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Survey Suggests American Airlines Has Rudest Employees Among Domestic Carriers
According to a recent Airfarewatchdog study, a preponderance of surveyed travelers think that of domestic air carriers, American Airlines has the "rudest employees." United was a close runner-up, followed by Delta.Ranking last (which in this case, means winner) is a four-way tie, between Alaska, JetBlue, Frontier and Virgin America. Hmm. Seems budget airlines know how to bring it.
Here's the full list polled in alphabetical order:
AirTran 4%
Alaska 2%
Allegiant 3%
American 25%
Delta 18%
Frontier 2%
JetBlue 2%
Spirit 10%
Southwest 6%
United 21%
US Airways 12%
Virgin America 2%
Our friends at Airfarewatchdog run these unofficial consumer surveys every now and then and this is a great snapshot of the general consumer psyche. Bear in mind though, this data is unsubstantiated and unverified, so take it with a grain of salt. In our experience, most of the airline employees regardless of the airline are pretty darn chipper.
[Photo credit: Flickr user Fabird Blue]
Filed under: Business, North America, United States, Airlines, Budget Travel, News, Airline Reviews, Luxury Travel
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 6)
Alan Dec 13th 2012 8:57PM
They serve food and drinks but the primary purpose for a flight attendant is passenger safety. Their trained to handle emergencies and assist in evacuations. They go through rigorous re-certification procedures annually.
I worked in airline customer service and you have no idea of the kind of complaints we get. A woman complained about the flight attendant because she wouldn't permit her to change her baby in the galley. A woman tried to hand one FA a napkin with doggie doo while she was serving meals and made a complaint, mother got angre when the FA stopped her child from playing with the PA system, a man in the john delaying takeoff. Running up to the gate at the last minute with baggage too large for carry on.
Hundreds more. Being obnoxious and whiney is the least of it. They have to consider other passengers as well. Over the years I've seen passengers become much more unruly and disruptive.
And I've seen and experienced many times passengers percieving rudeness when it wasn't the case at all.
Geri Dec 14th 2012 8:29AM
Flight Attendants are not "at your service"" they are ultimately responsible for your health and safety. Bringing you your food and drinks is secondary to your safely arriving at your destination. They are essentially on their feet for hours at a time, sometimes work multiple flights in a 24 hour period and must deal with very
demanding passengers (there is always at least one person who makes impossible demands on them) who think they are on a private flight.
I think people need to grow up and take responsibility for their own behavior.
mdennish Dec 14th 2012 9:01AM
The passengers are the problem. I have flown over 2,000,000 miles on various airlines and the passengers are far worse than the flight attendants when it comes to being rude and or obnoxious.
Sue Dec 14th 2012 1:37AM
I'm appalled at how rude some passengers are to the flight attendants. I have always treated them courteously and have always been treated that way in return. You reap what you sow.
syd Dec 13th 2012 6:03PM
I fly for business and I've encountered many flight attendants who come out of the gate with attitude. That "you reap what you sow" is crap. They feel emboldened because our government have made them feel that way and I've actually heard some of them tell passengers that if they didn't like it then do something about it. I was involved as a witness for a passenger one time and that flight attendant lied. He didn't expect passengers to come to the other passenger's aid because most people don't want to get involved.
He lost his job over the incident and rightfully so. Maybe you haven't had bad experiences but many of us have.
Dave Dec 14th 2012 2:55PM
Not true. I guess you haven't been around very long. Maybe you should venture out into the world and learn a few things.
janet Dec 13th 2012 7:36PM
well said.
hanna vanhoose Dec 13th 2012 11:19PM
sue, please, there are too many complaints about the airlines and the flight attendants. they cant all be wrong. but i lived in detroit and have gone to chicago and others many times and it is unreal how these attendants have overglorified themselves and given themselves such authority. they are PAID to do their job which is not hard, a teenager could do it with less whining. as for you receiving such outstanding service based on the fact you are nice to them, dont over glorify yourself because when they get on that plane with attitudes, they could care less who gets hit with it. if they cant handle it then they should quit or be fired.
Jim Grannis Dec 13th 2012 5:52PM
I have flown well over a million miles with American Airlines. While I do find some service friendly and helpful, far too many employees of American are rude and simply going through the motions of customer service.
rational thinker Dec 13th 2012 5:55PM
Wow... everyone is going to have a different experience. For me, I am not sure that I have ever had a positive Delta experience. Every person with a Delta badge or uniform gives a different answer, even if they are standing beside each other and are always short in their answers. But then, I judge that predominantly on DCA (Washington National) and Atlanta. American employees always seem to be the nicest and most consistent (again, DCA, but also LAX and DFW). Probably dependent on day of travel and the weather. But again, with Delta, I always encounter a problem and or unhappy, rude employees. Much prefer British Airways, KLM or Air France!
Janet B Dec 13th 2012 9:41PM
Delta employee stole my $80 tempurpedic neck pillow at check-in while I was using the kiosk. Be very careful about sitting anything on the counter while checking in.
peregrin Jan 8th 2013 12:37AM
"dam" chipper? I don't need chipper attendants, I want someone who really cares and is not so unhappy with their job that they treat passengers like the problem. I am sorry the job is no longer glamorous and well-paid. anyway, their chief job is our 'safety', we all know that...and I'm a million miler on one airline and close to it on two others...best alternative is the Asian airlines, choose them if you can when flying internationally and be surprised, and you'll continue to choose them again and again. but those who fly internationally already know this tip....btw, the airline on which I am a million miler is in the top 2....and I think they should be no. 1....
H Borovsky Dec 13th 2012 6:00PM
This survey is WRONG. I have flown over a million miles on AA, and have found it to provide the BEST service. I have never had any problem at all.
Dave Dec 14th 2012 2:55PM
Well aren't you ring lucky you ain't ever had a problem. I bet you never had a speeding so that must mean they dont exist.
syd Dec 13th 2012 5:58PM
I fly all of the time and I can tell you, since 9/11 and the flight staff feeling as though they're above reproach, most are as rude as can be. They have this attitude that their word is GOD and almost dare some passengers to do anything about it. I've flown on American, United and Delta on many occasions and that survey is spot on. When I've flown Virgin, British Airways, Lufthansa and many European based carriers, their customer service is far better. Flying has seriously become an ordeal. But as for them putting up with passengers, without us they wouldn't have a job. And if they can't handle it, then there are tons of people who are unemployed that would be happy to take their place.
BRAD Dec 13th 2012 6:01PM
I have flown United for overseas travel several times over the last few years. Since they have joined with Continental ther service in every aspect has gone through the toilet. I recently had aon a flight my bags lost by the airlines after a almst 2 hour delay at teh gate. They comped nothing to the economy cabin for the delay and when I emailed them they refused to give any miles. the reason we were delayed is they pulled another aircraft at the alst minute and boarded us before they did the paperwork on it. the first email I ahd from customer service was dealys for 'weather ' are unavoidable..I rewrote adressing the issue this and was basically told to kiss off. The problem we have with overseas flights as most of us are on government travel in one form or another and we have to fly US airlines therefore they know they will get thr lion share of the business and don't care at all about the traveler
Doug Dec 13th 2012 6:05PM
I would love to know where Alaska Airlines gains the honorable title of "Budget" airlines...Service perhaps, but certainly not budget!! Tickets to fly in or out of Alaska are simply highway robbery.
Barry Dec 13th 2012 6:10PM
I think this survey is right on. I have not had good experience with American Airlines. Their employees tend to be older and cranky.. I try to stick with Southwest Airlines. Their employee are energetic, friendly and sometimes entertaining. SWA has a good thing going and it shows in their financial success.
sally Dec 15th 2012 10:23AM
Amen!! Had the worst encounter with the AA check in rep, "Cathy " this morning at Austin Bergstrom. "The big Cathy as she put it".....She was aggressive and abusive for no reason..she was out of control!!! After she tried to intimidate us and her trainee, the people in the line behind us were stunned and questioned her sanity. I have never experinced this in any situation.
lmbjuly Dec 13th 2012 6:21PM
I had a bad experience on a United Airline flight. After using the restroom, I mentioned to the flight attendant that it was very dirty and the carpet area outside the door was very wet. She gave me some attitude and when I said I was just letting her know, she followed me back to my seat and started yelling at me in front of my family. She told me I was saying that her work place was filthy and how would I like it if she came to my office and told me the same thing. I told her that the restrooms at my work were pretty clean and that the carpet in the office wasn't soaked in urine. She continued to yell, and I just looked straight ahead trying to ignore her. As manic as she was, as I was disembarking the flight she said "Thank you for flying United" Sheesh!