I’m learning all of the little quirks of flying American, and it’s certainly an adjustment when you’re frequenting a carrier you aren’t used to. Even just having different food options in your home airport is strange, at DCA though American and United share a pier but my DCA departures have tended to be on US Airways where there’s a Five Guys Burgers, something I miss flying American. There aren’t any good food options airside. And the airport desperately needs better coffee post-security than the Dunkin Donuts that’s a standalone kiosk near the gates without the ability to offer full service preparation. A Starbucks would be really, really great — and not just upstairs by ticketing, at least until the TSA declares an end to the War on Liquids.
But there are two things that I’ve been pondering about American this morning, things that should be easy fixes, at least assuming that strange to me actually means that they should be fixed, i.e. that there’s something actually wrong other than my expectations. Though I think that there is.
- Why can’t American consistently offer pre-departure beverages in domestic first class? No effort at beverages on four of my past six segments in the past two weeks.
- Why do American’s hot towels frequent have a mildewy smell? Three of six segments in the past two weeks. Surely someone knows about this and can fix it, because a musty odor on my hands after using a hot towel is not desirable and so I’ll just start declining the towels going forward.
What other strange things should I expect to encounter on my trAAvels as I fly American more?
Surly first class FA’s, bad food and ancient equipment
I actually prefer the food court on the AA/UA finger at DCA. Less crowded, better seating, and they have a Potbelly sandwich store.
I have almost never received a PDB on AA. I think it’s because their FA union is trying to screw them.
@Michael – Gary said easy fixes. Ancient aircraft is prob a difficult switch.
@Gary – I hear ya, though I do prefer Dunkin over Starbucks (because I prefer my coffee to not be burnt).
As a non-local to the DCA region I’m happy with the Potbelly option for a bite to eat. I usually buy a jar of the pepper spread to bring home too.
I’ve never noticed a mildew smell on any of my hand towels.
More important is to fix the layout of security at DCA
(expansion planned and built before 2001)
That would help everyone.
Pre-departures have always been hit or miss on AA in my experience. Delta on the other hand almost always gets it done, even on the MD-80s with customers trouncing through the F cabin.
On the good side, I find the Admirals Club folks to be better equipped and empowered to fix problems than any other attendants in the domestic lounges. Most issues that require calling the 800 number will also be resolved at first point of contact.
Let AA know about the pre-departure beverages. It’s the only way it will ever get fixed.
While I don’t work for AA, at least you can be assured that the mildewy smell isn’t from another person using it. A flight attendant told me that the hot towels are a one-time use towel that is discarded after collection. I’m guessing that’s why they’re almost paper thin.
@Jim I guess I’m not keen on Potbelly because there’s one in my office building. Plus the bread, toasted, cuts into the roof of my mouth…
Im almost glad there’s no 5 guys in the aa terminal. Nothing worse than rushing onto a flight and having the smell of French fries wafting over from your seatmate.
1. As far as food options at DCA, it reminds me that U.S. airports are mostly dumps, especially at our nation’s capital, so no surprise there. As an American, I find it embarrassing that visitors are subjected to such crappy facilities.
2. American is a horrible airline all around: hard product, soft product, staff. Unfortunately, the other legacies are not much better, or even worse. The only benefit to domestic FC is leg room, and even that is getting marginalized.
AA all the wAAy
I have been with AA since the TWA BK…
1. PDB have always been hit or miss (never missed on TWA)
2. I have never noticed a mildew smell on the hot towels… now I have to start paying attention.
3. While some FA’s in F can be surly as Michael stated, the majority I have experienced recognize my EXP status and treat me well…
southwest business select is the way to go, bags fly free too
@Gary, they key is to eat at Potbelly so often that you get a callous on the roof of your mouth and it stops hurting. No pain, no gain.
What flights are you missing PDBs on? What time of day/duration flights?
Gary I’m switching as well and looking forward to comparing notes. Out of my little airport of SAV we have three flights per day, 2 to DFW and one to MIA. Let’s hope we made the right decision
@NYBanker LAX-DFW evening, DCA-MIA morning, LAX-ORD morning, etc — I see no real pattern.
Just flew on AA international in first/business and had exactly the same problem with stinking hot towels. My hands smelled bad after using them. It took using 2 different hand sanitizers 3 times to reduce the smell.
As an EXP, I would say to expect routine, trouble-free complimentary upgrades, systemwide transferrable upgrades (save these for international flights, plenty of carry-on storage space (no assistance storing bags though), gift them to others if get close to expiring), free checked baggage, routinely overlooked overweight baggage (particularly interntionally, particularly with partner airlines), zero or very short hold times on EXP phone service. With Platinum, these are less routine but especially upgrades (which are not complimentary).
I recommend shelling out for an Admiral’s Club membership where you’ll get the most accommodating service and assistance when needed; most clubs have showers for those international flights.
I agree with Michael on the surly 1st class FAs, that is also routine these days even on long haul (LAX-HNL on 12/21/11, for example). On the morning flights the steel cut oatmeal is my current favorite airplane food hands down – always disappointing when they don’t have it.
P.S. I’m AA Platinum for Life with 2.15M lifetime miles on AA and another 800k on all other airlines combined.
That should say:
complimentary systemwide transferrable upgrades (save these for international flights (gift them to others if get close to expiring), plenty of carry-on storage space (no assistance storing bags though),
It isn’t just domestic first where AA has inconsistent pre-departure beverage service. I noted the same inconsistency on my current trip with 6 AA international business flights – not all of them had pre-departure drinks, and the drinks offered varied a bit for no obvious reason (route, departure time and flight lengths being similar).
I like the Pot Belly best $1.15 choc-chip oatmeal cookies, but a 5 guys would be better than fundruckers. can’t you just wait for that AA F Fine Dining?????
And the PDB would be nice
Don’t expect the purser to recognize you for your loyalty (elite level), introducing him/herself to you. Or for the onboard staff to be managed by anyone. And only rarely they will call you by your name.