AS 1409 JFK-LAX (11/25/2018) - No In-Seat Power, IFE or Wi-Fi
Nov 25, 2018, 4:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Programs: BA GGL, AA EXP and former CK, DL Plat, UA Gold MM
Posts: 493
AS 1409 JFK-LAX (11/25/2018) - No In-Seat Power, IFE or Wi-Fi
I guess I should have thought to bring a candle or flashlight.. AS1409 left JFk today with an announcement that there would be no power onboard the aircraft. No seat power, no internet, no entertainment and an excuse that they have no one at JFK to fix minor repairs.
Our dark AS(s) flight departed and nothing more illuminated the aircraft passenger experience so deficient and disappointing that aside from the bizarre inconvenience left me wondering what else may not be working onboard that keeps the flight airborne.
Alaska Air and it’s deaf attitude toward passengers is enough to get this seasoned traveler to look anywhere else’s for my next flight.
So sad that current Alaska Airlines mgt is completely blind to basic norms and safety standards.
THE LIGHTS ARE OUT AT ALASKA AIRLKNES.
Our dark AS(s) flight departed and nothing more illuminated the aircraft passenger experience so deficient and disappointing that aside from the bizarre inconvenience left me wondering what else may not be working onboard that keeps the flight airborne.
Alaska Air and it’s deaf attitude toward passengers is enough to get this seasoned traveler to look anywhere else’s for my next flight.
So sad that current Alaska Airlines mgt is completely blind to basic norms and safety standards.
THE LIGHTS ARE OUT AT ALASKA AIRLKNES.
Last edited by cyber1k; Nov 25, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Nov 25, 2018, 4:13 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,338
I guess I should have throught to bring a candle or flashlight.. AS1409 left JFk today with an announcement that there would be no power onboard the aircraft. No seat power, no internet, no entertainment and an excuse that they have no one at JFK to fix minor repairs.
Our dark AS(s) flight departed and nothing more illuminated the aircraft passenger experience so deficient and disappointing that aside from the bizarre inconvenience left me wondering what else may not be working onboard that keeps the flight airborne.
Alaska Air and it’s deaf attitude toward passengers is enough to get this seainsed traveler to look anywhere else’s for my next flight.
So sad that current mgt is completely bling to basic norms and safety standards.
THE LIGHTS ARE OUT AT ALASKA AIRLKNES.
Our dark AS(s) flight departed and nothing more illuminated the aircraft passenger experience so deficient and disappointing that aside from the bizarre inconvenience left me wondering what else may not be working onboard that keeps the flight airborne.
Alaska Air and it’s deaf attitude toward passengers is enough to get this seainsed traveler to look anywhere else’s for my next flight.
So sad that current mgt is completely bling to basic norms and safety standards.
THE LIGHTS ARE OUT AT ALASKA AIRLKNES.
I would like to ask what YOU would have had them do? I assume you will receive some form of compensation for the outage... but ...would you rather have sat on the ground waiting for some negotiated arrangement for SOMEONE to repair it...or not fly at all...or... what?
Last edited by trooper; Nov 25, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Nov 25, 2018, 4:20 pm
#3
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Nov 25, 2018, 4:26 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,757
This happened to me 2 weeks ago on a SFO-EWR Airbus flight. All power in the F cabin was totally out due to a blown circuit. Not a thing could be done. Captain was in touch with maintenance who advised to continue on. Purser mentioned we'd be receiving comp.
Of course no compensation received, and after writing in, only got a measly $75. Seems a bit harsh for a completely non-functioning cabin.
Of course no compensation received, and after writing in, only got a measly $75. Seems a bit harsh for a completely non-functioning cabin.
Nov 25, 2018, 4:32 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2015
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AS has always been relatively stingy in the compensation department compared to other domestic carriers. $75 seems to be on the high side for them for something like no power. If compensation had been issued automatically, I’d guess it would have been lower.
Nov 25, 2018, 4:44 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 733
This happened to me 2 weeks ago on a SFO-EWR Airbus flight. All power in the F cabin was totally out due to a blown circuit. Not a thing could be done. Captain was in touch with maintenance who advised to continue on. Purser mentioned we'd be receiving comp.
Of course no compensation received, and after writing in, only got a measly $75. Seems a bit harsh for a completely non-functioning cabin.
Of course no compensation received, and after writing in, only got a measly $75. Seems a bit harsh for a completely non-functioning cabin.
$75 for that level of inconvenience on a 6 hour flight seems really low, in comparison to my extra hour on the phone. Maybe $75 is their "no upper level approval needed" comp amount?
Nov 25, 2018, 5:32 pm
#8
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Nov 25, 2018, 5:36 pm
#9
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AS rarely gives me $ for anything. They finally agreed once to reimburse equal to to cost of after hours limo transport after SEA-BOS was delayed 6 hours twice in one week. only about $150 worth which equals $75 per flight.
Nov 25, 2018, 5:37 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,204
The reality is that if there are no spares at JFK, which I'm pretty sure is the case, then they basically have to either cancel the flight or defer the issue until they can get back to a hub. I'm sure they would not dispatch the flight if there was any kind of safety issue in the cockpit. I'm guessing most passengers would choose to fly on-time and get to their destination, as opposed to ending up stranded on one of the busiest travel days of the year. As for compensation, AS advertises 400+ free entertainment options on its flights, as well as at seat power and free chat. They did not deliver on their advertised service and I feel compensation should be at least $75. Definitely write in if no voucher is offered.
Nov 25, 2018, 7:17 pm
#11
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Posts: 493
Frankly, I'm not even thinking about compensation. What I am thinking about is how something so fundamental becomes okay to ignore. And it makes me wonder what else is being ignored that I cannot see. I'm wondering how you could run an airline and have operational leadership that okays a flight going out with no electricity in the cabin. How could there be such a gaff in operational support in America's largest city airport or any airport. It really is about a realization and absolute desire to avoid any future exposure by choosing to fly AS on purpose. Takeaway: Something bigger is off and it doesn't feel right.
Nov 25, 2018, 7:35 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,297
Frankly, I'm not even thinking about compensation. What I am thinking about is how something so fundamental becomes okay to ignore. And it makes me wonder what else is being ignored that I cannot see. I'm wondering how you could run an airline and have operational leadership that okays a flight going out with no electricity in the cabin. How could there be such a gaff in operational support in America's largest city airport or any airport. It really is about a realization and absolute desire to avoid any future exposure by choosing to fly AS on purpose. Takeaway: Something bigger is off and it doesn't feel right.
I don't feel unsafe in them and by all accounts they're still leaps and bounds above the Boeings from a comfort standpoint, but it is something to consider.
Nov 25, 2018, 9:16 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AS MVPG75k
Posts: 330
Last month, on an EWR-SFO flight, the crew made the decision to fly with one nav computer down (ie. no backup). After the flight, I had a chance to speak with the pilot.
He explained that since the merger, AS has cut full-time exVX maintenance resources at east coast airports and now solely use contractors. The switch to contractors saves AS money, but the downside is they do not A) have as many parts on-hand and B) take longer to show up and C) can't fix all of the issues the previous maintenance crews could. The result is that AS pilots flying from east coast airports are stuck making less-than-ideal decisions when equipment goes out: either cancel a flight, or fly without key equipment. Most of the time this is not a safety issue, but reportedly sometimes it is.
In my case, this was a senior pilot. He said he was completely comfortable flying without a nav computer backup. His co-pilot was nervous, having less flight experience, but went along with the senior officer's decision. All told, this appears to be one of the unfortunate realities of AS cost-cutting.
He explained that since the merger, AS has cut full-time exVX maintenance resources at east coast airports and now solely use contractors. The switch to contractors saves AS money, but the downside is they do not A) have as many parts on-hand and B) take longer to show up and C) can't fix all of the issues the previous maintenance crews could. The result is that AS pilots flying from east coast airports are stuck making less-than-ideal decisions when equipment goes out: either cancel a flight, or fly without key equipment. Most of the time this is not a safety issue, but reportedly sometimes it is.
In my case, this was a senior pilot. He said he was completely comfortable flying without a nav computer backup. His co-pilot was nervous, having less flight experience, but went along with the senior officer's decision. All told, this appears to be one of the unfortunate realities of AS cost-cutting.
Nov 25, 2018, 10:59 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,297
Last month, on an EWR-SFO flight, the crew made the decision to fly with one nav computer down (ie. no backup). After the flight, I had a chance to speak with the pilot.
He explained that since the merger, AS has cut full-time exVX maintenance resources at east coast airports and now solely use contractors. The switch to contractors saves AS money, but the downside is they do not A) have as many parts on-hand and B) take longer to show up and C) can't fix all of the issues the previous maintenance crews could. The result is that AS pilots flying from east coast airports are stuck making less-than-ideal decisions when equipment goes out: either cancel a flight, or fly without key equipment. Most of the time this is not a safety issue, but reportedly sometimes it is...
He explained that since the merger, AS has cut full-time exVX maintenance resources at east coast airports and now solely use contractors. The switch to contractors saves AS money, but the downside is they do not A) have as many parts on-hand and B) take longer to show up and C) can't fix all of the issues the previous maintenance crews could. The result is that AS pilots flying from east coast airports are stuck making less-than-ideal decisions when equipment goes out: either cancel a flight, or fly without key equipment. Most of the time this is not a safety issue, but reportedly sometimes it is...
It also makes me think I should seriously consider returning to one of the Big 3 for EWR/JFK since they all have maintenance resources on each end of these flights.