. A pretty nice bag services agent came over to inform us some JFK bags didn't make the flight, so we had to come in to baggage claim to file a report. My agent (Risa) told me the bag would make the later flight due to arrive at about 11. I could either have it delivered or wait for it. In order to make it easier for myself, I put my book-bag that had important papers in my large luggage. I honestly didn't expect a bag to be lost on a flight in the air for literally 35 minutes. I didn't want to risk having a delivery service get the bag especially because I'm in a difficult-to-find college dorm. I said I would wait. I asked why the bag didn't make the flight since I had checked-in on-time. She showed me an internal e-mail from JFK that said, "Due to the high volume of bags, many passengers from flights originating here (JFK) will not have some or all of their checked pieces." I told her that explanation was simply unacceptable. She said very obnoxiously, "My job is to collect information for you to receive your bag in a timely manner. Let me do that first." Fair enough.
I gave her the information, and then saw she would give me a $25 voucher for a future flight. I told her that would not be enough to get me to fly JetBlue again. I already had a delayed first flight experience, and I was extremely agitated that JetBlue couldn't get the bags of passengers on a very, very short flight. I had a flash-back of the mockumentary commercial when the baggage handler said, "When people fly, they expect their bags to go with them." http://www.jetblue.com/havefun/media/media.asp For such a simple, short flight, having the bags go with the customer is the most basic and necessary requirement. JetBlue failed to deliver that simple requirement. Therefore, I could not trust to fly JetBlue ever again. The JFK facility could not handle the volume of bags on that busy pre-Holiday Sunday morning. I worry for the airline as it grows even more. I really do. My baggage claim agent told me she was only authorized to give the standard $25 voucher for "minor" baggage-related inconvenience.
When I asked to speak to the manager, she rolled her eyes, and said, "I'm only one level below her, and she'll tell you what I'm telling you. It'll be a waste of time." I said, "I'm glad to hear how high up you are in the company, but I would like to speak with a manager." She dialed and I heard her tell her manager that a customer here is not accepting at 25-dollar voucher for having the bag come in an hour-and-a-half late, can you come down and speak to him? A few minutes latter, the manager walked down, and listened carefully as I told her my disappointment that JetBlue failed to have my bag come along on the shortest of short flights. I further told her I was a college student who was planning to fly them at least 5 times a year to get between home and college. I asked what she could do to make me trust JetBlue again. She said the bag would be coming shortly and all she could do was to give me her word this was not the normal JetBlue experience. I told her that her word would not be enough. She told me she understood, and it was ultimately my decision whether or not to fly the airline again. She said once I saw my bag arrive at my home intact later that day, she truly hoped I would continue to be a customer. I reminded her I was waiting at the airport, and asked if I could have a voucher for breakfast. She said they do not offer any meal voucher at all for customers choosing to remain while their baggage issues are being resolved. She kindly offered coffee from the staff pot, which I declined. She invited me to sit in the back-room of the baggage office and wait. I frankly told her if I didn't receive more substantial compensation for JetBlue's failures, I would never fly them again, and the airline literally would lose someone who planned to fly them several times a year for years to come. She said she had other matters to attend to, but would get back to me before I left the airport. I set up my laptop and started doing work in the back-room of the baggage services office, as welcomed to do by the manager. The same agent who initially informed us our bags didn't make the plane, looked at me in disgust. "What are you doing here?" she asked. I told her the manager invited me to sit at this table. However, I could take a hint and saw I was intruding in her "backroom."
I went back to sit in the baggage claim office, and saw the three agents there were not happy with my presence. It didn't stop me from hearing their "whispers" about how fed up they were with JFK, how it's a mess, and stuff like that. Very reassuring to hear other JetBlue agents call another station (JFK) "unorganized and retarded." That was not the only unprofessional talk I heard from the agents. In fairness to the agents, they probably weren't accustomed to having a passenger sitting in their office, but they still shouldn't have used bad language, especially Risa, since I was "her customer."
A woman from a Florida flight walked in with ripped luggage, and another agent asked that I please "go back to the back or get something to eat or something." When I told her, I wasn't offered a meal coupon, she realized she opened up a can-of-worms, and I simply took a walk of the concourse. I checked the flight monitor and noticed the flight my bag was traveling on was delayed one-half-hour. The weather was crisp and perfect. JetBlue really has to get their act together with being on-time.
I returned to the baggage office and simply waited. When the flight finally arrived, I retrieved my bag. Since Risa said she would be on break while my bag came out, I would have to speak to another agent to "close my case." Why she wouldn't wait just a few minutes before going on break in order to complete her duties with me was beyond me. The bag came out undamaged, and I told another bag agent I received my bag and that I was promised the manager would get back to me before closing the claim. She dialed the manager and she read her my confirmation number, and I was handed the phone. First of all, it's extremely unprofessional to speak to a customer over the phone because you are too busy "upstairs."
She was not pleasant and understanding like she was when I first met her. "You paid $68 round-trip for this fare. If you want me to give you a free flight anywhere we fly, I'm telling you right now, that is not an option." While I appreciate her candor, I was pretty upset she based her treatment of me on how much I paid. I paid 25 dollars each way as it was their introductory fare. I was willing to pay more, but it wasn't an option!
She said the best she could do would give me another $25 voucher. I told her it wasn't fair because their introductory fares on the route are over, and that it
"wouldn't get me anywhere."
She asked how much SpeakOut gave me for my first flight's issues. When I told her I was offered only a written apology and no compensation from my initial JetBlue experience, she said she was only authorized to give me a refund of the fare I paid. I said fine as she gave me a $70 voucher. I told her it would be enough to have me try JetBlue again. As I wished her good luck with the future flights, an angry man approached me saying, "Are you going to help me?" I told him I was a customer too, and we both realized there were no agents in the office. I informed the manager that she had no agents in her baggage services office and hung-up. I waited around for another agent to get back, and told her to close my case.
I was planning to come back home in just two days for winter break, so I went on-line to book a flight home on 12/20. The manager said, "you'll see [the voucher] when you book on-line." When I called 1-800-JET-BLUE, the very nice phone agent told me vouchers can only be redeemed by phone. When I told him how I wouldn't have accepted the voucher if I knew that was the case since I wouldn't get double rewards, he said he would double my points as a courtesy. He seemed genuinely surprised and disgusted (like afraid for his job if his company couldn't get a bag on a JFK-BOS hop) about my situation when he happened to ask the reason for my voucher.
12/20 1019 BOS-JFK 7:00PM-8:10
This flight was on-time. (Unlike the earlier BOS-JFK flight, which was delayed over an hour.) How do I know? Many of those passengers came to our flight asking to stand-by. My XM radio didn't work, but a $10 voucher was provided. JFK baggage claim was A MESS!! Again, their facility is too small to support all of its growth.
1/17 1024 JFK-BOS 6:30AM-7:40
JFK was much, much calmer. However, the agent directing customers at check-in was rude. It reminded me of the angry TWA check-in wrangler who barked, "Other lobby!" or "Get to your gate." Since only a few agents were open this early in the morning, I was confused as to where to stand. She told me to "stand on any carpet." (In front of the check-in agents were courtesy rugs.) I seemed to stand on the wrong one because I wasn't being called by any agent. I looked at her, and she screamed for Agent____ to take me. Again, I can't put my finger on it, but this agent did not have the JetBlue charm. He took my bag (I already checked-in on-line.) without looking me in the eye or thanking me. Acceptable for any other airline, but I thought JetBlue was different.
In the gate area, hearing the announcements, I KNEW JetBlue jumped the shark. I heard the same ridiculous wordy and un-clear boarding announcements, the other airlines make like, "This is a final boarding call." How can there be A final boarding call, there is only one final boarding call. While THE final boarding call was referred to as the "last and final" boarding call. I sound like George Carlin, but if something is final, WE KNOW IT IS THE LAST. Why am I saying this? As proof JetBlue no longer is different than American or Delta or Northwest or Continental or United. (The latter airlines are probably better, actually.)
At 6:05, a very, very nervous gate agent came over, and said, we're running late! We have to make up for lost time, let's board this plane! (I'm glad as it seems JetBlue was working hard to train its agents to fix all the delays on the JFK-BOS-JFK, but this agent was a character). There was a pretty big gap between the plane and the jet-way. I assume the jet-way wasn't a good fit for the E-190. JetBlue handled it well as a seemingly "high-up" person personally assisted everyone safely on to the plane. Once on-board, an elderly baggage handler told us "on behalf of everyone outside, thanks for choosing JetBlue. I wanted to tell you all we put all your bags on the flight." This was a very, very nice touch, and something that I expect to see more of from JetBlue. Moments like those don't occur on the other carriers. It was especially nice for me since the last time I flew on this short JFK-BOS hop, my bag was not put on the plane. The rest of the flight was uneventful, and I noticed they started offering more than just two snack choices. Oh yeah, my bag came off-the-belt!
2/17 1011 BOS-JFK 3:55-5:10 PM
I saw JetBlue had a $35 fare for this flight. I think it's because they switched to A320s for this route, and suddenly had lots of excess capacity. Whatever the reason, since my last flight wasn't that bad, I booked this one. This flight was delayed. A lot. We didn't leave until 5:15, after the time we were due in JFK. Other than the lengthy delay that I guess is natural when flying JetBlue BOS-JFK, the flight was uneventful. The crew only gave a cursory mention of the delay, which was better than my FIRST AND INITIAL (haha) JetBlue flight. But, this delay was much longer, so we should have heard a more genuine apology. The flight was further delayed because two people had tickets for the same seats. (I thought JetBlue doesn't overbook.) Also, someone with a connection to Oakland was pulled off and told she was automatically re-booked on a later non-stop to Oakland. The gate agent literally ignored her as the passenger said they didn't want the later non-stop because she would get there too late for her ride to get her.
If JetBlue were dependable on the last flight, I would have flown them back to BOS, and continued to be a customer. Well, based on my experiences and observations, I have given up on JetBlue. I really thought JetBlue was supposed to be different. There's no need to risk it and pay the lower fares to fly JetBlue. Most carriers match their fares anyway. So, you have the best of worlds, JetBlue's low fares on a real airline. (i.e. Delta BOS-JFK is 40 each way on certain routes like JetBlue.)
kdinino
Feb 24, 06, 2:31 pm
Cant speak for the JFK-BOS flights, but honestly every other B6 flight 've had has been great. I had a few bad delays due to weather last winter but I'd be curious if you flew a different route, if your experience is the same.
Im not apologizing, I think they are having some serious customer service issues lately related to delayed flights, new E-190s not wroking as planned, etc.
But I can say when I flew US or DL a lot more often it was always, and I mean always a DISASTER. We're talking lseeping on the baggage claim wheel at LGA beacuse they wouldnt put me up in a hotel and it was 230 am due to a machanical on US. That took the cake.
Sorry for your bad flights. Looks like Acela might be the way to go for now as the shuttle prices are hefty now too.
j3823x
Feb 24, 06, 9:54 pm
I honestly didn't expect a bag to be lost on a flight in the air for literally 35 minutes.
I don't think luggage getting lost has anything to do with how long the flight is in the air.
sulsk
Feb 24, 06, 10:21 pm
I don't think luggage getting lost has anything to do with how long the flight is in the air.
You're correct, logically, it does not. But, when you are taking a trip between two cities less than 200 miles away, your expectations are different. I wasn't traveling across the globe desiring slippers or wine or entertainment. I was simply going back to school for two days. Do you understand what I'm saying? I only needed basic service including having a bag come with me. What is wrong with air travel when one shouldn't complain if one's bag isn't on the flight one is traveling on?
s25843
Feb 25, 06, 2:00 am
I really hate to nitpick your original post but I have a long lazy night ahead of me, since someone called out sick, and I have to man our office.
1)a 45 minute delay, while annoying, is nothing to receive a credit over. I am the owner of a company with offices in Boston & Florida, and we are members of "CompanyBlue". They don't even offer credits for their best customers for delays under 2 hours.
2)All Inflight crews have to go through yearly recertification, and you were in no place to judge that your safety was in jepoardy. Also, you mention that you only paid $25 for these flights. Why would you expect them to give you compensation for anything over what you paid originally? It makes no business sense to them whatsoever.
3)They do keep track of the credits they issue for each passenger, so there is a chance that the more you complain, the less you will receive in the long run.
4)If you keep having these baggage issues, bring a 22" rollaboard with you, and don't check any luggage.
5)Enjoy flying on the cramped 50 seat CRJs that Delta flies from JFK. No TV, no entertainment, and a lovely 30 inch seat pitch.
I really hope you hold yourself to the same standards as you seem to do everyone else.
asu-ua772
Feb 25, 06, 3:09 am
What you have experienced is pretty much nothing out of the ordinary. Flights do get delayed, baggage gets mishandled, and you'll run into some rude folks.
I had two incidents happen to me on Aloha within the span of four days. The first one was an interisland flight (45min) that was delayed an hour because the aircraft went mechanical. I ended up arriving i75 minutes late, and 10 minutes prior to another scheduled flight of the same routing that was running on time. Of course I wasn't happy, but I didn't request any compensation. And BTW, that trip was on frequent flyer miles.
A few days later, I was returning to San Diego to head back to school (much like you). The flight was early, but my bags were nowhere to be found. I filed a report and put myself up in a hotel for the night (I lived three hours from the airport then). I got a call about midnight saying that they found my bags and that the rampers had misplaced it the entire time. So I returned to the airport the following morning to find a very rude agent who was unwilling to help me (kept telling me that the counter was closed). I pressed my case, emphasizing that I had put myself up in a hotel overnight at MY expense so that I could pick up my luggage personally, and they eventually found somebody else (a much nicer agent) who escorted me to my luggage. Once again, I didn't request any compensation.
All in all, stuff happens and we should all get acquainted to it. That, and the E190s are experiencing "teething issues" typical with operating a new type of aircraft. Once they have the logistics down, problems should be kept to a minimum. Much like the previous poster, I too don't think there was any grounds for compensation here. Of course I might be a little flustered by the inefficiencies, but even in my two cases with Aloha, I will still continue to fly them.
Palal
Feb 25, 06, 2:23 pm
Eeh.... The flights that I've had with B6 were great, but they didn't come near JFK or BOS.
From all these stories I'm beginning to wonder whether B6 has any good logistics people, because that's what seems to be holding up everything.
Southwest (I hate their RR program now, but that's besides the point) IMO has perfect logistics (their flights do get delayed, etc.) but they don't have consistent problems as described on this board.
sulsk
Feb 25, 06, 4:27 pm
I really hate to nitpick your original post but I have a long lazy night ahead of me, since someone called out sick, and I have to man our office.
1)a 45 minute delay, while annoying, is nothing to receive a credit over. I am the owner of a company with offices in Boston & Florida, and we are members of "CompanyBlue". They don't even offer credits for their best customers for delays under 2 hours.
2)All Inflight crews have to go through yearly recertification, and you were in no place to judge that your safety was in jepoardy. Also, you mention that you only paid $25 for these flights. Why would you expect them to give you compensation for anything over what you paid originally? It makes no business sense to them whatsoever.
3)They do keep track of the credits they issue for each passenger, so there is a chance that the more you complain, the less you will receive in the long run.
4)If you keep having these baggage issues, bring a 22" rollaboard with you, and don't check any luggage.
5)Enjoy flying on the cramped 50 seat CRJs that Delta flies from JFK. No TV, no entertainment, and a lovely 30 inch seat pitch.
I really hope you hold yourself to the same standards as you seem to do everyone else.
Thanks for your comments! (I don't mind nitpicking whatsoever.) Just to set the record straight- I don't want a penny more from JetBlue. I have given up on them until I see a marked improvement in their on-time performace, baggage handling and customer service. Just looking at their flights on this beautiful, clear day from JFK-BOS, I see: 1010 cancelled, 1006 took off 40 minutes late, 1002 (the first E-190 flight of the day) took off a half-hour late. From BOS-JFK, 1001 (first flight of the day) was 40 minutes late, 1009 was 30 minutes late, and RIGHT NOW 1015 due to take-off at 4:45 has not yet taken off.
Come on JetBlue, get your act together!
s25843
Feb 25, 06, 4:45 pm
Come on JetBlue, get your act together!
Well, in all fairness to JB, it is snowing up here in Boston.
lost*in*cyberspace
Feb 25, 06, 4:50 pm
JetBlue's service from BOS-JFK has been terrible from the beginning. I was delayed a LOT longer than 45 minutes when I flew that route last December.
It's a lot faster taking AMTRAK!
sulsk
Feb 25, 06, 5:41 pm
Well, in all fairness to JB, it is snowing up here in Boston.
It is snowing... very lightly. However, it was not snowing this morning when their first flights had serious delays.
And, why did Delta 5411 BOS-JFK (dep. 5:15) leave early at 5:13?
5471 also departed on-time at 3:15.
5804 JFK-BOS due to arrive at 6:36 was at the arrival gate at 6:29
AA 4662 BOS-JFK took off 7 minutes early at 4:23
US Shuttle 2137 BOS-LGA (5-6:10) departed and arrive only one minute late
right now US 2138 is in the air, and due to arrive 15 minutes early at 6:50. (It left LGA at 5:58- two minutes early).
As you can see, every other carrier is flying fine between NY and BOS even though it's snowing.
jetsetter
Feb 25, 06, 10:52 pm
sulsk,
I enjoyed your trip report. I actually prefer the longer trip report variety that offers the many details that you did. I prefer this over shorter reports that leave out details and nuances of the situation.
I have a couple of observations:
1. There are also significant delays in the B6 BOS to IAD operation. However, a couple of times, they did open up the "Blue Cafe" in IAD which essentially had most of the B6 snacks and drinks available for customers in the gate area. However, I have heard from other "average Joe travelers" that they would not take B6 again especially if they had delay in both their outbound and return flight;
2. One thing I have not been able to get an answer on is whether B6 can and does issue:
*hotel vouchers;
*cab vouchers;
*meal vouchers; or
*Rule 120.20 protection on other airlines
during delay or cancellation situations. The legacy big six airlines can do all these things, and each of them does it to some extent. I have had very good luck with accommodation from UA, and terrible and unexcuseable luck with US particularly at DCA. As a result, I have moved my 100 segment a year biz from US to UA. Even as a US Chairman's Preferred (top level) I have had terrible luck in terms of iregular operations or other reaccommodation at DCA. I would be nervous that B6 might not issue all these kinds of accommodations to their customers in delay or other unusual situations. UA for instance will even by the book issue top flyers hotel vouchers if misconnecting due to weather no matter what kind of fare you have. I even recently had a UA supervisor give me a hotel voucher when I could not get out on a connection standby flight that went out full;
3. Generally I have found the courtesy and professionalism of B6 employees to be above average when compared to the big 6 airlines. However, I have never visited B6's JFK operation; and
4. There are other threads documenting a melt down at JFK during the recent snow storm.
Right now I consider UA my main airline, and B6 my backup airline. I would certainly fly B6, but I would be mindful of the delays and the notion that they might not provide meaningful and tangible accommodations in a delay or other unusual situation.
Oh yes, and you really have to give it to B6 for having one of the most liberal standby policies in the industry:
*If booked first flight of day = can standby free last flight of night before; or
*If booked last flight of day = can standby free first flight of next day.
The other big 6 will waive this at the ticket counter if they feel like it and allow same, but with B6 you can legit do it by phone. For instance I missed the last flight on B6 once due to my own ground transport problem. I was able to go directly to a hotel and arrange for standby the next morning over the phone. Were I on a legacy big 6 carrier I could probably have gotten the same thing done because I'm good at the travel game, but I would have had to go in to the terminal and try to find a sympathetic agent and it would have taken another 30 minutes, where as with B6 this is officially allowed and I could go directly to the hotel and not have to worry about it.
oswaldjacoby
Feb 26, 06, 12:51 am
Lets face it. Over the past few months, JB seems to be losing its golden touch. When you add together:
1)Worst on time record of all major airlines
2)Transcon "nonstops" constantly making fuel pitstops
3)Huge 4th quarter loss
4)Plummeting stock price
These are clearly not happy times.
sulsk
Feb 26, 06, 12:59 am
Lets face it. Over the past few months, JB seems to be losing its golden touch. When you add together:
1)Worst on time record of all major airlines
2)Transcon "nonstops" constantly making fuel pitstops
3)Huge 4th quarter loss
4)Plummeting stock price
These are clearly not happy times.
It really is sad, isn't it. :( I don't think B6 will exist in a few years- it is our time's PeoplExpress, nothing more than a fad. Seeing the deterioration of the services as one casually attempts to fly B6, one is not surprised that the airline is in financial trouble- I almost feel like they deserve it. Neelman was good at setting up and running a small airline with flights to upstate NY and Florida. With B6's massive delays, they cannot retain business travelers- who make up most airline passengers especially on routes like JFK-BOS and BOS-IAD.
What will become of terminal 5 at JFK, which when B6 was healthy they planned to use? Will it sit there unused ever? Which airline will gain the most from B6's demise, DL, AA, CO, US, or all four?
hapn14
Feb 26, 06, 1:08 am
Who says JetBlues dying is anyone making money right now :)! Its a young airline... Going through some of its worst storms ever it will get through.. Though the JFK-BOS flight is killing them
jetsetter
Feb 26, 06, 2:30 am
It may be premature to say that B6 is dying. I mean look at US Airways. They have survived 2 bankrupcies, a holiday melt down at PHL, overall diminished and poor service (like plastic cups in first class), etc. There were days when literally the employees thought US might shut down in 2 weeks, but they are still around. Some of the IAD and JFK delays have to do with B6's new Embraer E190 airplane. They will surely get the bugs worked out of this plane and its software, etc. My last couple of E190's actually did have the tv service. Also right or wrong, the public and media overall loves JetBlue. While perhaps they had a melt down of sorts at their JFK terminal in the last blizard, it was not negatively portrayed in the media like the infamous NW DTW snow storm melt down, or the PHL holiday baggage melt down at US. Also the public is very price sensitive, and they will "forget" anything when it comes to getting a lower price, especially leisure and perhaps even some business travelers.
VIB
Feb 26, 06, 8:31 am
...While perhaps they had a melt down of sorts at their JFK terminal in the last blizard, it was not negatively portrayed in the media like the infamous NW DTW snow storm melt down, or the PHL holiday baggage melt down at US. Also the public is very price sensitive, and they will "forget" anything when it comes to getting a lower price, especially leisure and perhaps even some business travelers.
Yeah, I was wondering about jetBlue's relationship with the media. I haven't seen any mention of any "my horrific jetBlue flight" type reports, nor any mention of all the transcon flights that are having to make fuel stops. On the contrary, look at this article (originally in the Wall Street Journal) --
The media's love affair with jetBlue seems to continue unabated.
Madhouse24
Feb 26, 06, 9:28 am
Lets face it. Over the past few months, JB seems to be losing its golden touch. When you add together:
1)Worst on time record of all major airlines
2)Transcon "nonstops" constantly making fuel pitstops
3)Huge 4th quarter loss
4)Plummeting stock price
These are clearly not happy times.
i agree with one of the other posters......maybe once b6 gets their act together on these e190's (which of course they have ordered quite a few) and logistics down.....they'll be able to strighten everything out
Madhouse24
Feb 26, 06, 9:31 am
It may be premature to say that B6 is dying. I mean look at US Airways. They have survived 2 bankrupcies, a holiday melt down at PHL, overall diminished and poor service (like plastic cups in first class), etc. There were days when literally the employees thought US might shut down in 2 weeks, but they are still around. Some of the IAD and JFK delays have to do with B6's new Embraer E190 airplane. They will surely get the bugs worked out of this plane and its software, etc. My last couple of E190's actually did have the tv service. Also right or wrong, the public and media overall loves JetBlue. While perhaps they had a melt down of sorts at their JFK terminal in the last blizard, it was not negatively portrayed in the media like the infamous NW DTW snow storm melt down, or the PHL holiday baggage melt down at US. Also the public is very price sensitive, and they will "forget" anything when it comes to getting a lower price, especially leisure and perhaps even some business travelers.
right on the money..people tend to have a "selective" memory when you combine low fares, tv, snacks and good seating
lingradurkin
Feb 26, 06, 7:02 pm
Who says JetBlues dying is anyone making money right now :)!
Yes, Southwest always making money. Southwest never lose one quarter since it is established.
Analise
Feb 27, 06, 1:32 pm
I don't think B6 will exist in a few years- it is our time's PeoplExpress, nothing more than a fad. Your anger toward Jetblue makes you make this prediction? What part of Jetblue's business model (I'm sure you must KNOW IT VERY WELL to make your statement) leads you to this conclusion?
askworldtraveler
Feb 27, 06, 8:37 pm
My role on this board has been little over the years which is a sign of very healthy conversation and sharing of experiences. A few things I have noticed as a moderator on another board (AA) - when the threads get longer - and complaints are involved - they can often get personal very fast and threads go sideways. Please when posting keep in mind that this is a community forum. If you find yourself at odds with someone - and what your about to type is off topic-attack oriented, baiting - think again - and consider using the Personal Message (PM) featured offered to say what you want directly to that person - keep it off the board. Also - if you find something offensive - please use the report post feature - and an e mail is generated - which goes directly to me. Unless I'm traveling I try to check my FT mail daily - and when I am traveling one of the super mods watch the board. All moderators are volunteers. Any questions feel free to send me a note via PM or e mail. David
sulsk
Feb 28, 06, 1:04 am
Your anger toward Jetblue makes you make this prediction? What part of Jetblue's business model (I'm sure you must KNOW IT VERY WELL to make your statement) leads you to this conclusion?
PEOPLExpress began to show signs of failure due to chronic, lengthy delays even when the weather was clear. (i.e tonight is very clear, yet 1021 BOS-JFK was nearly 2 hours late.) These perpetual delays will undoubtedly cause the airline to lose flyers. Like PEOPLExpress, B6's fares are very, very low. Yet, they can be matched by the legacy carriers. As B6 and PEOPLExpress don't have the same revenue management programs as the majors, they have too many flyers paying fares much, much cheaper than I should be paying. Majors know how to more carefully limit the purchasing of the bottom-basement fares. How come unlike rival and still-profitable Southwest, they didn't purchase hedges, or oil contracts?
We also all know one reason for B6's initial profit was due to the shear fact it was a new airline. That means staff with no senority and brand-new planes that don't need maintenance. Well, those days are sure over!
s25843
Feb 28, 06, 1:33 am
PEOPLExpress began to show signs of failure due to chronic, lengthy delays even when the weather was clear. (i.e tonight is very clear, yet 1021 BOS-JFK was nearly 2 hours late.) These perpetual delays will undoubtedly cause the airline to lose flyers. Like PEOPLExpress, B6's fares are very, very low. Yet, they can be matched by the legacy carriers. As B6 and PEOPLExpress don't have the same revenue management programs as the majors, they have too many flyers paying fares much, much cheaper than I should be paying. Majors know how to more carefully limit the purchasing of the bottom-basement fares. How come unlike rival and still-profitable Southwest, they didn't purchase hedges, or oil contracts?
We also all know one reason for B6's initial profit was due to the shear fact it was a new airline. That means staff with no senority and brand-new planes that don't need maintenance. Well, those days are sure over!
You seem obsessed with tracking the BOS-JFK flights. To that I say great for you.
Out of 10 BOS-JFK flights on Monday, only 3 were delayed, only 1 had a major delay of over an hour. So thats a 70% ontime rating for BOS-JFK on Monday.
A quick pull of BOS-JFK flights on Delta, revealed that out of 7 flights 4 were delayed and 1 had a delay of almost an hour and half, and if I did my math correctly, thats a 45% ontime rating.
Now, you tell me which one is worse?
JetBlue is well managed, and out of 6 years of flying, had 1 quater come up at a loss. Compare that to the recently deceased Independence Air. They were frequently, selling seats for $29 that cost them almost $70 to fly, and at their worst point, they actually ordered the A319s to have Entertainment systems, and then had to pull the order (after the seatbacks were already cutout, because they couldn't afford it)
As much as you'd love to see JetBlue tank, don't hold your breath, they aren't going anywhere.
If you would like to personally protest and express your concern to David Needleman, he is speaking at the Boston Globe Travel Expo at the Bayside Expo center on Friday 3/24. Its for travel industry professionals only, so good luck getting in.
prhs1989
Feb 28, 06, 7:06 pm
PEOPLExpress began to show signs of failure due to chronic, lengthy delays even when the weather was clear. (i.e tonight is very clear, yet 1021 BOS-JFK was nearly 2 hours late.) These perpetual delays will undoubtedly cause the airline to lose flyers. Like PEOPLExpress, B6's fares are very, very low. Yet, they can be matched by the legacy carriers. As B6 and PEOPLExpress don't have the same revenue management programs as the majors, they have too many flyers paying fares much, much cheaper than I should be paying. Majors know how to more carefully limit the purchasing of the bottom-basement fares. How come unlike rival and still-profitable Southwest, they didn't purchase hedges, or oil contracts?
We also all know one reason for B6's initial profit was due to the shear fact it was a new airline. That means staff with no senority and brand-new planes that don't need maintenance. Well, those days are sure over!
Did PEOPLExpress break a brand new airplane into its fleet. The plane is having growing pains, which I believe they are finally working through. In the last two days, there has been one flight with an hour+ delay. Everything else has either been on time or 10 to 20 mins delay. They are getting there.
B6 fares are not "low, low, low" like you claim. Selling fares for $9 dollars, like Spirit, is ridiculous. B6 doesn't do that. They have raised their introductory fares on their new routes by about $5. They have also relocated their yield management group to help improve their revenue. Finally, the lower fares can usually be only found months in advance. As the seats become fewer, the fares go up. Hence, you have the bucket system. For my last couple of flights to Florida, I have flown Continental, even though I would have preferred Jetblue, because they were cheaper. CHEAPER.
Thirdly, regarding the fuel hedges, Jetblue did hedge their fuel. Those contracts expired within the last year. Southwest made a bold prediction, and won, and they are hedged, I believe, through 2009. No one, except WN, saw fuel rising like this. Jetblue may have lost money before if they didn't hedge their fuel for the last couple of years.
I love when people say that Jetblue now has to pay for maintenance, and that no one sa w it coming. The top brass saw this coming, and they were prepared for this. Every airline is.
Finally, if you prefer Delta, or whoever, wouldn't it make more sense to promote that airline on that board. I am not sure why you are so hellbent on bringing down Jetblue. I don't go out of my way to trash Delta. It just isn't worth the effort.
hapn14
Feb 28, 06, 8:15 pm
You seem obsessed with tracking the BOS-JFK flights. To that I say great for you.
Out of 10 BOS-JFK flights on Monday, only 3 were delayed, only 1 had a major delay of over an hour. So thats a 70% ontime rating for BOS-JFK on Monday.
A quick pull of BOS-JFK flights on Delta, revealed that out of 7 flights 4 were delayed and 1 had a delay of almost an hour and half, and if I did my math correctly, thats a 45% ontime rating.
Now, you tell me which one is worse?
JetBlue is well managed, and out of 6 years of flying, had 1 quater come up at a loss. Compare that to the recently deceased Independence Air. They were frequently, selling seats for $29 that cost them almost $70 to fly, and at their worst point, they actually ordered the A319s to have Entertainment systems, and then had to pull the order (after the seatbacks were already cutout, because they couldn't afford it)
As much as you'd love to see JetBlue tank, don't hold your breath, they aren't going anywhere.
If you would like to personally protest and express your concern to David Needleman, he is speaking at the Boston Globe Travel Expo at the Bayside Expo center on Friday 3/24. Its for travel industry professionals only, so good luck getting in.
^ ^ What a nice Explenation. Briliant!
jetBlueNYFL
Feb 28, 06, 9:26 pm
Did PEOPLExpress break a brand new airplane into its fleet. The plane is having growing pains, which I believe they are finally working through. In the last two days, there has been one flight with an hour+ delay. Everything else has either been on time or 10 to 20 mins delay. They are getting there.
B6 fares are not "low, low, low" like you claim. Selling fares for $9 dollars, like Spirit, is ridiculous. B6 doesn't do that. They have raised their introductory fares on their new routes by about $5. They have also relocated their yield management group to help improve their revenue. Finally, the lower fares can usually be only found months in advance. As the seats become fewer, the fares go up. Hence, you have the bucket system. For my last couple of flights to Florida, I have flown Continental, even though I would have preferred Jetblue, because they were cheaper. CHEAPER.
Thirdly, regarding the fuel hedges, Jetblue did hedge their fuel. Those contracts expired within the last year. Southwest made a bold prediction, and won, and they are hedged, I believe, through 2009. No one, except WN, saw fuel rising like this. Jetblue may have lost money before if they didn't hedge their fuel for the last couple of years.
I love when people say that Jetblue now has to pay for maintenance, and that no one sa w it coming. The top brass saw this coming, and they were prepared for this. Every airline is.
Finally, if you prefer Delta, or whoever, wouldn't it make more sense to promote that airline on that board. I am not sure why you are so hellbent on bringing down Jetblue. I don't go out of my way to trash Delta. It just isn't worth the effort.
Could not have said it better myself!
GO JETBLUE!!!!!!!!!!
sulsk
Feb 28, 06, 10:00 pm
nightly BOS-JFK-BOS delay report:
JetBlue 1017 departed 72 minutes late, arrived 57 minutes late
1018 departed 59 minutes late, arrived 43 minutes late
colerc
Mar 1, 06, 9:22 am
Eeh.... The flights that I've had with B6 were great, but they didn't come near JFK or BOS.
From all these stories I'm beginning to wonder whether B6 has any good logistics people, because that's what seems to be holding up everything.
Southwest (I hate their RR program now, but that's besides the point) IMO has perfect logistics (their flights do get delayed, etc.) but they don't have consistent problems as described on this board.
Southwest also doesn't fly to BOS or JFK. Southwest flies to LAS and PHX and a lot of other places where weather is virtually never a problem. ALL airlines that fly to BOS and JFK take hellish on-time hits. B6's service may be doing less well than many (probably due to E190 issues), but it's not fair--yet--to blame their logistics people for all the delays.
colerc
Mar 1, 06, 9:32 am
Lets face it. Over the past few months, JB seems to be losing its golden touch. When you add together:
2)Transcon "nonstops" constantly making fuel pitstops
These are clearly not happy times.
Um . . . so now JetBlue is expected to control the weather, too?
(I wish that article were less B6-centric, as my point is that other airlines are having trouble getting from east to west as well. But unfortunately due to the media mafia conspiracy pact ;) USA Today is required to only write about JetBlue.)
jetBlueNYFL
Mar 1, 06, 12:55 pm
nightly BOS-JFK-BOS delay report:
JetBlue 1017 departed 72 minutes late, arrived 57 minutes late
1018 departed 59 minutes late, arrived 43 minutes late
Since you chose to post the status of the delayed flights, I will post the status of ALL JFK-BOS flights for yesterday (2/28)...look how many were on time. Also, keep in mind that most delays are not the airline's fault. During the record snow storm, Delta decided to do what they always do and screw the customer...they cancelled ALL flights in advance...jetBlue made the attempt to try and go on most flights. And if you did not want to travel, you could change the ticket with no charge. You are obsessed with those BOS-JFK flights...while an important route, there are only 10 of those each day, each way for a total of 20 segments. JetBLue has over 400 flights system-wide, growing at a rate of 35% per year. The delays are due to the introudction of a brand new airplane, the E190...things are getting much better. Here is the status for yesterday's shuttle flights:
Since you chose to post the status of the delayed flights, I will post the status of ALL JFK-BOS flights for yesterday (2/28)...look how many were on time. Also, keep in mind that most delays are not the airline's fault. During the record snow storm, Delta decided to do what they always do and screw the customer...they cancelled ALL flights in advance...jetBlue made the attempt to try and go on most flights. And if you did not want to travel, you could change the ticket with no charge. You are obsessed with those BOS-JFK flights...while an important route, there are only 10 of those each day, each way for a total of 20 segments. JetBLue has over 400 flights system-wide, growing at a rate of 35% per year. The delays are due to the introudction of a brand new airplane, the E190...things are getting much better. Here is the status for yesterday's shuttle flights:
The on-time performance seems to be improving very strongly on these flights. That is good to see.
P.S. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't bring up the snowstorm anymore. There was an entirely different thread on it a couple of weeks ago. All that happened was that it turned to Jetblue vs. Delta, and it became a ridiculous argument that went back and forth. Forget it, the blizzard is gone, so let's not bring it back up. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Analise
Mar 2, 06, 11:39 am
PEOPLExpress began to show signs of failure due to chronic, lengthy delays even when the weather was clear. (i.e tonight is very clear, yet 1021 BOS-JFK was nearly 2 hours late.) These perpetual delays will undoubtedly cause the airline to lose flyers. Like PEOPLExpress, B6's fares are very, very low. Yet, they can be matched by the legacy carriers. As B6 and PEOPLExpress don't have the same revenue management programs as the majors, they have too many flyers paying fares much, much cheaper than I should be paying. Majors know how to more carefully limit the purchasing of the bottom-basement fares. How come unlike rival and still-profitable Southwest, they didn't purchase hedges, or oil contracts?
We also all know one reason for B6's initial profit was due to the shear fact it was a new airline. That means staff with no senority and brand-new planes that don't need maintenance. Well, those days are sure over!Again, I have to wonder where you get your information. People failed because they expanded much too quickly and could not sustain their dirt cheap fares of $24 each way between EWR and PWM (I remember that fare very well!) for example. People's also didn't offer anything special besides cheapness and thus could not sustain the competition when the majors dared them to keep such low rates while at the same time expanding too quickly for the marketplace to adjust and to airports too expensive for them to maintain long term. The majors were feeding coach passengers back then; today they aren't. People had no frills at all. Jetblue is a hybrid, something People's was not. Their business model, which you never discussed, was to offer a better coach experience than the majors while at a much better fare especially compared with last minute walk-up fares. They could do that by flying into area airports. They got their foot into JFK because the NY State legislature gave them a sweetheart deal that they could have cheap access to JFK if they were to offer inexpensive flights within New York State. It worked. They grew from there. The Jetblue top people came from WN and saw that flying into cheaper airports worked out great. OAK is cheaper than SFO, LGB is cheaper than LAX. Plus by going to these outer airports, they wouldn't be stuck like other airlines were. Jetblue's model is efficiency while giving the passenger better creature comforts in coach like leather seats and satellite TV. Did People's focus on amenities? Yeah right. :D
Everybody can be a Monday morning QB about hedging oil prices. WN's move was brilliant but if oil prices had dropped, we all would be saying what a suicidal move that was. What's astounding is Jetblue's success without having that fixed price. What union stranglehold does Jetblue have? You say the days of "cheap labor" are over. When did anyone sign a union card?
askworldtraveler
Mar 2, 06, 1:47 pm
It really is sad, isn't it. :( I don't think B6 will exist in a few years- it is our time's PeoplExpress, nothing more than a fad. Seeing the deterioration of the services as one casually attempts to fly B6, one is not surprised that the airline is in financial trouble- I almost feel like they deserve it. Neelman was good at setting up and running a small airline with flights to upstate NY and Florida. With B6's massive delays, they cannot retain business travelers- who make up most airline passengers especially on routes like JFK-BOS and BOS-IAD.
What will become of terminal 5 at JFK, which when B6 was healthy they planned to use? Will it sit there unused ever? Which airline will gain the most from B6's demise, DL, AA, CO, US, or all four?
There is little to suggest your premise is even close to reality. It's far more likely one of the above mentioned legacy airlines (left out UA ) will not survive as we know it - US is already merging with America West. All airlines have hick ups from time to time- even the beloved Southwest - B6 isn't going anywhere but growth, being copied, and possibly merged. That's not a guess - it's fact.
Also the one time that Jet Blue couldn't get me from point A to point B due to weather and then not enough capacity - they were more then helpful paying a full fair one way ticket on Delta to get me home. That to me is great customer service.
HAT ON - AS MODERATOR
Please stay on topic - don't get personal - if you have anything that shouldn't be public - use PM. Thanks everyone
BOS->JFK
Flight Scheduled Arrival Actual Arrival
1001 7:20 am 7:21 am
1003 9:30 am 9:42 am
1005 11:00 am 11:12 am
1007 1:10 pm 1:06 pm
1009 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
1011 5:10 pm 5:12 pm
1015 6:00 pm 6:06 pm
1017 7:30 pm 7:42 pm
1019 9:10 pm 9:06 pm
1021 10:00 pm 9:54 pm
Did you know a flight is not officially late unless it's more than 15 minutes after scheduled arrival time? Let's see, that makes . . . ZERO late flights yesterday.
But JetBlue is definitely going down the drain. Would you look at that--only one flight all day was exactly on time. Oh, wait--that's because 9 of 20 flights for the day were early. I am running for Delta as I write. This is completely unacceptable. I don't want to be getting in 10 minutes before I had planned for--I'll miss the end of the TV show I was watching!
sbtinme
Mar 2, 06, 8:32 pm
Just stumbling upon this thread as a non JB passenger, but an elite pax on a few other legacy domestic carriers. Let me say that I was almost angered reading the OP's diatribe. It takes more than a little nerve to demand recompense for a flight taking a 45 minute delay. Good Lord -- the last time I was connecting in LGA for a flight to DEN we took a 4 hour delay with clear skies and no snow for hundreds of miles. And as a long time (sadly 20 years+) VFF on US, I can tell you most days I'd give my left arm if those flights were always JUST 45 minutes late.
I think JB made a serious error in issuing any vouchers to this pax. The OP should consider their jesture to be one of significant bending over backwards and far outside standard policy for c/s.
Just when I think I've read about everything ........
kenlediver
Mar 2, 06, 10:11 pm
I think JB made a serious error in issuing any vouchers to this pax. The OP should consider their jesture to be one of significant bending over backwards and far outside standard policy for c/s.
Just when I think I've read about everything ........
I agree. What baffles the heck out of me is according to his post he paid $25 each way for the flight. $68 with tax R/T. After putting such a good show B6 vouchered him $70, thats more than he paid for his two flights, and still with this attention seeking behavior.
Let me take this chance to apologize that you were delayed, I'm sorry your bag was also late. I'm sorry that luggage must follow the same route thru the airport screening process wether it is going on an hour flight or traveling half way around the world. I'm sorry that there is no way to identify your specific bag and have it immediatly placed on your flight sans any screening. You apparently know exactly what you want in an airline, and Jet Blue is unable to deliver a product to fit your specifications. Might I suggest you really show them how much you dislike their service and cease to purchase their product? Maybe your revenue is just what was keeping them flying and stopping your purchases will be the straw to send them under. Oh, wait, last time you flew them they PAID YOU $2 (according to you).
There are many other airlines out there and several travel the JFK-BOS route daily. There is no need to use B6 for scheduling reasons as according to you their schedule is completely unreliable. Good luck in your quest, I hope you find what you are looking for. I think DL, NW, and Amtrak could use some more business, maybe you can help them out a little?
Howgart
Mar 3, 06, 5:38 pm
I agree. What baffles the heck out of me is according to his post he paid $25 each way for the flight. $68 with tax R/T. After putting such a good show B6 vouchered him $70, thats more than he paid for his two flights, and still with this attention seeking behavior.
Let me take this chance to apologize that you were delayed, I'm sorry your bag was also late. I'm sorry that luggage must follow the same route thru the airport screening process wether it is going on an hour flight or traveling half way around the world. I'm sorry that there is no way to identify your specific bag and have it immediatly placed on your flight sans any screening. You apparently know exactly what you want in an airline, and Jet Blue is unable to deliver a product to fit your specifications. Might I suggest you really show them how much you dislike their service and cease to purchase their product? Maybe your revenue is just what was keeping them flying and stopping your purchases will be the straw to send them under. Oh, wait, last time you flew them they PAID YOU $2 (according to you).
There are many other airlines out there and several travel the JFK-BOS route daily. There is no need to use B6 for scheduling reasons as according to you their schedule is completely unreliable. Good luck in your quest, I hope you find what you are looking for. I think DL, NW, and Amtrak could use some more business, maybe you can help them out a little?
Exactly what I've been thinking (in addition to words like gall, chutzpah, and outlandish, which also come to mind).
Last year I flew 175,000 miles. Most of my flights were on on AA and other International carriers. The 2 years before, it was about 150K. The 7 years prior to that, it was 60-80K per year. The past few years, most of my connecting flights have been on B6 from BUF-JFK. I fly B6 on average 25-30 times per year, and have done so since their third day of operation).
My point is, I think I've got some relevant experience and a pretty good basis for comparison here. For what they do and aspire to be, I think Jetblue is pretty damn terrific! They get me where I want to go efficiently, and are usually pretty reliable (again, I have 100 plus Jetblue flights over the past 4 years to draw on as my base of experience). The crew is polite, friendly, fun, and most importantly really, really helpful. (Try finding lots of other airlines where the FA's are humping up and down the aisles helping PAX to find free space and load their luggage!) The refreshments are great and the in-flight TV rocks. Is it first class on SQ or CX? No, but then again they don't purport to be.
Yes I understand there have been some on-time problems of late, and yes they're working out the bugs with the E190's, but overall, I still believe that compared to lots of other domestic legacy carriers, they do a great job.
For those of us that fly on a regular basis, what was described by the OP is all part of familiar territory. It seems to me that if the OP is going to get that upset and ask for and expect compensation over these types of issues, then I predict he is in for a very long and frustrating lifetime of flying (and other) experiences.
SkaterJasp
Mar 4, 06, 1:35 pm
Well in jetBlue's defense... some of the issue here surrounds jetblue being late "all the time". Well my take is that I would much rather be delayed than for the flight to be cancled all together.
For example, I traveled on other airlines where my flight was cancled for the most random reason like the plane isnt ready to fly because to the incoming flight or their not able to cater the plane was delayed or the weather is bad for the next hour to more serious like problems with the plane. The best one was the flight was cancle because theres only 20 people booked on the flight and on the return flight wasn't cancled even though there was 7 people onboard the 757 and the gate agent even joked about how we can all sit in first class, which we did. But I dont really want t bash those airlines cause i'm sure theres reasons why they did it. :::cough::: united, american, skywest, horizon, delta, shuttle by united, and alaska ::: cough ::: Of the airlines aside from jetBlue that I didn't have any problems with was TWA but that lasted till when American took over.
With jetBlue, there were flights that were delayed to a point where it made sense to cancle it but jetBlue didnt. I saw some stats, forgot where, but it showed jetBlue had one of the industry LOWEST cancelation rate, that should at least count for something. I just notice jetBlue would cancle a flight only if they really have to do it whereas other airline it seems to be like the first option. It just seems jetBlue's main objective, to me, is to get you where you need to go and not strand you in a city cross country from where you live. ^
SkaterJasp
Mar 4, 06, 2:02 pm
see reason for editing
CAL PHL FLYER
Mar 4, 06, 9:06 pm
JetBlue WAS a good airline..Now the newness has worn off..and they have bills to pay..they enjoyed a great deal from Airbus and now the rent is due..JetBlue is loosing money..and the employees realize they dont have such a wonderfull future anymore..maybe that why they treat thier customers with Contempt now. :td:
kenlediver
Mar 4, 06, 9:33 pm
JetBlue WAS a good airline..Now the newness has worn off..and they have bills to pay..they enjoyed a great deal from Airbus and now the rent is due..JetBlue is loosing money..and the employees realize they dont have such a wonderfull future anymore..maybe that why they treat thier customers with Contempt now. :td:
Can you cite an example? Perhaps a personal experience? This thread started because one individual wanted to throw a temper tantrum because he had a bad experience on B6 and desired to apply that as the benchmark for their product. He continued to persist in forwarding this train of thought, based on one experience he had, and attempted to bring statistical data about one route into the argument to substantiate his claim. Others have shown his summary false. Although his data was in fact correct, his sample rate for the data set was too narrow and constrained to be appropriately applied to either B6's overall product or even the one route that he sampled the data from.
That is nice of you to jump on the bandwagon, however the wagon has already left. No one here has claimed that B6 is perfect. Far from it. Simply, we find value in the product and will continue to purchase it. I like JetBlue, I will continue to use them as much as possible. I do not believe they are infallible. I am not sure if they will be flying tomorrow, let alone 30 years from now. Chances are that they won't. Either way, they are flying today, and I am using them today. They offer a product I like, LCC prices with a little better than cattle car service. I don't need a full F ticket to go from Buffalo to NY. Personally I think people who do are kinda weird, but that's me.
So, what experience with this contempt have you had?
sulsk
Mar 4, 06, 10:09 pm
JetBlue WAS a good airline..Now the newness has worn off..and they have bills to pay..they enjoyed a great deal from Airbus and now the rent is due..JetBlue is loosing money..and the employees realize they dont have such a wonderfull future anymore..maybe that why they treat thier customers with Contempt now. :td:
All the posters here have drank the BlueJuice. For you, they bemoan your lack of examples. When I gave a DETAILED account of JetBlue's failures including rude customer service, delayed performance, incompetent baggage handling, facilities too small to support the airline's operations and an overweight FA, I was told I was a whiner and laughed at.
I appreciate your candor! Don't expect any sympathy here. (If I had to guess, I would say at least one poster on this board was sent from JetBlue corporate to be a spy.
PepsiAddict
Mar 4, 06, 11:10 pm
All the posters here have drank the BlueJuice. For you, they bemoan your lack of examples. When I gave a DETAILED account of JetBlue's failures including rude customer service, delayed performance, incompetent baggage handling, facilities too small to support the airline's operations and an overweight FA, I was told I was a whiner and laughed at.
I think if your experiences had been par for the course then you would have had alot of people agree with you ... but they simply arent the par at all. On the whole they do a good job and sell a good product. I've been flying them for years and I havent had a single bad experience that was in their control. I have never once had to complain or ask for compensation for anything, when a flight was late due to their error I have always been given a voucher without ever having to ask.
That said, everyone has an "off" day ... maybe you caught them on an off day. Not that big a deal really, especially for people who fly on a regular basis ... but your gripes and subsequent demands were childish and overall ridiculous. As others have already stated ... jetBlue issuing you any kind of voucher (especially the amount you eventually ended up with) was a mistake on CS's part.
By all means use other airlines .. vote with your dollars, its the beauty of capitalism ... but seriously will every flight be picture perfect with any other airline. Everyone has good and bad days.
kenlediver
Mar 4, 06, 11:12 pm
All the posters here have drank the BlueJuice..
Yes, that's why this forum exists
When I gave a DETAILED account of JetBlue's failures including rude customer service, delayed performance, incompetent baggage handling, facilities too small to support the airline's operations and an overweight FA, I was told I was a whiner and laughed at...
Because you just go on and on. I gave you an apology, what more do you want?
Don't expect any sympathy here
You had it but it wasn't enough for you.
(If I had to guess, I would say at least one poster on this board was sent from JetBlue corporate to be a spy.
And contrails are the result of CIA mind control operations. The world is really flat. Elvis is alive and partying with Jim Morrison somewhere in Africa.
DHAST
Mar 5, 06, 4:11 am
All the posters here have drank the BlueJuice. For you, they bemoan your lack of examples. When I gave a DETAILED account of JetBlue's failures including rude customer service, delayed performance, incompetent baggage handling, facilities too small to support the airline's operations and an overweight FA, I was told I was a whiner and laughed at.
I appreciate your candor! Don't expect any sympathy here. (If I had to guess, I would say at least one poster on this board was sent from JetBlue corporate to be a spy.
Ah yes. I pull this thread up when I need a chuckle. It's good for a laugh. Just out of curiosity, what is it that you are expecting from Blue or the other posters here?
prhs1989
Mar 5, 06, 6:10 am
All the posters here have drank the BlueJuice. For you, they bemoan your lack of examples. When I gave a DETAILED account of JetBlue's failures including rude customer service, delayed performance, incompetent baggage handling, facilities too small to support the airline's operations and an overweight FA, I was told I was a whiner and laughed at.
I appreciate your candor! Don't expect any sympathy here. (If I had to guess, I would say at least one poster on this board was sent from JetBlue corporate to be a spy.
This guy is bemoaned because he comes on this board and just says things that have little truth or purpose. Such as:
"You get what you pay for..JetBlue is a LCC Low Cost Carrier..and you speak of the customer service issues?..You are going to get a Lower Quality Employee at a Low Cost Carrier. "
And I am not sure why you are still complaining Sulsk. You have beaten this horse to death. It is your choice, so you can fly whoever you want. I am sure Delta will get you there just fine.
sulsk
Mar 7, 06, 1:54 am
To those who were worried I would be compensated more by JetBlue (which I didn't ask for because I didn't desire any), rest assured, I wasn't. Here is text from the reply:
Thank you for your email and for taking the time to write us regarding your disappointment with your
previous experiences with JetBlue. Your feedback is most important to us, as it allows us to see
areas which require improvement, and to make the necessary changes to ensure our service meets your
continued support. Please allow us to address each of your concerns in the order received, so that
you will know the action we have taken on each one:
1.) As you may know JetBlue Airways flights, like those of all air carriers, will, unfortunately,
always be subject to delays and cancellations attributable to adverse weather, aircraft mechanical
problems, Air Traffic Control, and other operational abnormalities. These are, understandably, an
exceedingly unwelcome but inherent part of the air transportation business and beyond the control of
JetBlue Airways or any other airline. Since safety is our number one concern at all times, we
obviously will not operate a flight under conditions that might jeopardize the safety of our valued
customers.
We apologize that you have had to endure several flight delays when traveling Boston - JFK - Boston.
We also regret that our Inflight crewmembers didn't give you updated information concerning your
flight. We have forwarded your concerns to our Inflight Management so they are aware of the
situation.
2.) We have good news for you! JetBlue has been granted operational control of Terminal 6 at JFK
and we have $12 million worth of improvements planned. Included will be wider access roads, new
ticket counters, refurbished restrooms, new baggage systems, and enhanced shops and restaurants. We
hope you'll be pleased with the results when we have everything finished!
For more information on the JFK Airport please visit: www.panynj.gov/aviation/jfkframe.HTM
3.) All JetBlue Inflight crewmembers go through rigorous training. They have certain duties and
regulations to adhere to. Please be assured that JetBlue does not take part in any form of
discrimination, in fact, we are a widely diverse company.
4.) As for your concerns with your delayed bag, our records indicate that you have been issued a
$70 voucher for this experience. This voucher was issued as a courtesy to you. We are not
obligated to issue any compensation for delayed bags.
5.) We appreciate your comments regarding the final boarding call at our gates. We have passed
your suggestions on to our General Manager at the JFK Airport for review.
Although, it is your decision whether you fly with JetBlue or not. We hope to have the privilege of
serving you onboard again soon.
Khabibul35
Mar 8, 06, 1:35 am
The real problem with Jetblue, in my opinion, is the FF program. Expiring credits, especially after just 1 year is a bad idea.
sulsk
Mar 8, 06, 4:27 pm
The real problem with Jetblue, in my opinion, is the FF program. Expiring credits, especially after just 1 year is a bad idea.
that was a another problem for me... until I realized I should give up flying them altogether
jetblue-jfk-roc
Mar 9, 06, 5:45 am
that was a another problem for me... until I realized I should give up flying them altogether
No one on this board is going to try to talk you out of it. I hope you have a good experience with whomever else you may choose to fly. God speed.
askworldtraveler
Mar 9, 06, 9:47 am
This thread has run it's course - OP has recieved answers to questions - it's now tending way off topic and getting personal..... Closing the thread.