When the CAB set prices, and any ticket was good on any airline, they had to compete to bring that ticket home. People complained long and loud about overweight bags (over 22 lbs) and this brought about the 2 pc rules. The SOP for cabin crew was to be friendly, and take care of the passengers needs. There was a level of courtesy on both sides that has just gone missing. Passengers were thoughtful of each other, and even normally rude and obnoxious people left it on the ground. There was plenty of passable food, drinks, snacks, and other comforts. You did not get a scowl and a long wait for more butter, you just got butter.
Asiana manages to be near the top because management choses to train staff to deliver service. They don't mind spending $25 for catering each way on a $5,000 ticket. They will even spend $30 for a car to deliver you after you get off. They staff the check-in counters with enough people who can get people what they want in terms of seating, and even if they have repeated their instructions 200 times, they know it is the first time you have heard where you need to go next. A smile and a thank you goes a long way.
This week I'll take AA to DCA. I can't wait to see which of my Grandmother's classmates is working the flight, and I pray the seat works. I am sure the meal in first will be very close to what Pan Am economy passengers ate in the 1970's. In coach you'd be better off to bring a Subway sandwhich with you.
Well, sad to say, it may be a culture thing. Position and status still carries much weight in other parts of the world and those jobs are premium, as they used to be here, before the days of junk bonds, massive layoffs, ME FIRST,TO HECK WITH YOU, I GOT MINE, THAT'S BENEATH MY DIGNITY.
The author writes "My take on this survey, however, is that the Skytrax sample vastly oversamples business-class travelers, for whom those eastern and Pacific lines really pour on the service and the extras."
Really?
I can remember a long time ago, a really long time ago, when U. S. Based airlines would pour it on for all customers. No one thing precipitated the change in airline attitude. But de-regulation started it and unions and non-airline hedge fund companies have helped the decline. (Just my opinion so take me to task but don't throw stones, please).
I'm sure not the one to take you to task. I feel the airlines have done most of it to themselves in an effort to be bigger and to haul more people. Their theory seems to be that if they can make it affordable for everyone then they will have lots more customers. Problem is the competition thinks that way too and ticket prices have reached a level that there is no profit in it so they file BR and start over. During the BR everyone except management takes a haircut, then the dance starts again.
There is people here with money but it is not the masses anymore. We give billion $ bridge projects to Chinese companies because they are low bidders but pay our workers unemployment and welfare. Go figure!!
It's because Americans have gotten lazy and would rather stay home and collect a check than work. They complain about all the illegals taking jobs in the US, but atleast they're willing to work.
What's that they say, that it don't take but one generation to go from democracy to socialism or something like that, and we are just about there. We didn't do a real good job with these parents that are out there and we are getting into the 2nd generation that knows even less.
US based airlines have to spend too much money paying their flight attendants and pilots far more than foreign airlines do, so they pretty much cut costs on everything else (including service). I miss the good old days of food in economy, free 2 checked bags, pick whatever seat you wanted to sit in, etc....
You gotta be freaking kidding! Our regional airline FO's are eligible for Food Stamps, our retirement programs have been slashed to near zero, and bankruptcy ensures that salaries are getting cut even more. You spend a day in our shoes and see how you like it, chief.
