Comments on: No Frills Indeed http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/ Fascinating, Inspiring, Rewarding and Engaging kinded spirits. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:14:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Christy http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149778 Christy Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:24:35 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149778 I'm glad I didn't fly over the holiday. I think in my subconscious, I was dreading having to write an account like yours, so something in my gut told me it would be easier to drive back to Detroit: http://www.whatsthediff.com/2007/12/customer-servic.html I’m glad I didn’t fly over the holiday. I think in my subconscious, I was dreading having to write an account like yours, so something in my gut told me it would be easier to drive back to Detroit: http://www.whatsthediff.com/2007/12/customer-servic.html

]]> By: Jake McKee http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149698 Jake McKee Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:47:30 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149698 If we want to solve the problem with the airlines, I would venture that the place to start is with the media coverage of the airlines. Like they've done with so so many things, they rubber stamp the press releases from the airlines saying that they're losing money (they're not, they had a record profit year), or that the weather is to blame for the delays and the cancellations (it's not, it's primarily due to airline snafus), so most consumers believe that there's no point in complaining. After all, of course their service is lousy, they're losing money, right? Of course their flights get delayed... that damn global warming, right? On top of that, as I understand it, many of the airlines, my "favorite" American included, have slashed the salaries by 30-40% recently. (C-level salaries climb of course) I don't know how happy I'd be at a job if I got a non-merit based pay reduction either. If we want to solve the problem with the airlines, I would venture that the place to start is with the media coverage of the airlines. Like they’ve done with so so many things, they rubber stamp the press releases from the airlines saying that they’re losing money (they’re not, they had a record profit year), or that the weather is to blame for the delays and the cancellations (it’s not, it’s primarily due to airline snafus), so most consumers believe that there’s no point in complaining. After all, of course their service is lousy, they’re losing money, right? Of course their flights get delayed… that damn global warming, right?

On top of that, as I understand it, many of the airlines, my “favorite” American included, have slashed the salaries by 30-40% recently. (C-level salaries climb of course) I don’t know how happy I’d be at a job if I got a non-merit based pay reduction either.

]]> By: Jennifer http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149673 Jennifer Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:04:14 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149673 See... many people with lousy airline experiences (who can't, I'm sorry to say, all afford to fly first class...life's hard). But think about how many other "commodities" have been changed or at least influenced by customer interaction. I agree that simply complaining about lousy treatment isn't enough... but what is? I refuse to believe that - in this age of empowered, informed, vocal consumers - there is no room for us to demand a better product. I've heard great things about JetBlue - but they don't live here. So is the answer banding together to demand better treatment from the companies ensconced in their "well, we got you there eventually" mode... or is it banding together to invite JetBlue and the like into our communities? Airlines seem to have all the power. All the marketing articles out there today say we have the power. Who's right? I don't know. But that optimist (buried DEEP within my psyche) wants to believe that it's us. You hear that, Delta? See… many people with lousy airline experiences (who can’t, I’m sorry to say, all afford to fly first class…life’s hard). But think about how many other “commodities” have been changed or at least influenced by customer interaction. I agree that simply complaining about lousy treatment isn’t enough… but what is? I refuse to believe that - in this age of empowered, informed, vocal consumers - there is no room for us to demand a better product. I’ve heard great things about JetBlue - but they don’t live here. So is the answer banding together to demand better treatment from the companies ensconced in their “well, we got you there eventually” mode… or is it banding together to invite JetBlue and the like into our communities? Airlines seem to have all the power. All the marketing articles out there today say we have the power. Who’s right? I don’t know. But that optimist (buried DEEP within my psyche) wants to believe that it’s us. You hear that, Delta?

]]> By: Carmen http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149671 Carmen Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:26:40 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149671 Jennifer, you were stuck in Atlanta and didn't call me??? Sorry about your troubles; I agree with Steve in that we tend to be at the airlines' mercies more than we should. (Although I admit that when my Delta flights are cancelled my inconvenience is minimal compared to some b/c I can jump on MARTA and go back home.) Too bad AirTran doesn't fly into/out of GSP (yet); Delta seems to want to act right when they know they have local competition! Jennifer, you were stuck in Atlanta and didn’t call me???

Sorry about your troubles; I agree with Steve in that we tend to be at the airlines’ mercies more than we should. (Although I admit that when my Delta flights are cancelled my inconvenience is minimal compared to some b/c I can jump on MARTA and go back home.)

Too bad AirTran doesn’t fly into/out of GSP (yet); Delta seems to want to act right when they know they have local competition!

]]> By: Jack from eyeflare.com http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149615 Jack from eyeflare.com Sun, 30 Dec 2007 14:23:14 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149615 Delta's been at this for a very long time. Back in 1999 I personally had a flight cancelled - no crew! Of course, no voucher, no hotel, no compensation, and no apology either. Since 'Delta' means 'change' it's time this airline is changed out of existence... Delta’s been at this for a very long time. Back in 1999 I personally had a flight cancelled - no crew!

Of course, no voucher, no hotel, no compensation, and no apology either.

Since ‘Delta’ means ‘change’ it’s time this airline is changed out of existence…

]]> By: Hayward http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149610 Hayward Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:57:56 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149610 Well if you can't get on a better airline then you're SOL. Just get use to the fact that they don't care. Complaining will get you no where with a company that is clueless and careless. Try flying first class. That will most likely solve your problem. They do seem to still care about first class customers. Well if you can’t get on a better airline then you’re SOL. Just get use to the fact that they don’t care. Complaining will get you no where with a company that is clueless and careless.

Try flying first class. That will most likely solve your problem. They do seem to still care about first class customers.

]]> By: Consultbigfred http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149560 Consultbigfred Sat, 29 Dec 2007 12:23:38 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149560 Delta ... for years my favorite! After 13 years as a Platinum Medallion, a Flying Colonel, 2-1/2 million miles, etc., I left them. Same BAD treatment no matter who or how much. I have been Executive Platinum on American Airlines for the last 2 years and am very satisfied. They all have problems, but Amercian at least seems to care a little. Delta … for years my favorite! After 13 years as a Platinum Medallion, a Flying Colonel, 2-1/2 million miles, etc., I left them. Same BAD treatment no matter who or how much.

I have been Executive Platinum on American Airlines for the last 2 years and am very satisfied. They all have problems, but Amercian at least seems to care a little.

]]> By: Wayne http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149540 Wayne Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:50:03 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149540 I am sorry to read this story of yet another traveler left in a lurch. Here's the deal - Airline Operations folks have won. Gone is service. Their mantra: "did they have a ticket? Did they get a seat? Did they get to their destination?" No matter for time, energy, frustration or, God forbid, a voucher. I am sorry to read this story of yet another traveler left in a lurch.

Here’s the deal - Airline Operations folks have won. Gone is service. Their mantra: “did they have a ticket? Did they get a seat? Did they get to their destination?” No matter for time, energy, frustration or, God forbid, a voucher.

]]> By: Spike http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149531 Spike Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:33:24 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149531 Hayward, While there are many advantages to living in this place we call home, JetBlue and Virgin aren't one of them. They don't provide routes to our airport. Hayward,

While there are many advantages to living in this place we call home, JetBlue and Virgin aren’t one of them. They don’t provide routes to our airport.

]]> By: Hayward http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149530 Hayward Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:22:45 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/12/28/no-frills-indeed/#comment-149530 Instead of complaining do something. Book a better airline like Jetblue. Or pay more for a better airline like Virgin. Otherwise stop your belly aching and get use to it. They are a commodity now, that's the way THEY want it. Instead of complaining do something. Book a better airline like Jetblue. Or pay more for a better airline like Virgin. Otherwise stop your belly aching and get use to it. They are a commodity now, that’s the way THEY want it.

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