Different Carrier than the Usual --Airline Anxiety?

[JFKLGA30]

I travelled home for Thanksgiving on Delta/Northwest -- from LGA to TPA-- on Tuesday night. I had a great flight attendant in first class, and she was considerably helpful. She even showed me that little metal thing that sticks out on the tray to steady it on the MD80. I immediately wondered why American doesn't build its trays similar, as I've always wondered why the tray never fits the seat perfectly.

Anyway, to the topic: I boarded in Gate 8 (I think...or 9) at the very end of the terminal. Literally, within 10 minutes of each other, in a space big enough for really 2 gates, there was a departing flight to FLL, DTW, TPA and some other destination. In a space big enough for 1 real gate, three full planes were boarding all at once. On Tuesday night, just before Thanksgiving. Total zoo -- I mean, if you think people congregate at 1 gate, this was a borderline mosh pit. I'm still impressed everyone boarded the right plane.

This was unfamiliar territory for me -- I've been an AA guy for the last 2+ years, and know LGA's AA terminal like the back of my hand. I had massive anxiety and felt really uncomfortable, totally out of my element.

Does anyone else ever experience this anxiety when they travel on a different carrier than the usual? Granted, the boarding process that night was a madhouse and the planes were so far backed up on LGA that we couldn't even pull back from our gate (not the first time this quarter that's happened at LGA), but as I said, it really had nothing to do with the level of service. It pointed out to me how familiar I've become with my travel, and suddenly throw me into a new environment, and I'm just as panicky as your normal casual traveller. I don't know the rules, the system, the places to stand, the codes. Nothing. Anyone else ever experience this sensation? How do you deal with it?

I mean, I'm not talking panic level or anything -- it's just that flying doesn't register on my radar as an inconvenience or something extraordinary. That night, though, it registered, and it's been so long since it registered, that I just wanted to know if anyone else notices this when they fly a competing carrier?

[brendog]

I most definitely feel uncomfortable and out of sorts when not flying my usual carrier, particularly when I don't have any status whatsoever . It took me quite some time to get used to flying CO after 20+ years of flying UA 99% of the time.

[djk7]

No, I look forward to trying different carriers, they can't be much worse than the ones I usually fly.

[Redhead]

I hate flying airlines other than AA - mostly because I'm EXP on AA and statusless on other alliances. I'm batting almost 100% on upgrades with AA and hate being stuck in coach on the rare times that I fly other airlines.

Plus, if the airport I'm in has separate terminals for different airlines, it also means that I can't use the Admirals Club so am stuck waiting in the gate area, which I also dislike. Yes, I admit I am spoiled and it is all because of FT

[Delta-PM-Flyer]

Originally Posted by JFKLGA30

It pointed out to me how familiar I've become with my travel, and suddenly throw me into a new environment, and I'm just as panicky as your normal casual traveller. I don't know the rules, the system, the places to stand, the codes. Nothing.

Me too. Not just in the USA. As you can see, as a Delta PM flyer, I am in ATL, DTW, CVG over here and AMS & CDG all the time over there (yes I too hate CDG and love AMS )!

Even how to talk to the reps and work on extra's. I do feel "green" on others.

[CMK10]

I've had the feeling.

Last year for work I had to go to Las Vegas and be there early to meet up with my colleague. I didn't want to come in the night before and US didn't have a flight from PHX until 9 so I flew WN. At the time I hadn't flown WN in nine years and I wasn't sure how to handle it. I ended up getting to the airport way earlier than I needed to and the flight was actually quite good. I do remember being confused and a little aprehensive though.

[gglave]

No. My employer requires me to book the cheapest fare, so I'm not able to be loyal one particular carrier over another.

And you know what? They're all pretty much the same. Sure, some Delta flights seem to have a little more leg room, and some flights are going to show CBS shows instead of NBC, but in the end it's all generally the same at the back of the bus.

(And I do enjoy the opportunity to 'visit' other hub airports. A few months back I was on a NW flight through MSP. What a place! Like flying out of a shopping mall...)

[brendog]

Originally Posted by djk7

No, I look forward to trying different carriers, they can't be much worse than the ones I usually fly.

I'm sure you'd see if it differently if you were a top-level elite. I would sooner drive than fly an airline without status.

[flying_ww]

I always feel a little out of sorts when I fly a different carrier. I've been a silver for the past couple of years, so it isn't missing upgrades, but the two things that jump out at me are navigating the kiosks and the announcements.

After listening to countless welcome on board/safety briefings, I feel like I can do it in my sleep, but hearing another airline's phrasing (of the same sort of information) sounds jarring. Ditto with kiosks: on NW (now DL) I feel like I can page through the check-in screens without really reading them (of course, I always double check to make sure all my info, seat assignments, and ff# are correct) because I have seen and read them so many times before.

-ww

[djk7]

Originally Posted by brendog

I'm sure you'd see if it differently if you were a top-level elite. I would sooner drive than fly an airline without status.

That's true, for years I had various elite levels, including top level on one airline. That certainly skewed my preferences in that direction, but didn't make me fearful or anxious about flying other carriers. Now that I have no status, and no real expectation of achieving any in the near term, I fly whatever is most convenient and cost effective.