Comments on: What Not to Do: Eight Lessons from Airports

By: TimBradleyWriter

TimBradleyWriter — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 04:49:54 +0000

It seems that to address all of these points, you’d have to upend several discrete hierarchies: TSA, FAA, NTSB, local law enforcement, food companies, airlines, ticketing agencies, unions (pilot, attendants, baggage handlers, etc.), airport staff, et al. Good luck! P.S. Spirit Airlines has none.

By: RebeccaTodd

RebeccaTodd — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:14:36 +0000

As to the “no tablets” rule… I believe it is more about crowd control or classroom management. I saw a special where they took off and landed in a p[lane full of electronics actively sending and receiving messages. I believe the air staff already have enough troubles getting the active attention of the passengers to reinforce safety messages. While you and I travel tons G, there are many who do not, and need to hear those safety messages. All they ask is for a few minutes of undivided attention during the most dangerous times of the flight, and I give it graciously, as they really do have our safety in mind.

By: RebeccaTodd

RebeccaTodd — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:11:57 +0000

Love this! I also spend way too much time in airports. I know where all the outlets in the Calgary airport are, even the one you have to climb under a billboard to get to. I have to say, I am fortuitous enough to fly mostly with WestJet here in Canada, and their employees are always helpful and happy. I will do almost anything to avoid flying in and out of YYZ, especially on an Air Canada flight… *Shudder*…

By: timbo1973

timbo1973 — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:50:10 +0000

My worst ever experience at an airport was at Heathrow.

We were on holiday in Zermatt when the terror threats happened in 2006. When we flew back from Switzerland via Heathrow to get back to Edinburgh, the problems started. Utter chaos and quite a scary experience.

There were people standing around everywhere not knowing what to do and no-one seemed to be in charge. There was a man outside with a loudspeaker calling out possible flights that MIGHT be flying but in reality nothing was moving. It was a recipe for disaster

To cut a long story short though, we ended up having to stay at Heathrow for 3 nights at our own expense and our luggage had been lost in the luggage jungle.

We also helped out a teenage girl from Romania when flights finally resumed as she was travelling alone and had no-one to help her. At that point they were drawing numbers out of a hat to see who got on a flight but we insisted that this girl be allowed to travel. I’m sure there were countless other like her though.

We couldn’t take keys in the hand luggage or anything the airport authorities considered a sharp implement! So when we finally got a flight back to Scotland we couldn’t get into our car when we arrived back because our keys were in the lost cases somewhere in Heathrow.

The cases finally turned up about 6 weeks later. It wasn’t until then that we could get our car back from the airport. Luckily the car parking charge was waived otherwise that would have been an even more costly experience to say the least!

I vowed never to travel through Heathrow again.

By: T60Productions

T60Productions — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:53:10 +0000

@ginidietrich @T60Productions Tony: you’re not alone… I get all sorts of people wanting to post anti-United comments on YouTube for that video.

You’d like Cindy though… she was awesome.

By: Nic_Cartwright

Nic_Cartwright — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 06:03:47 +0000

airlines “can” get a bum deal sometimes I think….. they have to put on a service that is 100% safe and pleasant for all in a standardized format – the seats all have to be the same size / the space between the seats have to be the same size, the food has to be relatively standardized……. when their customers feel that they deserve a personalized service (more leg room for my 7′ 6″ uncle (#madeupfamilymembers) and wheat free bread for my health conscious aunt (#seeearlierfamilyreferecne). All whilst trying to turn a profit when the biggest costs (Tax and Oil) are controlled by others (govt and the real world powers!)

Most other industries have more scope for flexibility and less issues with failure (the plane HAS to work!) – so when I travel, maybe my standards drop a little (we are FLYING “!!” eek – after all).

Having said all that (and no – I do not work for an airline, never have, and probably never will) – the points you make still 100% apply and there are some good airlines out there who are fun to fly with – and some disastrous ones who fill me with dread at their name…

Sadly – Europe’s flight success story – ryanair – bases its business model on deliberate poor customer service (to keep customer costs down)….. The world’s current modus operani of “Pile em high and sell em cheap” – seems to work!!

By: jeanniecw

jeanniecw — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 03:21:25 +0000

I’m always shocked at how bad the experience is when I travel. It also doesn’t help to get crazy super status man who likes to let you know he’s the best.

By: KevinVandever

KevinVandever — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:23:33 +0000

@ginidietrich I just sent it to you, along with other stuff. You’ll be sorry you asked.

By: Dan Wallace

Dan Wallace — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:46:59 +0000

Happened to see this on CNN just now. http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/31/technology/innovation/blackjet-uber-jets/ I’ve thought for a long time that this would/will happen eventually. The industry splitting in two – small jets providing high-end service for the <5% who want it, and airborne buses the other 95%. The small jet thing has been tried before w/o success. Too expensive and not convenient enough. But I think the industry will get there someday.

By: ginidietrich

ginidietrich — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:43:58 +0000

@debdobson62 Oh yeah KC sucks. You can’t leave the gate to get food or drink without having to go back through security.