Sunday, February 12, 2017

Bitching and Moaning - Airlines


The recent trip to visit the grandkids reminded me again of a prior employment that had two or more trips a month on airlines, and the relief felt when we parted.

Booked on American Airlines to Greenville, SC via Charlotte on a red eye flight. Transferred in Charlotte for an 18 minute flight to Greenville. Arrived at Concourse B, went out on Concourse E. Nice hike for a 72 year old fat man with bad knees (not the airline’s fault). Got on a dilapidated Canadair that had parts of the interior trim duct taped (at least they used colored tape approximately the color of the interior). Waited 35 minutes as they fussed around getting the door closed.

Return trip, nice newer Canadair. Again, Concourse E to Concourse  B. Got on board. 40 minutes delay. Captain told us the hydraulic systems had been ‘over serviced’ at a prior stop.

Finally got to DIA. Deplaned at the far end of Concourse A. Moving sidewalks not working. Arrived at baggage claim. The system jammed. Waited another thirty minutes for my bag (that cost me $25 to check).

I realize my trip was filled with minor inconveniences and many people have true horror stories.

My point is the whole experience of getting to the airport, getting through security, getting on the damn plane then getting off, and the terminal experience in general is a P.I.T.A.


One shout out. DIA Park is a new company. Super rates if you go online and prepay. Clean vans, 10 minutes from the terminal. Friendly, helpful employees that seem to enjoy their jobs. Just a tad off the beaten track but easy to find.

10 comments:

LL said...

I hate flying through DIA. It's usually a change of aircraft for me (almost always a change of concourse). But when you stop there, it's a half hour ride to the rental cars - fine in the summer, less fine in the winter. I was there once when there was a tornado warning.

Glad you're home in one piece and you can recover from vacation.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

DIA. Try not to use the cell phone lot. No public restrooms (even a PortA Potty) on the airfreight side. A multi-million baggage handling system that has never worked properly. Four Denver Police radar cars most of the time working Pena Blvd and the E470 cloverleafs. New light rail line from Downtown that keeps failing. Inadequate drainage in the deicing pads. And the list goes on.

Old NFO said...

Yep, it's not fun ANYWHERE on ANY airline anymore...

Well Seasoned Fool said...

You know better than most of us. Another gift from Jimmy that keeps on giving - deregulation.

Ami said...

I hate flying. Planes go really high into the air! And I have no control over what happens to me once I'm stuck inside that tin tube.

Crammed in like livestock. And I always end up with some plague victim in the seat next to me. Coughcoughcough, hackhackhack. Always too far to walk (a bad knee or two of my own and hey, let's not forget the less-than-successful ankle surgery of last summer) and I know I'm not the only person who thinks having to pay a baggage fee is complete bullshit!

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Altitude in an airplane is your friend. Hate that I usually need a seat belt extender in anything but a Boeing.

Coffeypot said...

Flying is not an enjoyable experience anymore, anytime. Very few nice people, rude and pompous jerks. But it is better than hours or days on the road. We need them more than they need us. In the future I am arranging for a wheel chair to meet and greet at the airport. Let someone else fight the crowd and the long distances to the terminal. (Who do you have to know or kill to get the first gate, anyway?)

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Wheel chair-good idea!

Momma Fargo said...

I don't mind flying. Security measures though are hit and miss. I am surprised the US has gotten super lax again. Scary, actually. And the farts...the air on the plane is sOoooo bad. LMAO

Well Seasoned Fool said...

I'm old enough to remember strolling to the counter, getting my ticket, checking my bag, and taking a short stroll to the gate.