Your Airline of Choice

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:20 pm

What with all the airlines folding in the past few weeks and others adding crazy fees, what is your airline of choice?

I always choose Southwest for both business and personal travel if they are going where I need to go. Biggest factor for me is on time arrivals and getting there with my "Brain Bag." Second factor is frequency of flights. If they fly a route they often do it with 6 + flights per day. Some of the others may only have a morning and evening departure. Third is they don't stick you on the RJs where your carry on bag is no longer a carry on bag and then they want to check it to your final destination. Southwest does much better than any of the others in my experience and yours too according to the statistics.

If Southwest doesn't go where I need then I tend to fly on one of the Oneworld Airlines. AA domestic, British Airways to Europe, and most recently Cathay Pacific to Asia.

Damn other airlines including AA now charge for any checked bags, USAirways now even charges you for tap water. How are your companies handling the baggabe fees and the snacks and drinks you must now purchase on board?

Smackie Chan · Post by **Smackie Chan** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:28 pm

United. Premiere Executive frequent flyer status does not suck.

Wolfman · Post by **Wolfman** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:35 pm

I might fly once a year and I just book ahead through Travelocity and get the cheapest flights I can find at a decent hour. MrsO and I are flying in and out of Buffalo NY in October and it's all on Delta-- round trip for both about $450 tax and fees. Beats the hell out of a couple days driving on I-75,95, and 81 !

Cuda · Post by **Cuda** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:37 pm

fuck the airlines, btw

i fly myself, imo

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:38 pm

Western PA authorities are all but begging Southwest to expand flight offerings here. Fuel costs are a bitch.

Neely8 · Post by **Neely8** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:21 pm

Delta is the best. If they do not sell all of their first class seats then they offer upgrades at the gate for like 50-100 bucks. Nice little extra that makes them my favorite.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:29 pm

Smackie Chan · Post by **Smackie Chan** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:33 pm

Neely8 wrote:Delta is the best. If they do not sell all of their first class seats then they offer upgrades at the gate for like 50-100 bucks.

United does, too. I get free upgrades, though. United also has the Economy Plus cabin that other airlines don't have, where you actually get some legroom. I've flown all the major domestic carriers. United is the best.

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:35 pm

Midwest Express. Wide leather seats in coach class with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. $218 to fly roundtrip to Dallas in October.

One time that I flew with them a few years back, the meal was a chilled lobster tail with a complimentary glass of wine.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:37 pm

Our airline of choice:

-SEC

RumpleForeskin · Post by **RumpleForeskin** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:38 pm

Continental.

One of their main hubs is about 15 minutes from our house. Very convenient and always friendly at check-in.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:11 pm

Oh. You're taking it seriously.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:15 pm

Papa Willie wrote:The SEC is 11-4 in BCS games since it's inception. Hope that helps you out.

2 out of the 4 BCS sites are in SEC states.

Coincidence?

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:39 pm

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:Oh. You're taking it seriously.

Obviously you're still pissed about what happened to you over at .net a few years ago.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:47 pm

Not really. I learned from the best. I've got some epic "you're a gaylord" and "you're a homo" type ammunition stuffed in my back pocket ready to go. If some Smack Overlord steps to me, it's game ovah.

M Club · Post by **M Club** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:39 pm

i fly sidestep.com. one day i find a roundtrip flight from portland to detroit for $440, wait a day to look again, then find one for $280. i'll have to check email to find which carrier i'm traveling on.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:31 pm

United- 100%
Flew over 100K last year w/them and am on par to hit about 120K this year.
What I like about United:
1. E+ seating- coach class, but the first 3rd of the plane behind Biz. Reserved for elite members of their mileage plus program. Seats have 5" extra legroom. Doesn't sound like much, but those 5" make a huge difference. When upgrades don't clear, I'm quite happy to sit in E+.
2. Upgrade instruments- As a 100K+ flier, you receive upgrade coupons for use throughout the world. Sitting in Biz class to Europe doesn't suck. Having to burn miles to upgrade does suck.
3. Routing- Simple, United goes where I need to go. Most anywherein N.A. and Europe I need to be, United can take me there. Job will entail me traveling to Aussie land later this year. United services Australia.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:34 pm

Smackie Chan wrote:
Neely8 wrote:Delta is the best. If they do not sell all of their first class seats then they offer upgrades at the gate for like 50-100 bucks.
United does, too. I get free upgrades, though. United also has the Economy Plus cabin that other airlines don't have, where you actually get some legroom. I've flown all the major domestic carriers. United is the best.

How do you get free upgrades? Or are you talking about the e500's? United only gives op-ups when they've oversold the flight and need to free up a few coach seats. In that case, a 1k or Prem Ex gets the bump up to Biz.

Diego in Seattle · Post by **Diego in Seattle** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:03 am

Alaska in most cases (went with Expedia for some BUF tickets later this summer...much cheaper). If they've got available seats you can pay $50-$200 to upgrade (which is nearly a must when flying across the country). And I've never had any complaints about the service in coach.

ucantdoitdoggieSTyle2 · Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:28 am

Diego in Seattle wrote:And I've never had any complaints about the service in coach.

So.. as I am scrolling down, I am instantly thinking about how to tie in the word "coach" to boys to Pedo, etc...

And I read:

mvscal wrote:They provide young boys instead of bags of peanuts?

And think to myself, "Why bother trying to improve upon perfection?"

Smackie Chan · Post by **Smackie Chan** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:00 am

Ken wrote:How do you get free upgrades? Or are you talking about the e500's?

Yep.

Ana Ng · Post by **Ana Ng** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:25 am

Jet Blue.

I can watch Animal Planet for like, 5+ hours straight.

Mister Bushice · Post by **Mister Bushice** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:39 am

Ana Ng wrote:Jet Blue.

I can watch Animal Planet for like, 5+ hours straight.

Take Greyhound. It's like Animal Planet in 3-D, with smell-o-vision.

Plus they only got one bathroom to enhance the feeling of being one with the animals.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:18 pm

I haven't been on a Greyhound/Trailways in many years.

Does the "bathroom" still have that little flap that pops out for ventilation, which provides some pretty good bus-riding entertainment when you hang the junk out of it and piss on passing cars?

RumpleForeskin · Post by **RumpleForeskin** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:23 pm

I took a Greyhound from Portland to Eugene a few years ago. I would have rented a car but I wasn't 25 yet.

Carziest fucking cast of characters on that 2 1/2 hour journey.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:27 pm

RumpleForeskin wrote: Carziest fucking cast of characters on that 2 1/2 hour journey.

Between those two towns?

No way.

Must have been lots of stops to take 2.5 hours.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:28 pm

Dinsdale wrote:I haven't been on a Greyhound/Trailways in many years.

Does the "bathroom" still have that little flap that pops out for ventilation, which provides some pretty good bus-riding entertainment when you hang the junk out of it and piss on passing cars?

That's what we have to do now, because we can't rely on the fucking tank under the bus.

--Dave Matthews

Ana Ng · Post by **Ana Ng** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:34 pm

I accidentally locked myself in a Greyhound bus bathroom when I was like, 7.

The driver had to pull off the road, stick his face up to the little window, and talk me through unlocking the door.

If it wasn't me, it would've been some old bat from the Valley.

At least there was less chance of ME going into cardiac arrest...........although I did cry, ALot.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:38 pm

The driver had to pull off the road, stick his face up to the little window, and talk me through unlocking the door.

Where I come from, they call that a glory hole. You're all a bunch of homos.

--Kid Nashville

Stevo · Post by **Stevo** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:40 pm

Greyhound is the only way to go. I work closely with Greyhound reps to get the best deals for business and personal travel.

If any of you worthless dickholes see a Greyhound cruising the streets in your neighborhood this summer, I'd suggest watching your back.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:42 pm

Just type "glory hole"...and you guessed it, there's Stevo - like fucking clockwork.

Jerkovich · Post by **Jerkovich** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:51 pm

United-
They fly out of my local airport where there is FREE local parking 15 minutes where I live. I can get a red eye flight back east at around $500 and know the route like the back of my hand. Half of the time, the connect from LAX to ORD is a 747-300 dead leg that is half full.

I sleep through the LAX to ORD leg and the beast never wake me up. I love that!

I fucking hate flying to these stupid meetings.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:40 pm

RACK

Smackie Chan · Post by **Smackie Chan** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:33 am

Mikey wrote:RACK

Might wanna frame that, Kevnic.

Jerkovich · Post by **Jerkovich** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:07 am

Smackie Chan wrote:
Mikey wrote:RACK
Might wanna frame that, Kevnic.

Chan, you're one of the dumb fucks that I speak of.

Ana Ng · Post by **Ana Ng** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:06 am

Jerkovich wrote:

I see your wife showed up that day?

Smackie Chan · Post by **Smackie Chan** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:07 am

Jerkovich wrote:Chan, you're one of the dumb fucks that I speak of.

Taking smack lessons from Kid Nashville, I see. Might wanna spend a little more time on your homework, maybe during your redeye flights.

Mister Bushice · Post by **Mister Bushice** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:51 am

Jerkovich wrote: and the beast never wake me up.

Wish I could say the same.

sin,

MountRumplevictim.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:35 pm

Ken wrote:United- 100%
Flew over 100K last year w/them and am on par to hit about 120K this year.
What I like about United:
1. E+ seating- coach class, but the first 3rd of the plane behind Biz. Reserved for elite members of their mileage plus program. Seats have 5" extra legroom. Doesn't sound like much, but those 5" make a huge difference. When upgrades don't clear, I'm quite happy to sit in E+.
2. Upgrade instruments- As a 100K+ flier, you receive upgrade coupons for use throughout the world. Sitting in Biz class to Europe doesn't suck. Having to burn miles to upgrade does suck.
3. Routing- Simple, United goes where I need to go. Most anywherein N.A. and Europe I need to be, United can take me there. Job will entail me traveling to Aussie land later this year. United services Australia.

... with all that said, United is REALLY trying my patience these days. Have had a miserable month or so flying them. Frankly, early in the year, was miserable too. For that period, I sent an email to 1K Voice documenting my troubles w/them (delays, misconnects, cancellations). Did get a $400 voucher in return for that one. May have to send another.

Two weeks ago, my outbound to Frankfurt, I missed my connection at O'hare due to delayed departure out of Pgh. Had to stay overnight in Chicago (not such a bad thing, actually). On the return from Amsterdam, again, missed my connection and had to stay at Dulles overnight.

Yesterday was the topper though. From Greenville, SC to O'hare, delayed in Greenville for two hours. Finally got to Chicago in time to make my connection to Grand Rapids. Everythings ready to go. We're waiting for the pushback. We sit. We sit. We pick our collective noses. United scheduling took one ofour two flight attendants for another flight and we had to wait for a replacement... that never showed. Two hour later, we are cancelled, this at 11:45 PM. Now, i've got to pay $299 to stay overnight at the Hyatt O'hare. No luggage. No toilletries. Hotel is out of complimentary toothbrushes and toothpaste. Nothing but the clothes on my back and laptop bag.

I'm pissed. But now, in Michigan and all is well.

United is pissing me off.

KC Scott · Post by **KC Scott** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:54 pm

Dinsdale wrote:I haven't been on a Greyhound/Trailways in many years.

Does the "bathroom" still have that little flap that pops out for ventilation, which provides some pretty good bus-riding entertainment when you hang the junk out of it and piss on passing cars?

I laughed - May have ridden a greyhound as a kid - can't remember but if that's true it's just hilarious

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None of the airlines hub out of KCI (surprise!) - so I try and focus on one group where I can rack up the FF miles for the vacation.
I'm liking Delta (also got their Amex to help the process) - it's great that I can also apply flights on Continetal and NW to Delta.

In terms of suckage - SWA is my least favorite and it has everything to do with no assigned seating. From lurking on line to get the boarding pass exactly 24 hours before flight, to standing in the zoned cattle shoots to the level of people who all recline their fucking seat onto my laptop and knees they just suck.

AA is a close second as their seats have to be the smallest ever.

Big Midwest Fan for comfort - but not nearly enough flights. I also like Froniter out of Denver to the west simply for the Direct TV option