AAdamE

On AA2634, Told groups 6-9 are going to have to check a bag. OK, 10 people deep in group 3, SPACE GONE EVERYONE MUST CHECK. Get on the plane in group 4 to see 6 FULLY EMPTY bins. They made a bunch of announcements to indicate that the plane had 100+ elites, but I'm sorry they were NOT checking boarding group and I counted and about that many boarded before group 3 was even called. Going for GreAAt.

TravelerMSY

It’s a D0 thing. When you put on-time or early departure as the priority, something else has to suffer... The agent gains nothing by you getting your carryon bag, and has potentially everything to lose.

AAdamE

I get it but a broken boarding system with loads of people flooding the entrance, and people boarding before their group also delays boarding.

SamirD

Whenever I fly and have an opportunity to eat, I eat like that's my last meal. Arrive at the airport later? Load up on all the food I can and bring it to the plane. Eat before like you're going to starve the whole flight. Bring your own entertainment, water, bathroom, everything. This strategy has never failed me once.

If you rely on others that you cannot absolutely bank on, even when you are paying for it, you're going to suffer either way--in your wallet or just plain suffer. I always prepare to be let down to keep my suffering to a minimum.

SamirD

Yep, and you don't even get the free parasites and diarrhea that you get with the Asian options.

Seriously, the only adjustment I make when I come back home from the other places of the world is to remind myself that I have the opportunity to keep things clean neat, and in order in this part of the world and I should exercise that to the fullest and never take it for granted. Sometimes I feel so happy at the clean floors I want to lick them because the chances that I would die from it would be slim unlike drinking tainted water in other parts of the world that put me in the hospital.

757FO

If I had been the CA, I would have delayed the departure until the lavatories were cleaned. That is unacceptable .

Very sorry you had this experience.

Sandeep1

Yup! Money advice here folks, do it.

Beachfun71

I flew 2634 yesterday. I was surprised how full the plane was for a Sunday morning. I was #5 of 31 on the upgrade list... only one cleared.

I was sitting in a non-MCE aisle, so I went ahead and checked my suitcase, allowing me guiltless, overhead stowage of my backpack and winter coat. It was a real show watching everyone place all their belongings 10 rows or more back. (It’s also amusing to see how many people are clueless to maximizing space in the bins, but that’s another subject.)

Overall the flight was fine. We left ORD pretty much on time; we landed early in SFO; and the lavatory was fine when I used it.

My only comment (not complaint) was with the food and beverage service. First I was offered food, and I asked for the fruit and cheese plate. The attendant handed it to me, and then checked the CC reader. He quickly acknowledged me by name and moved on. When I was offered something to drink, I asked for a double Bloody Mary. She reached for the CC reader, and I smiled and told her I am EP. I guess I should not have said anything, because her demeanor changed a bit, and she said, “Well as an EP you should know you can only get one.”

I held out my wallet and offered to pay - she said she would charge me for the “next one”.

So not really a big deal, but I am quite used to being offered a double without even asking.

s0ssos

Are you serious? You know not all of Asia is dirty.
And then there is the exchange rate. Canada is cheap for Americans right now, so things are a quarter cheaper. Plus in most countries you do not tip, so that is more off.
And in CA and NYC you get hit with another tax/fee for I don't know what

cmd320

Ummm, huh?

SamirD

How ironic--my real life brother's name is Sandip.

SamirD

Oh, I've seen the nice parts, but they are few and far between. I don't care about the money when it comes to health and hygiene.

If it was so bad in the west, why does the east migrate to it like moths to a flame? Gotta be doing something right...