Holiday Flight Adventures and Hassles

[+ FreshFluff]

Worst flying experience: Being delayed 8 hours during my flight to Istanbul. After about 3 hours on the runway, they figured out that the fuel injection mechanism wasn't working properly and couldn't be fixed. So we had to spend 4 hours in the terminal and then boarded another plane. It was a better plane with flat bed seats, but I had to pay for that extra night in the hotel I didn't use.

 

One of my best seatmates (on a different flight) was gentleman who had been a pilot in the 8th Air Force, which flew day sorties into Germany during WW2. I was impressed that a 19 year old could be mature enough to pilot a plane under those circumstances. I thought of him again when I saw a propaganda film about the 8th Air Force from 1945.

 

FF...allow me to apologize for the rather tasteless, and unfortunate comment from BB. Pay him no mind. He knows not of what he speaks. You must understand that he means well, but just doesn't share our...well....let me just leave it at that. AND the truth of the matter is, had the island boy been less indulgent, then of course a room at the Four Seasons would have been in order. Cheers, mon ami...

 

And for those that guessed that the "island boy" was a hire..

 

Cheers to you. And I guessed the island boy was a civilian!

[Bargara Leatherboy]

I have friends who are Flight Attendants.

 

They have a scheme, when people get up while the aircraft is still moving, they slap the wall, from their jump seats by the front door.

 

It is a signal to the pilot to jam on the brakes. All the standing peope fall, then an announcement is made about remaining seated with the seat belt fastened until the seat belt sigh is switched off.

 

LOL

 

 

I yelled at the bitch seated beside me. She wanted me to get up so that she can get out and get her luggage. Problem is the plane was not even at the gate yet been though lots of idiots were up opening the cabin. Ugh, I'm gonna save this year to at least fly premium economy.

[bigvalboy]

Worst flying experience: Being delayed 8 hours during my flight to Istanbul. After about 3 hours on the runway, they figured out that the fuel injection mechanism wasn't working properly and couldn't be fixed. So we had to spend 4 hours in the terminal and then boarded another plane. It was a better plane with flat bed seats, but I had to pay for that extra night in the hotel I didn't use

 

Well Istanbul is wonderful, and Ephesus is a must see. I hope you had a chance to experience that amazing part of Turkey, and I hope you came home with a carpet...

 

One of my best seatmates (on a different flight) was gentleman who had been a pilot in the 8th Air Force, which flew day sorties into Germany during WW2. I was impressed that a 19 year old could be mature enough to pilot a plane under those circumstances. I thought of him again when I saw a propaganda film about the 8th Air Force from 1945.

 

Precisely...I have always thought about that. So few people realize that many of these guys were just children. I can not even begin to comprehend what these young men and women went through.

 

 

Cheers to you. And I guessed the island boy was a civilian!

 

Why yes he was...

[Tighty]

I have friends who are Flight Attendants.

 

They have a scheme, when people get up while the aircraft is still moving, they slap the wall, from their jump seats by the front door.

 

It is a signal to the pilot to jam on the brakes. All the standing peope fall, then an announcement is made about remaining seated with the seat belt fastened until the seat belt sigh is switched off.

 

LOL

 

I love your friends already

[Frequentflier]

I have friends who are Flight Attendants.

 

They have a scheme, when people get up while the aircraft is still moving, they slap the wall, from their jump seats by the front door.

 

It is a signal to the pilot to jam on the brakes. All the standing peope fall, then an announcement is made about remaining seated with the seat belt fastened until the seat belt sigh is switched off.

 

LOL

 

Assuming what you say is true and you weren't just joking, it is likely your friends and the pilots they collaborate with will find themselves out of jobs and unable to work in the industry again due to their unprofessional and immature behavior. What they did doesn't remain a secret forever and their bad attitudes will likely show up in more obvious ways as they attempt to do their jobs. Sure, people (and its even a law) should follow the lawful instructions of the flight crew and if they don't should be spoken to or even arrested. But, purposely jamming on the brakes with the possibility of serious injury - and not just to those standing is never appropriate for people responsible for the safely of a planeload of customers. Sure, the person standing may get hurt but so could the person (or child) they fall onto. What's next, "road rage" in the sky because the emotional attitude being displayed is nearly identical? People standing up before they should happens and I see it periodically (not all the time) and 99% of the time I observe the flight crew addressing it in a mature and professional manner with the offenders promptly sitting down. If the crew is really angry and/or the behavior is particularly dangerous (someone gets up when the plane hasn't fully landed), then an announcement that passengers not following lawful crew instructions are subject to arrest would likely drive the point home real fast and in a lasting/professional way. Everyone has read about unruly passengers being tied to chairs and met by law enforcement at the gate.

[Frequentflier]

I just got back from 13 days in Europe. Flying from the United States and back we were on United. 9 hours of flying each way. The plane interiors were contemporary, lie flat seats, lots of free movies, good service, both flights left about on time but arrived early, good food, etc. The flight crews not only gave good service but were friendly and knew how to approach people who were consumed with reading, were asleep, etc. I sent an email to United with comments and hope the experience may someday be replicated regularly on domestic flights. The attendants appeared to like their jobs and the service reflected it. The food was better than I've had on a United overseas flight in a while. I usually take Lufthansa so I get miles that can be used on United but get a better experience. For at least the next trip United has earned my repeat business. We were in Business/First. Only one of the flights had a First Class section (five seats) which we didn't pay for. Paying for Business class was worth it, don't think I'd ever pay or upgrade to First. Also, flying Business International includes complimentary access to the clubs in both the US and Europe.

[Steven_Draker]

Everyone has read about unruly passengers being tied to chairs and met by law enforcement at the gate.

 

Now you can picture it too

 

http://cbswzlx2.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/unruly-passenger.jpg

 

On Southwest, the flight attendant was quite playful with the announcement: as soon he saw someone trying to get up, he yelled in the microphone: "NOT QUITE YET!"

 

Then as the plane was making his final approach to the gate ready to stop: "3 ... 2 ... 1 ... GOOOO!":-)

[Bargara Leatherboy]

Assuming what you say is true and you weren't just joking, it is likely your friends and the pilots they collaborate with will find themselves out of jobs and unable to work in the industry again due to their unprofessional and immature behavior. What they did doesn't remain a secret forever and their bad attitudes will likely show up in more obvious ways as they attempt to do their jobs. Sure, people (and its even a law) should follow the lawful instructions of the flight crew and if they don't should be spoken to or even arrested. But, purposely jamming on the brakes with the possibility of serious injury - and not just to those standing is never appropriate for people responsible for the safely of a planeload of customers. Sure, the person standing may get hurt but so could the person (or child) they fall onto. What's next, "road rage" in the sky because the emotional attitude being displayed is nearly identical? People standing up before they should happens and I see it periodically (not all the time) and 99% of the time I observe the flight crew addressing it in a mature and professional manner with the offenders promptly sitting down. If the crew is really angry and/or the behavior is particularly dangerous (someone gets up when the plane hasn't fully landed), then an announcement that passengers not following lawful crew instructions are subject to arrest would likely drive the point home real fast and in a lasting/professional way. Everyone has read about unruly passengers being tied to chairs and met by law enforcement at the gate.

 

Frequentflier :

 

1: I am not in the habit of lying or embellishing

2: My friends identity and the airlines they fly with with remain confidential

3: I doubt they will lose there jobs over enforcing Federal Aviation Regulations

4: If a passenger who causes injury to themselves or another innocent traveller while disobeying directions - then the responsibility is all theirs

5: I appreciate your feedback

[Bosguy]

Now you can picture it too

 

http://cbswzlx2.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/unruly-passenger.jpg

 

On Southwest, the flight attendant was quite playful with the announcement: as soon he saw someone trying to get up, he yelled in the microphone: "NOT QUITE YET!"

 

Then as the plane was making his final approach to the gate: "3 ... 2 ... 1 ... GO!"[/color] :-)

 

Just points out the value of a good flight crew. A similar thing happened to me on a flight to Tampa and everyone sat back down and we exited with smiles on our faces.

 

Love the picture. Bet anyone who has ever flown has met a passenger that they would love to do this to.

 

Boston Bill

[+ Charlie]

A number of years ago, during the Christmas holiday break from work, we were touring northern India, on a tight schedule. Unfortunately, there is often morning fog there in December, which delays flights. Our Indian Airlines flight from Varanasi to Khajuraho (the plane had originated that morning in New Delhi) was hours late leaving Varanasi, and we were already fearing that we would have little time to see the sights in Khajuraho, which was going to be one of the highpoints of the trip. The flight seemed to last longer than it should, and as we landed, the stewardess said, "Welcome to Agra!" Everyone looked at one another, and she explained that because of electricity rationing, the airport at Khajuraho had to turn off its lights after dark, so the pilots had simply overflown the town and gone on to the next stop on the flight itinerary. Luckily, Agra had been the next city on our trip itinerary, and the hotel we had booked there was able to accommodate us a few days early, but we never did get to Khajuraho that year, and we lost the money we had spent on hotel booking there.

[Frequentflier]

Frequentflier :

 

1: I am not in the habit of lying or embellishing - that's unfortunate - had hoped there weren't people as stupid and reckless as you described working for any commercial airline

2: My friends identity and the airlines they fly with with remain confidential - people as stupid and reckless as you described can't keep their irresponsibility quiet forever - they eventually blab to someone they think is their "equal"

3: I doubt they will lose there jobs over enforcing Federal Aviation Regulations - they would for how they "enforce" which they aren't. They are putting the lives and safety of others are risk.

4: If a passenger who causes injury to themselves or another innocent traveller while disobeying directions - then the responsibility is all theirs - no, a deliberate act of recklessness on the part of the crew/pilot makes them culpable. Have you never heard of "two wrongs don't make a right". Their views and yours cannot gain the respect of anyone who is mature.

5: I appreciate your feedback - probably not anymore

[+ FreshFluff]

We were in Business/First. Only one of the flights had a First Class section (five seats) which we didn't pay for. Paying for Business class was worth it, don't think I'd ever pay or upgrade to First. Also, flying Business International includes complimentary access to the clubs in both the US and Europe.

 

Same here. Most of my flights are two-class, but I often call business-first "first" for short. When I have flown 3-class, I've found that the quality of business class varies widely.

[Bargara Leatherboy]

[/b][/i]

 

My wish for you (FrequentFlier) in 2014, is the have a year full of love and gratitude.

 

Might be a challenge but one worth stretching for .......