Uneventful flight, on time and no issues
Written: Mar 01 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good prices, on time and nice customer service.
Cons: Online system wouldn't update with the phone agent changes.
The Bottom Line: Nice airline for a quick trip for inexpensive.
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| dvlish's Full Review: Alaska Airlines |
I recently flew Alaska Airlines for the first time from Long Beach, CA to Seattle, WA. This was somewhat of a last minute trip booked with about 3-4 weeks notice. It was booked online and chosen because it was the least expensive and the only flight I could find from Long Beach which I prefer as it is 5 minutes from my house.
Anyone who has flown in or out of Long Beach can tell you that it is quick and painless. A tiny little airport I highly recommend it as an alternative to LAX or Orange County if you are close by.
I had already checked in online and printed my boarding pass from work. My husband dropped me off and I walked right in. I waited just a few minutes as the agent was helping a large family who was in dis-arey after returning from a cruise with what looked like 3-4 generations of folks.
Once it was my turn I showed my boarding pass and ID and handed over my bag. I was directed to my gate and headed to security. I was traveling with a laptop and video camera which both need special treatment. Add that to having to take off your shoes and have your liquid stuff in a baggie and all that and I was a sight geting through security.
Once in, I sat in the waiting area to wait for the boarding. I was hoping to not be anywhere near the family of 50...of course I couldn't be so lucky.
Our aircraft arrived and was quickly cleaned so we could begin boarding. I was in the back so I walked up the back steps to find that I was one row in front of the 5 rows of the cruisin' family extrodinair...oh yippie!
Unfortunately I had a window seat (I prefer aisle) but it was better than being stuck in the middle. There was no one between myself and the lady on the aisle. I was able to find room in the overhead for my carry on and take my seat with my laptop, book and magazine.
The row size is average and compares to just about all other domestic carriers. Not so small that I hit my knees on the seat in front of me (I'm 5'9") but not so much space that I could stretch out to keep my hips from falling asleep at least once.
We were on a plane painted with Disney stuff and the music while we boarded was all Disney movie theme songs...nice touch. I snuck in to the restroom before take off and it was clean for an airplane bathroom. It also smelled fine which is rare.
The flight attendants where friendly and had fun senses of humor. They teased and told jokes over the PA when they did their shpeal. One of them even sang a bit of one of the tunes which was funny. They quickly got everyone situated and seated so that they could get the doors closed and we actually took off about 10 minutes early (unheard of in most of my travels).
The take of was fine and the flight was uneventful, minus the screaming, misbehaved children behind me. I read a magazine and then a book and worked a bit on the computer during my 2 hour flight to Seattle.
The weather in Seatlle wasn't great so the landing was a bit bumpy, but I have been on worse. Once we arrived the deboarding was as quick as they usually are...nto very. I followed the signs to baggage claim and waited for my bag. That took about 15 minutes which was about normal and then I was off to the info booth to find my way to the shuttle. I was directed to the ticket counter for the downtown express and paid my $17 for a round trip ticket to my hotel downtown.
After my 2 nights in Seattle I used the hotel computer to check in and print my boarding pass for my return. I then went to my room and called the airline to see about going standby on an earlier flight. The phone agent was very polite and told me that my preferred flght was about 15% open and that I had a good chance. She told me I could have requested to be put on the list online but now that I was checked in I needed to go to the airport. She said I could try it online but if not then to arrive 90 minutes early and let the ticket agent know I would like to go early.
The online system wouldn't let me make the change and told me to call customer service which I did. I called back and explained the problem and asked the agent if she could un-check me in. She said she could and I waited a minute. She then told me to go back online and select go on an earlier flight and I should be all set. She told me to call back if it didn't work. It didn't work...I noticed that the web stie had an online chat feature so I gave that a try. The online agent told me that a reservation could not be un checked in and that I would need to get on the list at the airport. I thanked her and logged off and then called them back.
The new phone agent confirmed that his end showed I was not checked in and he couldn't figure out why I couldn't change to standby online. He told me that there were 20 seats available and that only 2 people were on the list and that my chances were really good. He said I didn't need to be on the list and that I could just go to the airport and be fine. Since I was on the phone he asked if I wanted to wait while he looked into why the online system wasn't showing the updated status. I told him that was fine and he put me on hold for about 1 minute while he looked into it. He came back on to tell me that he and his supervisor couldn't figure it out, but that I should be fine just going to the airport. I thanked him for trying and tried the online thing one more time and nothing...oh well.
I will just go to the airport tomorrow and see how it goes. Overall I have had a great experience with Alaska Airlines and will fly them again.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dvlish
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Reviews written: 68
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me:
Married. Live in the Long Beach, CA area...
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