I had some pleasant experiences, and some not so pleasant, on my last TUS-LGB flight, got upgraded as a CO Platinum on both segments. The service on the second leg was good, got the preflight beverage service, the flight pushed back on time, more beverage service after the flight came back to the gate due to mechanical problems. The crew did their best to keep us informed of the increasing length of the anticipated delay. Unfortunately they had not been informed of the cancellation when a number of the passengers who had left the plane, were told by the gate agents, and returned to the plane to grab their things.

When the offical announcement was made on the plane we were also told not to go to the customer service counter, but to stay by the gate for reassignment, since they were swamped. (alas we were not the only cancelled flight that afternoon)

The next scheduled flight was pleasant and uneventful, no F/C seats were available, but I was just happy to be on my way, even in coach, and over three hours late.

On the return trip the inbound flight from PHX was cancelled for mechanical reasons. I love the little Long Beach airport, but even with all it's charm it gets old after a few hours. For all the time I spent waiting in the airports I could have driven from Tucson to Long Beach.

The lesson: First Class doesn't mean much if the plane doesn't fly.