SCL rant
Nov 15, 2015, 10:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 760
SCL rant
So, we were yesterday on LA443 SCL-EZE. Got to the airport 2 hours before departure and after going through bag drop, immigration and security we wanted to have a drink. We hold no Oneworld status and we were flying Economy, so what could we do?
We tried Starbucks Coffee - you know, the American chain, they sell coffee and tea. The girlfriend asks for an Americano and the lady answers: "We have no coffee or tea". "I beg your pardon?" "Nope, only juices and sodas". Alright, so no coffee at Starbucks Coffee for us today.
So we went to a bar which is called Ruby Tuesday. It is the girlfriend's favourite song, so she was happy and therefore I was happy. Since we were unsuccessful at getting coffee, let's go for a pint - it is always 5 o'clock somewhere. We ask for a beer and the waiter says "you need to order some food with your drink." "I beg your pardon?" "Licensing laws. We can only sell alcohol if you have something to eat with it. Go try the Heineken bar". Alright.
So we moved to the Heineken bar. It was empty save for a table full of Americans. The waiter comes over and we ask for a schop of Heineken each, as this was the Heineken bar. "Oops, sorry, I don't have any Heineken left", said the waiter at the Heineken bar. "I beg your pardon?" "Only Cristal or Kunstmann". Alright. So we ordered two bottles of Cristal. The waiter comes with the beer and I ask for the wi-fi password. "Wi-fi? Here? No way. It never works". "I beg your pardon?" "Wi-fi at the airport is crap. Sometimes the Starbucks wi-fi works, but otherwise forget it, no wi-fi at SCL". Alright. We have our beers and engage in a nice conversation, which is what people used to do at airports before there was wi-fi.
Now seriously, what is the problem with SCL? I hadn't been there for 3 years and my memories were that it was a nice airport - not perfect, but good. This time, however, everything that could go wrong went wrong. I understand the Ruby Tuesday not selling alcohol without ordering food, it's a Chilean thing and I've experienced it in other places in Santiago. The Heineken bar, well, whatever, Cristal was good enough. But Starbucks Coffee selling no coffee? And no wi-fi whatsoever at an international airport in the 21st century? Even AEP has free wi-fi!
This is just a small cathartic rant. Next time I will make sure I have lounge access.
We tried Starbucks Coffee - you know, the American chain, they sell coffee and tea. The girlfriend asks for an Americano and the lady answers: "We have no coffee or tea". "I beg your pardon?" "Nope, only juices and sodas". Alright, so no coffee at Starbucks Coffee for us today.
So we went to a bar which is called Ruby Tuesday. It is the girlfriend's favourite song, so she was happy and therefore I was happy. Since we were unsuccessful at getting coffee, let's go for a pint - it is always 5 o'clock somewhere. We ask for a beer and the waiter says "you need to order some food with your drink." "I beg your pardon?" "Licensing laws. We can only sell alcohol if you have something to eat with it. Go try the Heineken bar". Alright.
So we moved to the Heineken bar. It was empty save for a table full of Americans. The waiter comes over and we ask for a schop of Heineken each, as this was the Heineken bar. "Oops, sorry, I don't have any Heineken left", said the waiter at the Heineken bar. "I beg your pardon?" "Only Cristal or Kunstmann". Alright. So we ordered two bottles of Cristal. The waiter comes with the beer and I ask for the wi-fi password. "Wi-fi? Here? No way. It never works". "I beg your pardon?" "Wi-fi at the airport is crap. Sometimes the Starbucks wi-fi works, but otherwise forget it, no wi-fi at SCL". Alright. We have our beers and engage in a nice conversation, which is what people used to do at airports before there was wi-fi.
Now seriously, what is the problem with SCL? I hadn't been there for 3 years and my memories were that it was a nice airport - not perfect, but good. This time, however, everything that could go wrong went wrong. I understand the Ruby Tuesday not selling alcohol without ordering food, it's a Chilean thing and I've experienced it in other places in Santiago. The Heineken bar, well, whatever, Cristal was good enough. But Starbucks Coffee selling no coffee? And no wi-fi whatsoever at an international airport in the 21st century? Even AEP has free wi-fi!
This is just a small cathartic rant. Next time I will make sure I have lounge access.
Nov 17, 2015, 1:28 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, United, British Airways, Alaska Air
Posts: 250
I know it seems crazy, but actually not EVERY international airport has WiFi... last time I was at ORD in September, they did not have it (for free). Had to use my data allowance there... that said, you are right - all major airports should have WiFi for free by now!
Nov 21, 2015, 12:37 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
It may have been brought up in another thread but I don't think an answer was ever provided.
I'll be leaving SCL at 7:15am on a Sunday, I'll be in business class on Avianca, I've got star gold status...is there a lounge open that early? If so any idea what time? I think I'll have bags to check so I need to get there a BIT early, and if there's any breakfast in the lounge I'll show up around 6 maybe.
I'll be leaving SCL at 7:15am on a Sunday, I'll be in business class on Avianca, I've got star gold status...is there a lounge open that early? If so any idea what time? I think I'll have bags to check so I need to get there a BIT early, and if there's any breakfast in the lounge I'll show up around 6 maybe.
Nov 25, 2015, 5:45 pm
#5
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,648
Kunstmann probably comes wifi enabled too.
drvannostren, Avianca lounge surely must be open at 7am if they have flights. I was looking a J options myself this week on AV from SCL and they have a flight to LIM at about the same time