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.

I quite like the seat back TVs - they seem clear enough, and I always use my own earphones anyway

• No cup holders- a no brainer.

I've noticed quite a few flip down ones on the underside of the tray table, I prefer the tray tables that you can fold in half tho - they are quite useful

• 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.

Yup, I want EVERYONE on the plane to know what to do in an emergency. There are so many different aircrafts, so many different life vest (flew one aircraft where they were in an overhead compartment - don't recall that one before, most are under seat / in armrest), different exit locations etc etc. I want everyone in the exit row able to understand English (or whatever language the FAs use) and confirm that they are able and willing - I have seen people say no, and move. I have seen FAs move people. I think it is very important. I think upright seats aid departure - maybe not the 1" in economy, but how about near full recline in business? And when it comes to bracing, you need to lean forward, hands and head on seat back, or grab your ankles type posture - you can't so that properly with a reclined seat in your face. Or a flat bed, that offers no ability to adopt a brace position? Moreover, making every sit up, tray tables up etc, means everyone is awake. If we have to evacuate, I don't want to have to wake the deep sleeper next to me to get out (or assuming they wake up on a rough landing, I don't want him to spend 20 seconds working out what the hell is going on).

• 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.

They could make flight reservations in your name, costing you money? They could cancel your flights, costing you money. They could change your password, change your contact info, change your nominated person for upgrades. You could be partway through a booking, having selected a flight with upgrade availability, leave it for a few hours, and assume it is still there (or seat availability, or a certain fare bracket etc). Makes sense to me

• 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.

I've had FAs come and tell me the gate number for my tight connection, and escort me off the plane first. I've had connections held for me. If they weren't communicating with the ground to get that info, they must be great psychics. My mother was met at the door of the aircraft a couple of months ago, and sped over in a car to her connecting flight. it certainly happens.

• 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.

Again, they can and do do this for passengers. I've had gate agents call, and I have had little carts drive me over to gates.

• 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.

I don't know what you make the 'standard'. If you are flying e.g. British Airways from NY, are you going to necessarily have pounds? Lots of people don't change money before they travel, and I don't think an airline like BA that flys to hundreds of places should have to have facilities for accepting all cash. It would be nice if all took credit cards, but not everyone has a credit card. I've not had an issue, as I generally check before I fly if I know I want to purchase something.

• Gate agents that don't speak English well- especially when making PA announcements at the gate. This seems like a minimum job requirement.

Never missed a flight / missed boarding ebcause of an accent. I think the PA systems that come out as very very quiet gobbledygook are more of an issue

• 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?

I can normally check in / find reservation by name / frequent flyer number / credit card used to book. If I had a common name, wasn't a frequent flyer, and booked through a travel agent, a unique identifyer seems a lot easier than trawling through 18 John Smiths booked on a flight (or worse, having John Smith #5 get my preferred seat...)

• Ugly uniforms- the polyester fashion disasters that the poor flight attendants (and flight crew) have to wear are awful.

Varies airline to airline - I actually really like the Emirates uniform for example.

• Unorganized boarding procedures- there has to be reams of research on what the most efficient process is. Or maybe not.

Board using front and rear aircraft doors based on seat number. Would be nice!

• 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.

Memory foam is horrible - I cannot stand it, it is uncomfortable, gets hot and sweaty, ew! There are improvements they can make I am sure but please not memory foam!

• 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.

Again, not had an issue recently with this

• No foot rests- I'll bet the airlines pay $1000+ each for their seats. Why not include fold-out foot rests?

I can see fold outs being an issue, but the foot nets some airlines have seem to work ok.

• 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.

Most people have pens in their purse, jacket, bag etc. Being able to ask the flight attendent for one would be nice, especially for the non frequent fliers, but I wouldn't want one cluttering up a seat pocket etc.
• No power outlets- enough said.

I find most tend to have them now, which is great.

• No Wi-Fi- charge a few bucks and make a lot. Seems simple.

Even better, a corporate sponsored wifi, at no cost to the airline or the consumer.

• Same old TV shows- "The Office" is a funny show but I don't want to watch it every time I fly.

But equally, the new stuff I am interested in, I already watched last week / last month. The older stuff I may have seen, but not for a while.

Next list- things airports do poorly...