AAbysmal....YYZ-MIA-YYZ 28Sep/30 Sep

[a78jumper]

Wed, Sep 28: AMERICAN AIRLINES, AA 1011

From: TORONTO ON, CANADA (YYZ) map Departs: 11:58am
Departure Terminal: TERMINAL 3 Gate: Check for latest information
To: MIAMI INTERNTNL, FL (MIA) map Arrives: 3:10pm
Class: Economy Seat: 19D Check-In Required
Status: Confirmed Confirmation:
Meal: Food for Purchase Smoking: No
Aircraft: BOEING 737-823 N932AN del 2000-04-28 Mileage: 1235
Flight Time: 3 hours and 12 minutes
Verify flight times prior to departure


Fri, Sep 30: AMERICAN AIRLINES, AA 1562

From: MIAMI INTERNTNL, FL (MIA) map Departs: 1:38pm
Gate: Check for latest information
To: TORONTO ON, CANADA (YYZ) map Arrives: 4:44pm
Arrival Terminal: TERMINAL 3
Class: Economy Seat: 9F Check-In Required
Status: Confirmed Confirmation:
Meal: Food for Purchase Smoking: No
Aircraft: BOEING 737-823 N915AN del 1999-07-28 Mileage: 1235
Flight Time: 3 hours and 6 minutes
Verify flight times prior to departure

First time on AA, not my choice but that of a HR Dept for a company I interviewed for in Miami yesterday. Of all the US majors, either Star Alliance or SkyTeam, I get stuck with AA/One World where I have no account let alone Elite status. Anyways a first time for everything.

Flights operated totally on time and no lost luggage which is a positive. Going down one beverage service (only light beers available which is unusual, wonder if that is all they had in First as well) and coming back two. They still serve little bags of snacks free on AA.

Flight down timing was great, but arriving at 444 pm on a Friday at Pearson T3 and having to clear customs on top of that with a whole pile of International flights is not highly recommended. I was well past six when I finally got on the 401, and then another hour plus in rush hour traffic before I got home. had I had any say at all in the matter I would have taken the evening flight arriving about four hours later.

However AA's cabin staff sucks IMHO. Going down I was taking pictures of AA's $3 Snack Box (no wonder North Americans are so fat given this was nothing but junk carbs and grease) for AirlineMeals.net . Nothing else offered for sale on a 3:12 flight that left YYZ at 1158 hours, ie lunch time. Suddenly the FA from hell was howling in front of me, having moved aft at least three rows to do so, about taking pictures of flight attendants, which I was not. She rudely demanded what I was taking pics of and I said my food, at which point I got told off again about taking pics of FA's. All I muttered was "that is not what I was taking pictures of, and if you want to see them, be my guest, they're digital." Mind you if I was wearing a uniform that tight, ie at least two sizes too small, I probably would be a miserable fat old cow too(she weighed at least 180 and looked alcoholic). Had I not been on an airplane, hence would be accused of air rage, I would have told her to foxtrot oscar. I would think if terrorists or perverts wanted pics of flight attendants they would not do it with an openly visible camera with flash. Who would want her picture anyways!!!

Coming back, another story. First off, if you are going to provide your male FAs with dress shirts and ties, make them wear them properly, ie button done up and tie cinched tight. If not, give em golf shirts like WestJet and SouthWest, or a more casual short sleeve collared shirt. This individual, serving First Class looked like a slob with his tie undone. Second off, they should not start the beverage service until 10 minutes after the seat belt sign is off...those like me that actually pay attention to the darn thing need to get to the aft toilets, which is a little difficult if the aisle is blocked. Maybe they need to rush on a hour flight, but on one that is 3 plus????? About an hour later I needed to visit the toilets again, and given the trash from bev service number one was still sitting on my neighbours' trays in D and E, I volunteered to take their empties when I went. I took them aft, and put them on the galley counter. "Princess" sitting reading Vogue or similar, when she should have been picking up trash simply flicked her nail and said "in There" towards the bag at her feet. I thought I misunderstood, and she told me "In there" again, no please, thank you. Nothing!! SOOOOO sorry I disturbed you. One side of me wanted to just leave the cans sitting where I put them, and another wanted to drop them on the floor so she would have to move her AA$$. Ignorant, rude, and again what are you going to do on an airplane. Also no thanks at all for paying $5 each for overpriced beer.

You would think with North American legacy carriers in dire straights, and with cabin service reduced to next to nil at least domestically, FA's, in fact all employees would be bending over backwards to be at least polite, courteous and well turned out. It was like they are doing me a huge favour by flyng with their airline.

AAgain? Hardly likely unless I have no other choice!!

PS They claimed to be a New York based flight crew....maybe that explains it all!!!

[Crazy764]

Sorry to hear you had an unpleasant experience.

On a recent trip with UA, I experienced quite similar service levels though. It seems to be the norm in the USA. The whole flight was grumpy, FA's and passengers. No please and thank you's whatsoever. I tried to be nice and said thanks when getting handed my food etc...I thought the FA's would appreciate the one friendly passenger onboard. But alas, I got the same blank, smileless look as everyone else. :roll:

[a78jumper]

The AAnswer,
(at least for the outbound trip)

October 3, 2005

Dear Mr. MacLeod:

Please accept my apology for your recent experience on our flight to
Miami. Although
occurrences such as this are unusual, they are nonetheless quite
unpleasant. I am
concerned about the poor impression you now have.

We expect all of our colleagues to extend polite and considerate
assistance to our
customers. Since you indicate that we weren't as courteous as we would
have preferred
on your flight to Miami, our Vice President of Flight Service will use
your comments
constructively by reminding the Flight Service staff how important it
is to treat our
customers with kindness and professionalism. By writing to us, you've
given us the
chance to improve -- thank you. We won't disappoint you again.

Mr. MacLeod, our commitment to quality is genuine and we are eager to
demonstrate it
to you firsthand. We pledge to learn from our oversights so as to
better serve our
customers. Please travel with us again soon.

[avro_arrow_25206]

The only US carrier I've taken this millennium is United, and they flights were generally good (with the exception of seat pitcha and leg room ). Perhaps they still uphold a better standard for international flights. The only North American flights I had was ORD-YYZ, but that's a 1 hour flight...


Please travel with us again soon.
Please! I'm begging you... we need money!!

[uy707]

Coming to memory on some US domestic : some F/As always concerned at best, upset at normal times when taking pictures of the sceneries outside. I am sorry you had this bad experience on board AA, especially when everything is at hand to make it memorable, aka first time with the airline, first flight on board a given airliner and so on. But I am NOT surprised either.
Alain

[expoITHscohen]

Well I have to admit, AC is far supior in service compared to US carriers. They follow more of a european aspect of buisness which is why their service is good.

[a78jumper]

Please! I'm begging you... we need money!!

LOL. Truer words never said.

[FlyingPhotog]

The AAnswer,
(at least for the outbound trip)

October 3, 2005

Dear Mr. MacLeod:

Please accept my apology for your recent experience on our flight to
Miami. Although
occurrences such as this are unusual, they are nonetheless quite
unpleasant. I am
concerned about the poor impression you now have.

We expect all of our colleagues to extend polite and considerate
assistance to our
customers. Since you indicate that we weren't as courteous as we would
have preferred
on your flight to Miami, our Vice President of Flight Service will use
your comments
constructively by reminding the Flight Service staff how important it
is to treat our
customers with kindness and professionalism. By writing to us, you've
given us the
chance to improve -- thank you. We won't disappoint you again.

Mr. MacLeod, our commitment to quality is genuine and we are eager to
demonstrate it
to you firsthand. We pledge to learn from our oversights so as to
better serve our
customers. Please travel with us again soon.

Was your complaint by e-mail or do they troll the forums? That was a speedy reply! WN flight attendants are not allowed to read in flight to my knowledge.

[a78jumper]

By email in direct response to two e-comment forms I emailed them. The answer was quick.

[a78jumper]

Since this was written about three plus years back I on trips to the USA have flown-United, Delta, Midwest, Northwest and Hawaii'an. Not surprisingly the opportunity to fly aa certain other major carrier has not presented itself!

[brianw999]

I have only flown with US carriers twice in my life, AA and UA.....NEVER AGAIN will I do so.

AA Heathrow to Kennedy and UA Heathrow to Los Angeles.

The poor experience started at check in on both flights with indifferent attitudes and a total disregard to my polite request for a seat with a bit of legroom as I am 6 feet tall. the attitude with AA changed slightly when I identified myself as a paramedic and indicated that I was willing to assist if required for an inflight emergency, at least I got a window seat by a door on that one.

The UA flight was abysmal however. Despite having booked almost 10 months before, thay tried to bump my wife and I off of the flight in favour of a group of late booking Americans, one of whom just happened to work for UA. I had to forcefully remind the desk aget that we were joining a tour in LA and that missing the flight and travelling the next day was not an option. I think something must have been said between the check in agent and the FA's because I noticed one senior FA distinctly point me out to her colleague who was serving our section. The service was abysmal with the meal literally being thrown at me.

AA and UA ?

Never again. If they are my only options in future then I simply won't go. I rarely go to the USA, preferring to take my holidays in Europe and the Far East. Thank God for the likes of Etihad, Thai, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, JAL and Singapore who all, without fail, bend over backwards to make the flights pleasant.

[BoeingKing77]

I've flown only US and WN,both have great service

[Crunk415balla]

Dude, you're on a US airline, theres no such thing as service. Honestly the only time I get good service is when I'm non-reving in uniform after work.

[rohank4284]

I have only flown with US carriers twice in my life, AA and UA.....NEVER AGAIN will I do so.

AA Heathrow to Kennedy and UA Heathrow to Los Angeles.

The poor experience started at check in on both flights with indifferent attitudes and a total disregard to my polite request for a seat with a bit of legroom as I am 6 feet tall. the attitude with AA changed slightly when I identified myself as a paramedic and indicated that I was willing to assist if required for an inflight emergency, at least I got a window seat by a door on that one.

The UA flight was abysmal however. Despite having booked almost 10 months before, thay tried to bump my wife and I off of the flight in favour of a group of late booking Americans, one of whom just happened to work for UA. I had to forcefully remind the desk agent that we were joining a tour in LA and that missing the flight and traveling the next day was not an option. I think something must have been said between the check in agent and the FA's because I noticed one senior FA distinctly point me out to her colleague who was serving our section. The service was abysmal with the meal literally being thrown at me.

AA and UA ?

Never again. If they are my only options in future then I simply won't go. I rarely go to the USA, preferring to take my holidays in Europe and the Far East. Thank God for the likes of Etihad, Thai, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, JAL and Singapore who all, without fail, bend over backwards to make the flights pleasant.

No way AA/UA, huh Brian?:lol: Just joking! It's pathetic that the AA ground staff completely ignored your request for a seat with more legroom, until you told them that you were a paramedic! In addition, your experience with UA justs sounds abysmal, it's absoloutely pathetic that UA would try to bump you off, even though you booked 10 months in advance! UA has stopped serving pretzels now, but I agree many times the staff used to toss the pretzel and cookie packets at the passengers.

Thankfully, on my recent trip on UA from DEN-EWR and back, I actually got good service after many, many years on UA. The staff was polite, came around the cabin often serving water, did two full beverage runs, were smiley, and actually responded to customer's "thank yous."

The staff on my flights was actually dressed properly, I agree with the reviewer it's annoying to see male F/As unshaven and with the top-button unbuttoned. It looks even more pathetic when female F/As look like they just got out of bed, with unrurly hair, with crusty make-up, and with dark circles on their eyes. In addition, after a long while was I finally wished "hello, good morning" when boarding and "good-bye" when deplanning on UA. I was actually surprised that my flights with UA actually went that well.

Brian, as you said, if I were coming from abroad, I would avoid UA, AA, and US Airways, flying with them is just too much of a crap-shoot. You may get good service or you may just get the most horrible service you have ever experienced. I have found Delta Airlines and Continental to be much better domestically and my flights on JetBlue, Southwest, and Frontier have been excellent.

The ground staff of most US legacy carriers are normally abysmal and like the reveiwer said they will give you "blank stares" if you thank them. As Brian said, unlike many international carriers like BA, VA, SQ, Cathay Pacific, Asiana, etc, the staff on most US carriers will not bend over backwards to serve you.

Dude, you're on a US airline, there'
s no such thing as service. Honestly the only time I get good service is when I'm non-reving in uniform after work.

Unfortunately, this is often true.:lol:

Rohan

[Crunk415balla]

In all fairness, as far as getting a good seat goes, it depends on the agent. Working at Skywest, our agents are happy. We make good money compared to the other airlines at SFO, we have tons of job security, our co-workers are young and energetic, so we are usually very eager to give our passengers an awesome flight, or at least have them smiling when they get on the plane. Now, if my job future was uncertain, I was under anal UA management(they are no longer allowed to wear pins because they look "tacky"), and working with washed out agents ready to retire who are stuck remembering how things "used to be", I probably wouldn't be the same person I am when I work the gate at my airline.

[BoeingKing77]

Dude, you're on a US airline, theres no such thing as service. Honestly the only time I get good service is when I'm non-reving in uniform after work.
US has good service.On all the flights I've been on with US,they gave a meal service,and 2 full beverages.They even gave out little cookies on a red-eye