Flying the Friendly Skies? More Like Surviving the Hunger Games!

[Amy@Team RDP]

I will say for the first time ever I’m considering driving to LOTO.. and it isn’t because I’m taking a boat.. lol.

The Airlines are sketchy nowadays

So true. It just sucks we actually prefer driving cross country vs flying these days.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

Thank goodness I was not on this flight with you. Please don’t bring your luck if we travel on the same flight in the future. Enjoy your vacation Amy. Where are the photos of your adventures while on vacation?

Right?!? Actually we are on our way back to the islands 7/11 - might want to change your flight if you are going too! Kauai this time!! I’ll have to do another post with some Florida adventure pics.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

I fly American for business all the time, and knock on wood, it goes pretty smooth. Hope I didnt just jinx myself.lol

I will say that Buisness Class service is like non existent now though. They barely bring you your food with a smile. No more extra effort.

I never knew American had a bad reputation till I started telling my story. They used to be the gold standard. Keep up your lucky streak with them!

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

I use American and for the most part they have been great. I do have status because we have their advantage card and put everything we can on it. We chose AA because our son lives in El Shit hole while in the Army and El shit hole is a hub for AA. I had problems back in Jan when I had to fly during that winter storm where they kept closing airport. AA handled it well and gave me vouchers.

A couple of times we have been bumped to first class. Thinking about upgrading the card to get access to the admiral club because airports suck.

Do it!!! My aunt retired from AA but when I was younger she used to bump us to first class and get us in the Admirals Club. That place is an amazing sanctuary in an otherwise dismal gate.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

Try their website and either call or write to the comment section. I have complained about some crap and was given 5000 FFM, (delta) another time my G-Kids and their parents got screwed over had a connection plane late, connecting plane left early was still at the gate would not let them board. They did get put up at a hotel Delta paid for. After I called everyone was also issued a $100,00 amazon card. So while not perfect it was something.

Wow! When I complained at the airport we got a $12 voucher. When I complained online we a $50 credit. I guess Precious Payne is living up to her name.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

I'm 63 and can just barely recall these 'glamor days' because they were so long ago.
You must be older than I thought you were

My parents were divorced so I flew alone as a kid and they used to treat us like royalty. Got to meet the pilot, sit at the controls, had front row seating, got a deck of cards, got a wing pin, unlimited food and drinks and even a blanket and pillow!! Ahhh the glory days!

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

Amy is a Saint, one of the nicest people I have ever met.

Aww thank you Tom!! You’re the best!

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

These are some pretty horrible stories. My cousin fly's for AA. I'll have to bust his balls about this stuff.
@Amy@Team RDP do you happen to remember the pilots name?
Good to hear you still had a good vacation with your family.

I don’t believe he gave his name but it was flight 1788 to Tampa on 6/15. And yes the trip was amazing.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

They are more focused on. Making sure the planes doors don't blow off or engines burst into flames these days

Yeah the thought did cross our mind - especially when both planes were Boeing. The first plane had broken AC and the second has navigational issues! We are going to hot and lost!

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

Gave up on AA 8 years ago after 500k miles flown. Switched to Delta and use Southwest when staying west of Dallas.

All airlines have issues, you just have to travel at the right time and pay for the better seats!

Couldn’t agree more. But these days it seems even flying direct and first flight out doesn’t help. And on this flight the AC didn’t work in first class either…

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

My kids this morning boarding Delta View attachment 1394476 View attachment 1394477 View attachment 1394478

Love their smiling faces! Hope their trip is amazing! Safe travels.

 

[17 10 Flat]

Wow! When I complained at the airport we got a $12 voucher. When I complained online we a $50 credit. I guess Precious Payne is living up to her name.

My family was flying delta, they asked for nothing after being denied boarding. Delta offered a hotel room and food vouchers, they were put on the first flight out in the morning. They made no big scene at the gate.
I was the one that contacted delta, I was polite and pointed out through no fault of their own they missed the connecting flight, last one of the evening as well. They arrived at their gate on time, unfortunately a plane was still there. By the time the plane cleared they were behind. Had to change terminals (Atlanta Ugh) the connecting plane was still there but door was closed.

I know if one is polite the chances of being given a room or food vouchers and or if asking maybe a pass to the Delta Sky Club.

IMO Delta has stepped up their game. So for me it's Delta or SWA depending on destination.

 

[Singleton]

Couldn’t agree more. But these days it seems even flying direct and first flight out doesn’t help. And on this flight the AC didn’t work in first class either…

When I have a first class ticket, it seems rebooking is quicker and easier. Only reason I buy them.
Then once on Alaska, First was cheaper then coach with baggage fees, when we traveled to steamboat.

 

[86403]

Couldn’t agree more. But these days it seems even flying direct and first flight out doesn’t help. And on this flight the AC didn’t work in first class either…

Be careful with the nomenclature of nonstop vs direct. Airlines like to "Sell" direct flights. Nonstop=same jet, not scheduled to stop (hopefully). Direct=same jet, same flight#, but could have multiple stops along the way. Hope your trip to the islands is less eventful.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

More covid blowback?
Lost the best and brightest that wouldn't be lab rats.

For sure. Definitely an experienced pilot shortage.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

there is no way the pilots only figured out as you began to taxi out that they timed out. something else was the real cause for the return to the gate. likely mechanical. especially since you were going t fly without AC on the ground, then changed planes because of no AC on the ground.

id bet there was a more serious mechanical issue and they dont want these things made public anymore.

We were made aware that we had to load quickly because the pilots would time out at 2:20pm and had to be wheels up by then or we would have to turn back. We all did our part to load up fast but to no avail. Here’s the interesting part - later when I was wondering around near our gate door I easedropped on the new pilots conversation with some AA official. They were discussing the air-conditioning malfunction, and the pilot seemed quite confident that he could work with that by doing some thing with the engine. Once the pilot walked down the jet way I started talking to the official. I asked him if we were going to be flying on the same plane that had the air-conditioning issue and he confirmed yes we were. He then assured me that our new pilot wanted to fly. And I thought that was an odd remark and I replied well I want to fly too! Then he continued saying that he had cleared with the tower for our first flight to have clearance to be the first in line to takeoff so that we could meet our crew’s time deadline. Then said our pilot delayed for whatever reason and that is why our flight did not get off on time. I was astounded he would share that information but it sounds like he was being honest.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

I used to love flying, now I hate it. It gives me anxiety like crazy.

You aren’t alone. No one seems comfortable and most hit the bar before boarding.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

There are two FAR Part 117 limits that must be complied with: (1) Max block time limit and (2) Flight Duty Period (FDP) limit. It's very likely that the crew in this case, despite their best efforts and due to the delay, were unable to get airborne without exceeding the FDP limit. I don't fly for American but I have been flying for one of the other big 4 US airlines for 30+ years. My company provides us a max taxi out time (max time in hours/minutes from out to off) and a latest wheels up time (xxxxZ) for every flight to ensure compliance with FAR Part 117. The jet records and reports all of the times, so they are no shit/drop dead times. I don't BS the customers, if the jet is broken, it's broken. If we've timed out, we've timed out.

They did warn us to board fast and get settled because the drop dead time in to beat for wheels up was no later than 2:20pm.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

I do not fly domestic more than 400 miles aside from Hawaii. In the last 5 years not flight has been late. International flights seem to really have it together. Internationally I use, Lufthansa, Singapore, JAL, and Emirates. To Hawaii, mainly Hawaiian, Always non-stop to the islands. All are just fine.

Hawaiian is my favorite domestic airlines. But it could be because the destination is always in Hawaii - I dunno. LOL!

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

Actually, they can if the actual taxi time exceeds the estimated taxi time. My company estimates taxi time, based on airport, aircraft type, time of day.

That's what that AA official was saying to me after the fact. The pilot delayed. They had the runway cleared for us to be first to take off but we did not make it on time.

 

[Big B Hova]

Yeah the thought did cross our mind - especially when both planes were Boeing. The first plane had broken AC and the second has navigational issues! We are going to hot and lost!

Hot and Lost sounds like a new reality TV show

 

[gqchris]

Hawaiian is my favorite domestic airlines. But it could be because the destination is always in Hawaii - I dunno. LOL!

We always fly to Hawaii on Widebodys in First Class lie flat. This last trip though this spring, it was really odd. They didnt even offer drinks before takeoff. And food was blah service. I was so surprised. Even my wife noticed it.

Owen Wilson was a seat next to me. They sure kissed his ass.

 

[Dunerking]

Currently working here in Cleveland and my wife had a plans for a trip to Nashville (plans were made before my work in Cleveland) . Knowing the instability of my work we didn’t make flight arrangements for me until the Nashville got closer. Couple weeks out my wife booked my flight to Nashville from Cleveland,no direct flights and come to find out she used American which I only fly with Delta. The flight to Nashville were pretty straightforward with a slight delay leaving Cleveland with a layover in Washington DC. My return flight on Sunday after was a shit show with a layover in Philadelphia which ended being cancelled and stranding me overnight at the airport. Spent hours working on an earliest flight next day which ended up costing work/money. Never again with American. I reached out to customer service but yet to hear back

 

[Sleek-Jet]

What was the cause of the cancelation in Philadelphia?

 

[Dunerking]

What was the cause of the cancelation in Philadelphia?

Never got a straight answer..but I wasn’t the only one that got hosed..this pic is only one of the 6 different customer service desk that was backed hundreds deep…even considered renting a car and doing the 6-1/2 hour drive..nothing available

 

[sirbob]

I hear these flying horror stories all the time…

It’s usually from people who take that one vacation trip a year and it’s just a terrible airline experience.

All I can say is, boy you folks are unlucky!

Seriously, in all my years of flying. I have been stranded 1 time and it was weather related. American Airlines couldn’t fly - it wasn’t the airlines fault. So I slept on the floor in the airport and left in the morning. Not that big of a deal.

Just for perspective - here is a look at my profile on American as of today. I also have status on Southwest. And sometimes fly Delta.

I’ve flown ALOT and have never had the issues that so many people seem to have every time they get on a plane…. I wonder why?

Over 4 million miles on American alone and I’ve never experienced the issues talked about in this thread. I’m not saying I’ve never been on a delayed flight, but the reality is most of the time they make up a late departure in the air and I have very rarely missed the connecting flight. In the scope of life, I frankly don’t see being a few minutes late here and there that big of a deal.

 

[Dunerking]

I hear these flying horror stories all the time…

It’s usually from people who take that one vacation trip a year and it’s just a terrible airline experience.

All I can say is, boy you folks are unlucky!

Seriously, in all my years of flying. I have been stranded 1 time and it was weather related. American Airlines couldn’t fly - it wasn’t the airlines fault. So I slept on the floor in the airport and left in the morning. Not that big of a deal.

Just for perspective - here is a look at my profile on American as of today. I also have status on Southwest. And sometimes fly Delta.

I’ve flown ALOT and have never had the issues that so many people seem to have every time they get on a plane…. I wonder why?

Over 4 million miles on American alone and I’ve never experienced the issues talked about in this thread. I’m not saying I’ve never been on a delayed flight, but the reality is most of the time they make up a late departure in the air and I have very rarely missed the connecting flight. In the scope of life, I frankly don’t see being a few minutes late here and there that big of a deal.

View attachment 1395239

I’m in a different league with maybe 1million miles flown total..and I can understand a delay but when I’m at the gate to exit the plane to connect to my next flight and then to have it cancelled is kind of B.S. I feel that the hundreds of other people probably felt the same way. The only thing American did was reschedule my flight ..which was going to be almost 24 hours later. I ended up spending some time and finding my own flight which ended up being 9 hours later. Still zero customer support.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

We always fly to Hawaii on Widebodys in First Class lie flat. This last trip though this spring, it was really odd. They didnt even offer drinks before takeoff. And food was blah service. I was so surprised. Even my wife noticed it.

Owen Wilson was a seat next to me. They sure kissed his ass.

Besides the awesome service that you usually get in first class the next best thing is sitting next to someone famous. Cool!

 

[spectra3279]

So true. It just sucks we actually prefer driving cross country vs flying these days.

I've been this way since the tsa started groping everybody

 

[cyclone]

Remember when air travel was a thrilling adventure? When soaring through the clouds felt like stepping into a glamorous movie scene? These days, it’s more like stepping into an episode of "Survivor," complete with mental endurance challenges and physical discomfort.

I recently embarked on a trip to Florida, and let’s just say, it was quite the journey. Picture this: a 12-hour delay with American Airlines, all without a cloud in the sky to blame. The saga began with a two-hour delay because our plane simply decided not to show up on time. Classic.

Once we finally boarded, we were greeted with the news that there was no air conditioning until we were airborne. Great news for Phoenix at 2:30 PM—where it was a brisk 115 degrees. As we all started to resemble a scene from a sauna, we heard the sweetest words, "Flight attendants, prepare for takeoff." Victory!

But not so fast. Two minutes later, our captain regretfully informed us that the crew had timed out for the day, and we had to head back to the gate. Imagine the joy! We were marinated in our own sweat for 45 minutes before we could deplane because—plot twist!—no gate or ground crew was expecting us.

Once we finally escaped the hotbox, we were handed a $12 food voucher for our troubles. Let me tell you, nothing screams “luxury” like a meal from the airport food court.

Fast forward to 10:30 PM, and our fresh crew from California arrived. But wait! The new pilot couldn’t get the AC to work either. Cue the mass migration across the airport to a new plane. We watched with bated breath as they transferred all our luggage from Plane A to Plane B. Another hour later, we were finally ready to take off, with most of us too exhausted to care about anything other than collapsing into our seats.

After an unplanned red-eye flight, our family vacation finally began. Nothing sets the tone like exhaustion and frustration! Upon returning, I wrote to American Airlines about our experience. Their response? A generous $50 voucher for future air travel. Thanks, but no thanks. However, I have to give them credit for their customer service representative's name: Precious Payne. It couldn’t have been more fitting.

In the end, all I could do was laugh. Because if you don’t find humor in the chaos of air travel these days, you might just end up in the fetal position on the airport floor.

Here’s to finding the fun in flying—one “Precious Payne” at a time!

if you're ever invited to a wedding and you really don't want to go--just book your ticket on American cause you probably aren't gonna make it and it won't be your fault.

 

[pixrthis]

Never got a straight answer..but I wasn’t the only one that got hosed..this pic is only one of the 6 different customer service desk that was backed hundreds deep…even considered renting a car and doing the 6-1/2 hour drive..nothing available View attachment 1395234

Probably no cars because they’ve all been stolen or have meth heads living there n them. Philly is pretty gnarly right now.

 

[gqchris]

Besides the awesome service that you usually get in first class the next best thing is sitting next to someone famous. Cool!

I will say he was super cool. My daughter is a big "Cars the Movie" fan. He gave her a big "Chah Chow" in Lightnings voice when he saw her. Her reaction was priceless!

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

Currently working here in Cleveland and my wife had a plans for a trip to Nashville (plans were made before my work in Cleveland) . Knowing the instability of my work we didn’t make flight arrangements for me until the Nashville got closer. Couple weeks out my wife booked my flight to Nashville from Cleveland,no direct flights and come to find out she used American which I only fly with Delta. The flight to Nashville were pretty straightforward with a slight delay leaving Cleveland with a layover in Washington DC. My return flight on Sunday after was a shit show with a layover in Philadelphia which ended being cancelled and stranding me overnight at the airport. Spent hours working on an earliest flight next day which ended up costing work/money. Never again with American. I reached out to customer service but yet to hear back

Ugh. Sorry to hear about your travel whoas. I hope that you do better than my measly $50 credit and $12 meal voucher. You'll have to keep us posted on their response. Maybe Precious Payne will respond to you too. LOL!

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

I hear these flying horror stories all the time…

It’s usually from people who take that one vacation trip a year and it’s just a terrible airline experience.

All I can say is, boy you folks are unlucky!

Seriously, in all my years of flying. I have been stranded 1 time and it was weather related. American Airlines couldn’t fly - it wasn’t the airlines fault. So I slept on the floor in the airport and left in the morning. Not that big of a deal.

Just for perspective - here is a look at my profile on American as of today. I also have status on Southwest. And sometimes fly Delta.

I’ve flown ALOT and have never had the issues that so many people seem to have every time they get on a plane…. I wonder why?

Over 4 million miles on American alone and I’ve never experienced the issues talked about in this thread. I’m not saying I’ve never been on a delayed flight, but the reality is most of the time they make up a late departure in the air and I have very rarely missed the connecting flight. In the scope of life, I frankly don’t see being a few minutes late here and there that big of a deal.

View attachment 1395239

I am totally jelly! And you sir are VERY lucky to fly with no issues!!