Dec 4, 2015, 12:52 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
What's the stupidest, least substantive thing you can complain about?
Thread founder Blumie had the following dedicatory post to kick off the original thread in June of 2010 to guide us, so we will take our cues from that to continue this hallowed FT-AA|A tradition. (FT Rules still apply.)
What's FT if not a place to complain about the small stuff? After all, we've seen threads in which people have complained about virtually everything, from the ceiling height at JAX to the font, ink and paper used to print boarding passes. So I thought I'd start what I hope will become the one of the most valuable and important threads in the history of FT, one in which we consolidate all of our complaints about stuff that just doesn't matter and that validates AA's decision not to have an official presence on this board.
I'll go first: I find it really annoying the way the napkins are fanned before being put out at the Admirals Clubs. Is this supposed to make us feel like the place is uber-fancy? Why don't they just forget about the fanning and put out some real napkins instead of the flimsy cocktail napkins they use?
I'll go first: I find it really annoying the way the napkins are fanned before being put out at the Admirals Clubs. Is this supposed to make us feel like the place is uber-fancy? Why don't they just forget about the fanning and put out some real napkins instead of the flimsy cocktail napkins they use?
What's the stupidest, least substantive thing you can complain about?
May 6, 2024, 2:50 pm
#2146
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: AA Plat Pro
Posts: 943
On a recent DFW-LHR fight that I was going onward to JNB, I had requested an upgrade using a SWU. When I checked in with the gate agent he informed me that there were no seats available in J. He said that I should be fairly comfortable in Y because there were 84 empty seats and I was on the right side of the plane in a row all by myself. I thought that this would be perfect and to insure that I kept the empty seats, would he mind blocking the other 2 for me? He said no problem and showed me the seat map on his monitor with my row xd out. He was a really nice guy.
Everything was going fine, but before boarding was complete a FA escorted a young lady up to my row and told her she was welcome to sit in the window seat. Naturally I was surprised because I saw that her Ipad showed 3xs in my row and there were quite a lot of completely empty 3 seat rows available! I pointed out the fact that there were xs on her ipad she questioned how I had done that. She said she had never seen it done before now. She mentioned it to another FA who then snarked, I can show him that I can do something to take them away. I could have moved to an empty row, but I had already arranged a sleeping pad in the empty seats. I politely stood my ground and the young lady moved forward one by one to sit in another almost empty row.
I felt slightly abused by the FAs, especially the snarky one, since the cabin was so open and available. Is it ok to feel this way or is it something inconsequential? It all worked out as right before the doors closed the gate agent gathered me and my things and put me in a seat that came available In business!
Everything was going fine, but before boarding was complete a FA escorted a young lady up to my row and told her she was welcome to sit in the window seat. Naturally I was surprised because I saw that her Ipad showed 3xs in my row and there were quite a lot of completely empty 3 seat rows available! I pointed out the fact that there were xs on her ipad she questioned how I had done that. She said she had never seen it done before now. She mentioned it to another FA who then snarked, I can show him that I can do something to take them away. I could have moved to an empty row, but I had already arranged a sleeping pad in the empty seats. I politely stood my ground and the young lady moved forward one by one to sit in another almost empty row.
I felt slightly abused by the FAs, especially the snarky one, since the cabin was so open and available. Is it ok to feel this way or is it something inconsequential? It all worked out as right before the doors closed the gate agent gathered me and my things and put me in a seat that came available In business!
Mods please move or delete this post immediately! LOL
May 6, 2024, 8:14 pm
#2147
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: KUSA
Programs: Whatever AMEX Plat comes with... I buy on price.. Spirit Big Front Seat, want First/buy First
Posts: 1,525
Because American doesn't exactly have an abundance of widebodies... the 767 and A300 were great for these markets. Even the 757. But alas they do not have any really good planes free that can take everything everyone wants to take.
May 13, 2024, 5:03 pm
#2148
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,863
On 5/4, ATH-JFK, a woman died mid-flight, and since it was full, they stored the body in the galley between the two business class sections. Unfortunately, that was also the galley where the chicken pot pie light meals were stored, so business class got ice cream instead for the light snack. Also, a flight attendance spilled most of my cup of sparkling water all over my lap while trying to clear my trash as I dozed off; she later told me it was the first time she ever did that during her 49-year career. Looking back, I can only assume that she may have been distracted by the dead body in the galley behind us. (she was very apologetic and I was thankful I didn't request red wine)
May 15, 2024, 9:31 am
#2149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,276
Does anyone listen to the announcement when landing about the baggage claim number?
As some of you know, many of my posts on this board are about how you all can make my life better. This is one of those.
When the aircraft door opens after landing, I estimate that I lose 3-5 seconds of time when the FA and the GA greet each other, and then the GA tells the FA which baggage claim is assigned to the flight and the FA announces it to the passengers. Is anyone paying attention to this? I dont check bags often, but when I do I head to baggage claim and, using the monitors, have never struggled to find my bags (except when they havent shown up at all). Couldnt we speed the entire disembarking process (again by 3-5 seconds by my estimate) by not announcing the baggage claim information when the aircraft door is opened? Just let us all (or at least me) off the friggin plane.
When the aircraft door opens after landing, I estimate that I lose 3-5 seconds of time when the FA and the GA greet each other, and then the GA tells the FA which baggage claim is assigned to the flight and the FA announces it to the passengers. Is anyone paying attention to this? I dont check bags often, but when I do I head to baggage claim and, using the monitors, have never struggled to find my bags (except when they havent shown up at all). Couldnt we speed the entire disembarking process (again by 3-5 seconds by my estimate) by not announcing the baggage claim information when the aircraft door is opened? Just let us all (or at least me) off the friggin plane.
May 15, 2024, 9:35 am
#2150
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,049
I'm sure some non-regular travelers do. Either way, I think this falls into the category of least substantive things to complain about.
May 15, 2024, 9:48 am
#2151
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,276
I will point out that some FAs are kind enough to allow passengers to begin deplaning even as theyre making the announcement.
May 15, 2024, 9:55 am
#2154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,276
See, youre not listening. Thats exactly my point! (And please understand, Im not being critical of you. Theres no reason to listen.)
May 15, 2024, 9:57 am
#2155
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,301
I listen. I can tell you GAs are not consistently making these announcements, at least not at the airports I frequent. I also frequently sit in bulkhead first in an aisle seat and am usually the first one off. I can't recall the last time I was held up by a GA making an announcement.
May 15, 2024, 9:58 am
#2156
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,383
An example of "confusing" would be 50 rows of text displayed at a time on alternating screens. Yeah, I'm grateful that the FA was kind enough to spend 3-4 seconds telling me "#8" so I don't need to spend 30 seconds trying to decipher the monitor.
Last edited by JY1024; May 15, 2024 at 12:01 pm Reason: Merged consecutive posts
May 15, 2024, 10:17 am
#2157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,812
At airports where there are large numbers of baggage claim carousels, yes I like to know the baggage claim number without having to look at the monitor at each one to see if my flight is at that baggage carousel. Now, I know I can also look in the app, but not everyone does.
May 15, 2024, 10:29 am
#2159
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,625
Dont recall if its an airline or airport specific thing, but Ive often head the FAs announce baggage claim info during the landing announcement instead, so no holdups during deplaning.
May 15, 2024, 10:48 am
#2160
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 842
Look I am usually in like row two so yeah I might be happier without the announcement BUT today i was trying to get the last few minutes of my nap time in when the FA came on and announced the gate number for each city with a connecting passenger AND the baggage number I mean that was like three minutes of my morning nap I will never get back. In the end flying isnt all about me and there are lots and lots of other places on the average day where three seconds get wasted you know like people racing for my elevator..