Once upon a time, many years ago, traveling was considered a whole experience. It wasn’t just the experience of actually being somewhere else; getting there was part of the experience too. Nowadays, the journey to wherever you’re going to is considered a hindrance (or a necessary evil), hopefully disposed of as quickly as possible.
I was asked recently about my travel addiction and the discussion turned to airlines.
I was asked about which airlines are good for transpacific travel. I told them that UAL has good prices but the inflight experience is lacking. Actually, that’s generally true of all US legacy (UAL, Delta, American, NWA) carriers.
Service has deteroriated as the power of the unions has increased in the industry, almost to the point of government workers. Remember, they don’t have to care about giving good service because they kanna get fired. And the seniority system that is in place guarantees passenger neglect.
Amazingly, it’s not just the unions but the corporate leadership that must, MUST share blame for this situation. Boards that only look at short term solutions, just long enough to vest their options (or sell them) before jumping ship, leaving a mess behind.
That, along with the US Government handing out free money with no strings attached guarantees more of the same.
When I was asked about a POSITIVE flight experience, I went on for an hour and three drinks. Here’s what I went over:
All my flights on NH
My singular flight on SQ (in bzness class, no less!)
My early travel on CX
And for contrast, I also threw in my horrid experience with Air China, an airline that makes UA LOOK GOOD!!
Pessimistically, I dun see any change to this situation in the near future.
Don’t get me wrong, I still live to travel. I’m just writing this entry today because I’ve got itchy pants (for three months!) and I really wanna fly somewhere!
But these ARE valid points…