Okay, so, a few more annoyances from yesterday’s flight to complain about, since it’s 4am here and my body thinks I should be out of bed and getting ready for work.
While I was sitting at the gate starving, the podium person announced for the benefit of all the passengers that the first class customers would receive breakfast on board. At the point I was kind of glad I was no longer in first class because people started glaring trying to figure out who was in first.
I was starving — there was nothing to eat on the first leg, and it had left DC before any of the food outlets were open. When I got to Charlotte, I spent so much time waiting in line to get rebooked that I didn’t have time afterward to stand in even longer lines at the snackbars to get something to eat.
When we were in the air, the purser announced that there were meals in coach — two choices at $7 each and one at $5.
I was seated in 22C. Naturally, the cart started at the front; by the time it got to row 10, there were no meals left.
Oh, and the woman in front of me reclined her seat all the way back after take off, and left it that way until we landed. That’s 5 hours of me scrunched into a very tiny space, unable to use my laptop or tray table — which was also broken.
At one point I could have sworn there were chickens squawking in the overhead bins.
And I thought my US Airways 1st-class experience to Florida (using miles, not $$$) was disappointing. At least they were generous with the drinks on the way back. No meals either way though, since it was just 2.5 hours.
Sigh, I remember the ‘good old days’ of air travel when I would take Midwest Express to Milwaukee every year for a convention. No first class; everyone had big leather seats. Delicious meals with real metal flatware, real dishes, really nice service. And it wasn’t expensive! I guess that’s over; air travel is a commodity.
On the other hand I remember my first trip to San Fran many years ago on United, bumped to the very back of the plane with SMOKERS. That was hell.
I NEVER travel by air without bringing my own meal.
I almost got kicked off my last flight because I had thinly sliced filet(med R) and Alaskan King crab legs with a béarnaise dipping sauce. And fresh giant mushrooms stuffed with crab salad (sue me I like crab).
Actually I was doing ok till I pulled out the Choc covered strawberries filled with Kahalua. Lucky for me I had enough strawberries to share with my seatmates.
Never rely on the airline to feed you. Pack a lunch, or better yet have your favorite restaurant pack one for you. Just remember to tell them that it will be at room temp all day (they’ll know what to do).