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Isn't there any positive news about Indian carriers or airports? :)
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Originally Posted by aktchi
(Post 12900677)
Isn't there any positive news about Indian carriers or airports? :)
Seriously, I am familiar with the feeling of getting off the plane and being so unhappy that I want to complain about everything. It is necessary to filter out the petty complaints and focus on what is important, which I don't always manage to do, and which the OP clearly has not done. |
Originally Posted by WASBLR
(Post 12898616)
Mr. Bean, cj001f: we know that kids are not allowed in the exit row during takeoff or landing. This is true for pretty much every airline. The question was regarding the cruise portion of flight, when emergency exits are moot.
Now, whether this policy is entirely sound... I think that is another question. |
Originally Posted by cover point
(Post 12900666)
i guess you have been lucky.
I have been asked to wait for a few mts as the flight attendant finishes serving whatever she was at the time MULTIPLE times on AA, BA and LH. All within the last 12 months and each time in their Business class cabin. There are plenty of things that we can fairly blame AI for .... why make up things? If the FAs are busy serving meals and do not have the drink readily available, it is a different story, and yes you may have to wait. I don't think aniruddh77 is making up anything... he is simply sharing his latest experience on IC and, based on his account, it's clear that there were problems and maybe violations of govt and/or airline policy. |
Originally Posted by kalia960
(Post 12900733)
Yes, 100% of flights that took off this month have also landed, except those currently in the air...Seriously, I am familiar with the feeling of getting off the plane and being so unhappy that I want to complain about everything. It is necessary to filter out the petty complaints and focus on what is important, which I don't always manage to do, and which the OP clearly has not done.
AI issues, not entirely undeserved, are well known. Still, people use the carrier for a reason. In my case it has covered the whole range: low fare, some specially convenient schedule, psychological comfort of an elderly relative traveling alone (food, language), etc. We didn't get but also didn't pay for SQ-class service. However, we always got what made us choose AI; in that sense it has been fine to us. Going in, I know what AI offices and ground staff are like and I minimize my dealings with them. I never had a particularly bad experience with an AI flight itself. I realize that it could have happened, and I don't discount the discomforts that others may have endured; just saying I didn't experience it. (It may have helped that I tend to sleep through the flights and don't much notice the quality of cabin furnishings or blankets, who is sitting in Exit Rows, precise timing of beverage service, and the pilot's accent.) In fact I just returned from a convoluted trip that involved American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Air India, Indian Airlines, Indigo, Kingfisher, and Singapore Airlines. Were AI and IC the best of the bunch, leaving all others miles behind in elegance and service? Not really, but they were a part of my itinerary for specific reasons, price as well as schedule, and provided adequate service. |
I have travelled on the IC portion of the AI several times, and had average to good service.
My idea of bad service would be, getting to the destination late by more than 2 hours, cancelling the flight or poor food/refreshment service on board. AI/IC service is still better than many US carriers. |
My last IC flight was like a week back, and we'd got seats in an exit row due to some screwup from the checkin agent. The FA at once reseated us in an empty row away from the exit, once boarding was completed.
Service was mechanical and slow - but not particularly grumpy, sloppy etc. The food was quite tasty, and plentiful (as it usually is on IC). Evening flight so a couple of cutlets, a mango tart etc. Flight duration? 45 minutes HYD-MAA .. with 9W flying only Jet konnect ATRs on the route.
Originally Posted by cj001f
(Post 12897113)
Yes - perhaps because children are prohibited from the exit rows on civilized airways? @:-) In an emergency FAs have much better things to do than shuffle brats about. Jet Airways also prohibits children from exit rows:
http://www.jetairways.com/EN/US/Term...skCheckin.aspx Of course god forbid anyone suggest Air India conform with standard procedures and behavior. |
Originally Posted by aniruddh77
(Post 12890862)
I had to fly to CCU on AI last week due to an emergency and that was the only convenient flight (you think I'd have flown them any other way?). This has got to be my worst ever flight on AI, and not just because of the "service" that I was subjected to, but the entire experience was truly horrible. Here goes...
First, the one (and only) thing they got right - timing - flight left and reached on schedule. Horrors: 1. Terrible crew. The crew was predominantly male, and did not exude one bit of professionalism...in fact, they looked so dopey eyed, I think they had a soporific effect of people ! The only 2 women FAs on board were scary. I'm not expecting supermodels on AI (or any airline for that matter), but medusas are completely out in my book. 2. Captain (Bengali chap) couldn't speak for nuts. I don't want flight updates at all, rather than have to listen to the kind of trash he dished out. 3. I don't think any row of three seats could EVER come to the same position - either they wouldn't recline fully, or wouldn't come up fully, or could not be held in position in partial recline. 4. Chaotic noise from outside when the ground staff tried to close the cargo door. Would have roused Rip Van Winkle... 5. Ridiculous service: The crew was going down the aisle distributing small bottles of lemon juice. My colleague who was with me, had a terrible headache and had me ask the crew for a bottle of water. Classic AI response: We can't serve you water now because we need to serve LJ to all. Fine in principle, but not when you've got a cardboard crate of 24 bottles on the trolley... 6. Flagrant safety violation / stupid crew: [detailed explanation follows] Family of 5 (including 3 kids) were sitting in two rows - 10 and the emergency exit row. Kids were in the exit row. Crew told the father to get the kids out of exit row for safety reasons. Good so far. Father asks if kids can move back to exit row after takeoff, FA happily agrees. I mean...where's the safety issue? I'd rather not have kids in the exit row in case there's an emergency in flight ! 7. And finally - not to blame the crew for this - pathetic bunch of co-passengers (as usual, so what's new). The kids (see item 6 above) kept moving all over the place (and they were sitting in window and middle seats, with aisle occupied by a solo traveller not linked to that family - he wasn't amused one bit). And I think somehow, the fact that one's flying AI seems to induce different behaviour. Two of my co-passengers are regular 9W fliers (have seen them before enough times), and they were acting like boors... I only wish 9W brought back their early morning service on MAA-CCU...sigh I can imagine how distraught the passengers would be if the captain keep calling lemon juice lemon water. ;) |
Positive about Indian airports
Originally Posted by aktchi
(Post 12900677)
Isn't there any positive news about Indian .... airports? :)
As an aside no need to get defensive - aniruddh77 had a bad day and was specific about it. His wasn't a generic rant. |
Originally Posted by Sankaps
(Post 12898058)
The door cannot be played with at cruise -- it will simply not budge. The pressurization of the aircraft keeps the door firmly "plugged" into the wall. Even the door opening lever cannot be moved at higher altitudes.
Regarding water: I does not appear AI refused to serve water. They said they would serve it after the complete the juice service. Have seen it happen quite commonly on many airlines... "can I have coffee please?" "I'm sorry sir, we do not have coffee on the cart, we will bring it for you after we finish the drinks service". Had this happen on BA, AA, LH, etc etc. I see no problem with it. But if you are they type that wants it, and wants it NOW!, then I guess you will be disappointed (or will continue to fly airlines where you can just order the crew around). Also, it's amazing to me that there are apologists for AI...just simply Amazing. Oh well, to each his own. Happy flying with them! |
Originally Posted by oontiveros
(Post 12910616)
Also, it's amazing to me that there are apologists for AI...just simply Amazing. Oh well, to each his own. Happy flying with them!
This is not to apologize for AI, but to point out that AI only reflects present India and Indian reality: dirt, filth, bureaucracy, inefficiency, not creating good things ourselves but coveting what others have created (AI brass prefer to fly European carriers). Even when we do occasionally create something good, we can't or don't maintain it and it declines, eg, Indian hockey or Jet Airways. Our trains, road transport, harbors, rivers, boats, post offices, schools, markets, "resorts", cities, sports teams and venues, public facilities, even kitchens and bathrooms inside our homes, none is any different. Back to aviation: The world's fancy carriers are not fighting among themselves for landing rights at MAA or CCU. Even Indian ones seem to be cutting down. The AI pilot and FA's on OP's flight, with their accents and other charms, may well have been from these cities. We just don't like what we have done with ourselves. |
Originally Posted by aktchi
(Post 12911918)
Nobody I know flies AI for SQ experience. They are there for a low fare, schedule, etc. OP too was flying AI only because there was an emergency and no other airline, especially the ones whose pilots speak good English and FA's are to drool over. :) could or would fly him MAA-CCU. Something AI did do.
This is not to apologize for AI, but to point out that AI only reflects present India and Indian reality: dirt, filth, bureaucracy, inefficiency, not creating good things ourselves but wanting to enjoy what others have created (AI brass prefer to fly European carriers). Our trains, road transport, harbors, post offices, schools, markets and cities are no better. The world's fancy carriers are not fighting among themselves for landing rights at MAA or CCU. Even Indian ones seem to be cutting down. The AI pilot and FA's on OP's flight, with their accents and other charms, may well have been from these cities. We just don't like what we have done with ourselves. I don't know what was available o the day the OP flew MAA-CCU, but surely, he is aware of other choices, such as Indio, Spicejet, Jet, Kingfsher etc., some within 3 hours of the AI flight. Air India was the cheapest in a quick check I made at 10:20 p.m. for an itinerary the next day. It's likely that he cost was an important consideration, even more important than service. The times I have flown on Air India, I have found it to be no worse than U.S. and Europe based airlines (that I have flown on) with the exception of BA. To rant on service when one's criteria were schedule and cost is rather puzzling to me, not having been served water instead of lemon juice notwithstanding. :confused: |
Originally Posted by aktchi
(Post 12911918)
Nobody I know flies AI for SQ experience. They are there for a low fare, schedule, etc.
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Originally Posted by Yaatri
(Post 12912355)
Right. You make very goos points in response to being an apologist. Charge of an apologist is flayed when one has no other argument to present.
I don't know what was available o the day the OP flew MAA-CCU, but surely, he is aware of other choices, such as Indio, Spicejet, Jet, Kingfsher etc., some within 3 hours of the AI flight. Air India was the cheapest in a quick check I made at 10:20 p.m. for an itinerary the next day. It's likely that he cost was an important consideration, even more important than service. The times I have flown on Air India, I have found it to be no worse than U.S. and Europe based airlines (that I have flown on) with the exception of BA. To rant on service when one's criteria were schedule and cost is rather puzzling to me, not having been served water instead of lemon juice notwithstanding. :confused: We have to take flights based on schedules. We dont' really have a choice of carriers. Anyway, whatever, you have your opinions. Take it and be gone with it. |
Originally Posted by aktchi
(Post 12911918)
Nobody I know flies AI for SQ experience. They are there for a low fare, schedule, etc. OP too was flying AI only because there was an emergency and no other airline, especially the ones whose pilots speak good English and FA's are to drool over, :) could or would fly him MAA-CCU. Something AI did do - and on time.
This is not to apologize for AI, but to point out that AI only reflects present India and Indian reality: dirt, filth, bureaucracy, inefficiency, not creating good things ourselves but wanting to enjoy what others have created (AI brass prefer to fly European carriers). Our trains, road transport, harbors, post offices, schools, markets and cities are no better. The world's fancy carriers are not fighting among themselves for landing rights at MAA or CCU. Even Indian ones seem to be cutting down. The AI pilot and FA's on OP's flight, with their accents and other charms, may well have been from these cities. We just don't like what we have done with ourselves. |
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