AA151 BCN-JFK ugh
Aug 22, 2011, 6:34 am
#16
Join Date: Oct 2007
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I find AA to be generally good about giving out the U.S. Customs forms at check-in or on the flight itself. But sometimes they do run out, or do run out of the forms in English. It happens. My ports of entry are usually DFW and MIA. When I'm entering the immigration hall there, I might grab an extra form or two and keep them with my travel bags. I don't hoard them, but I always have an extra one or two blank forms for those rare situations when AA does run out.
Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Light are not quite the same thing, but what did you do while you were in Barcelona? It's Coke Light that's available in most of the world. I seriously doubt you found Diet Coke on the ground there. I don't see AA flying over a supply of Diet Coke to BCN to be able to cater the return flight with it. They'll cater BCN-JFK with what's available in Barcelona.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Light are not quite the same thing, but what did you do while you were in Barcelona? It's Coke Light that's available in most of the world. I seriously doubt you found Diet Coke on the ground there. I don't see AA flying over a supply of Diet Coke to BCN to be able to cater the return flight with it. They'll cater BCN-JFK with what's available in Barcelona.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Aug 22, 2011, 6:42 am
#17
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Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Light are not quite the same thing, but what did you do while you were in Barcelona? It's Coke Light that's available in most of the world. I seriously doubt you found Diet Coke on the ground there. I don't see AA flying over a supply of Diet Coke to BCN to be able to cater the return flight with it. They'll cater BCN-JFK with what's available in Barcelona.
I have not seen Diet Coke available anywhere outside North America. There may have been some Diet Coke left over from the inbound flight but BCN catering will only be loading Coke Light.
Aug 22, 2011, 6:45 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,762
I find AA to be generally good about giving out the U.S. Customs forms at check-in or on the flight itself. But sometimes they do run out, or do run out of the forms in English. It happens. My ports of entry are usually DFW and MIA. When I'm entering the immigration hall there, I might grab an extra form or two and keep them with my travel bags. I don't hoard them, but I always have an extra one or two blank forms for those rare situations when AA does run out.
Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Light are not quite the same thing, but what did you do while you were in Barcelona? It's Coke Light that's available in most of the world. I seriously doubt you found Diet Coke on the ground there. I don't see AA flying over a supply of Diet Coke to BCN to be able to cater the return flight with it. They'll cater BCN-JFK with what's available in Barcelona.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Light are not quite the same thing, but what did you do while you were in Barcelona? It's Coke Light that's available in most of the world. I seriously doubt you found Diet Coke on the ground there. I don't see AA flying over a supply of Diet Coke to BCN to be able to cater the return flight with it. They'll cater BCN-JFK with what's available in Barcelona.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
As far as coke vs. diet coke in Barcelona, the solution was simple. Coke zero. As noted, in most parts of Europe, coke zero is readilly availabloe more so than coke light!
Aug 22, 2011, 6:47 am
#19
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Aug 22, 2011, 6:48 am
#20
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,762
You're right, provided you exclude the UK and Irreland where there is no coke light and only diet coke (along with coke zero and sugar laced regular coke) is sold although some stores do import coke light from god knows where under conditions especially during the summer of god knows what. If in London you go into any store with coke light, it was not made in the UK and was imported and if you look closely at the cans, it may come from Georgia (not Atlanta of course), Armenia, Turkey or wherever. Will never tough the stuff (in London I've become addicted to their version of diet coke with cherry, a drink that is so cherry laced, it reminds me of the cough medicine my parents used to force down my throat. But it's good!)
Aug 22, 2011, 7:57 am
#21
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Okay, let's see...
While delays certainly are unpleasant, they have become the reality of international air travel today. Since you were not connecting onward from JFK, no need to get stressed out. Just enjoy more time in the lounge and/or shopping! I don't see how #1 contributed to an "awful awful mess."
AA's in-flight entertainment options are well documented on AA.com, and most informed consumers do their research when booking tickets. If having a PTV at your seat was very important to you, you could have routed via LHR in order to fly on the 772 that offers PTVs. Alternatively, since you have trouble seeing a small screen, you could have brought your own entertainment (laptop, iPad, etc). Not AA's fault.
The one point on which I agree with you is that I would much prefer to have the flight map available on the main screens throughout the flight instead of the trashy TV programming after the feature film(s).
Okay, I'm not even going to wade into this one, since I don't drink these products and cannot speak from experience. I will say, though, that I vividly remember when Diet Coke was renamed Coca Cola Light throughout most of the world (outside USA), and the product was marketed to be the same product, just with a different name. I suspect that different countries' bottlers use slightly different formulae subject to local ingredient availability, as well as different carbonated water, of course, leading to slight variations in taste.
I admit that I completely feel for you on this one. There is nothing worse after a long flight than standing at a luggage carousel, and AA's contract baggage handlers at JFK are notorious for working slowly and out of order.
But you could have done some things to help yourself:
1) Don't check bags in the first place! (I haven't checked a bag in over 2 years!)
2) Taken out your laptop/iPad and gotten some stuff done (or enjoyed some entertainment) while waiting
3) Read a book/Kindle
Perhaps unpleasant, but IMHO, not the "awful awful mess" to use your words from the top of your post. It sounds to me as though you are not fully in tune with the realities of international air travel today. They require you to have patience and not to allow yourself to get tied up in knots over things like Coke Light.
Well today it was my misfortune to fly AA151 a flight from BCN to JFK...let me tell you it was just an awful awful mess...
1. When I arrived at BCN airport, it was announced the flight was delayed 1.5 hours because of the late arrival of the plane the previous night and the mandatory down time for the crew. Okay...I was going to JFK and did not have to worry about connecting flight so that was no big deal but it got the day off to a terrible start.
1. When I arrived at BCN airport, it was announced the flight was delayed 1.5 hours because of the late arrival of the plane the previous night and the mandatory down time for the crew. Okay...I was going to JFK and did not have to worry about connecting flight so that was no big deal but it got the day off to a terrible start.
2. Was shocked to see AA is flying an intercontinental aircraft without the little screens so I can watch what I want to watch not the one movie they decide to put on a big screen. As my eye sight isn't great, I c ouldn't even see the movie on the screen nearest to me and of course if I didn't like the movie, well I couldn't ut up say the air map which is always my second chooice to keep me aware of the flight status. Can't believe this actually happens in the 21st century. Why haven't the little screen been introduced on this aircraft on its transcontinental routes?
The one point on which I agree with you is that I would much prefer to have the flight map available on the main screens throughout the flight instead of the trashy TV programming after the feature film(s).
3. Now I know this will make some people laugh at me but it's become almost comical. During the beverage service, I asked for a coke zero. No we don't have coke zero but we'll give you diet coke. Of course they didn't give me diet coke, they gave me coke light. Now coke light is not the same drink, doesn't taste anywhere near diet coke no matter what you might have heard or believe. As a matter of fact, why AA continues to serve diet coke or coke light is beyond me as sales of coke zero, especially in Europe, have shot way ahead of the silver cans. But then the intersting thing, after the meal servide i went to the back and asked for and got a diet coke. But when the snack came in an hour before landing at JFK, I asked for a diet coke and again got a coke light. Disgusting, at least to me (although many here will probably laugh).
4. Okay we land at JFK and get to immigration and no other flights are there. Quickly through passport contorl and then wait and wait and wait at the carousel. No announcements are made. Meanwhile people remember are 1.5 hours late already and many have connecting flights. Apparently there was some thunder and lightning but still an annoucement could have been made. And then to add insult to injury, two other flights come in one fro Santo Domingo and the other from Rome and guess what.....despite the fact our flight had arrived first, their baggage came down the carousel ahead of ours. What kind of nonsense is that.
But you could have done some things to help yourself:
1) Don't check bags in the first place! (I haven't checked a bag in over 2 years!)
2) Taken out your laptop/iPad and gotten some stuff done (or enjoyed some entertainment) while waiting
3) Read a book/Kindle
Altogether a most unpleasant experience.
Aug 22, 2011, 8:05 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IAH/SIN
Programs: UA Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 82
Cant. Resist. Posting.
*Sob story*
"Oh? Really? What happened next? Did you fly through the air, incredibly, like a bird? Did you partake in the miracle of human flight? People, like, they say there’s delays on flights. Delays? Really? New York to California in five hours. That used to take 30 years. Plus, half of you would die on the way there.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2008...ing-travelers/
*Sob story*
"Oh? Really? What happened next? Did you fly through the air, incredibly, like a bird? Did you partake in the miracle of human flight? People, like, they say there’s delays on flights. Delays? Really? New York to California in five hours. That used to take 30 years. Plus, half of you would die on the way there.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2008...ing-travelers/
Aug 22, 2011, 9:00 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Okay, I'm not even going to wade into this one, since I don't drink these products and cannot speak from experience. I will say, though, that I vividly remember when Diet Coke was renamed Coca Cola Light throughout most of the world (outside USA), and the product was marketed to be the same product, just with a different name. I suspect that different countries' bottlers use slightly different formulae subject to local ingredient availability, as well as different carbonated water, of course, leading to slight variations in taste.
Diet Coke/Coke Light vary in different parts of the world. A big reason is that Aspartame is a very expensive ingredient and in some regions the retail cost of the product can't support use of the ingredient. Or it's a mix of Aspartame and another sweetener.
Diet Coke vs. Coke Zero (US versions) is mostly a marketing thing. The ingredients vary slightly, but the main reason is that research shows that guys see Diet Coke as a drink for women. The name Coke Zero was intended to appeal to men. There is indeed a slight difference in taste, but not nearly as much as, say, Tab vs. Diet Coke. A quick tipoff as to the guy/girl thing is the packaging. Coke Zero is in a "butch" black can. Diet Coke is in a more neutral silver can.
Aug 22, 2011, 9:02 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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<snip>
Diet Coke vs. Coke Zero (US versions) is mostly a marketing thing. The ingredients vary slightly, but the main reason is that research shows that guys see Diet Coke as a drink for women. The name Coke Zero was intended to appeal to men. There is indeed a slight difference in taste, but not nearly as much as, say, Tab vs. Diet Coke. A quick tipoff as to the guy/girl thing is the packaging. Coke Zero is in a "butch" black can. Diet Coke is in a more neutral silver can.
Coke Zero was intended to taste more like regular Coke, no?
Aug 22, 2011, 9:03 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 1,894
As for the Diet Coke/Coke Light thing, a big part of surviving international travel is rolling with the punches. Things are not going to be like they are back home, nor should anyone expect them to be. Even with an entity called "American Airlines," there are going to be small differences among the many countries in which it operates.
Aug 22, 2011, 9:11 am
#26
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,904
Even if you got one of the brand new giant Swiss A340s in business class, there's still no Coke Zero!
Aug 22, 2011, 9:26 am
#27
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Wirelessly posted (Apple iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_5 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8L1 Safari/6533.18.5)
Well said! Indeed, when in Rome...
Originally Posted by SJOGuy
As for the Diet Coke/Coke Light thing, a big part of surviving international travel is rolling with the punches. Things are not going to be like they are back home, nor should anyone expect them to be. Even with an entity called "American Airlines," there are going to be small differences among the many countries in which it operates.
Aug 22, 2011, 10:19 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL PM & AA Gold and other stuff
Posts: 73
Cant. Resist. Posting.
*Sob story*
"Oh? Really? What happened next? Did you fly through the air, incredibly, like a bird? Did you partake in the miracle of human flight? People, like, they say there’s delays on flights. Delays? Really? New York to California in five hours. That used to take 30 years. Plus, half of you would die on the way there.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2008...ing-travelers/
*Sob story*
"Oh? Really? What happened next? Did you fly through the air, incredibly, like a bird? Did you partake in the miracle of human flight? People, like, they say there’s delays on flights. Delays? Really? New York to California in five hours. That used to take 30 years. Plus, half of you would die on the way there.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2008...ing-travelers/
Aug 22, 2011, 10:49 am
#29
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: AA LT PLT, DL PLT, HH DIA, IHG PLT, Hertz PLT, Bonvoy GLD, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 1,265
I'll only address the most relevant part of this thread 
:
Diet Coke is the # 2 selling soda in the world. #1 is regular coke, and #3 is regular pepsi.
With respect to the "completely different formula", the only difference is the combination of sweeteners used. In countries where it is not banned, CCE uses Sodium Cyclamate because it is much cheaper than the Aspartame blend used in the USA. Unfortunately, like all of the artificial sweeteners, it has been found to cause cancer in lab rats (when consuming the equivalent of 350 servings per day).
:Diet Coke is the # 2 selling soda in the world. #1 is regular coke, and #3 is regular pepsi.
With respect to the "completely different formula", the only difference is the combination of sweeteners used. In countries where it is not banned, CCE uses Sodium Cyclamate because it is much cheaper than the Aspartame blend used in the USA. Unfortunately, like all of the artificial sweeteners, it has been found to cause cancer in lab rats (when consuming the equivalent of 350 servings per day).
Aug 22, 2011, 10:57 am
#30
Join Date: May 2005
Location: JFK/LGA
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Posts: 486
... I will like to add my 2¢ to this Coke thread ... I am not a big soda (yes soda, it ain't "pop") drinker, but I do prefer the sugar sweetened EU version of the Real Thing to the corn-syrup sweetened US version. Oh wait, AA Forum ... right. Sorry.
As for BCN-JFK being a 767, that's the reason I went BCN-LHR <shower/eat> -JFK just a few months ago.
As for BCN-JFK being a 767, that's the reason I went BCN-LHR <shower/eat> -JFK just a few months ago.