Where can start with American Airlines… hum…
Since I checked-in online I did not have to see anyone at the ticket counter (had only a carry-on bag) and went straight to the gate. My first point of contact with an AA person was the flight attendants onboard.
I am on an Airbus A-300, which holds over 200 people. Being December 23rd, the aircraft is completely full. This specific flight goes from New York’s JFK to Miami Airport and continues to Port-au-Prince. I would get off at Miami to connect to San Juan… heat! I need to escape the below zero wind chills, icy roads and shoveling the driveway! Sun and fun, here I come!
We had a slight delay at the gate to load cargo onto the aircraft. For the most part, I never have a problem with this type of delay but this is a 5:45am flight. This aircraft has been at JFK all night and they decide to start loading cargo when???? After passengers start boarding??? And this is why I have a problem with this delay…
Being in the industry myself there are four theories for this delay:
1. The airline management has laid off too many ground personnel that they cannot handle the cargo operation properly or;
2. The airline management, to reduce cost personnel, decides to cut hours and in the morning; which allows the morning crew to start loading cargo at a later time or;
3. The cargo/ground personnel are too lazy and start loading cargo later than they should or;
4. The AA cargo operations are just screwed up!
Seriously, come on! Why start loading cargo that late!
Anyway, I settled into my aisle seat with one guy next to me who thought that his personal space went as far as elbowing me… argh… but I am letting that go… is too early to fight with one person that at 5:30am asks you to loan him a pen and paper because he does not have one. And I just saw him put a briefcase under the seat in front of him. What kind of ‘business’ person is he?
While waiting for the cargo to load, I decided to go to the bathroom and take walk around the airplane. All I have to say is: YUK!
First, the bathrooms were just plain out gross. It stunk and smelled so bad… worst than a public restroom at a train station or a public park; and I was afraid of touching anything in there… disgusting! Paint chipping away, fray and torn carpets in the cabin and just plain old plane makes this experience not a good one. I wonder if the engine and the wings are properly attached to the aircraft.
Besides, after flying JetBlue and enjoying the nice legroom, sitting in this old American A300 plane with seats so close that my knees touch the seat in front of me as well as not being able to open my laptop when the person in front of me reclined the seat, makes this flight not an enjoyable one. Oh… and I know is super early but the inflight crew was not friendly and non-approachable at all. I am now dreading my next/connecting flight.
The Miami to San Juan flight was in some cases better, and in others worst than the prior flight.
The crew was very nice! The flight attendants were very chatty, smiling and it did look that they enjoy their jobs. It was very refreshing to see that! And in this flight, the crew asked me to move to another seat to help a passenger and I ended in the exit row with no one in front of me which made this flight a most pleasant one.
However, this was another Airbus A-300 plane and I immediately could tell that this plane was even older than the one I just got off from. The video system had very old monitors and the movie looked in some monitors off color, in others needing tracking adjustment and in others the movie just was off center. Also the bathroom conditions were worst than the prior plane. Toilet smell went all the way into the galley area as well as the last few rows of the plane. In fact, every time anyone opened the lavatory doors, the flight attendants would run away to the other side of the plane… that bad!
Another problem with A-300 planes is that the video system is located in the overhead/center of the plane only. The monitors are not big enough to allow passengers seated in the window seats to enjoy the movie at all. Monitors are just too far and when people are standing, can’t enjoy the video at all.
Onboard services include: selling headsets for $2.00, meals for purchase between $ -$ and alcoholic drinks for $6.00. All other drinks are complimentary.
This is my overall service ratings of American Airlines for both flights:
Video System: 1.0 out of 5.0
Lavatories: 1.0 out of 5.0
Seat Comfort: 1.0 out of 5.0
Overall Conditions: 2.0 out of 5.0
Inflight Services: 2.0 out of 5.0
Flight Attendants: 3.0 out of 5.0
Total Score: 10.0 out of 30.0 (33% or F Grade)
Final Comment: American has cut back so much that the planes are just too old and falling apart. Interiors are not being refurbished at all with fray carpets, old seats and old video/entertainment systems. Smelly toilets and disgusting bathrooms makes it unbearable to use. Only reason why I flew them? They were cheaper than JetBlue. And I am paying the consequences for the difference in price by giving up the difference in comfort and service.
Showing posts with label JFK Airport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JFK Airport. Show all posts
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, December 11, 2008
REVIEW: JFK AIRPORT (NEW YORK) - TERMINAL 1
Terminal 1 is owned by a consortium of a handful airlines (Lufthansa, Air France, Korean and Japan Air). They rent gates to other carriers such as Aeroflot and Alitalia. However, due to the fact that Terminal 1 has only a handful of airlines operating out if this area, the gates are always open, plenty of room to move around and places to sit. Compared to the overused and cramped Terminal 4, this is heaven!
I took the AirTrain (review available) from Jamaica Station. I arrived at Terminal 1 at 7pm for my 9:45pm flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Of course, as a good passenger, I followed the airline's rule when I was told to be here 2 hours before my departure. The airline of choice for tonight's flight is Lufthansa. I went to the counter and there was no line. With no bags to check, the check-in process took no longer than 5 minutes. The TSA security line was completely empty. I moved to the front of the line, passed security and I am sitting in front of my gate at 7:20 writing this review... WOW! What to do with all of my free time...
So, I am looking for what to do and this is the only problem with this Terminal...
The food court is in the check-in area; before entering security. If you want to have a bite to eat before a red-eye flight (specially for those who want to sleep as soon as they plane takes off) they have to do it before entering the gate area. However, I rather make sure that I do not have the stress of thinking that I have to go through security. There are two Panini Express (one at each end of the terminal) but that's it. There is only one open bar, the Martini Bar, (there are two in total) at the end of the terminal.
Terminal 1 is full of over-priced stores such as Godiva, Bulgari, Cartier Duty Free and Hermes among many others. There are plenty of people browsing but not much buying... who can afford a $220 scarf? Not me! Rather wear my cheap but modern looking Old Navy one. However, I got sucked in by the bargains at Duty Free and got myself a bottle of wine and champagne-chocolate truffles! Yum, yum!!!
Wi-Fi is available but at a rather expensive price of $8.00 for one day. You can log in into the wireless system if you have T-mobile, Sprint or a handful of other accounts. But, since I do not have any of them, I would have to pay... which I am not!
I walked the entire length of the terminal and overall, is quite clean. The only problem is the bathrooms. From the moment that you walk right by them (not even inside) you get hit by the smell of urine. Inside is not any better. It did smell and looked quite disgusting. I tried to breathe a little as possible.
Terminal 1 is a good one to fly in and out of... but the fact that, once security is passed and inside the gate area, there is only 1 bar, not a restaurant in sight except for a quite expensive and cheap looking sandwich place, and many overpriced stores around. Remember that international passengers tend to show up quite early for their flights. Not to have place to eat or have a drink calmly, away from the boarding area, makes this terminal feel like a little bit of a trap.
But, for it saving grace, a handful of airlines that operate out of this airport, makes it spacious and a piece of heaven compared to the overused Terminal 4.
Bathrooms need to be given attention to and clean properly. Wireless should be free (like Denver and other major airports) to at least, give the passengers something to do while waiting for their flights.
I took the AirTrain (review available) from Jamaica Station. I arrived at Terminal 1 at 7pm for my 9:45pm flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Of course, as a good passenger, I followed the airline's rule when I was told to be here 2 hours before my departure. The airline of choice for tonight's flight is Lufthansa. I went to the counter and there was no line. With no bags to check, the check-in process took no longer than 5 minutes. The TSA security line was completely empty. I moved to the front of the line, passed security and I am sitting in front of my gate at 7:20 writing this review... WOW! What to do with all of my free time...
So, I am looking for what to do and this is the only problem with this Terminal...
The food court is in the check-in area; before entering security. If you want to have a bite to eat before a red-eye flight (specially for those who want to sleep as soon as they plane takes off) they have to do it before entering the gate area. However, I rather make sure that I do not have the stress of thinking that I have to go through security. There are two Panini Express (one at each end of the terminal) but that's it. There is only one open bar, the Martini Bar, (there are two in total) at the end of the terminal.
Terminal 1 is full of over-priced stores such as Godiva, Bulgari, Cartier Duty Free and Hermes among many others. There are plenty of people browsing but not much buying... who can afford a $220 scarf? Not me! Rather wear my cheap but modern looking Old Navy one. However, I got sucked in by the bargains at Duty Free and got myself a bottle of wine and champagne-chocolate truffles! Yum, yum!!!
Wi-Fi is available but at a rather expensive price of $8.00 for one day. You can log in into the wireless system if you have T-mobile, Sprint or a handful of other accounts. But, since I do not have any of them, I would have to pay... which I am not!
I walked the entire length of the terminal and overall, is quite clean. The only problem is the bathrooms. From the moment that you walk right by them (not even inside) you get hit by the smell of urine. Inside is not any better. It did smell and looked quite disgusting. I tried to breathe a little as possible.
Terminal 1 is a good one to fly in and out of... but the fact that, once security is passed and inside the gate area, there is only 1 bar, not a restaurant in sight except for a quite expensive and cheap looking sandwich place, and many overpriced stores around. Remember that international passengers tend to show up quite early for their flights. Not to have place to eat or have a drink calmly, away from the boarding area, makes this terminal feel like a little bit of a trap.
But, for it saving grace, a handful of airlines that operate out of this airport, makes it spacious and a piece of heaven compared to the overused Terminal 4.
Bathrooms need to be given attention to and clean properly. Wireless should be free (like Denver and other major airports) to at least, give the passengers something to do while waiting for their flights.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
THE TSA EXPERIENCE -- MY HORROR STORY AT JFK AIRPORT WITH TSA CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATIONS AUTHORITIES
I arrived today (December 9th) from Germany at Terminal 1 in JFK Airport. Flight was great and had a good time... till it was time to clear Customs and Immigrations.
The line I was assigned was moving too slow; actually not moving at all. I jumped to another line, which happens to be a young TSA's agent: Mr. Rowdings line. When I approached him, this is the conversation that ensured:
Me: "Good evening!"
Rowdings: "You jumped from that line to this one!"
Me: "So? If there is a problem with that, give me my passport and I will go back."
Rowdings: "You don't need to have an attitude!"
Me: "Well, you don't need to ask."
Rowdings: "It is my job to ask!"
Me: "Oh... new job responsibilities; also taking care of lines?"
With that, I sealed my fate... He made the mark that I would have to go through the secondary TSA check with my luggage. So, I went through the secondary check. However, that was a different story.
But I need to digress for a moment...
There was a woman who came in with her 4 dalmatian dogs; one older and 3 puppies. She was sobbing crying in the secondary security line next to the one I was. I've traveled with my dog internationally so I know how stressful it is. I don't know the details of the situation or what was happening with this woman, but it could have been something wrong with the veterinarian's paperwork or vaccinations. She was quite hysterical and the TSA agent taking care of her 'case' was not helpful at all. He only needed to be sympathetic to her; that's all. The only thing he needed to do was, at least, be nice to her. At one point she was trying to make a phone call and the TSA Agent got two inches away from her face and started to scream: "There is no cell phone usage in this area!" And he kept screaming at her! I was getting very upset watching this happening in front of me. I wanted to jump in an defend the woman but did not want to get in any more trouble than I already was.
Back to my story... I got to my secondary check and the guy could not be any nicer. We started talking and I did not have anything in my suitcase to be checked except the usual German coffee I bring every time I come back from Europe and my dirty underwear.
The conversation turned interesting when he asked me what I do for a living. I told him: "I am a flight attendant." Then I proceeded to tell him what happened to me earlier and that I wanted to file a complaint with TSA. He told me what to do (go to tsa.gov and click on the feedback icon). He let me go right away with no problems.
And you might ask yourselves... why did you confront the TSA agent to start with?
Here is my take... I've flown all over the world and solely internationally for over 9 years. I've seen the best and the worst of TSA agents... Sadly, the worst is the normality more than the exception. . is a shame that these TSA agents have to be such big a**holes!
What bothers me the most is that this is the first point of contact for most tourists and visitors to the USA. And this is the way these TSA Agents behave? Is this the image we want to create that we behave in our Country? What's up with the attitude?
From my experiences, the worst airports for entry into the USA: New York's JFK and Washington DC (Dulles). The best airports: Denver (all the time) and Chicago (only in a good day). I wonder what kind of Customer Service training they receive. I do know that they are there primarily for safety but there is no need for their nasty behavior.
By the way, if you are wondering, the TSA Agent did not let the dogs go. The TSA Agent was doing the paperwork to hold the doggies back; quarantine or who knows... And the doggies kept crying and barking for mama! It was so sad to watch and see the lady crying and going between the dogs in the cages and back to the nasty, power-driven, a**hole TSA Agent. At one point I had to turned the other way because it was just too much to bear! For those of us who are doggy/pet lovers, this was a horrific scene to witness!
As we call it in the industry: "TSA is going on a Power Trip!"
And why do they do it? Because they can screw up your day if they want to!
I can go on and on with other examples I've witnessed and be a victim of, but won't bore you with any more details. Ok... a couple of quick ones: they held one internationally based flight attendant for 4 hours because one crew member made a comment about how slow the line was moving and a passenger held because he did forget he had a fruit (banana) in his carry-on.
I did write my letter to TSA and does hope that does not fall in deaf ears or gets lost in cyberspace. If I do get a reply, I will ensure I post it here immediately.
The line I was assigned was moving too slow; actually not moving at all. I jumped to another line, which happens to be a young TSA's agent: Mr. Rowdings line. When I approached him, this is the conversation that ensured:
Me: "Good evening!"
Rowdings: "You jumped from that line to this one!"
Me: "So? If there is a problem with that, give me my passport and I will go back."
Rowdings: "You don't need to have an attitude!"
Me: "Well, you don't need to ask."
Rowdings: "It is my job to ask!"
Me: "Oh... new job responsibilities; also taking care of lines?"
With that, I sealed my fate... He made the mark that I would have to go through the secondary TSA check with my luggage. So, I went through the secondary check. However, that was a different story.
But I need to digress for a moment...
There was a woman who came in with her 4 dalmatian dogs; one older and 3 puppies. She was sobbing crying in the secondary security line next to the one I was. I've traveled with my dog internationally so I know how stressful it is. I don't know the details of the situation or what was happening with this woman, but it could have been something wrong with the veterinarian's paperwork or vaccinations. She was quite hysterical and the TSA agent taking care of her 'case' was not helpful at all. He only needed to be sympathetic to her; that's all. The only thing he needed to do was, at least, be nice to her. At one point she was trying to make a phone call and the TSA Agent got two inches away from her face and started to scream: "There is no cell phone usage in this area!" And he kept screaming at her! I was getting very upset watching this happening in front of me. I wanted to jump in an defend the woman but did not want to get in any more trouble than I already was.
Back to my story... I got to my secondary check and the guy could not be any nicer. We started talking and I did not have anything in my suitcase to be checked except the usual German coffee I bring every time I come back from Europe and my dirty underwear.
The conversation turned interesting when he asked me what I do for a living. I told him: "I am a flight attendant." Then I proceeded to tell him what happened to me earlier and that I wanted to file a complaint with TSA. He told me what to do (go to tsa.gov and click on the feedback icon). He let me go right away with no problems.
And you might ask yourselves... why did you confront the TSA agent to start with?
Here is my take... I've flown all over the world and solely internationally for over 9 years. I've seen the best and the worst of TSA agents... Sadly, the worst is the normality more than the exception. . is a shame that these TSA agents have to be such big a**holes!
What bothers me the most is that this is the first point of contact for most tourists and visitors to the USA. And this is the way these TSA Agents behave? Is this the image we want to create that we behave in our Country? What's up with the attitude?
From my experiences, the worst airports for entry into the USA: New York's JFK and Washington DC (Dulles). The best airports: Denver (all the time) and Chicago (only in a good day). I wonder what kind of Customer Service training they receive. I do know that they are there primarily for safety but there is no need for their nasty behavior.
By the way, if you are wondering, the TSA Agent did not let the dogs go. The TSA Agent was doing the paperwork to hold the doggies back; quarantine or who knows... And the doggies kept crying and barking for mama! It was so sad to watch and see the lady crying and going between the dogs in the cages and back to the nasty, power-driven, a**hole TSA Agent. At one point I had to turned the other way because it was just too much to bear! For those of us who are doggy/pet lovers, this was a horrific scene to witness!
As we call it in the industry: "TSA is going on a Power Trip!"
And why do they do it? Because they can screw up your day if they want to!
I can go on and on with other examples I've witnessed and be a victim of, but won't bore you with any more details. Ok... a couple of quick ones: they held one internationally based flight attendant for 4 hours because one crew member made a comment about how slow the line was moving and a passenger held because he did forget he had a fruit (banana) in his carry-on.
I did write my letter to TSA and does hope that does not fall in deaf ears or gets lost in cyberspace. If I do get a reply, I will ensure I post it here immediately.
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