I spend a lot of time on hold with airlines. Possibly close to half my life. That means I get to listen to lots of music — not the quality stuff I’d like to listen to, like the Biebs, but instead inane advertisements and chanting music.
I usually love airlines that have hold music and not advertisements, like US Airways, which advertises pet medication, minibars at low-end Mexico hotels, and their “anything but ordinary” onboard snack menu, with delicacies such as Chex Mix and almonds.
But of the airlines with hold music I think there are some that deserve a big pat on the back, and others that deserve a big kick in the a&@.
Let’s start on a positive note. My favorite airline for hold music must be Thai.
I totally feel like an 11 year old girl for liking this song given how cheesy it is, but damn, it’s mildly addicting and severely uplifting, especially after a two hour geography lesson phone call with MistyJoMarie at US Airways.
Then I also love ANA’s hold music, which is super-classy and relaxing.
Unfortunately that’s where the good hold music ends. On the other end of the spectrum you have Turkish.
They simply repeat “We are Turkish Airlines. We are globally yours.” Over. And over. And over. And over. And over. And over.
Maybe if they say it often enough we’ll believe it?
And then, my friends, there’s LOT. Words can’t do justice to how horrible their hold music is. Do yourself a favor and pick up your phone and call them. Have the agent put you on hold and enjoy the torture (and this doesn’t even begin to address the fact that the phone quality and training of the agents suggests that their call center is run out of the basement of a brothel in Bratislava). Can’t actually find the music online, though if anyone can find a link I’d be simultaneously delighted (so I can play it at night to scare off intruders) and horrified.
Did I miss any good/bad ones?
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