In addition to the exasperation I feel due to the poor communication usually offered by airlines regarding flight cancellations, delays, etc., and the inconvenience and anxiety caused by misplaced luggage, I am frequently disgusted by how dirty and ill-kempt the planes are. It is difficult to eat, read a magazine (especially when the pages are stuck together!), or sleep when tray tables are smeared with grime and the floors and seats are filled with crumbs and God knows what else. My husband and I have complained numerous times to most of the major airlines in this country about the nastiness of the cabins, but have not yet seen any difference in the upkeep of the insides of planes. We have become so fed up with yucky flying conditions, too-frequent, unexplained delays for both flights and luggage, etc., that we have now started driving to our vacation destinations as much as we can and avoiding airports and planes altogether.

Posted By Nancy C. Dallas on September 5, 2007, 1:31 PM

P.S. I read the Wall Street Journal, like one of your other bloggers, and they have had almost weekly articles about the problems airlines are having with both flight delays/cancellations and quality of service. At least one article addressed the complaints about the cleanliness problem and the airlines contacted said they clean the planes out at night and the flight attendants, etc., don't have time to do much straightening up between flights, which I'm sure is true. (We usually try to give the flight attendants as much credit and understanding as possible, since we realize they are up to their eyeballs trying to manage everything on flights as it
is.)
Maybe with the stretched out schedules some of the airlines are going to

try, the cleaning problem will get better, too (We can only hope!).

Posted By NC Dallas on September 5, 2007, 5:14 PM

I can't help but think that last few years of adverse commentary and publicity voiced by disgusted and disgruntled fliers is finally having an effect. Last week I flew round trip economy from Chicago to San Francisco on American Airlines and was very impressed by having three out of four flight attendants show pleasant smiles (only one very growly F/A on the outward bound flight) and actually be attentive. The plane was clean to the eye, but still an M80 in shoddy condition.
Thumbs down on my gender; I noticed the male F/A's were much better and happier at their jobs than the females. What's that all about?

Posted By Eve Niimi on September 6, 2007, 2:14 PM

I'm with Nancy in Dallas; if I can sort out a way to avoid spending a fortune on lodging (cabins in state parks, military quarters Space A since I'm retired Navy) I'd rather have a fun road trip any day than be treated so shabbily.

It's a shame that our US train system isn't usually a good alternative. I'd also be willing to look into something like the Midwest's MegaBus if it gets me there pleasantly.

Posted By Sheila at Family Travel on September 6, 2007, 2:15 PM

My family has worked in the airline industry for years. Please do not blame the flight attendants, pilots, gate agents, or customer service reps. They are all overstretched, underpaid, constantly in fear of losing their jobs, and being yelled at by passengers. While it is certainly frustrating flying nowadays, none of this helps the situation.

We can all count on this type of degradation of service as long as the airline industry is deregulated. Remember when it was nice to fly? I do - I also remember it cost a lot more to purchase a ticket back then too. That was before the airlines were de-regulated. Legislation is what is required to make this more liveable for airlines, their employees, and their passengers.

Posted By Holly on September 6, 2007, 2:23 PM

In the 'good old days' my husband and I visited more than 50 countries via many airlines (some of which are now history).
Those experiences over the years were pleasant.
Example:as we were returning from a ski trip to Austria,the counter person at SwissAir asked if we'd like to fly First Class and I know it was because I waited quietly while an obnoxious woman pushed in front of me and gave the counter attendant a bad time.
It's not that we have any horror stories about any particular airlines today, it's just that now we are retired and have an easy to use RV we find we simply plan to drive when we can in North America and thus avoid the crowds, hassles and frustrations of the current situation. We haven't had any problems using our United frequent flyer miles which I guess makes us rare birds

Posted By Dorothy Lear on September 6, 2007, 2:58 PM

I think the way the airline executives are being paid huge bonuses and the flight attendants, pilots and mechanics are taking huge pay cuts is criminal. Money is being taken right out of the pockets of the people who do the work and put directly into the pockets of the people who do nothing. The service is poor and flight schedules in chaos because the airlines don't put the money into their product. The employees are stretched to the max and I don't blame them for being crabby. They do a lot better than I do when I am tired and overworked.

Posted By Lois on September 6, 2007, 4:22 PM

I remember the good old days 40 years ago (2 free drinks, steak dinners, no security check); but with airlines constantly flirting with bankruptcy, the good old days are long gone. Now all I ask is that the plane is clean, the flight is reasonably close to schedule, and the trip is safe. Riding a plane is about as pleasurable as riding the NY Metro in rush hour. I try to avoid flying whenever possible. People should really consider using the train instead of the shuttle in the NE corridor. It's usually faster.

Posted By Ed Kaye on September 6, 2007, 5:56 PM

I don't usually complain about the airlines, and I'm a pretty patient person.. I work in the medical industry, in a manageral role.. I don't think I'll ever fly with Delta again.. I flew into Mexico city, the plane was late, and I was waiting for another plane to arrive with friends on another flight.. I didn't pick up my luggage by 4:00, when I flew in at 3:30.. and my luggage was locked in the Delta office, and all the offices were closed.. I called, and a Delta representative advised that my luggage would be delivered the next day.. When my luggage didn't come by noon, I called back only to find out that I had to file a complaint in writting first.. I had to come down to file a complaint..I ended up picking up my luggage, and filed a complaint about the poor service.. That was a month ago.. I haven't heard from Delta, yet..

Posted By barri on September 6, 2007, 7:07 PM

Having flown about six times in the recent few months I am appalled at the airline service. My first experience with Air-Tran has left me knowing I will NEVER fly that airline again. Flight attendents extremely rude. Poor service, planes shoddy and so cramped, broken seats and F/A kept telling me to put up my seat. You can't use the restroom as needed and that is the tip of the iceberg regarding the scenario. BOO AIR-TRAN!

Ann M. Rourk, Naples, FL

Posted By ANN M ROURK on September 7, 2007, 5:33 AM

I fly with Southweat whenever I can. I have never noticed any unclean planes.The employees are always friendly & courteous.The flight attendants could not possibly be any better.Robert E.Jarvis

Posted By Robert E Jarvis on September 7, 2007, 12:31 PM

To all of the airline employees posting about how they are "underpaid, overstretched...blah, blah, blah". Give us a break! If you don't like your job - get another one. Your employment issues ARE NOT my problem! You were hired to do a job, so do it - and if you can't do it professionally then your a** should be fired.

Posted By Paul on September 8, 2007, 9:32 AM

After having worked 27 years with the airlines in almost every function from catering to flight operations, I think a couple of points need to be made. First, the delays that drive us all crazy are more the fault of an inadequate system then airline snafus. The ground stops and gate holds rampant in today's travel are mandated by the fact that the airports and controlers can't even come close to handling the volume that exists. The government puts the stops and holds on the planes not the airlines.Secondly, yes we have all taken major pay and benefit cuts, but I find the majority of my co-workers doing a great job given the problems that face them,they do care and try very hard.Lastly, thanks for flying we know the experience is not what it was, but please know that most of us are trying as hard as we can to provide you with a safe and pleasant journey and by the way, maybe you could leave a few things home, these heavy bags are murder on my back.

Posted By Earl on September 8, 2007, 5:09 PM

Here's my latest story with United. I stupidly left my laptop in an overhead bin (for the second time!!!) After getting to the OHare parking lot, I realized my mistake. By the time I got back to teminal 1, my plane had already been sent out again. BUT: 2 hours later, I got a call on my cell phone from the first flight officer telling me they had found the computer, and how it would get back to OHare. The next AM, I was at the baggage service office, where the agent called every number he could think of and found my returned computer on a supervisor's desk on the B concourse, waiting for me.

kudos to that team of people!

Posted By ann on September 11, 2007, 1:52 PM