Why obsess getting into AA first class?
#31
Join Date: May 2002
Location: St Louis, MO
Programs: AA L.T. PLT
Posts: 3,265
Originally Posted by DallasAudiGuy
I'm going DFW-LAX-HNL and back in July. I will report my findings
#32
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLAT, Marriott Titanium/LT PLAT
Posts: 4,120
I just got to Platinum....started to use the 500mile domestic upgrades....using 3 to go to BJX today...on an M80....wooo!!!
What a joke....F in an M80....but hey what do you except? I do not blame AA for cutting costs...even they need to make money...
This American mentality of "Cheap, cheap, cheap" will bring the quality of everything down...hey if you want to pay $100/RT ticket....you entitled to a SEAT AND NOTHING MORE.....
Pretty soon....we will be outsourcing the FA's from China/India.....
What a joke....F in an M80....but hey what do you except? I do not blame AA for cutting costs...even they need to make money...
This American mentality of "Cheap, cheap, cheap" will bring the quality of everything down...hey if you want to pay $100/RT ticket....you entitled to a SEAT AND NOTHING MORE.....
Pretty soon....we will be outsourcing the FA's from China/India.....
#33
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,743
Originally Posted by anaggie
Pretty soon....we will be outsourcing the FA's from China/India.....
#34
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,968
Welcome to flying commercial airlines in 2003, 2004, 2005 and NOW.... 2006.
To borrow from the OP, It amazes me how many folks obsess about what flying and domestic FC was, is, or will become. It is what it is; a means of conveyance, nothing more. And now back to the dicussion of which brand of manure works better.....
To borrow from the OP, It amazes me how many folks obsess about what flying and domestic FC was, is, or will become. It is what it is; a means of conveyance, nothing more. And now back to the dicussion of which brand of manure works better.....
#35
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Plat (2MM), Hertz 5 star
Posts: 598
Originally Posted by anaggie
I just got to Platinum....started to use the 500mile domestic upgrades....using 3 to go to BJX today...on an M80....wooo!!!
What a joke....F in an M80....but hey what do you except? I do not blame AA for cutting costs...even they need to make money...
This American mentality of "Cheap, cheap, cheap" will bring the quality of everything down...hey if you want to pay $100/RT ticket....you entitled to a SEAT AND NOTHING MORE.....
Pretty soon....we will be outsourcing the FA's from China/India.....
What a joke....F in an M80....but hey what do you except? I do not blame AA for cutting costs...even they need to make money...
This American mentality of "Cheap, cheap, cheap" will bring the quality of everything down...hey if you want to pay $100/RT ticket....you entitled to a SEAT AND NOTHING MORE.....
Pretty soon....we will be outsourcing the FA's from China/India.....
"Joke"
""Even they need to make money"
"cheap cheap cheap"
And not to be an aggie basher, but your comment about outsourcing FA's shows a fundamental ignorance of the service level of most of the Asia based airlines
Last edited by DallasAudiGuy; Jun 13, 2006 at 11:59 am
#36
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Plat (2MM), Hertz 5 star
Posts: 598
Originally Posted by pdb
Now THAT might be worthy of consideration. As has been discussed in other threads, the service ethic of Asian airline FAs is quite admirable--really adds to the flying experience: whether one is up front or not.
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,221
Originally Posted by DallasAudiGuy
...And not to be an aggie basher, but you comment about outsourcing FA's shows a fundamental ignorance of the service level of most of the Asia based airlines
#38
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
Originally Posted by DataPlumber
Welcome to flying commercial airlines in 2003, 2004, 2005 and NOW.... 2006.
To borrow from the OP, It amazes me how many folks obsess about what flying and domestic FC was, is, or will become. It is what it is; a means of conveyance, nothing more. And now back to the dicussion of which brand of manure works better.....
To borrow from the OP, It amazes me how many folks obsess about what flying and domestic FC was, is, or will become. It is what it is; a means of conveyance, nothing more. And now back to the dicussion of which brand of manure works better.....
For me, my travel is on carriers which still provide a high level of service domestically: CO and UA. But maybe I feel this way because I actually pay for First Class and therefore expect a higher level of service than is (apparently) provided by AA.
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,203
Originally Posted by BenjaminNYC
For me, my travel is on carriers which still provide a high level of service domestically: CO and UA. But maybe I feel this way because I actually pay for First Class and therefore expect a higher level of service than is (apparently) provided by AA.
Mind you, I'm not being critical of UA. But I think the service levels among the legacy carriers are more or less indistinguishable.
#40
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
Originally Posted by Blumie
I think the service levels among the legacy carriers are more or less indistinguishable.
#41
Originally Posted by pdb
Now THAT might be worthy of consideration. As has been discussed in other threads, the service ethic of Asian airline FAs is quite admirable--really adds to the flying experience: whether one is up front or not.
#42
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 52
Originally Posted by BenjaminNYC
Is there any point at which you will say that too much has been cut? What about plastic cups like DL? What about pay for booze? What about pay for food on longer flights? What about pay for coat hanging? You and some others never cease to amaze me by your ability to just "take it in stride".
For me, my travel is on carriers which still provide a high level of service domestically: CO and UA. But maybe I feel this way because I actually pay for First Class and therefore expect a higher level of service than is (apparently) provided by AA.
For me, my travel is on carriers which still provide a high level of service domestically: CO and UA. But maybe I feel this way because I actually pay for First Class and therefore expect a higher level of service than is (apparently) provided by AA.
#43
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: AA Plat, Fairmont Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 4,534
They have always served pre-departure on any flight in first that I have been on. As mad as I am with AA right now, I do have to say that they do have the best FF program out there. They also have great customer service people. The FA's are another story.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,191
Originally Posted by chsb
I have found that as well. I think one of the probs with predep drinks now days, is with the planes as full as they are it is just difficult to do a consistent drink service as it seems to me on my last several flights the isles were full of people until they closed the door for departure.
So it's just a function of it not being a priority for AA. Take that for what it's worth.
#45
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Orangevale, CA USA
Programs: UA Premier, BA, AA, HHonors Gold
Posts: 391
The problem is the whole U.S. airline industry rather than AA
I was pondering this very question as I rode home to SF from STL last night in F on AA583. It was an upgrade but I'd paid $240 for the coupons for Mrs. daveinSF and I to have the extra comfort. The roomier seats are what you are paying for in my opinion. Yeah, you can get a drink or two but that's not worth more than $10 or $15 since neither of us are big drinkers. The food is worth very little. Even in first class it seems you are better off bringing your own since the meals seems to be at best what they were serving in coach a decade ago.
I think a fare schedule similar to what Southwest uses would make sense. One fare if you buy your ticket in advance, a second fare for walk-ups and a third and fourth for first class. I'd suggest for round-trip flights longer than 1500 miles, charge $400 for advance purchase coach,, $500 for walk-up coach, $600 for advance purchase first class and $700 for walk-up first class. The airlines would probably take in more and they could drop the crazy pricing system they have now and maybe spend an extra five spot on slightly better meals offerings.
I think a fare schedule similar to what Southwest uses would make sense. One fare if you buy your ticket in advance, a second fare for walk-ups and a third and fourth for first class. I'd suggest for round-trip flights longer than 1500 miles, charge $400 for advance purchase coach,, $500 for walk-up coach, $600 for advance purchase first class and $700 for walk-up first class. The airlines would probably take in more and they could drop the crazy pricing system they have now and maybe spend an extra five spot on slightly better meals offerings.