Jim's Birthday

I meant to post this on 9/14 but was otherwise occupied. This is a picture of my Brother Jim. We lost him to lung cancer in 2005. He would have been 60 today!
Can't remember why this one went on.. But pretty cute. Navy housing, Barbers Point Hawaii. Teri, Lisa Henry, Jen and ?.

Airline Customer Service

We have all heard the complaints about the airlines. It appears it just goes with flying. You fly, you take what you get. No choice.

In June, 5 of us flew to Branson, Missouri on United Airlines. We were late getting back due to a late plane into Branson from Denver. As we were getting close to Denver (close to 2 hrs late), many questions were asked by passengers about connecting flights. There were a few answers but mostly, "I don't know.. you will have to check with customer service when you get there....I don't have that gate number", etc, etc.

There were 3 in my party of 5 who had to make connecting flights. Not once did any personnel on that United flight step forward and ask people if they had a close connecting flight and if anyone who had lots of time could let off those people off first. My group of 3 got to the gate just as the door was closing. Had they been let off the plane first, they would have made that flight.

I had been redirected in Springfield to Redmond, Or and then to Portland. As we were getting into Denver they announced that the plane I was on would be proceeding to Portland. And I was going to Redmond, why? I got off the plane and asked the agent who was at the door why I why going to Redmond? "I don't know.. we may be full but you can go to customer sevice down the way and ask them". My reply was that the plane to Redmond was ready to leave and if I went down to customer service I would most likely miss both flights. Her reply was.. "well, I guess you had better go to Redmond then". There was never a ...sorry for the inconvenience, let me see if I can help you , or anything like that for any of us.

I did go to Redmond along with my Sis-in-law who was supposed to go there. I got home 2 + hours later than planned but at least I got my luggage. The 3 who missed their flight to Pasco were routed to Salt Lake City first. Their luggage did not come until the next day. And the one person in the group who did not have to change her flight in any way.. well her luggage went to San Francisco.

Compare... August.. flight from Pasco to Seattle, WA (and back) on Alaska Airlines (Horizon) for 7 of us. Short flight but many on plane with connecting flights (not us). In the 40 or so minutes we were in the air, inquiries were made asking people about connecting flights and requests to those of us who were not in a hurry to let them off first. No drama, just courtesy and consideration for the flyers on the plane. Guess what airline I will fly when I have the chance?