My apologies -- if lack of safety was not your implication -- I truly jumped the gun in assuming it was. When ValuJet and Tower are mentioned, and you try to lump ATA into that group, safety was the only common thread I could find, as VJ's service was reported to be good before the unfortunate crash. You can offer any opinion you please, as long as you make it clear that you are offering an opinion and not attempting to represent a fact.

In particular, what do you find to be the problem with ATA's service.

I have no intention to delete my post -- no need to preserve anything for posterity's sake. ATA does have a poor on-time record vis-a-vis direct comparison to other reporting airlines. However, the only truly valid comparison is between similar airlines. ATA is a major airline (not a national carrier) and operates into many congested airports and in areas of the country highly subject to weather delays. In other words, if you were to look at the rate of controllable delays and compare that number to a similar airline (can't think of many off the top of my head) you'd get a much more realistic picture. The DOT numbers are truly worthless in terms of direct comparison between disparate airlines. ATA certainly doesn't operate a poky airline of its own choosing or due, in a significant way, to factors under its immediate control. I understand efforts are underway to improve the factors under our control that lead to an on-time departure.

In what other ways does ATA "suck"?

Back to the original poster's issue; I doubt it was a W&B concern. As much as I'd like to pass it off as such, it seems to simply be a case of an unfortunate misunderstand between a customer and an F/A. Moving seats, not fastening your seatbelt and arguing with a crewmember just don't fly these days. However, the situation could have been resolved amicably, IMHO.

Let's continue this constructive discussion with ideas for improvement.

joe