Gadling

USairways has gone down, severly in customer service over the last year. Since I need to fly for my job, I use them only if other airlines cost more. The cabin areas are filthy, I bring wipes to clean my seating areas. I have become sick after flying them on numerous occasions.

USairways has gone down, severly in customer service over the last year. Since I need to fly for my job, I use them only if other airlines cost more. The cabin areas are filthy, I bring wipes to clean my seating areas. I have become sick after flying them on numerous occasions.

I'm sure things like others have written are common, but I wonder if it has to do with certain routes. Our family uses US Airways regularly from Indianapolis to Syracuse NY, via Reagan or Dulles or Philly, and other than some delays and close connections, nothing has gone REALLY badly. Also these use some of the newer jets on that route.

Somehow, I can't believe that a few hours without food is starvation. Of course, in todays America, if you're not putting something in your mouth, you're going to have major psychological problems. This persons problem was most probably that they were so fat they couldn't fit in the coach seats.

for the past 2 years I have been flying with US air from Puerto Rico to Germany(around 10 times). Over the years I have used all Airline that do transatlantic flights and so far US have been the best, yes the food (can you call it food?) not the best but it ain't better in the other Airlines. what counts for me is that the staff are really nice and the flights are not to late but flying out of Philly whos not late....... but that goes again for all over Airlines to. Over the last years service has gone to the dogs with ALL Airlines it comes down to the Staff on the ground and in the Air.....and US beats the rest as far as I can tell.

Very typical of all the airlines. When they want my seat they give me a "cash voucher" and a first class upgrade or they don't get it. I got a grand one time because they were very desperate and it really felt good giving them a little of what they give us.

You are correct Ray. At one time, however, airlines--or at least the good ones--treated passengers well as a matter of course. Aside from some gentle reminders, one did not have to compel them to provide proper compensation. After my experience with US Scareways, I realize that those days are over, at least at airlines run by drunken drivers. So now I will take Ray's advice and only give up a seat for real, on the spot compensation. No more certificates.

We had the same bad experience with flight coupons as Marco. We our family of four agreed to give up seats exchange for seats on USAirways to Europe. I specifically asked if they could be used anytime, and was emphatically told yes, NO blackout dates. Several times I've tried to book flights to/from Europe, including last month for mid-August (yes, not a holiday and a full 8 months in advance) for only 1 seat, but was told no seats available on any of a dozen routes USAirways I asked about. While there are no blackout dates, there are "capacity controls" I was not told about. Apparently, they set the capacity at -0-. I e-mailed customer relations (I never could get them on the phone) and they offered to change my trip to Europe first for a $200 coupon good only on USAirways, after more e-mail exhanges, the offer went to $300 then $400, about 1/3 the cost of a ticket. I'm pretty steamed -- we gave up seats in good faith, and we expected USAirways to honor their commitment -- anthing else really is a breach of contract. Anything short of that is simply fraud or deception. And the hotel they put us up in for the 24 hours was the crummiest Ramada Inn I have EVER seen -- no maintenace since the 1970s, with $7 meal coupons -- try to eat anywhere other than McDonalds for that! Lesson? NEVER accept a coupon from USAirways -- give up your seat only for cold, hard CASH!! (and make sure you know what hotel they're sending you to and demand enough meal coupons). P.S. The next day, the food in first class was lousy and the flight attendants grouchy/unpleasant.

This is just a cycle of negative complaints about the airlines. I work for a airline and would like to hear more on the good we do that never seems to hit the airwaves. Im sure that these folks that have these negative things to say for the most part do not work with or in the public. Attitudes have changed over the years. I'am a flight attendant and consider myself fair. I have been yelled at , told its my fault. Just last night I had a rude passenger tell me "When are you going to move that cart it is in my space".She said this so disrespectful. I was doing my job serving my passengers for goodness sake. Try dealing with that kind of stuff all day everyday....

I sure hope I never fly with Trudi. Without knowing any of us, she writes, "Im [sic] sure that these folks that have these negative things to say for the most part do not work with or in the public." In fact, I work with the public every day. Unlike employees like Trudi, however, I do feel compelled to make excuses for incompetent--or, in the case of US Scareways, drunken--bosses. Don't blame the hapless consumer, forced to travel on airlines that would go out of business in the face of real competition; blame your bosses for putting you in that position while they drink and drive. Or better yet: find some work with an honest company.

I have flown Alaska Airlines many times and have found their employees to be very nice.

All, flying used to be fun and I have flown 4 million miles in the last 20 years. I am lifetime this and that with airlines and hotels but I am looking to reduce my travel because of exactly what you are all saying. Low fares, late flights (1 out of four flights was late in 07), canceled flights (where I had to stay in hub cities overnight at my expense 5 times in 07) and rude people. I also married a flight attendant 20 years ago and she quit the airlines in '98 and doesn't miss the problems. I also feel for the flight crews, they are now underpaid, over worked and have to deal with the low fare (Greyhound) uncaring people. The flight crews are at the mercy of others, including the FAA so flight delays and cancelations very rarely are their responsibility, but they get beat up because they are front line. It is a mess and it will not be fixed soon unless new more expensive transportation becomes available that caters to the ontime requirements and good treatment of both customers AND employees and is willing to rid the system of the NY subway mentality..