Now Let's Talk About Planes/Airlines
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whirlcool
Well-known member
Domestic and even International air travel on America's airlines sucks compared to what you can get for the same money on foreign carriers. The US carriers are nickle and diming the passengers to death. At NW we even charge $15 extra for a window or aisle seat if you request it. Of course if you are a platinum level frequent flier, you don't have to pay. Fees for baggage, fees for soft drinks, it's terrible. It seems that our airlines are coming up with new ways to drive away the passengers.
Anyway here I go through another merger. The North Central, Southern and Hughes Airwest merger wasn't that bad. But the Republic merger with Northwest was a nightmare. I think the Northwest/Delta merger is going to go the same way. This time it'll be the NW people getting the shaft instead of the Republic people.
The link leads to a news story about the Republic / Northwest merger. We are hearing the same words being bandied around again. Listen to the "corporate speak" in this video and tell me if you can't hear the gloom and doom coming!
Anyway here I go through another merger. The North Central, Southern and Hughes Airwest merger wasn't that bad. But the Republic merger with Northwest was a nightmare. I think the Northwest/Delta merger is going to go the same way. This time it'll be the NW people getting the shaft instead of the Republic people.
The link leads to a news story about the Republic / Northwest merger. We are hearing the same words being bandied around again. Listen to the "corporate speak" in this video and tell me if you can't hear the gloom and doom coming!
Its EXACTLY the same over here. You get a little more 'luxury' on transatlantic and other long haul flights, but in general it's nothing on what it was even 10 years ago. Typically they still include basic meals etc.
On intra-european routes, it's increasingly a case of paying for meals on board, paying for beverages etc. Ryanair (Ireland's other airline) has set that trend in a huge way. It's now the 3rd largest airline (by passenger numbers) in Europe and has been hugely successful with an agressively low fares, low frills model of business.
Other airlines, including flag carriers like Aer Lingus, have been forced to compete so have trimmed off a lot of the extras.
Baggage charges to discourage check-in luggage.
Fees for exit row seats.
Fees for priority boarding.
Fees for not checking in on line.
No 'freebees' on board, you pay for food, pay for drinks.
Seems increasingly common.
On intra-european routes, it's increasingly a case of paying for meals on board, paying for beverages etc. Ryanair (Ireland's other airline) has set that trend in a huge way. It's now the 3rd largest airline (by passenger numbers) in Europe and has been hugely successful with an agressively low fares, low frills model of business.
Other airlines, including flag carriers like Aer Lingus, have been forced to compete so have trimmed off a lot of the extras.
Baggage charges to discourage check-in luggage.
Fees for exit row seats.
Fees for priority boarding.
Fees for not checking in on line.
No 'freebees' on board, you pay for food, pay for drinks.
Seems increasingly common.
beadsobleach
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2007
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- 179
Vickers Viscount
One of the coolest planes I ever flew on was an Air Canada Viscount turbo-prop. I flew it from Halifax to Boston around 1969. It had those huge oval windows and flew low enough to easily see the ships on the Atlantic. I remember seeing the Rolls-Royce badges on the engines. I also flew on a DC-8 Boston to Munich in 1972, Overseas National Airlines, on a school trip. Also the Eastern Airlines shuttle and Northeast Airlines Yellowbirds.
One of the coolest planes I ever flew on was an Air Canada Viscount turbo-prop. I flew it from Halifax to Boston around 1969. It had those huge oval windows and flew low enough to easily see the ships on the Atlantic. I remember seeing the Rolls-Royce badges on the engines. I also flew on a DC-8 Boston to Munich in 1972, Overseas National Airlines, on a school trip. Also the Eastern Airlines shuttle and Northeast Airlines Yellowbirds.
whirlcool
Well-known member
Good Ole' Pam Ann. I never got to see her on stage, but she tours somewhat regularly. Is she a drag queen?
There is another Flight Attendant that quit the airlines back in the 90's and she has a stage show that I have seen. Her name seems to escape me now, but she does a similar show to Pam Ann.
There is another Flight Attendant that quit the airlines back in the 90's and she has a stage show that I have seen. Her name seems to escape me now, but she does a similar show to Pam Ann.
bobbins
Active member
I had lots of ear problems when I was younger, and we traveled a lot by airplane from Cranbrook BC to Calgary AB to see an ENT specialist.
At one of our trips we were on the same flight that crashed two weeks later. The airplane was a Boeing 737, Flight 314, February 11, 1978. Over 40 people died (all in the front of the airplane). The cause of the crash was a combination of pilot error, air traffic, equipment hydraulic failure, weather and the slow plow. I was in grade 3 then and I ended up reading lots about planes. I was so lucky we weren’t on that flight.
Bob
At one of our trips we were on the same flight that crashed two weeks later. The airplane was a Boeing 737, Flight 314, February 11, 1978. Over 40 people died (all in the front of the airplane). The cause of the crash was a combination of pilot error, air traffic, equipment hydraulic failure, weather and the slow plow. I was in grade 3 then and I ended up reading lots about planes. I was so lucky we weren’t on that flight.
Bob
Cheap Flights and "Bus In The Sky" Mindset
When one was in college, used to fly tower air to Europe, as they usually had the cheapest student rates.
As the travel office at my college put it, "don't expect more than a bus in the air, and you'll be happy".
Tower Air actually wasn't that bad.
Planes were 747's and most always were full.
Very good security, long before 9/11/01. Remember one flight out of JFK, had a bottle of water in my hand, and the officer at the gate stopped me and stated clearly was to drink a good amount of the water before boarding. Explained the bottle was just purchased (in the city, before leaving), and hadn't yet been opened (it was for drinking in flight); and was promptly and politely told off. Either one drank from the bottle and was allowed to board, discard the bottle and be allowed to board, or keep the bottle without drinking and be refused boarding. Guess which option I choose?
Flights generally weren't that bad for "charter" airline. Inflight movie, rather decent meals, free bevs, and coffee and rolls in the AM before we landed at Orly. As one tends to fly with either Prince Valium or his cousin the Duke of Xanax, the hot coffee was much welcomed.
Always loved Orly airport. Usually arrived early AM French time, and loved seeing the rabbits run across the runways as the plane landed! *LOL*
So sad most everything international is out of CDG. Orly was much easier to get to from central Paris via train.
L.
When one was in college, used to fly tower air to Europe, as they usually had the cheapest student rates.
As the travel office at my college put it, "don't expect more than a bus in the air, and you'll be happy".
Tower Air actually wasn't that bad.
Planes were 747's and most always were full.
Very good security, long before 9/11/01. Remember one flight out of JFK, had a bottle of water in my hand, and the officer at the gate stopped me and stated clearly was to drink a good amount of the water before boarding. Explained the bottle was just purchased (in the city, before leaving), and hadn't yet been opened (it was for drinking in flight); and was promptly and politely told off. Either one drank from the bottle and was allowed to board, discard the bottle and be allowed to board, or keep the bottle without drinking and be refused boarding. Guess which option I choose?
Flights generally weren't that bad for "charter" airline. Inflight movie, rather decent meals, free bevs, and coffee and rolls in the AM before we landed at Orly. As one tends to fly with either Prince Valium or his cousin the Duke of Xanax, the hot coffee was much welcomed.
Always loved Orly airport. Usually arrived early AM French time, and loved seeing the rabbits run across the runways as the plane landed! *LOL*
So sad most everything international is out of CDG. Orly was much easier to get to from central Paris via train.
L.
Pan Am & The 747
The 747 was the start of modern Pan Am's woes and some say was one of the first nails in the coffin.
Pan Am couldn't have foreseen what was coming down the pike in terms of deregulation, which left it badly exposed with little to no domestic US routes. Further inroads by other carriers meant Pan Am had to fly those huge planes often half empty, as they drank fuel across the oceas of the world.
IIRC, today many US airlines are mothballing or otherwise getting rid of 747's. They are just too large and drink too much fuel.
Of course now the favourite "uber" jet is the Airbus 380. Shown here in Qantas (another of my favourite airlines) colours.
The 747 was the start of modern Pan Am's woes and some say was one of the first nails in the coffin.
Pan Am couldn't have foreseen what was coming down the pike in terms of deregulation, which left it badly exposed with little to no domestic US routes. Further inroads by other carriers meant Pan Am had to fly those huge planes often half empty, as they drank fuel across the oceas of the world.
IIRC, today many US airlines are mothballing or otherwise getting rid of 747's. They are just too large and drink too much fuel.
Of course now the favourite "uber" jet is the Airbus 380. Shown here in Qantas (another of my favourite airlines) colours.
REAL Safety demo from Kulula Airlines in South Africa
These guys do amusing safety demos, although I don't know that these would comply with European or US safety regulations. I think we require them to be taken quite seriously.
Try this out, quite amusing. Although, her accent's pretty difficult to get initially.
These guys do amusing safety demos, although I don't know that these would comply with European or US safety regulations. I think we require them to be taken quite seriously.
Try this out, quite amusing. Although, her accent's pretty difficult to get initially.
A British "airline" commercial...... very funny!
I'm far too young to experience the glory days of flying. I believe my first flight was in '91 on Southwest. Great thing about Southwest is that the service has been the same throughout the years. Mechanical wise (I've heard horror stories of preventive maintenance stretched well beyond its schedule with several airlines) may be another story these days.
I'd say the following TWA clip would be my favorite airline commercial. It's so catchy that I find myself playing it often.
I'd say the following TWA clip would be my favorite airline commercial. It's so catchy that I find myself playing it often.
Wow Dan, that clip cut right through the cobwebs! Thanks for the memories!
Ralph
Ralph
American Airlines Retrojet!!!
This is what we are missing...grand old airline livery!
This is what we are missing...grand old airline livery!
whirlcool
Well-known member
Laundress:
The TSA didn't start limiting beverages onboard until immediately after 9/11. Recently they relaxed the liquid rule slightly. But it still is a major PITA.
Tower Air. I am glad you survived it! They had mostly third and fourth hand 747's and their maintenance was the worst in the business. If you looked around the cabin, you'd see logos for 3 or 4 different airlines in the cabin. Once when one of their planes was taking off out of JFK, the first officers panel fell back and almost wedged itself between the control column and the bottom of the panel (The panel is the dashboard). Only the quick action of the First Officer prevented this from causing a crash by jamming the control panel. The maintenance guy forgot to screw the panel back in place after working on it and signing the plane off for duty!
Tower Air also was noted for departures that would be 6 or 7 hours late, it they left at all!
Read this link.
everything2.com
The TSA didn't start limiting beverages onboard until immediately after 9/11. Recently they relaxed the liquid rule slightly. But it still is a major PITA.
Tower Air. I am glad you survived it! They had mostly third and fourth hand 747's and their maintenance was the worst in the business. If you looked around the cabin, you'd see logos for 3 or 4 different airlines in the cabin. Once when one of their planes was taking off out of JFK, the first officers panel fell back and almost wedged itself between the control column and the bottom of the panel (The panel is the dashboard). Only the quick action of the First Officer prevented this from causing a crash by jamming the control panel. The maintenance guy forgot to screw the panel back in place after working on it and signing the plane off for duty!
Tower Air also was noted for departures that would be 6 or 7 hours late, it they left at all!
Read this link.
Tower Air - Everything2.com
International airline, 1982-2001. Tower Air came into existence as a charter airline in 1982, at a time when discount airlines such as People Express we...
