Originally Posted by CMH1k

I'm starting a list of things that airlines do poorly, in no particular order.

Not the big stuff (these forums are full of seriously big stuff like bad customer service, baffling rules, etc.) but the simple things that can really add up if you travel a lot and point out that no one is sweating the details in this industry. Please pile on.

• Fuzzy video and audio that hisses- airlines have been behind the curve on this stuff for years (think about those tubular cord headphones and bulky video monitors). The whole world has sharp HD video and clean sound- not on an airplane.
Possible interference with onboard systems plus the new TV's suck a lot electricity which in turn makes the airlines burn me fuel
• No cup holders- a no brainer.
There is one already on your tray, if they put on in your armchair how many drinks will spill and how many people will fight with this one is mine that one is yours. plus the are rest will stick out more with it.
• Bogus safety precautions- do we really need to hear or see the safety message on every flight? Does anyone think that replying with a verbal "yes" when sitting in an exit row will make a difference. Do upright seats when landing really prevent injuries in a crash? I know the FAA requires this non-sense but there's no research to back any of it up.
Getting a verbal Yes means the person signalizes this plus it sees that they understand what was told to them and its part legal stuff
• Web site sessions that log you out after non-activity of just a few minutes- what could an intruder possibly steal? At least make it an option to stay logged on.
Its not if someone walks into your house that they care about it but more so if some duplicates your session remotely.
• No radio contact between the pilot and company personnel on the ground- let the ground folks know that there are passengers on board with tight connections, etc. I know they have this ability but they don't use it.
He has plenty more stuff to do before takeoff then to talk to ground plus the amount of BS talk that happens there will drive them crazy.
• Underpowered greeting gate agents- holding a clipboard is not real customer service. How about calling a connecting gate for a late passenger that has a chance to make their flight? Especially if the delay is caused by the airline.
Cost
• Non-standardized on-board payments- some flights don't take cash. Some only take cash. Don't make it hard to take more of our money. And stop pushing the duty-free crap that is no cheaper than buying it at home.
Thats based on each airline not on a flight by flight. Jetblue is fully card only. if you only have cash as the person next to you if you could use their card.
• Gate agents that don't speak English well- especially when making PA announcements at the gate. This seems like a minimum job requirement.
pay and education level and people going for jobs has a lot to do with it. once again cost.
• Receipts for flights often unavailable on line- hotels are guilty of this too. Call Amazon and ask them how they keep my purchase history and invoices available for years.
this is something that they are working on
• Hard to remember, random record locators/confirmation numbers- how about allowing me to find my reservations by name or password instead of the puzzles like HNZ06GX?
this is once again for your safety but also because of system limitations. you have 36 different codes for each space that your able to do with random letters. each conf needs to be different.
• Ugly uniforms- the polyester fashion disasters that the poor flight attendants (and flight crew) have to wear are awful.
cost
• Ugly plane decors- I know that patterns hide wear and tear but do they have to be so hideous and dated?
cost and depends on the airline
• Repetitive corporate music- there's only so much Rhapsody in Blue (United) that you can endure. It's like an interrogation technique.
cost and not everyone takes 3 flights a day
• Unorganized boarding procedures- there has to be reams of research on what the most efficient process is. Or maybe not.
actually there is. from the back
• Uncomfortable seats- again, there has to be lots of ergonomic information available that would allow something better than the ...-numbing seats in place now. Memory foam? Especially those thin fake leather seats on the regional jets.
its actually done for your safety, cost and for the weight of the plane.
• Hard to press video touch screens- you have to pound some of these seat back models and it's annoying to the passenger in front. The virtual keyboards on $49 smart phones seem to work just fine.
the screens need to work for years. how many iphone screens do you know of that are broken after a few months
• No foot rests- I'll bet the airlines pay $1000+ each for their seats. Why not include fold-out foot rests?
your safty, weight, cost
• First class seats with seat obstructive seat pillars- it can't be that hard to shift these over so everyone has leg and foot room.
Cost, safety and they paid for the room
• Hard to reach overhead vents- on some jumbo jets these vents over the middle seats can't be reached by passengers under 5' 10" or so.
You need to think about the person who is 6'5"
• No pens- everyone scrambles for a pen on international flights to fill out immigration forms. Not to mention crossword puzzles in their own in-flight magazines.
cost. if your planning to do the crossword there is a store at the airpoirt or bring one with you
• No power outlets- enough said.
cost and weight of the system for the airplane.
• No Wi-Fi- charge a few bucks and make a lot. Seems simple.
Some airlines have it
• Same old TV shows- "The Office" is a funny show but I don't want to watch it every time I fly.
cost they update it once every 15 days or once a month
• Crooked tray tables- laptops and drinks slide off with ease. There is not level one in the whole world.
you can say thank you to the person before who broke it.
Next list- things airports do poorly...