FLL Flights from Hell
Dec 13, 2006 | 2:27 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7,541
Last week I flew from SMF to FLL via LGB and last night from FLL to SMF via JFK... It was my 2nd time flying into FLL because I really never have a reason to go to South Florida... With the exception of the SMF to LGB flight, the 3 other segments were delayed and, to be honest, that was not the worst part of the trip. The crew were extremely friendly and they did meet the expectation I have for jetBlue... everyone on jetBlue's end were really really nice as always... now, the passengers... thats another story. As often as I fly, I have never encountered soo many rude and self centered passengers on one plane in my life. Sure, theres always those one or two... but over 1/2 the plane?! Here's some of the details...
Flight 243 (LGB-FLL)
- at boarding, a few people has no clue as to the concept of assign seating and that caused a longer delay as the crew member have to basically figure out where each person suppose to sit.
- during the boarding process, i observed several passengers grabbing like as much pillows and blankets for them self while other will just take the blanket out and put their bags in the bid.
- again, during the boarding process, two guys decided it was an awesome idea to create a scene because they cant sit next to each other and wanted other people to move just so they can accomadate them. One guy decided to sit at one seat and refuse to let the person that had the seat assigned to to sit there and it took the crew members a few minutes to get everything sorted out, i'm surprise the 2 guys didnt get kicked off the flight.
- right before making to the runway, some passenger rang the call button and kept pressing it on and off to a point where a crew member had to go over the intercom and say that unless its an emergency, they will help them get in the air.
- through out the flight, the call button was pressed at least once every 10 minutes while the plane was airborne, i have really no clue as what they want but it just seem thats a bit odd for a red eye flight.
- just prior to the plane arriving to the gate, i can hear other passengers saying how the bags better be at the baggage claim waiting for them.
Flight 14 (FLL to JFK)
- When they were preboarding, the gate agent told everyone to clear the area around the jetway because its a safety hazard and promised that they will board the plane faster if everyone just move so they can preboard but no one listen and you can tell the gate agent was about to loose her tamper but she pretty much kept her cool. It was by far the longest preboarding process ever. For general boarding they were gonna use both foward and aft doors and told everyone that was seated in rows 13 and higher to use the glass doors and 1 through 12 to use the jetway and no one listened to her and the crowd got bigger around the gate and at that point it made it really hard to preboard some passengers but what speed up the process was when a firetruck pulled up to a plane than everyone left the gate to look at the firetruck... which I found amusing... when they were ready for general boarding, everyone crowded around the jetway while me and my friend just walked through the glass door and onto the plane. took a good 5 minutes before other passengers started to flow into the back 1/2 of the plane.
- The boarding process was pretty much similar to flight 243 but with out the 2 guys causing the scene. instead, I observed a dad tossing every single pillow he can find in the overhead bin and tossing it to his kids seated a couple rows ahead.
- I was seated in row 25 and my friend was seated next to me and a couple came up to us and rudely asked one of us to move to row 13 so they can sit together, and we were like uhhh.. than the guy seem to get angry and knowing what had happen on the other flight and trying to not cause a scene, my friend decided to move to row 13 just so the couple can sit together. On top of that, they were the rudest people ever, when my friend moved to another row, instead of saying thank you, the guy said "that's much better" and said to his travel campaion "see told you that'll work" and went on saying how he force people out of their seats and stuff like that.
It only got worst from that point on, the guy that forced my friend out of his seat also decided it was a good idea to delay the flight by talking on his cellphone right before the safety annoucement and a crew member has to go up to him and tell him to turn off the phone and he just ignored the crew member and just kept on talking and talking... he even has the nerve to tell the crew member that he's almost done with the conversation.... and when he was done, took him like 3 minutes to say bye which delayed the flight even longer.
During the flight, I wanted to get up to get something to drink from the galley so I turned to the person next to me (the women) and was like "excuse me, do you mind if I" and she cut me off and was like "can you see he's sleeping?! what ever you want can wait till you get to new york" I was like ehhh oooook. So I just sat there and waited for a crew member to walk pass so I can request a water and I didnt really want to press the call button cause it seems like every one was pressing it and I didnt really want to make their job harder.
Flight 265 (SMF to LGB) and Flight 171 (JFK to SMF) was your normal jetBlue flight with your typical civilized customers... and flight 171 even have XM Radio which worked perfectly (even though 171 was delayed an hour but no one seems to care). Based on the experiences of the flight to/from FLL and my stay in South Florida and the people I met from South Florida on the cruise ship, I basically came to the conclusion that most people from South Florida are a bit self centered and rude... all I know is that I won't be going to South Florida anytime soon...
Flight 243 (LGB-FLL)
- at boarding, a few people has no clue as to the concept of assign seating and that caused a longer delay as the crew member have to basically figure out where each person suppose to sit.
- during the boarding process, i observed several passengers grabbing like as much pillows and blankets for them self while other will just take the blanket out and put their bags in the bid.
- again, during the boarding process, two guys decided it was an awesome idea to create a scene because they cant sit next to each other and wanted other people to move just so they can accomadate them. One guy decided to sit at one seat and refuse to let the person that had the seat assigned to to sit there and it took the crew members a few minutes to get everything sorted out, i'm surprise the 2 guys didnt get kicked off the flight.
- right before making to the runway, some passenger rang the call button and kept pressing it on and off to a point where a crew member had to go over the intercom and say that unless its an emergency, they will help them get in the air.
- through out the flight, the call button was pressed at least once every 10 minutes while the plane was airborne, i have really no clue as what they want but it just seem thats a bit odd for a red eye flight.
- just prior to the plane arriving to the gate, i can hear other passengers saying how the bags better be at the baggage claim waiting for them.
Flight 14 (FLL to JFK)
- When they were preboarding, the gate agent told everyone to clear the area around the jetway because its a safety hazard and promised that they will board the plane faster if everyone just move so they can preboard but no one listen and you can tell the gate agent was about to loose her tamper but she pretty much kept her cool. It was by far the longest preboarding process ever. For general boarding they were gonna use both foward and aft doors and told everyone that was seated in rows 13 and higher to use the glass doors and 1 through 12 to use the jetway and no one listened to her and the crowd got bigger around the gate and at that point it made it really hard to preboard some passengers but what speed up the process was when a firetruck pulled up to a plane than everyone left the gate to look at the firetruck... which I found amusing... when they were ready for general boarding, everyone crowded around the jetway while me and my friend just walked through the glass door and onto the plane. took a good 5 minutes before other passengers started to flow into the back 1/2 of the plane.
- The boarding process was pretty much similar to flight 243 but with out the 2 guys causing the scene. instead, I observed a dad tossing every single pillow he can find in the overhead bin and tossing it to his kids seated a couple rows ahead.
- I was seated in row 25 and my friend was seated next to me and a couple came up to us and rudely asked one of us to move to row 13 so they can sit together, and we were like uhhh.. than the guy seem to get angry and knowing what had happen on the other flight and trying to not cause a scene, my friend decided to move to row 13 just so the couple can sit together. On top of that, they were the rudest people ever, when my friend moved to another row, instead of saying thank you, the guy said "that's much better" and said to his travel campaion "see told you that'll work" and went on saying how he force people out of their seats and stuff like that.
It only got worst from that point on, the guy that forced my friend out of his seat also decided it was a good idea to delay the flight by talking on his cellphone right before the safety annoucement and a crew member has to go up to him and tell him to turn off the phone and he just ignored the crew member and just kept on talking and talking... he even has the nerve to tell the crew member that he's almost done with the conversation.... and when he was done, took him like 3 minutes to say bye which delayed the flight even longer.
During the flight, I wanted to get up to get something to drink from the galley so I turned to the person next to me (the women) and was like "excuse me, do you mind if I" and she cut me off and was like "can you see he's sleeping?! what ever you want can wait till you get to new york" I was like ehhh oooook. So I just sat there and waited for a crew member to walk pass so I can request a water and I didnt really want to press the call button cause it seems like every one was pressing it and I didnt really want to make their job harder.
Flight 265 (SMF to LGB) and Flight 171 (JFK to SMF) was your normal jetBlue flight with your typical civilized customers... and flight 171 even have XM Radio which worked perfectly (even though 171 was delayed an hour but no one seems to care). Based on the experiences of the flight to/from FLL and my stay in South Florida and the people I met from South Florida on the cruise ship, I basically came to the conclusion that most people from South Florida are a bit self centered and rude... all I know is that I won't be going to South Florida anytime soon...
People from South Florida are rude and self-centered because about 80% of them are from NY! I am from NY myself, but I am a kind person with manners. The majority of those from NY just don't have any common sense about how to act in public...especially when it comes to air travel. It's like people lose 3/4 of their brain when they step into an airport.
I was once in ORD taking UA or AA (can't remember which) back to LGA. I was speaking with the gate agent about the flight and a passenger rudely interrupted to ask her question. Another agent at a nearby gate overhead the conversation and (after the rude passenger walked away) yelled over to our gate agent "I bet that's the New York flight you're working!"
In regards to your FLL experiences - it is typical. I fly JFK-FLL roundtrip about 15-20 times roundtrip a year and there is usually much confusion. I have to admit that although PBI is a smaller, somewhat nicer airport I do prefer FLL because PBI's passengers are so much worse! If you think FLL is bad, just check out PBI!
MCO is bad with kids and all but I agree that FLL (especially NY flights) is odd.
I was once in ORD taking UA or AA (can't remember which) back to LGA. I was speaking with the gate agent about the flight and a passenger rudely interrupted to ask her question. Another agent at a nearby gate overhead the conversation and (after the rude passenger walked away) yelled over to our gate agent "I bet that's the New York flight you're working!"
In regards to your FLL experiences - it is typical. I fly JFK-FLL roundtrip about 15-20 times roundtrip a year and there is usually much confusion. I have to admit that although PBI is a smaller, somewhat nicer airport I do prefer FLL because PBI's passengers are so much worse! If you think FLL is bad, just check out PBI!
MCO is bad with kids and all but I agree that FLL (especially NY flights) is odd.
...You are from Boca Raton...everyone there is assumed to be pompous self @$$3d people does that mean I am correct? NO...so back off from PBI Sure, the customers on the 190 are soooooo much different than the airbus. Why? Good question. I have no idea why, they just are.
I agree, the flights from FLL to JFK, LGA, EWR are usually filled with drama, but for a good laugh, nothing beats the PBI crowd, who paid less than $100.00 for their ticket, and act like, and treat us, like their on a transcon, $1000.00 a ticket flight. I think their funny, and it certainly adds to a lively discussion around the table at dinner with the crew afterward. Besides, I can put up with just about anything/anyone, within legal reason, for 2 1/2 hours.
My personal motto: You fly, I fly. Period. No question 'bout it. I'm there, cause you all are, so thanks for flying with JB. We love U 2!
I agree, the flights from FLL to JFK, LGA, EWR are usually filled with drama, but for a good laugh, nothing beats the PBI crowd, who paid less than $100.00 for their ticket, and act like, and treat us, like their on a transcon, $1000.00 a ticket flight. I think their funny, and it certainly adds to a lively discussion around the table at dinner with the crew afterward. Besides, I can put up with just about anything/anyone, within legal reason, for 2 1/2 hours.
My personal motto: You fly, I fly. Period. No question 'bout it. I'm there, cause you all are, so thanks for flying with JB. We love U 2!
Why is everyone ragging on PBI customers
Dec 13, 2006 | 8:32 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: BOS & FLL
Programs: DL FO,Starwood Gold, Hertz 5*, National Executive, Nexus & Global Entry
Posts: 1,161
heh.
I had to make a last minute change to one of my Delta flights last week, and the cheapest flight I could get put me through JFK (BOS-JFK-FLL), the inbound A/C for our flight ran into severe rough air and had to be placed out of service pending an inspection. They had another A/C that they were able to place on our flight, and the delay was only about 30 mins. However, we ended up loosing our takeoff slot, and got stuck behind about 25 international flights. When the captain announced that we were #25 for departure, someone in coach screamed so loud that I could here it up in First"JUST GET US OUT OF HERE" that the FA's were scared they'd riot. Nevermind 400 people crowding the gate as first class boarding was announced.
I had to make a last minute change to one of my Delta flights last week, and the cheapest flight I could get put me through JFK (BOS-JFK-FLL), the inbound A/C for our flight ran into severe rough air and had to be placed out of service pending an inspection. They had another A/C that they were able to place on our flight, and the delay was only about 30 mins. However, we ended up loosing our takeoff slot, and got stuck behind about 25 international flights. When the captain announced that we were #25 for departure, someone in coach screamed so loud that I could here it up in First"JUST GET US OUT OF HERE" that the FA's were scared they'd riot. Nevermind 400 people crowding the gate as first class boarding was announced.
Dec 15, 2006 | 10:40 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA/Clearwater Beach, FL
Programs: SWA Companion, Airtran A+, United Premier, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, Hertz 5*, Avis First
Posts: 52
Why is everyone ragging on PBI customers
Although I luckily snagged one of the remaining window seats without an occupied adjacent middle seat (thank you online checkin - 24A), the only way I could summarize the flight and passenger set requires liberal use of terms that would get my account suspended...
In short:
1) I have never seen an airplane board that slowly (yes - it is 320, but I've flown enough 767s and 727s to know better)
2) I had the kicking baby behind me for the whole flight,
3) the bathroom line was 5-6 deep for much of the flight,
4) the odor emanating (either from the bathroom or the kicking baby behind me) was nauseous,
5) I definitely witnessed the old PBI retiree attitude, and
6) (Partially a result of #1) The flight landed about 30 minutes late, but the board wasn't updated showing the delayed time, and my ride took off early forcing me to grab a cab.
Maybe I've been spoiled by my usual 2/3-3/4 full E190s, but I'm not exactly looking forward to my return to BOS Sunday night. Still, with the 36" of pitch up front, I'll take it over Delta. Maybe I just hit the "luck of the draw", or am a bit more critical after doing 4 segments on Monday, but still, PBI is definitely a different sort of crowd.
Dec 15, 2006 | 11:07 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG, AA, BA, CO, UA, US, B6, DL, Amex MR, HH
Posts: 1,010
Unfortunatly, since they just announced this change, the planes won't start being outfitted with the new seating layout until January. Until then, the A320 will still have rows 1-10 with 32", rows 11-12 36"+ exit rows, and rows 13-26 34" seat pitch.
Dec 16, 2006 | 8:32 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2006
Programs: jetBlue TrueBlue, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 2,164
Actually no, Rows 1-10 will have the 36" of seat pitch. We are removing the first row of seats in the front, not the back.
Dec 16, 2006 | 9:24 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG, AA, BA, CO, UA, US, B6, DL, Amex MR, HH
Posts: 1,010
Dec 16, 2006 | 9:35 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Long Island, NY and Boca Raton, FL
Programs: JetBlue TrueBlue, AAdvantage, Rapid Rewards, Sky Miles, SPG, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 2,275
FLL-JFK experience
Flew FLL-JFK yesterday....I fly this route about 15-20 times each way per year.
While boarding, a man in rows 20 and higher pushed through yelling to everyone "please step out of the way...they are boarding my row." I don't think he understands that the plane is not leaving without him and everyone will get to NY at the same time!
Also, once seated in my usual 11C, a big guy sitting in 11B asked me to turn my phone off while I was sending a text message! I replied, "I fly enough to know when it is safe to have the phone off. The door is still open and no announcements have been made yet. I'll turn my phone off when it is required." He puts his headphones on and starts to whistle!! People like that realllllllly get to me. Not to mention, he was severely overweight and should not have been sitting in an exit row to begin with.
Other than that, great flight as usual.
While boarding, a man in rows 20 and higher pushed through yelling to everyone "please step out of the way...they are boarding my row." I don't think he understands that the plane is not leaving without him and everyone will get to NY at the same time!
Also, once seated in my usual 11C, a big guy sitting in 11B asked me to turn my phone off while I was sending a text message! I replied, "I fly enough to know when it is safe to have the phone off. The door is still open and no announcements have been made yet. I'll turn my phone off when it is required." He puts his headphones on and starts to whistle!! People like that realllllllly get to me. Not to mention, he was severely overweight and should not have been sitting in an exit row to begin with.
Other than that, great flight as usual.
Dec 16, 2006 | 3:47 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: BOS & FLL
Programs: DL FO,Starwood Gold, Hertz 5*, National Executive, Nexus & Global Entry
Posts: 1,161