Well, all that can be taken into consideration, but there is still more rudeness on AA than on some other airlines. It's not quite as bad as NW, but still much worse than United or Alaska---at least from personal experience.

I've been a member of AAdvantage since 1983 and my experience with American has been very good. I've always gotten wonderful, courteous service from the telephone and city ticket office staff, even before I was elite.

I was in Europe for the Flight Attendents walk out in the early 90's and headed to London last February during the Pilots sickout and both times American rebooked me on alternate carriers, once in Biz Class, at their expense, as I had upgraded the AA ticket with miles.

True, there are some problems with the airport staff, but I blame that on understaffing and lack of staff training. I'd certainly never want to have the job of boarding 200+ people onto a 767.

These are my personal experiences, maybe I've just been extremely lucky.

As for AA vs. UA, I had occasion to ask my former boss about that this past weekend - he had been Platinum on AA until the company went to UA as preferred carrier three years ago. He gave a slight edge to UA, but I got the impression that route convenience would be at least as important, maybe more. (I guess I'm lucky I'm in SFO, where UA fits my destinations better).

Karen2, don't feel bad about the two flights you didn't get meals on. I did about 20,000 miles on AA this year (domestic coach), and the fare was uniformly worse than United's.

When I was working, if I had an early afternoon flight I would leave my office and pick up some salads at the gourmet deli nearby. Sure it's an extra $7.50 (business expense!), but if it's convenient you'll make your stomach a lot happier!!

I know I would have stayed with AA if not for the bad service they provided from ORD to LAX. On one flight (3pm at the time) you got to ride in the Business Class section as coach to LA. But on any other flight you had no music, no video(movies), and the carry on Bistro Meals... the planes felt small and crowded.

The UA service was better... A320 planes, movies, meal service, music, and a very comfortable plane experience.... (plus it was the first stop off the rental car buses!!)... But it weird how a comparision of two carriers on the same route can change your impression.

I later flew AA from SNA to Dallas.. and had a nice experience upgraded to First on the way out and even on coach on the return... so it all depends http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif But I am still for UA.. they have better service (minus the Shuttle) from LAX http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Isn't it funny how perception can influence your thinking. As a 1K, I now have a very high level of expectation from UA. For that reason, I guess I am often disappointed that UA did not live up to my heightened expectations.

When I fly AA (once or twice a year), I expect to be treated like cattle, and I am never disappointed. In fact, I rather enjoy "playing the pauper" on AA as it takes some of the stress out of travel because there is no question about upgrades (I will get none), no worries about mileage accumulation (it's more or less negligable, os I might as well as take the direct non-stop) and its fun to compare and contrast.

Of course, this attitude is also effected by the fact that my two other choices on this particular route are Air Jamaica or USAir, and given the options, I feel like I'm already miles ahead (sorry for the pun and with apologies to geo http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif)

Just something to think about...

LAX1K - This is one of AA's problems - they fly those darn MD80's on flights longer than 1 hour! I like the MD80's and all, but without the entertainment system, they are pretty much useless on the longer flights (No entertainment or movies from LAX-ORD, a 4 hour flight?). I always try to book my LAX-ORD and LAX-DFW flights on 767's so I can get into the business class section.

[This message has been edited by SNA_Flyer (edited 12-15-1999).]

The last time I flew on AA was about 3-4 years ago. I was flying in first on Delta with award tickets and Delta had an equipment problem. They put me on AA first from ROC - ORD and then on AA first from ORD - SEA. I mention the first because of the service - NOT!

My wife and I requested champagne - I had being going throught some tough business problems and was really celebrating getting away. The FA gave the champagne to two teenagers seated across from us. Aftefinally flagging an FA down to explain the problem, she told us we already had our champagne - we had to let her serve food to the other passengers. when we told her she gave the champagne to the teenagers she argued with us and said no she didn't. she finally asked the two girls, they said yes, they were surprised but happy to get the champagne.

Never heard an "I'm sorry" or anything - got the glasses - then the FA's hid in the galley.

Really glad we were able to fly Delta back home.

My experiences with AA have been hit or miss (mostly miss.)

I think the object to getting a little bit more respect with an airline is to get elite status. I notice those who give AA PAWS UP are elites.

But on my few AA flights: Staff impersonal, food adequate to poor and those M-D 80's are horrid (even worse when you get seated in front of a guy who spends the whole flight spreading phlegm around the cabin by sneezing and coughing and not covering his mouth.)

The worst experience: The flight from heck, stuck in bad weather at the Pittsburgh airport surrounded by drunken and angry businessmen and no vouchers for food or anything. The one girl stuck rebooking tickets seemed annoyed to be there.

A few good things:

*The AA ticket people I have dealt with have been friendly and helpful. Live and on phone.
*They give you the choice of PEPSI.

Kokonutz makes an excellent about first impressions:

"This should be a vital lesson to each and every customer service rep/FA/pilot in
the business. How they act on any given day to any given customer can have a life-long impact on an airline, not only for the person with whom they are dealing, but also with that person's family, friends and coworkers."

UNited was nice to me in my first flight with then even though it was a coach flight with no status. IT meant a lot to get a hello and a smile even in 19C. That was 10 years ago.

That's why U-A is my airline of choice.


[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 12-15-1999).]

I've flown with AA about 5 or 6 times over the years. The first flight was on a 767 ord-FRA. The A/C was too cold and never got any better the whole trip. Other trips since then have been average. I have found AA personnel to be nice for the most part.

It's hard to get a good feeling for an airline when you only fly them once in a while. I can't really judge AA fairly after so few flights. I think it takes 20 or so flights to get a feel for what the airline's style and service levels are.

One major reason I don't fly AA often is because I don't particularly care for their hub airports.

Sorry, duplicate post.

[This message has been edited by dgolds (edited 12-15-1999).]

Sorry...I just realized I already put in my two cents, above.

[This message has been edited by Adman (edited 12-16-1999).]

I had one occasion where I flew United this year, SNA-DEN. It was on a full Y fare ticket. One week before the flight, I had called United becuase my itinerary stated that seats would be assigned at check-in. I asked if they had any exit row seats. They said they could not pre-assign me an exit row seat, even though they said seats were available in the exit row! So I asked if I could get any window/aisle seat assigned, and again the answer was a resounding NO (including the return a week later).

Now, I understand that UA blocks certain seats for PE's, etc., but I was flying on a full fare ticket! If this isn't reason enough, I don't know what is. In past experiences I have had with UA, seating problems are tops (never been elite with UA, but always on full Y fare tickets). I really have not flown them enough to get a better feel for them. But seating is my biggest peave, and UAL has given me bad experiences.

Catman, AA gets a paws up from me (yes, I am elite, Exec Platinum) MOST of the time. There are times when I am particularly upset with certain services. Elite status does matter, as it seems to with United, and probably most other airlines.

Just my two cents worth...I agree with the lack of professionalism in the premium cabins on AA (even int'l first!). Their employees do like to carouse during flight. I give UA the edge for the polish of its f/c experience and lounges, but for actually informing pax of flight delays and cleaning up messes for nonelite pax, AA is better. UA is only good if your part of the "in" crowd (elite), but I have to admit 90% of my problems with UA result from Shuttle flights (or cancellations). I think we're going to see DL come roaring back to it's undisputed position as the best in the near future, though.

Certain UA employees have acknowledged frequenting these bulletin boards. Any sign that AA reads them, and might get the hint that all is not particularly well?

And this just posted In The News today re AA:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum...ML/000476.html