So be it. But I guess your momma didn't teach you any manners and neither did the AF

 

Why not tell me why I am wrong instead of calling your mommy. Is that why you have unions

 

Why do you care? You are probably flying on someone else's dime while positioning or something. By that I infer that when one is laying out the cash for their own ticket, they look at price and then they look at price and then check the price. When buying a ticket online (if you do) do you ever go to the third of fouth page of listings looking for a specific airline, even though more expensive than the first page? I bet not. You look for the cheapest fare.

And what airlines are you talking about in Europe? Have you flown on Ryan or easyJet? How about Kingfisher or Air Arabia? Taken a look at Kuwait's airplanes lately? How about Kenya Airways....consultants keep showing up there trying to upgrade their operation to be allowed more access to US skies. The most "influential" carrier in the EU, Ryan Air has set a new low standard in airline service. But they are CHEAP to fly.

The service I receive as a nonrev on Delta's Business is very comprable to Emirates' "award winning" cabin service in their business class. And even though the cabin staff on Delta is, let's just say, more "experienced", they can and do give a very efficient service.

So in my opinion, your broad brush is comparing apples to oranges. Domestic travel in the US can be a pain as is flying for the lowcost units catering to backpackers in the EU. Go to international flying and you compare countries' cultures which harkens back to their service. No US carrier will be able to compete with Singapore, Emirates, Cathey and some other top ranked carriers. Here at Emirates if some ground staff, cabin crew, cockpit crew does not perform, one is not just fired but deported. And deported back to one's home country might not be all that great. No redress. A little incentive there, I would think.

I have noticed that you still do not quite say what type of flying you do. Do you do 135 type flying that caters to well heeled affluent individuals that pay the price and expect good service? Do you fly biz for a company whose flight department might soon get the ax because of their business offerings are less than stellar? So let's be fare. You come on the "Major" board, flame the airlines that most of the fellows here fly for, make a few fun one line quips, but still no real forthcoming information about your employment. Grow a pair and open up..let the guys and gals here have a bit of fun at the expense of your employment.

Oh and BTW, most of the domestic planes are stinking FULL. So your premise of better service is off the mark. You are asking front line employees to service load factors of 80% when the airline mans it for more like 40%. Remember cutting employees cuts front end costs. But if the flights are full--what management minion cares if service is cut? Here is a perfect example. In the 80s and early 90s Delta would have 4 f/a's normally on a 148 seat 727, if the load was usually 50-60%. So four f/a's for 75 pax. and then they would add one more if the load increased. Come cost cutting and bottom fares and it changed to three f/a's always. Which are you going to get better service on? The flights full so management has done their job, cut employees and their cost and filled up the airplane with low fares. Delta used to have three gate agents to load an ordinary 727-now...one.

Nice long post here..sorry, but this is a hot button of mine. If in your opinion service is lousy, employees are rude, ask yourself why. They are asked to do more with less for less compensation. But of course the "leadership" has not been asked to the same. This is not lost on the average front line employee.

 

Last comment. I don't care who you are or what you think. You are irrelevant.

 

I actually fly on my own dime to Europe.

But I do enjoy your post, at least you took some time and reflect what most might think but not put down.

I fly for a 135 operator, and have since the early 90's. Unscheduled 135 freight. Decided back in mid nineties I didn't want to work for an airline. Did a little passenger stuff, flew for the marshalls as a contractor (talking about a sweet job). I am not complaining about my pay, which is actually very decent. I work 12 days and am off 9 or 10. Get health, dental, optical, 401(k) and 3 weeks paid vacation.

We might not stay at Hilton's or fly airplanes with a few thousand hours, or FMS but it is honest work and we treat eachother and the customers with respect. My bills are paid and I enjoy my job.

 

Damn, you gave a good honest answer. But you see, you answered your own dissatisfaction with the majors. Your expectations of your employer is xyz. Now let's say your 12 days on is increased to twenty, your pay is cut by 40%, you have to triple your pay for medical, lose a week of vacation and no matching 401k. You probably have pride in your profession, but the love (or whatever) for your company may be diminished and it can show in your service to your customers. It's hard to equate front line employees with what we do.

It's all a numbers game with service. It's either less pax, better service or more employees, better service. But management has said more pax (re, low fares) less employees, therefore your service is degraded.

I fly ususally with 16 f/a's for around 350 passengers. I promise you, there is not one US carrier flying that many passengers with that many f/a's. The minimum would be 7, but realistically most would fly with 12 or so. Big difference in service with 4 extra f/a's.