Air passengers now treated like cattle ?

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John C

Sorry don't agree, don't know what you mean by inefficient service. The very nature of passenger flight means airports have to be efficient because of the time factors involved in getting you to and from your destination, not as if you're jumping on the local bus is it? As for these pointless checks you speak of, do you mean the checks which are carried out to protect you, not the people who work there, as you may have noticed their not going on the flight. Now,these lengthy queues you have to wait in are only there because of the popularity of air travel and most airport staff try their best to limit waiting time as much as possible. So there you go doesn't seem that bad after all then.

Has forgivebutnotforget not witnessed some of the nutters you get on trains.I feel much safer on planes.

dels replies

Well you want rock bottom prices you get rock bottom service. Pay a premium price and get a better service

Zaq Q

I thought i was the only person who belived that

cubalishus

True but then again its better to be safe than sorry isn't it, I for one don't want to risk getting on a plane with some lunatic who's going to start shooting us all, I'd rather go through 2 hours of security checks than none at all.

Well, 300 people are catching a plane, they all turn up at once with luggage. Multiply that by 10 planes leaving that hour and you have hell on earth. It's amazing the system works at all, but you are right, you get treated like cattle.

Red Dragon

I used to think the UK was worse. Then I went to South America with airvomit.com. Bring back Easy Jet, all is forgiven!

Birdie2006

Sounds accurate. I hate planes and the airport makes the process even more unbearable.

Mandarin

Do you know what the staff call coach/economy class? they call it THE ZOO!

So you're definitely not far wrong!
It varies, sometimes you get some friendly staff and it makes all the difference, other times they have a face like a smacked butt and they speak through their noses simply to ask "chickenorbeef" in one word.

Must be hard working like that though, and a lot of pressure if you get difficult customers at 10km above sea level. Pretty much a thankless job if you look at the poh-faced customers.

forgivebutdonotforget911

The name of the game in the airline industry is to maximize the use of each and every airplane.

They do not make money off a plane that is down for repairs, so they do the repairs as quickly as they can. This kind of behavior has caused more than one crash, such as one in Chicago in 1979 when the mechanics figured out a way to save 2 hours on a engine repair. The result of their "savings" was the engine fell off the plane and killed everyone on board.

They do not make money on a plane that is sitting at the gate. They want to unload the passengers and baggage as fast as possible, do a quick clean of the plane, reload and get on their way. As a result, if you are just catching the plane from a connecting flight, they often do not stick your luggage on board as they do not want to delay the flight for the luggage. So many times when you schedule your flights with little delay in changing planes, you get where you are going without your luggage.

They make more money by having as many people on the plane as possible. Believe it or not, the limiting factor on airplanes is not volume but weight. They could actually stuff the entire plane with people and it would still be able to fly. To that end, they make the seats as narrow as they can and put them as close together as they can to get as many people on the plane. Then to ensure each seat is occupied, they deliberately over book, knowing some people will not show up. As a result, more often than not, someone is getting offered a ticket on a different flight and cash back.

People are treated like cattle because they allow it. If people were to go back to using the train, where the seats are wide and roomy with lots of leg room, you might see improved train service and less issues with the air lines.

You can bet despite all the advertising by Boeing and AirBus, their new planes will not have wide roomy seats, they will be as packed as the planes of today. They got to move the meat to make the money and the more meat they move, the more money they get.

liverpool221

The checks are essential but at times they can go ott at times but am sure it is all for the passengers safety.

And the safety of the airport aswell but nevertheless they do treat us quite bad in the US cos of the foot and mouth

island girl

Well you've only pointed out they treat you like cattle at airports, not once on board, so hopefully the flying aspect is still fun for you!

I am flight crew and work for Virgin and can assure you all the checks etc you go through at the airport are there for your safety aswell. I felt the same as you before i worked in aviation but now seeing it from the other side so to speak, i will never complain again about security checks!!

You just wouldn't believe what some people try to bring onto an aircraft and if these slipped through the net, and in the wrong hands it could have devistating consequences which would be far from fun. So as frustrating as it can be, try to be patient and rest assured that once you are onboard your holiday can begin!! (At least with Virgin Atlantic you are guarenteed great service)!

Sonatina

Aw, I still think air travel is fun :)
Typically, overcrowded places like China have REALLY good airline service, since labor there is so cheap and readily available; I can understand why the UK would have worse service. The only thing I've noticed that has changed is that US airlines used to serve food on shorter flights... now they don't do it anymore :'(

ontheroadagainwithoutyou

Not just you-flying sucks these days-makes you feel like the terrorists won their quest because now we move about like prisoners. I remember when flying was fun-I looked forward to the flight as much as the destination. Now, I avoid airports, which is sad because I end up not going many places that I would like to. Yes, VERY offputting, it is!!!

Whill

yes

Maid of Constant Sorrow

I travel a lot. Well, 3-5 times a year and I feel the same. I live in America and things here are probably even worse because of the fact that George Bush has managed to make this country afraid of non-existent terroist threats and "weapons of mass destruction" (fears less founded). I hate flying because of it. Now I have a 5-month old baby to take with me, too. It is such a hassle. I wish it could be easier but I guess they are just trying to keep us safe. I wish they could just do it more efficiently.

steff

i do agree to some extent, i have travelled with most air lines but now will only fly with virgin.
better check in, better service and great flight attendants even in economy you have slightly more leg room, than the normal planes, the in flight entertainment just makes the journey fly past.
i really look foward to flying with them

Dangermanmi6

when I was driving the bus with wings we used to call the PAXs self loading cargo. Now that I don't have a seat at the front anymore I don't like being treated like sheep. A friend of mine who is cabin crew says the new mantra is "sit down, shut up, and go away" (Y! won't let me use the real words for go away but the last word is off) no longer is getting there half the fun. My last trip home this past summer to the UK we were stoped in the ticket hall by airline reps had our passports checked and a sticker put on them, only to have them checked by the counter agent. Offputting isn't the half of it, I'm still trying to figure out why I had to show my passport going from Belfast to Cardiff direct. My uncle in Wales says its because the Nationalists have won the day.

myfro

loading passengers into aircraft with electrical prods are soon to come.moooooooo

Peter L

The only mistake we all make is to expect our holiday to start as we leave home. Just a driving along a motorway is not fun, nor is getting into a crowded flying bus, where we pay the lowest price possible. If you expect to be bored and uncomfortable you will not usually be disappointed and very occasionally when the gods of upgrade smile on you, you will have a lovely trip, even better than if you had paid the 3,000 to fly London NY like the people next to you because you only paid 400.
Another strategy I have is to think how I am going to enjoy the 2,600 I am saving by not flying business, and it seems to be a lot less difficult to tolerate the cattle pen.

TIMOTHY H

Moooo!

Lenny

Jesus! You've been milked and hit with a stun gun!
I'd sue if I were you....

LIGHTEN UP

Poor people don't have the right to complain. Getting cattle class tickets means you will get treated like cattle.

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