We should count our blessings
Nov 29, 2013, 2:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,618
We should count our blessings
Hi -
Yeah, AS does not have lie-flats on Transcons. And a smaller domestic route network than the other carriers. And Digeplayers that seem to take forever to get new content.
But by and large, aren't you reasonably satisfied with your AS experiences?
I only say this because every time I look here at what is going on with other airlines, there is a lot of whining, complaining, threatening to leave, rants, apologists for airlines slamming FT posters.
The AS board seems like a calm oasis by comparison.
Yeah, AS does not have lie-flats on Transcons. And a smaller domestic route network than the other carriers. And Digeplayers that seem to take forever to get new content.
But by and large, aren't you reasonably satisfied with your AS experiences?
I only say this because every time I look here at what is going on with other airlines, there is a lot of whining, complaining, threatening to leave, rants, apologists for airlines slamming FT posters.
The AS board seems like a calm oasis by comparison.
Nov 29, 2013, 9:07 am
#2
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,029
Honestly I agree. Yes AS is not perfect but when you compare it stacks up pretty well against even the largest airlines. It isn't a Delta, American or United with all the very big airline routes and amenities but then again but it does offer an overall better experience and hands down the best frequent flyer program.
Nov 29, 2013, 4:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 80
I suppose
I am thankful for Alaska Airlines because every time I fly with somebody else I can't believe how nice the AS people are by comparison. Seriously, from the people on the phone to the FA's to the gate agents, everybody. AS has good people.
They also have the best website in the biz.
Now if they would just avoid the industry-standard "it's just a glorified bus trip" tendencies and quit trying to squeeze more rows and fewer amenities onto flights, all would be well in the world. ^
They also have the best website in the biz.
Now if they would just avoid the industry-standard "it's just a glorified bus trip" tendencies and quit trying to squeeze more rows and fewer amenities onto flights, all would be well in the world. ^
Nov 29, 2013, 4:08 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/SFO & ORD
Programs: LT Gold/BA Executive Club/AS MP/Marriott
Posts: 1,646
I am thankful for Alaska Airlines because every time I fly with somebody else I can't believe how nice the AS people are by comparison. Seriously, from the people on the phone to the FA's to the gate agents, everybody. AS has good people.
They also have the best website in the biz.
Now if they would just avoid the industry-standard "it's just a glorified bus trip" tendencies and quit trying to squeeze more rows and fewer amenities onto flights, all would be well in the world. ^
They also have the best website in the biz.
Now if they would just avoid the industry-standard "it's just a glorified bus trip" tendencies and quit trying to squeeze more rows and fewer amenities onto flights, all would be well in the world. ^
Nov 30, 2013, 12:12 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,458
I have been an occasional AS flyer over the past 10 years or so, because I live in PHX. I must say that I generally enjoyr AS flights -- at least the GA's and FA's are nice and friendly. The boarding process is predictable (unlike WN).
I expect to travel on AS more frequently in 2014 because of the new ticket change policy and the general rise in WN fares. All things being equal, I would rather give money to my hometown (Seattle) airline.
I expect to travel on AS more frequently in 2014 because of the new ticket change policy and the general rise in WN fares. All things being equal, I would rather give money to my hometown (Seattle) airline.
Nov 30, 2013, 12:36 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
AS is the best of the domestic airlines. Good CS, good FFP and good amenities for their size. It would be great if AS would upscale dramatically and acquire tons of 787s and attack the supposed big girls in their own markets...but instead we have the Jeff Robbo style pantomime...
Nov 30, 2013, 1:50 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,600
As the old saying (ok, my old saying) goes, "Sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side, sometimes it is dead." I remind people of this when they try and find greener pastures than Alaska Airlines.
Nov 30, 2013, 2:42 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,834
Folks, let's remember this is a business. "Blessings"? AS is not anywhere near as generous as they were two years ago, let alone prior to that. As a business plan, it's hard to fault their reversion to the mean. It's simply a strategy of sucking less than the competition. I won't start listing all of the reductions in benefits we've experienced in the past two years as there's already a thread for that.
Nov 30, 2013, 6:50 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Plat, AS MVPG, Bonvoy Plat/LT Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,260
Surely F seating and mid-con meals (!) could be better and the route network could be larger, but I find employees largely helpful and courteous. Overall, I find it a low-stress air travel experience, which is probably the best we can hope for these days.
Dec 1, 2013, 12:04 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG 100k
Posts: 3,756
Folks, let's remember this is a business. "Blessings"? AS is not anywhere near as generous as they were two years ago, let alone prior to that. As a business plan, it's hard to fault their reversion to the mean. It's simply a strategy of sucking less than the competition. I won't start listing all of the reductions in benefits we've experienced in the past two years as there's already a thread for that.
And being "reasonably satisfied" is likely to keep that reversion coming.
But OTOH I am not content when my customers are merely "reasonably satisfied", and AS management should not be either, though one gets the sense that they are less paranoid than they should be.
More than anything, AS needs to recognize that having added so many 3+ hour flights over the last few years the F product is rather weak on those longer flights. In-seat power is a good first step, but not nearly enough.
Dec 1, 2013, 1:41 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,618
Hi -
I am not developing a man-crush on AS. And I agree that they are in the business of taking my money for air transportation.
What I notice is that the whining on this Board is virtually non-existent compared to the others. And there seems to be more reasoned, rational thoughts and opinions here.
And yes, the travel experience is better, thanks mainly to the employees.
I am not developing a man-crush on AS. And I agree that they are in the business of taking my money for air transportation.
What I notice is that the whining on this Board is virtually non-existent compared to the others. And there seems to be more reasoned, rational thoughts and opinions here.
And yes, the travel experience is better, thanks mainly to the employees.
Dec 1, 2013, 10:12 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,600
Hi -
I am not developing a man-crush on AS. And I agree that they are in the business of taking my money for air transportation.
What I notice is that the whining on this Board is virtually non-existent compared to the others. And there seems to be more reasoned, rational thoughts and opinions here.
And yes, the travel experience is better, thanks mainly to the employees.
I am not developing a man-crush on AS. And I agree that they are in the business of taking my money for air transportation.
What I notice is that the whining on this Board is virtually non-existent compared to the others. And there seems to be more reasoned, rational thoughts and opinions here.
And yes, the travel experience is better, thanks mainly to the employees.
Dec 1, 2013, 11:43 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JNU
Programs: HH D, AS MM/MVPG for life/AL, Awesome Wipes VIP Club, NEXUS, Hertz 5-Star Gold
Posts: 2,893
Hi -
I am not developing a man-crush on AS. And I agree that they are in the business of taking my money for air transportation.
What I notice is that the whining on this Board is virtually non-existent compared to the others. And there seems to be more reasoned, rational thoughts and opinions here.
And yes, the travel experience is better, thanks mainly to the employees.
I am not developing a man-crush on AS. And I agree that they are in the business of taking my money for air transportation.
What I notice is that the whining on this Board is virtually non-existent compared to the others. And there seems to be more reasoned, rational thoughts and opinions here.
And yes, the travel experience is better, thanks mainly to the employees.
Dec 1, 2013, 1:13 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: TUS, SEA, OTP, OMR
Posts: 868
"Okay guys, hug it out"
Seriously!?!?! I travel on AS because I get the best experience for my dollar. That doesn't mean that their board room (the one where decisions are made not the one where they server free bottom shelf liquor) wouldn't murder me and sell my kidneys if they thought they could get away with it.
I "like" AS as much as I like any large company, but I'm not "blessed" to get to travel on them?
Seriously!?!?! I travel on AS because I get the best experience for my dollar. That doesn't mean that their board room (the one where decisions are made not the one where they server free bottom shelf liquor) wouldn't murder me and sell my kidneys if they thought they could get away with it.
I "like" AS as much as I like any large company, but I'm not "blessed" to get to travel on them?
Dec 1, 2013, 2:16 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,600
