tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post1159048211092630713..comments2023-10-17T06:09:32.857-03:00Comments on A Texan in Argentina: We're American Airlines and by god you better speak American!Longhorn Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-71016145802083353662011-02-18T22:02:38.423-03:002011-02-18T22:02:38.423-03:00I had a similarly bad experience with American Air...I had a similarly bad experience with American Airlines when I was an expat living in Bolivia. The flight attendants were short and rude with everyone in coach. I was technically a resident of Bolivia at the time and requested the resident entrance paperwork. I was rudely refused by the flight attendant and given the wrong paperwork. Of course when I arrived in customs, I had to start over with the correct form. I will never fly American if there is another option (in Bolivia at the time there wasn't)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-226712058222456442009-06-28T00:11:51.101-03:002009-06-28T00:11:51.101-03:00This comment has been removed by the author.Nerd Progrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16328258490086439970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-15982360364103215062009-06-28T00:05:59.260-03:002009-06-28T00:05:59.260-03:00... and how is any of this relevant to this thread...... and how is any of this relevant to this thread?Juannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-39467973101280597052009-05-11T03:21:00.000-03:002009-05-11T03:21:00.000-03:00You should all read this GREAT piece by the NYT´s ...You should all read this GREAT piece by the NYT´s Roger Cohen. When I read it I immediatelly remembered about this thread here:<br /><br />URL:<br /><A HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/opinion/16iht-edcohen.html" REL="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/opinion/16iht-edcohen.html</A>excerpt of the most juicy bits (pardon the pun):<br />-------------------------------------<br />Imagine poor Correa, assailed by disquieting visions of the mountain of fried fish with jalapeños he’d vacuumed down at the Bistro San Pedro Sula Del Mar, and then — the horror! The horror! — spotting the beverage cart (formerly the food cart) blocking his path to relief.<br /><br />Uh-oh.<br /><br />I can hear the snippy reply from the flight attendants, mostly middle-aged themselves, all of whom think the fun of flying disappeared some decades back — about the same time as their job security and sense of humor — and would rather be sipping mojitos in Sanibel than talking up seven-dollar “wraps.”<br /><br />“You’ll have to wait, Sir. We’re doing the drinks and tiny pack of peanuts service.”<br /><br /><B>The intonation of that “Sir” will be familiar to many of you, a tone peculiar to American airline companies, one in which resentment, superiority, fear, contempt and impatience are coiled into a venomous parody of politeness — a three-letter expletive really — that stands the notion of service on its head and tells the whole dismal story of U.S. carriers in recent years.</B>“But I have a bathroom...”<br /><br />“Sir. Please return to your seat.”<br /><br />Correa, the jalapeños now fully fired up in his bowels, rues the fact he gave up the high-jump in middle school. He does a quick mental reconnoiter of the plastic bag of toiletries he brought on board: no Diarrex there. He considers some metaphorical “arm-twisting” — like paying $50 for a “wrap” and saying, “Keep the change!”<br /><br />Not a great idea, he determines, good sense intact even over the clutching of his sphincter, before turning to see the aisle — empty as the coffers at Lehman — stretching away toward the flimsy curtain separating the Business Class section.<br /><br />Come on, he thinks, that’s over: that whole master-of-the-universe, platinum-card, us-and-them, starter-mansion, you-line-up-over-there game. With five million lost U.S. jobs in a year, that’s history. He needs a lavatory pronto but there’s a cartload of stubborn pique standing between him and a rightful salvation.<br /><br />“May I use the business section lavatory...”<br /><br />“Sir.”<br /><br />Correa snaps<br />-------------------------------------<br /><br />When I grow up, ;) I want to write like Cohen...<br /><br />:-)<br /><br />FCNerd Progrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16328258490086439970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-89425183339927423062009-03-07T13:07:00.000-02:002009-03-07T13:07:00.000-02:00This remind me when I ask to Criterion Collection ...This remind me when I ask to Criterion Collection why they never subtitle in Spanish although the do in several other languages. Criterion is a superb dvd's editor. As they mention in their web, their mission is "to gathering the greatest films from around the world and publishing them in editions that offer the highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements. Criterion began with a mission to pull the treasures of world cinema out of the film vaults and put them in the hands of collectors. All of the films published under the Criterion banner represent cinema at its finest. In our seventeen years, we've seen a lot of things change, but one thing has remained constant: our commitment to publishing the defining moments of cinema in the world's best digital editions".<BR/><BR/>But the fact is that in their entire collection there aren't any Latin American film. This is very shocking taking into consideration names like Bunuel, Torre Nilson, Martel, Glauber Rocha and an unfinished list of artist who certainly matchs in their definition of "art cinema". <BR/><BR/>Their answer was because their sale area is region 1 and Canada and USA doesn't speak Spanish. I didn't know if I shoud cry or laugh with such an answer like this. What about the Spanish market I ask. Doesn't matter.<BR/><BR/>Bluy ray zone now cover the whole America continent, a continent wich mainly speaks only Spanish. But Latin american cinema is still waiting the big news from Criterion about local editions and Spanish subtitles.Bociohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17233832794504460024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-3299180772523662962009-02-09T19:24:00.000-02:002009-02-09T19:24:00.000-02:00I have the solution. Tazer the old bag, that'll sh...I have the solution. Tazer the old bag, that'll shut her up. Put her in your seat and then get up and do her meal service, which will allow two things : (1) stretching the legs on a long flight which nowadays they don't even want you to do for "security reasons"; and (2) teach the old bat and her colleagues how it should be done. Then/if when the plane goes down, use her as a raft or stepping stone. Or better still, throw her from the plane to lighten the load. Sorry to say but old bags like that should have been put out to pasture LONG ago. My mother was a 'hostie' in the 60's, when image was important, credibility mattered and the fact then WAS (as it still is) the hostie's job was one of safety AND service. Then, when a hostie married, or became pregnant or reached 40, she was retired or turned to ground work. Being at 32000 feet DOES affect the brain and body so these old trollops who've been doing it for 30 years have literally been fried and should NOT be flying as they are NOT best prepared to add value in the case of an emergency OR provide value-add in service. And for the few good older hosties (and those screaming vicious evil bitter queens as well) who are still languishing around looking for their next tongue lashing victim at altitude, please take note - we don't like you, and your grievance is not our problem. So piss off and let us enjoy what we are paying to enjoy, least not suffer at your veiny wrinkled hand with no recourse in this day and age of political correct, wrap the idiot up in cotton wool, don't say boo nonsense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-81123154052723210632008-11-01T17:21:00.000-02:002008-11-01T17:21:00.000-02:00I'm a former USAirways flight attendant. One thing...I'm a former USAirways flight attendant. One thing flight crews always do when passing other crews (no matter which airline)is nod hello to each other. It's just an industry gesture of recognition that makes you feel at home wherever you might be in the world. However, American Airlines were notorious for rebuffing this and looking the other way when passing another flight crew. They became known as the "sky Nazi's". Sounds like they still live up to that reputation. I hope you wrote the airline about your experience (with specific flight number/date details) so the FA's can be appropriately reprimanded. The crews flying into these countries should have at least one spanish speaking FA to assist with those passengers whom do not speak English. That makes me as crazy as it did you!Baby Journeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09436903008516158372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-44984514465806471222008-09-21T19:22:00.000-03:002008-09-21T19:22:00.000-03:00wow...I had the exact same experience as you dave....wow...I had the exact same experience as you dave. it was the worst, and the service was the worst. and i could not believe the way passengers were treated because they did not speak english. It is embarrasing for other Americans. whats the deal with aa flight attendents treating people like crap because the whole world doesnt speak english?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-82466002759662827992008-09-14T02:10:00.000-03:002008-09-14T02:10:00.000-03:00unfreakingbelievable. assuming they're tourists, t...unfreakingbelievable. assuming they're tourists, tourists aren't required to speak whatever language just because they are going to the country where it's spoken. and she also doesn't know, whether they were going to reside in the u.s. or not, that they weren't making the effort to learn. i hate that arrogant attitude. how would she like it if she were to go visit a foreign country and were treated so rudely? oh wait, maybe her uncultured ass isn't interested stepping outside her bubble. those people are likely going to spend money in america, and bottom line-they were paying customers of AA and need to be treated well like everyone else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-50119317278707141592008-08-27T13:32:00.000-03:002008-08-27T13:32:00.000-03:00It's funny what you tell. Last month I had the opp...It's funny what you tell. Last month I had the opportunity to travel to from Buenos Aires to Dallas in an AA fly and I felt the same. I seemed as if the fly attendant wanted to make sure that only English speakers understood her. When the time for meal came she kept repeating "Chicken with riiice or beeeef with mashed potatoooes". And she said it so fast and in such a compelling way that I'm sure not everyone caught what she was saying.Agustínhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15864541022329421059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-67719846989580097632008-08-25T22:22:00.000-03:002008-08-25T22:22:00.000-03:00I haven't been back to the U.S. in over 2 years. ...I haven't been back to the U.S. in over 2 years. I am appalled at this behavior. I guess I don't have to explain politically correct anymore. It no longer exists. Neither does common courtesy according to your post. I hope this is not an example of how people now behave. Makes me glad to be living here. What a way to introduce people to the U.S.Deby N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02060759941888973582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-57407749971353782902008-08-19T23:29:00.000-03:002008-08-19T23:29:00.000-03:00this story makes me feel bad. i live in the US an...this story makes me feel bad. i live in the US and am going to BS AS relatively soon. i do not know much spanish and the little i know is very different than the spanish spoken there. i am very nervous about this and the fact that the US has earned such a horrible reputation for it's ignorance makes me fearful of insulting Argentine culture.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-25178404360492023842008-08-08T16:22:00.000-03:002008-08-08T16:22:00.000-03:00David--I just saw the post about your flight, albe...David--<BR/><BR/>I just saw the post about your flight, albeit a month or more late.<BR/><BR/>Last week I flew to Sao Paulo and back on Delta. The service was impeccable. Not only were they friendly, but there were multiple flight attendants that spoke Portuguese. And those who didn't were still polite and asked for assistance from those who did any time there was a communication problem.<BR/><BR/>I have always had great experiences with Delta. Also, I'm fortunate that I live in a part of the country where American doesn't fly, preventing me from even being tempted to try them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-64381480754200091182008-07-26T10:34:00.000-03:002008-07-26T10:34:00.000-03:00The whole situation is horrible. I fly to BsAs 2 t...The whole situation is horrible. I fly to BsAs 2 to 3 times a year out of NYC. I always fly Aerolineas Argentinas, for this very reason. I gave up on AA years ago.<BR/><BR/>As far as the flight attendants who have posted here complaining about how difficult the airline industry is and how rude customers are. I'm in the F&B industry and yes, people can be a**holes, but it's your job as a service sector employee to "get over it." Or, quit and find another job that you can handle with some modicum of civility for Christ sake.<BR/><BR/>I mean, really. I will never understand people who stay in situations that they despise (jobs, relationships, whatever). I've always been one for moving on. I've never been afraid of being called a "quitter." And I am a much happier person because of it. I cannot tell you how many jobs and people (family included) I've "walked away from." Life is far too short to be miserable!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-18491968686490014472008-07-14T21:22:00.000-03:002008-07-14T21:22:00.000-03:00I am glad to hear such a story about the rudest co...I am glad to hear such a story about the rudest company I've ever flown with.<BR/><BR/>I was flying with AA from Montreal to Buenos-Aires in 2000 (via NY-JFK). We were delayed in Montreal because of a snow storm, however the attendants kept being evasive and telling us we wouldn't miss the connection. When we arrived in JFK, we missed the flight and nobody could give us a hotel voucher... Only families with young children or old people were given one.<BR/><BR/>The return flight from BA to JFK was <B>canceled</B>. They called me a day ahead to tell me to take the next flight with Aerolinas Argentinas the following day to Miami and spend the night there. When I showed up at the airport, nobody knew where to ask for the "new" plane ticket. It was a mess from start to finish.<BR/><BR/>I wrote them a complaint, but never received a compensation.<BR/><BR/>I'll never fly with them again.<BR/><BR/>(Flew with TAM to Brazil this year, it was great).Nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00751224971730204089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-56700483325047043552008-07-13T04:13:00.000-03:002008-07-13T04:13:00.000-03:00I second the comment above...are you sure it was A...I second the comment above...<BR/><BR/>are you sure it was AA?? perhaps you choose this airline instead? *VBG*<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5cv7n6sNm8" REL="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5cv7n6sNm8</A>El Jurásicohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00687465721608163594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-14040474511905290042008-07-12T22:04:00.000-03:002008-07-12T22:04:00.000-03:00Hi Dave,I only had one experience traveling to Pan...Hi Dave,<BR/>I only had one experience traveling to Panama with American Airlines and I have to say, it was the first and the last (first time my husband was visiting Panama, where I am from). I promised myself not to travel with American Airlines anymore (I had always traveled Continental when I was living in Panama). By the way, I have already booked my flight to Panama for next year, with Continental Airlines of course. I don't mind paying extra. I will never fly AA anymore.<BR/><BR/>About your comment from the flight from BUE, how rude and insensitive to treat someone like that. That flight attendand should be fired, or at least put to work in the mail room. Seriously! <BR/><BR/>NSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-74910007947752730602008-07-12T21:37:00.000-03:002008-07-12T21:37:00.000-03:00It was with some hesitation after reading this pos...It was with some hesitation after reading this post that we flew down via Dallas on American last week. I do not know if you lowered our expectations but all in all it was a pleasant trip. (Or as pleasant as such a trip can be with a three year old.) I did hear flight attendants speaking some Spanish (if badly accented) and they were pretty frindly as well. Hope I run into them again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-76042494143611053072008-07-11T15:23:00.000-03:002008-07-11T15:23:00.000-03:00Dave,Oh that's OK then... I misunderstood by my f...Dave,<BR/><BR/>Oh that's OK then... I misunderstood by my first read that you just stood there in silence while the whole thing happened.<BR/><BR/>These kind of things (mistreating of anyone) gets on my nerves quickly and I often react (not very politely, usually).<BR/><BR/>Yet I understand that lately the lightest of arguments with the flight attendants can get you in trouble...<BR/><BR/>... as highlighted in very a very good parody in the movie "Anger Management".<BR/><BR/>FCNerd Progrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16328258490086439970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-68285610374797450042008-07-11T01:44:00.000-03:002008-07-11T01:44:00.000-03:00Fernando:I did complain to those in charge on the ...Fernando:<BR/><BR/>I did complain to those in charge on the plane and sent an email to corporate. <BR/><BR/>On the plane, I immediately called the flight attendants on what I had just heard. <BR/><BR/>The one who told the offending flight attendant to ignore the guy was on my side of the center isle. I asked her if I heard what I thought I heard from the other attendant. <BR/><BR/>Her reply was, "we are not required to speak spanish and the man was upset and yelling with her."<BR/><BR/>I told her I found their attitude unacceptable for all of the reasons I pointed out in my blog and that it was a good thing I was traveling with someone from AA corporate so I would know exactly who to write to make sure corporate was aware of how non-english speaking passengers were treated. <BR/><BR/>I sent an email to the top execs in charge of "customer experience" and the flight attendants. <BR/><BR/>I have not heard much from corporate other than to say sorry, give us another chance. <BR/><BR/>The reason why I won't fly AA again has is that attitude and service are so bad compared to my flights on Continental and Southwest. And AA usually charges the most. <BR/><BR/>This was just the straw that broke the camels back.Longhorn Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092022293080936270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-88282085655715684602008-07-10T22:51:00.000-03:002008-07-10T22:51:00.000-03:00Good post, but I have to wonder aloud: couldn't yo...Good post, but I have to wonder aloud: couldn't you do ANYTHING aboard the plane, say, politely telling the flight attendants that as an american you found those rude replies objectionable? or at least translate the options to the poor locals who didn't understand? that's what I'd have done.<BR/><BR/>Did you file a complaint at American when the plane landed, or just published this here on the blog?. <BR/><BR/>I'm saddened to say that I don't really think the Corporation really cares if you and your wife decide to use or not the company's services ... you flying or not flying won't make ANY difference to their bottom line.<BR/><BR/>You saying something aboard the plane, and then filing a complaint after landing -or, say, writing to the NYT-... would have had a much more positive effect than just staying silent, and much later venting here on your blog.<BR/><BR/>Just my $0.02<BR/>FC<BR/>PS: Your comment made me remember something Richard Stallman once <A HREF="http://www.stallman.org/articles/texas.html" REL="nofollow">said</A>... -no offense meant, I'm sure not all Texans are alike ;-)-.<BR/><BR/>PS2: Nice to hear your wife is OK.Nerd Progrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16328258490086439970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-69529790071958727152008-07-08T22:32:00.000-03:002008-07-08T22:32:00.000-03:00This comment has been removed by the author.My adventureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11218693077058627643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-88131622846844306662008-07-07T19:09:00.000-03:002008-07-07T19:09:00.000-03:00Hi Dave,As a Platinum AA client I understand your ...Hi Dave,<BR/>As a Platinum AA client I understand your pain. I frequently fly to Brazil and have seen the same stupid monolingual flight attendant shouting at portuguese and spanish speakers as to milk or sugar. Also the old attendants tend to be short tempered. AA needs to put in a language requirement for the Inernational flights if it wants to be a serious player. Interestingly I was bumped to a Continental flight back in March and the planes were newer and the service, sorry to say was much better. If Continental is close to the AA price, bye all means go with Continental. Also the Continental partner out of Panama "Copa," is cheap and has nice new planes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-80310009874578244472008-07-06T13:19:00.000-03:002008-07-06T13:19:00.000-03:00As a 23 year Flight Attendant for AA who regularly...As a 23 year Flight Attendant for AA who regularly works the Miami or New York to Buenos Aires flight, I too would like to apologize for your recent flight to Chicago out of Buenos Aires.<BR/> <BR/>Yes, flying is horrible for everyone. And yes, AA has cut the Chicago flight (highly coveted and well paid relatively speaking for Flight Attendants) which affects flight crews choice of trips, relative seniority, pay etc;and, yes, the airline business is a mess. <BR/><BR/>We AA Flight Attendants have not had any pay raises since 2003, and the airline is still losing money. AA is not offering more senior employees any serious "severance packages" so people feel stuck.<BR/><BR/>In addition, sometimes we only stay in BA for less than 12 hours before we are forced to fly back to the US. Thus, inadequate rest is a factor too often. The Chicago crews generally do layover for 32 hours so rest should not have been a factor for this crew on your flight so much, but I don't know the details. Sometimes, crews are reassigned on short notice to return to the US, and this always causes consternation among the ranks towards management.<BR/> <BR/>But all of this is no excuse for what happened on your flight, and as a 23 year Flight Attendant with AA who is a born and raised Gringo and who happens to speak fluent Spanish, I again would like to apologize for your recent experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149143459060182122.post-28963834822235513952008-07-06T11:15:00.000-03:002008-07-06T11:15:00.000-03:00I flew American for the first time in 1994 from Mi...I flew American for the first time in 1994 from Miami to New York...The cabin service was more than terrible. The male flight attendant passed by dropping ( or better throwing peanuts packs) and cans of soda drinks. Not even a fake smile in his face. Back from NY to Miami, I was waiting for the plane to arrive from Montreal or Toronto, and it was delayed. I always like to wacht the airport motion, the planes taking off and landing,so I was standing up beside the boarding area huge window...and a land emplyee barked at me asking to sit and wait.Of course I didn't sit down. And she insisted. And barked again: Sir DO YOU UNDERSTAND ENGLISH?...At that point I was a little bit annoyed and I said. ¿Qué dijo? <BR/>Thanks god, the plane arrived few minutes later.Julio Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487676536457957025noreply@blogger.com