Is America West, America's Worst?
Written: Mar 15 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Decent Food
Cons: Rude Service, Lots of Flight Delays and Maintenance Problems
The Bottom Line: Don't fly it if you want to be on time and have good service.
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| tke1081's Full Review: America West |
These days the airline industry in general is being overtaxed and most airlines are struggling to keep up with demand. This causes many delays, cancellations, etc. but one airline stands out as worse than the rest, at least in my experience. That airline is America West (AM). I fly probably 3 to 5 times a year or so and I have flown on most domestic US airlines like United, Alaska, TWA, Delta, Southwest, Continental, etc... I have had bad flying experiences with many different airlines, who hasn't, but my experiences with America West have been for the most part negative. Let me spin out a few examples of my bad experiences.
I was flying to Washington DC and I had to fly through Phoenix to Houston on the way on AM from Oakland. My flight was the first of the day out of Oakland. We had an hour delay getting out of Oakland because they couldn't get the engine started, the machine that helps start the engines was out for repair and the backup unit wasn't powerful enough! So they had to borrow one from another airline. When we finally got to Phoenix there was an hour delay sitting in the terminal. Then we finally get on the plane (which was sitting there all along). Now keep in mind it is July and we are sitting in a plane on the tarmac in Phoenix, its 110 degrees!!! We sit in the plane for 1.5 hours while they replace the radio antenna on the plane! Then we finally take off, about 2.5 hours late. From what I have heard America West doesn't have the best maintenance record.
On another trip to Phoenix I was leaving Seattle and the gate attendant was yelling at everyone to check his or her bags so the plane would leave on time. When not enough people cooperated she went around to people sitting in the terminal and got people's bags. Have things got this bad that airlines have to force people to check their bags!? Well I guess when they are never on time people don't want to let their bags out of their site. Anyway I didn't appreciate that rude demanding treatment. Our flight home to Seattle was delayed due to a problem with the bathroom. Sitting in the Phoenix Airport it was amusing to see that over half of the AM flights were delayed and many people were less happy with the counter people. Then on the plane there was a lot of trash in the magazine pocket in front of my seat. You think they would at least pick up the trash after the last flight?
Ok one positive for AM; there in-flight food is good for airline food.
Now I am not just basing my epinion on my experiences but also based out what I have heard from Taxi drivers at the Phoenix Airport (America West’s' Hub) and friend who live in Phoenix who have a lot more experience with AM. Also in a survey I saw in a magazine somewhere it listed AM with the most customer complaints. So there it is, not much more to say. I recommend you avoid flying America West if you want to get somewhere on time and have good service.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
tke1081
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Location: Seattle Area, Washington
Reviews written: 61
Trusted by: 19 members
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