Does anybody know where the friendly skies went? The airline customer experience has been turbulent to say the least. Airlines are nickel-and-diming patrons. Then there is the extra security you have to deal with. I’m all for safety, but the rules are constantly changing. How do you know what to bring in your bag anymore? And now we have to deal with rules about weight and extra tickets. Larger customers, beware.
Former manager of Oakland rapper Too Short, Lionel Bea, and director, Kevin Smith (Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back, Cop Out), have both had spats with Southwest Airlines because they were asked to purchase extra tickets in order to accommodate for their width. Bea sued Southwest. But, Kevin Smith decided to take his case to the public and humiliate the airline on Twitter. Smith’s posts about the incident were so popular that Southwest had to respond via Twitter and on a separate blog.
I endured a similar experience on an airline. I’m tall. So the guy in front of me wanted to recline directly on to my knees. Both he AND the attendant who responded to his complaint suggested I purchase a first class ticket. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t buy the first class ticket, but I vlogged about (which the attendant told me was a security threat). Days later, I was offered an apology and some airline credit, but that was not enough to make me want fly that airline again.
But take heart fellow travelers. There are other ways to get to a destination. I discovered the value of road trips and Amtrak. You might find that the time saved on airplanes isn’t worth the headache. Still, you don’t get charged extra for that blanket and pillow.
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