Although I've had an aviator's number for quite some time, I've never flown TWA. I'm top elite on US, and have 20k-30k miles in 2 or 3 other airlines. Recently, I had to get to SMF last minute, and the US rate was unbelievable - actually they all were - apparently the clt-smf combination means the consumer loses big time, BUT... TWA was the lowest by about $900, so I booked it and was rather please about the F for Y deal.

On the first CLT-STL leg- about 2 hours - at 1:55 EST, the entire food service consisted of pretzels. THAT'S IT! I was stunned. I had missed lunch, but figured however bad it was, I'd get something on the plane.. not!

The STL-SMF leg was in excess of 4 hours. Within 50 minutes of departure, they had completed the entire food service and cleaned up! Food service consisted of coming down the aisle with the big cart, asking if you wanted beef filet or chicken caesar salad, pulling it out, unwrapping it, and plopping it on your tray. The salad, entree, and desert (ice cream yet) were all there simultaneously, just like in coach. The ice cream was mostly melted by the time I finished my steak, the salad was made yesterday sometime because it was so sadly wilted it was pitiful, and the roll was so hard it was absolutely unbreakable - even with a knife - I swear the honest truth - you COULD NOT break the roll. The FA said they had more bread, but it was just as hard.

I've flown first on a lot of airlines - AA, DL, US, NW, CO - and it's apparent to me why TWA has to give their's away - who would pay for it??

I supposed to return tomorrow morning - I'm calling US right now to say PLEASE find a way to get me on your flight!

Is this typical? It was valuable for me, 'cause I'm seeing US in a better light today http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by svpii (edited 12-08-2000).]