The post below was witten on my recent trip to the states and I'm finally getting around to posting it on the blog. It may be a slightly dated rant but I felt that it was still pertinent information.
The headline isn't a surprising revelation to anyone who flies often but I felt the need to share. Admittedly, a 13 and a half hour flight can leave one a bit grumpy but I stand by the fact that United Airlines is a second rate airline and Los Angeles International Airport is not international traveler friendly.
There are no public showers in the LAX airport nor are there any in the United Airlines business class lounge. Not all airports have showers but many that serve international travelers do, especially in the airlines club or business class lounges. Los Angles may be the city of angles but freshly washed armpits must not be required under those white robes. Regardless of how clean you may be at takeoff, flying half way around the planet results in the need of a shower; especially when it’s 9:00 A.M. and you have a 4 hour layover before your final 1000 mile flight. When I asked about the shower facilities in the United Airlines business lounge the receptionist reacted as if I had just requested a poop sandwich. After flying across the Pacific Ocean causes my sense of humor to be nearly as dehydrated as my skin. That added to the fact that it was a morning and my response was slightly less than gracious. I stomped out and went in search of a Starbucks. If you can’t be clean you might as well be caffeinated.
After flying Qantas airlines for the past couple of years, I’ve become accustom to a modicum of customer service. Qantas employees act like they care about their customers. In coach class, the food is decent and wine good and free on international flights. In business class, the food is fresh and good, the wine is excellent and you get free pajamas. The same can’t be said for United. The service I received on this trip screamed “I DON’T GIVE A DAMN IF YOUR ENJOYING THIS TRIP AND WHO GIVES A RATS ASS IF YOU FLY WITH US AGAIN!!!!!” In addition to the not so cheerful flight attendants, the food was comparable to that of a college cafeteria, the wine was blah and the cheese platter only had cheddar.
When checking my bags in Denver to head home, I got to play a silly baggage game that cost me $110 dollars. Since I’m a “premier” flyer on United and it was an international flight, I was allow to check 2 50 pound bags; which happens to be the same baggage allowance I’m allowed on a domestic Qantas flights. At check in I’m told that one suitcase is 8 pounds overweight and the other is 6 pounds over and that the overweight charge will be $225. I was not impressed and asked if there were any alternatives. The attendant happily informs me that she can sell me a cardboard box for $10. I can then move excess weight from the suitcase to the box and only pay the 3rd bag charge which is a bargain low price of $100. I’m still checking the same amount of stuff, but putting it in 3 containers instead of 2. I realize that I’m still being raped but $110 seems like a screaming deal compared to $225.
The rants above were written while I was in transit. Re-reading them, I’ll admit they’re harsh, but true beyond a doubt. Sydney airport is one of the nicest airports I’ve been through. The entire facility is spotlessly clean, the shops offer above average food at very reasonable prices and there are enough seats that any passenger who want to, can sit. There are showers in one set of the public restrooms in the internatinal concourse and really nice showers in the Qantas Club Lounge. Australian airlines sincerely apologize if a flight is behind schedule and before closing the door for a flight, they still page individual passenger that haven’t yet boarded. There is a level of civility that has disappeared from airport and airlines in the United States.
Qantas has plenty of rules and will never be the lowest cost carrier, but in today’s world, I’m happy to pay for a ticket that allows me to take luggage on the flight, supplies me with a fresh sandwich, apple, cookie and bottle of water for lunch and then lets me watch a movie all with the assistance of a flight crew that seems happy to be there. Long live Qantas!
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