My experiences with AA have been hit or miss (mostly miss.)

I think the object to getting a little bit more respect with an airline is to get elite status. I notice those who give AA PAWS UP are elites.

But on my few AA flights: Staff impersonal, food adequate to poor and those M-D 80's are horrid (even worse when you get seated in front of a guy who spends the whole flight spreading phlegm around the cabin by sneezing and coughing and not covering his mouth.)

The worst experience: The flight from heck, stuck in bad weather at the Pittsburgh airport surrounded by drunken and angry businessmen and no vouchers for food or anything. The one girl stuck rebooking tickets seemed annoyed to be there.

A few good things:

*The AA ticket people I have dealt with have been friendly and helpful. Live and on phone.
*They give you the choice of PEPSI.

Kokonutz makes an excellent about first impressions:

"This should be a vital lesson to each and every customer service rep/FA/pilot in
the business. How they act on any given day to any given customer can have a life-long impact on an airline, not only for the person with whom they are dealing, but also with that person's family, friends and coworkers."

UNited was nice to me in my first flight with then even though it was a coach flight with no status. IT meant a lot to get a hello and a smile even in 19C. That was 10 years ago.

That's why U-A is my airline of choice.


[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 12-15-1999).]