My experience is that even with the same airline there is often a major difference between overseas flights and North American flights (including those between Canada and the U.S. ⇆).
Air Canada Service
- Thread starter Kenny-sauga
- Start date
Fly in the summer. That's pretty much true with any airline. FA's are hard to find long-term because it's kind of not that great a job. So the same lady that would work the counter at a diner is what you get for full-time, permanent FA's usually. But in the summer, all those extra flights mean extra staff is needed. Extra staff willing to work on a temporary basis while school is out. So in July a flight that would usually have a 30-something guy and two 40-year-old FA's is crewed by one experienced FA and 2 co-eds. There's a reason I take most of my vacation time in the winter.
I think you're the first person I've ever met that has anything good to say about American.
"They suck so much, when I screwed up they saved me over $600."
I won't say which airline I fly for, which is why you don't see me giving an opinion in this thread because no matter which side I take it will at least likely reveal if I fly for AC or not, but let's face it, you goofed, big time. And any airline would've been well within their right to charge you the difference. Waiving the change fee is nice, but you just described costumer service above and beyond what any normal, sane person should expect from any company IMO.
I remember when airlines used to give you that for free. Playing cards too! Now you have to buy them along with pillows and blankets! at least for domestic flights
Well, I can tell you what caused that: customer focus on low-cost.I remember when airlines used to give you that for free. Playing cards too! Now you have to buy them along with pillows and blankets! at least for domestic flights
There was a time when airlines sought to provide the best service available. Constantly buying new airplanes to have the latest and greatest, outfitting them for luxury, proving the most amenities possible... People saw air travel as a luxury then. It was part of the travel experience. Now, people see air travel as the fastest way to get between two points. If I started an airline tomorrow, it wouldn't matter what planes I flew or what kind of service I provided unless my rates were competitive. No one is going to pay even 20% more for their ticket simply for service. So when one airline decides that nothing will be free, suddenly the rest have to follow suit because they still need to make money. If I can't give away free pens AND remain competitive AND make a profit, I can't give away free pens. Which is why Porter won't be the same away from the island. Operating costs go up, service has to go down to remain competitive.
On the other hand, if you're a luxury traveler, you know what you want. You want first class. And that's why first class is EXTREMELY service oriented (you can board at the same time as people in wheelchairs, get free booze, free food, free anything you want). Those who still value the travel experience book first class. Given inflation, fuel costs, insurance and the costs associated with running an airline, the price of a first class ticket is what travelers of yesteryear were paying for coach. I'm not talking the 80's when things were in flux, I'm talking the 50's and 60's. Airlines that tried to maintain an image and a focus on that premier travel experience just didn't last (cough PAN AM cough - And yes, I know Pan Am tried a little, but they bought a bunch of luxury liners right before an economic downtown banking the status quo not changing and couldn't drop prices as much to compete). And lets face it, first class on the newest airliners is a thing of beauty. From the A380 to the 787, these things are luxury to the max.
That's union flight attendants for you. The older ones have seniority and won't retire. I flew AC many years ago to London, never again. I have flown BA ever since and I have never had a problem with booking or lost luggage etc...
Yes, Bluelaser- I did fuck up. I fully admit that, (it was actually my first comment to Dave: "I'm and idiot...") and was prepared to pay some if not all the charges levied. I didn't expect them to waive the entire fee, but at that point, the "negotiator" in me took over... (I negotiate just about everything in life EXCEPT my dates with SP's, LoL), and yes, in THIS particular case, the AC associate that I spoke to, DID go above and beyond. That is exactly why I put that last statement in my post about a broken watch being right twice a day.
I can also tell you about a dozen or more stories of examples of TERRIBLE AC service, (lost luggage, cancelled flights, rude associates... etc.) so I'm looking at this particular incident as one of those times.
Horrible airline. The worst I've ever been on. If they are not continuously being propped with with tax payer $$ they would be out of business. Every flight is delayed and there is absolutely no customer service. They are not happy until your miserable.
