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EZE does it
This last weekend I had the chance to compare AA and UA service to/from EZE in ecomony. I was originally booked JFK-EZE on UA, but after UA's cancellation of direct service, I was transferred to AA's JFK-EZE flight. This was part of my itineary SFO-BOS (3 day business meeting), -JFK-EZE (3 days vacation) -MIA-SFO.
I'd booked the EZE "diversion," since that was $400 less expensive than directly returning on Friday or Saturday night to SFO, and given the cost of hotels and food in Boston, it was a sure way to save money for my employer (and put me within spitting distance of qualifying for 1K for the year ...). I'd also been protected on AA Eagle BOS-JFK, and since I got to the BOS airport early, I got onto an earlier flight to JFK, and thank goodness I did. The Eagle captain couldn't land the EMB on first approach to Kennedy, since he couldn't see the runway due to rain and fog, and we had to do a go around and slot into a different runway. This added another 40 min flying time. I ambled from terminal 9 to to the AA departure area in terminal 8 where there were very few passengers waiting for the EZE flight about an hour before departure. AA's GIG and LHR flights were boarding (but both left signficantly behind schedule). About 30 mins before my flight's scheduled departure, a couple of gate agents appeared. From the number of people waiting at the gate, the AA flight looked to have a light load on the 767. Amazingly, the AA gate agents spoke no Spanish, and an elderly couple were stopped from boarding because they were seated in an exit row. The gate agent asked whether they were fluent in English and that they must be to be seated in that row. The couple were bewildered at what was going on, and a passenger who I was chatting with (a dual Argentine and US national), intervened and spoke to the couple in Spanish about why they were being dragged back to the desk. (Most of the passengers were from Argentina judging from which immigration lines were used upon entering Argentina). The load in ecomony was about 40%, with everyone having 2 or 3 seats if they so wished. The business cabin was probably 80% occupied, but some of the passengers were SAs. PA announcements were done by the same FA in both English (mostly unintelligible), and Spanish (and badly according to one of the Argenine passengers with whom I conversed). We had to wait 45 min at the gate until they boarded the safety video! Dinner service was bizarre, since the two FAs on my side of the aircraft made no attempt to figure out what language to use - one spoke only English (it was obvious she knew no Spanish), and the other spoke only Spanish (unless the passenger directly addressed him in English). It was bizzare to see this action side by side as they progressed through the cabin. There was no small talk - I was just asked "carne o pollo?". Food quality and presentation was similar to UA international in coach, except everyone was given a small bottle of water (and saved the crew having to service the cabin on the overnight flight). After lights out the crew retired somewhere. Othewise the flight was uneventful, with basic service and no attempt at pleasantness. (3 wonderful warm days in Buneos Aires) On my return to the States via MIA, I was suprised that the UA service was almost identical to that I had experienced on AA. The 777 was again mostly full of Argentine nationals, with the load in coach at about 90% and probably a similar load in the front cabins. Service could only be described as "surly." This is in marked difference to the over 70K of international travel I've done on UA this year, where service had been universally superb (except on a SFO-FRA flight in January). On my side of the cabin, the FAs only addressed everyone in English (again I think that at least these two spoke no Spanish). There were none of the usual announcements telling passengers about language assistance, or the crews willingness to lend them any assistance, or the "thank you" speech about flying UA at the end of the flight. This was in absolutely sharp contrast to my MIA-SFO UA flight (777 upgraded to C, 50% load in that cabin). The crew was superb, and I had a great conversion with one of the FAs about the situation in Argentina (and about the surly service on the previous flight). Upon leaving the aircraft she presented me with a nice bottle of Chardonnay. Since I haven't flown AA for 6 years, I had no idea what to expect, but the EZE-MIA UA flight was a complete suprise. The UA crew that worked that flight needs urgent "retraining." I was also suprised at the lack of sensitivity of the FA's to acknowledge that not everyone speaks fluent English. Even I could handle simple requests in Spanish (self taught). You'd think the UA would at least make some effort in this area considering that number of US residents that speak Spanish as their first language, and the fact that most of the passengers were from Argentina. I suspect if there were more US residents on the flight that UA would be receiving some complaint letters. John [This message has been edited by SoFlyOn (edited 06-20-2002).] |
Great report - I'm thinking that it might be interesting to speak only Spanish on my October MIA-EZE run just to see how I'm treated.
Can you share any hints about EZE and Buenos Aires? Where did you stay? Is it EZE to get around? Any good buys? |
Since you asked ... (I'll post a few comments here here rather than on the Mileage run forum to keep continuity).
The new EZE terminal is a breeze. I changed a small amount of US$ (although I could have used US$ for everything it turns out). However the exchange rate given by globalexchange at the airport was 3.2 peso/$ (including commision), which is on the low side. Immigration took about a minute to clear (most everyone else was in the Argentine national line). Bags were X-rayed again to clear customs. I was out on the street about 10 minutes after leaving the aircraft. I made my way to the Manuel Tienda Taxi stand and was immediately taken to a cab by a driver (fare to downtown BA, 30 pesos!). Upon Gaucho's advice I'd booked the Hilton in Puerto Madero ($86/night booked online - these rates are usually advertised only a month in advance). The two taxi drivers I had during my stay spoke no English, so a little Spanish would be necessary - either that or write down the address for them. Only problem I had was pronouncing "Hilton," I should have figured the taxi drivers would drop the "H." Arrived at the hotel about 11am on Saturday morning, and immediately checked in with no problem. Turns out there were very few people staying at the hotel - estimate less the 30% occupied. This is a new hotel, and the rooms and layout are superb. I stayed on the 4 floor (HHilton level, non smoking). The staff at the hotel are mostly in their 20s, and are simply some of the best service people I have ever encountered. Every one seemed to be fluent in English, and were anxious to help whenever they could. They were genuinely pleased to see foreign tourists stay at their hotel. The weather in BA was glorious - sunny blue skies, with temperatures reaching 17C during the day. Perfect crisp fall weather. I spent most of my time walking around the city (I've done most of the sights before), including walking out by the water in the Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur (just a stones through from the hotel). Some of the portenos were even sunbathing. Saturday was Father's day, and Monday was a holiday (Flag day, a moveable vacation day). So only the stores on Florida and the major shopping centers were open then. US$ are welcome everywhere (but it's someone confusing since the peso prices are also written with the $ sign). At the Galerias Pacifico, the posted rate at most of the stores was 3.7 pesos/$. I didn't buy anything (had to resist but I don't really need anything). Great deals on anything made in Argentina, including leather goods (esp. shoes), jewelery, and clothing. There were also some good deals on some European designer clothes. Very little evidence of begging on the streets - less than in San Francisco for example. The best deal is eating and drinking. For about $20, you can get fabulous food with great wine and exemplary service! Posted exchange rates at restaurants was generally 3.4-3.6 pesos/$. All tips are in cash, so take small US bills with you as they will be more appreciated than pesos. Unlike the US, where sometimes the 15% expected tip seems high given often the low level of service, you'll be anxious to give as much as possible - many of the waiters are now reduced to basically subsistence levels, but you'd never guess that by their dress or attitude. I routinely gave 50-100% tips, and that was accepted with heartfelt thanks (they know it's not "rich american tourists" throwing their money around, rather an attempt to help them survive). In the current economic climate, tips are not generally expected, and the locals probably only leave a peso or two. At the Hilton there were only a handful of Americans, but quite a few German businessmen, included the Lufthansa flight crews. I also had an interesting conversation at the bar with a German 747 cargo pilot working for a firm in Luxembourg, who told me that his major cargo out of BA was polo ponies! The hotel restaurant was crowded with locals on Sunday for Father's day lunch, but at other times only at most a half a dozen tables were occupied. The food and wine there was also great and because of the slow traffic, had a chance to talk to the waiters about the situation in Argentina. For many of these young middle class people their hopes and aspirations have been dashed. Many are trying to find some way to leave the country, since they seem to think that there will be no quick fix for the economy. Many of these people in their 20s want to start or continue with their University education, but the public insitutions haven't been paying the teachers so the only reliable way is to go to private schools. But for that you need money, and with the waiters only making about 800 peso/month it's impossible for them. It's also obvious that there's also quite a few wealthy people living in BA, but the current economic and political crisis just serves to increase the gulf between the rich and everyone else. The highlight of my trip? Talking to the locals and gaining an understanding of their situation. Would I return? In an instant - just waiting for some reasonable airfares on UA. John ------------------ From a kiwi who can fly! |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SoFlyOn: Since you asked ... (I'll post a few comments here here rather than on the Mileage run forum to keep continuity). The new EZE terminal is a breeze. I changed a small amount of US$ (although I could have used US$ for everything it turns out). However the exchange rate given by globalexchange at the airport was 3.2 peso/$ (including commision), which is on the low side. Immigration took about a minute to clear (most everyone else was in the Argentine national line). Bags were X-rayed again to clear customs. I was out on the street about 10 minutes after leaving the aircraft. I made my way to the Manuel Tienda Taxi stand and was immediately taken to a cab by a driver (fare to downtown BA, 30 pesos!). Upon Gaucho's advice I'd booked the Hilton in Puerto Madero ($86/night booked online - these rates are usually advertised only a month in advance). The two taxi drivers I had during my stay spoke no English, so a little Spanish would be necessary - either that or write down the address for them. Only problem I had was pronouncing "Hilton," I should have figured the taxi drivers would drop the "H." Arrived at the hotel about 11am on Saturday morning, and immediately checked in with no problem. Turns out there were very few people staying at the hotel - estimate less the 30% occupied. This is a new hotel, and the rooms and layout are superb. I stayed on the 4 floor (HHilton level, non smoking). The staff at the hotel are mostly in their 20s, and are simply some of the best service people I have ever encountered. Every one seemed to be fluent in English, and were anxious to help whenever they could. They were genuinely pleased to see foreign tourists stay at their hotel. The weather in BA was glorious - sunny blue skies, with temperatures reaching 17C during the day. Perfect crisp fall weather. I spent most of my time walking around the city (I've done most of the sights before), including walking out by the water in the Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur (just a stones through from the hotel). Some of the portenos were even sunbathing. Saturday was Father's day, and Monday was a holiday (Flag day, a moveable vacation day). So only the stores on Florida and the major shopping centers were open then. US$ are welcome everywhere (but it's someone confusing since the peso prices are also written with the $ sign). At the Galerias Pacifico, the posted rate at most of the stores was 3.7 pesos/$. I didn't buy anything (had to resist but I don't really need anything). Great deals on anything made in Argentina, including leather goods (esp. shoes), jewelery, and clothing. There were also some good deals on some European designer clothes. Very little evidence of begging on the streets - less than in San Francisco for example. The best deal is eating and drinking. For about $20, you can get fabulous food with great wine and exemplary service! Posted exchange rates at restaurants was generally 3.4-3.6 pesos/$. All tips are in cash, so take small US bills with you as they will be more appreciated than pesos. Unlike the US, where sometimes the 15% expected tip seems high given often the low level of service, you'll be anxious to give as much as possible - many of the waiters are now reduced to basically subsistence levels, but you'd never guess that by their dress or attitude. I routinely gave 50-100% tips, and that was accepted with heartfelt thanks (they know it's not "rich american tourists" throwing their money around, rather an attempt to help them survive). In the current economic climate, tips are not generally expected, and the locals probably only leave a peso or two. At the Hilton there were only a handful of Americans, but quite a few German businessmen, included the Lufthansa flight crews. I also had an interesting conversation at the bar with a German 747 cargo pilot working for a firm in Luxembourg, who told me that his major cargo out of BA was polo ponies! The hotel restaurant was crowded with locals on Sunday for Father's day lunch, but at other times only at most a half a dozen tables were occupied. The food and wine there was also great and because of the slow traffic, had a chance to talk to the waiters about the situation in Argentina. For many of these young middle class people their hopes and aspirations have been dashed. Many are trying to find some way to leave the country, since they seem to think that there will be no quick fix for the economy. Many of these people in their 20s want to start or continue with their University education, but the public insitutions haven't been paying the teachers so the only reliable way is to go to private schools. But for that you need money, and with the waiters only making about 800 peso/month it's impossible for them. It's also obvious that there's also quite a few wealthy people living in BA, but the current economic and political crisis just serves to increase the gulf between the rich and everyone else. The highlight of my trip? Talking to the locals and gaining an understanding of their situation. Would I return? In an instant - just waiting for some reasonable airfares on UA. John </font> I am going down there for 2 out of the next 3 weekends. And then in mid July for a week ski trip. |
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