Took that flight a couple weeks ago!

I guess the FA was not impressed that you weren't a Delta Plat or Diamond :)

I'm a few days away from Delta Diamond, but considering doing a status match to another program with the incoming Delta mileage accrual changes. Sounds like you're the man for advice. Any suggestions?

I tend to fly through Detroit, so my connections are through Delta's hub. Overall, very positive experiences.

I'm spoiled since I've flown real airlines. Etihad, Singapore Air, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, even Gulf Air is better than any US based airline. I've done Virgin America and with the exception of the disco feel they did a good job. They just don't fly from PHX. Stuck with American, Delta, SW and United. Not much of a choice

They all suck. And flying sucks. Being locked up with 300 of your closest friends for hours at a time. They have nickel and dimed it to death too. The passengers are partly at fault. Always looking for the best deal. You don't even get peanuts or pretzels any more on United. Even flying business sucks. You are in the same stuffy pressurized tube. I avoid plane rides for leisure trips like the plague. I can go on a very nice road trip for half the money in the privacy of my own vehicle, pull over for real food, a bed, even cook something up myself on the grille or camping stove in a nice rest area!

G

Cathay Pacific? Really? Tried to save a bit of $ flying them to India, twice. Amatuer hour if you ask me.

Long hauls, KLM seems the least worst. Love British, but their frequent labor BS makes me avoid them. Air France, no thanks.

Lufthansa is my favorite and they happened to have the best deal for my next trip to the Fatherland.

I fly to Europe out of Cincinnati, so it's pretty much always Delta. Delta "partners" with Air France, so about half the time I'm booked with Delta, but flying an Air France plane. The difference is astounding. The Air France crew acts like they're actually happy you're there. They're friendly and give much more attention. Delta stews are surly when they are around, which isn't often.

They treat the American consumer like cattle...

BUT...they treat their customers on international flights better than the old Pan Am...go figure.

I think much has to do with status. I live in Atlanta and fly Delta a lot. Considering comparative experiences on United, American etc, I'm very happy with Delta. Can't imagine the logistics and a-holes they have to deal with.

If you're expecting to be treated like a king you'll be disappointed on any airline.

As far as I am concerned, air travelers surrender their dignity at the doors of the airport nowadays, along with any sense of control over their fates. We're cattle on ALL airlines.

Southwest isn't "cheap" per se, on my last X-country trips they were $100 more than United and Delta, yet I chose them anyway because they tend to deliver me more or less on time and with my luggage, which Delta and United never do.

United managed to scatter my wife and I from our 2 and 6 y old kids ( 4 different rows all over the plane despite previous "together" seat assignments) on the last trip I took with them, and then give us really bad attitude when we expressed that wasn't gonna work with the baby (thankfully the stewardess fixed what the check in people and gate attendants thought was insurmountable).

Southwest allows me to pay a few bucks extra and board as A01 every time, meaning first after the 15 wheelchairs (that's another topic, 90% seem to be faking invalidity and jump from their chairs into the cabin like happy bunnies). So despite no seat assignments, I'm better off with southwest than other cattle carriers... Early boarding is a better shot than changeable seat assignments... Their crew is also friendlier and funny...

I don't know if this applies all across the airline industry, but I'll take a stab at it why this exists.
Since most commercial enterprises contact / outsource everything including (what should be highly skilled) technicians / mechanics. The contractor then contracts his portion out, then again until a firm such as Delta is paying the contractor $50.00 - 60.00 (or more) per tech hour and in the end the 'tech' doing the work is a guy working through a staffing agency; part time making $12.00 hour with no benefits and also little experience. Sad really as the chain of people in between is taking a cut all along the way.

Delta washes their hands and liability as soon as the money changes hands and of course each contractor further down on the chain assures the one above that all requirements are being met or exceeded and with-in budget.:rolleyes:

I read somewhere that some aircraft engine manufacturers actually do the maintenance/repair of units in service. They also charge the aircraft owner based upon hours used on the engine, and the mfr replaces it when needed/etc.

It might be that some incompetent a**hole at GE kept you grounded... just saying.

And yeah, I pretty much only fly SW, but have flied just about all the major American lines and haven't been blown away with good/bad experiences on any. Just moo your way to the seat and wait for your ever decreasing in size feed bag to arrive.

Rick be careful what booking class you're flying on if you collect miles. LHT actually has a class that awards 0 status miles. Zero.

One good thing about any flights out of Europe are the mandated rules that state passengers are compensated for extended delays. A couple of months ago I was on a flight from Munich to Sao Paulo and my flight was delayed because of an engine issue. I wrote Lufthansa a note quoting EU261 and they sent me a cheque for 600 Euros. Yep. Passengers are entitled to this if your flight is delayed as little as 3 hours. Many don't know this.

It's about time North America caught up to Europe so that are carriers are more diligent with adhering to schedules. It's better for everybody.

I pretty much just do Alaska and JetBlue... the occasional minor delay but those are unavoidable.
My whole family swears by Southwest... I don't avoid them but don't go out of my way to fly with them either.
I will go out of my way to fly JetBlue... bigger seat and better snacks for about the same price.
And if you think I am being a snob I have flown Allegiant, when it absolutely positively has to be the cheapest seat you can get! :D