They say that all the changes the airlines have been making in the last couple of years, are to keep costs down in the face of looming jet fuel prices. Why then has the cost of my flights between Ontario and Grand Rapids tripled. Why I ask? Why? I always flew Northwest more than any other airline. My big brother used to call it "North-worst". But not so with my experience. I would fly through Minneapolis, home of the Mall of America, and spend my layovers smelling lotions at The Body Shop. I was a Northwest Frequent Flier member. I could walk through the "elite" line and bypass the poor suckers not smart enough to sign up for the free card. A few times I was even upgraded to First Class. Whoo hoo! And, most recently, I didn't have to pay for my baggage. But all of that is gone. Now Delta has taken over. Now I get to fly all the way over and east to Atlanta, before my next long flight to Grand Rapids (now does that make sense?). I pay for my baggage like everyone else. Long lines, late flights, and surly flight attendants is the norm. And upgrades? What's that?
Every time I fly lately, I say it was my worst experience ever. Could it possibly get worse? Here was my latest round trip:
I planned a timely red eye flight, leaving at 1:30am, in order to arrive Saturday morning in time for my nephew's 1st birthday. I envisioned an overnight flight with restful Ambien induced dreams. I should have known it was all downhill from the moment I arrived at the airport. As I walked up the empty Delta counter (except for the 3 check-in desk attendants) the thought went through my head of "How is this possible?" Silly me. I did my computer check in duty and then walked to the desk only to be asked "First class?" Nope, definitely not me. And as the lady gave me an exasperated frown: "You're on the wrong side." Only to realized that "hidden" behind the next wall was a very long line of disgruntled passengers with a mere 1 check-in attendant for them all. Thank you to the obnoxious guy near the front, who asked nearly everyone, including the cleaning guy, why there weren't more people to help.
25 dollars later for my baggage (and minus my water bottle, of course), I finally made it up to the gate. I sat down and waited for boarding. And waited. And waited. A little information sure would be helpful, oh airline gods. Apparently, a mechanical problem. Another plane was needed -- couldn't they have figured this out while the plane was sitting on the tarmac for 2 hours?
Ok, so we left "only" an hour and a half late. But of course, my layover was only 1:15 long in Nashville. We made up some time on the flight which involved only restless Ambien induced sleep. I ran to my next gate (literally), making it there just before the scheduled time, but the door was already closed. REALLY? Could they not have held the plane for a few minutes? So I spent the next 30 minutes trying to find Delta Customer Service which was "over there" according to the quite crabby gate attendant. Of course, there wasn't another available direct flight so I had to wait for a flight to Detroit, from which I could catch a flight to Grand Rapids (which was also ultimately late leaving from Detroit, by the way). Well Delta, I snatched one of your germ infested blankets to keep me warm in the airport while I snuggled up on one of your crappy waiting room chairs, so take that!
5 hours late and without my suitcase, I caught the very end of the 1st birthday party only because they waited for me to have cake (sorry Uncle Ben who had to leave before cake because they waited so long!). I was minus a gift (bad aunt!) because I was going to get one before the party. But I got to see this. Apparently, Levi likes to eat.
And sorry to my family who had to endure me wearing the same clothes, including underwear (too much info I know) for over 24 hours, even after a shower.
Well, you'd think it couldn't get worse. But I didn't fare any better on my flight back. With my two layovers, leaving late from O'Hare (no surprise there, it is O'Hare afterall), missing my next flight in Houston (partly because of the late flight and partly because it takes an eternity to go from one terminal to another, plus I had to check in with Continental and go through security AGAIN -- but a plus: my suitcase made my original flight though), and finally getting into LAX at midnight, still needing to take the shuttle to the garage for my car and drive home to Redlands.
And the airlines wonder why their satisfaction rates are down. Go figure.
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