Yes, it is nonstop from LAX-TLV operating 3x or 4x weekly frequencies. I'm sure LY will be very successful route for LAX-TLV nonstop to becoming year-round.
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I will try to concentrate with English. Thanks!
2009 Travel: DL 18836 MQMs
Had to laugh about the greeting in ATL with the gal yelling at everyone to form one line. In May I arrived from NRT and was greeted by the same situation; namely, 3 customs agents hollering at once. I thought, welcome to the USA....how embarrassing!
I don't even think she works for customs and immigration... I think she was just a contract employee on a power trip at 6:00 am. This is not a woman with very good coping skills.
DL hires some very cheap labor at JFK immigration too. Except at JFK they are actually wearing DL uniforms. One time, the DL people were clueless about APEC diplomatic cards and after I complained to an INS guy, he scolded them in front of dozens of passengers.
Programs: Delta DM/1.945 MM, Hertz Five Star, SW Rapid Rewards, Marriott Rewards, AMTRAK Guest Rewards
Posts: 644
I Enjoyed Your Report
When I did my report on our trip to Tuscany, I didn't fully elaborate on some of the points you hit really well, such as:
1. I don't know why the employees at TSA or in the immigration halls have to scream out instructions. After a long flight where my body has been vibrating for hours, even in the most comfortable of seats, the last thing I need is for the airline or the government to torture me with loud, obnoxious announcements.
2. Delta has gotten really inconsistent on having their FA's welcome pax to BE. I think before each flight, the FAs have two different computer printouts, the first one the preliminary manifest, and then, right before the door closes, the GA brings on the final paperwork, which is the final manifest. In other words, the FAs know your name, and who is supposed to be sitting where, before the flight starts. In January, when I got op-ups in both directions to and from LHR, the pursers on each flight greeted me by name and chatted with me for a bit before we got going. This small gesture, which costs the airline nothing by the way, can set the tone for a really great flight, and can overcome some problems later on, such as the IFE not working, turbulence, a catering error, etc. This is because they've got the support and goodwill of the pax.
On our trip two weeks ago, neither my wife nor I were greeted by any of the FAs by name, except for one FA on each leg. Going over to Pisa, the purser, a 50+ male, was efficient and courteous but cold. On the way back, the ground staff at PSA screwed up the boarding by stopping pax who were already in the jetway from going onto the plane for 10 hot minutes, and then there was chaos on board as the passengers in Y were pushing past the passengers in BE. I tend to look at a flight's quality by on-time departure and arrival, cleanliness of aircraft, promptness of service, comfort of seat, level of quiet, and our flight had all of that. The personality of the FAs, a short but fun chat, a unique kindness or favor, those are the things that one always remembers.
3. The flight kitchen can make the difference. On this past trip, I thought the flight kitchen at PSA did an outstanding job. One of our FAs wanted to give the credit to Michelle Bernstein, whom she said is "organizing things for us", but as I have gone through all kinds of airports over the years, I recognized that the fresh ingredients and flourishes that were on that particular flight could only come from a place where people put an immense amount of work and pride into food, such as Tuscany. I'm old enough to remember that Delta flights in ATL and DFW were once catered by an outfit called "Dobbs Houses". In those days, Delta flights had far better food than they have today.
As far as the ground crew outside of immigration... these are contract staff, and they're just awful. These are absolutely the lowest-paid employees, and I imagine that they have no training at all. These are not people with good coping or social skills.
And on board...
Yeah, I remember Dobbs catering. That wasn't too long ago.
I've had some really great meals in BusinessElite, but I've had some pretty bad ones too. From the US, I think the food is better out of New York. Atlanta is usually worse (I once had the Mahi Mahi from Atlanta to Buenos Aires. Oops.)
Delta's crews used to be a lot more polished. Although there were always a few jerks out there, most were warm, attentive, accommodating, and social. This was definitely not the case on this trip. The impression I got was, "We're retiring or getting furloughed tomorrow, we don't care, and we hate our lives."
I can remember Delta flights where the purser would remember my name on the way out and on the way back. Crews who would want to chat, always asking if you wanted anything, etc. I think those days are over. (Mind you, this wasn't 100%--but Delta was the best of the US carriers.)
There are plenty of days when I am frustrated with work, mad about money, benefits, or management... but I don't let that show when I'm with patients. I try to be as personable and thoughtful as possible with them despite the circumstances.
