Things You Witness On A Mileage Run

When did you start drinking? You used to always get just Diet Coke with Lime, but you've been talking more and more about the beverages onboard lately.

A few months back out of JFK, the gate agent started boarding us too soon, and we were all huddled in the jetway for about 5 minutes before we could get on the plane.

The best part was the flight attendant coming out and letting us know how "unprofessional" it was of the gate agent to do that.

Um, really?

When the passenger received the "disturbance" report, is it something he had to sign? I'm just wondering could he rip it up in front of the FA or say Fuck You as he deplaned and throw it in their face. I think that's what I would do, once safely on the ground.

@ George B -- I usually don't aside from international flight, but coffee flavored alcohol is too good to resist.

Well, if United, American and Alaska copy Delta , you won't be doing a mileage run ever pretty soon... 😉

@ Brian -- Yep, he had to sign it. Which just seemed really odd, because what if he refused? Would he be issued another one?

Contract Enforcement Team. Perfect example of why service on domestic airlines is what it is.

yeah, so what happens if the passenger refuses to sign it? does anyone know?

air hostesses: providing surly service since 1930

funny about the LAX go around. i was at the VX lounge a couple months back watching take offs and landings on 24L and 24R, respectively.

suddenly a WN flight touched down on 24L and at first i thought i was seeing things but then looked over to the guy sitting next to me and he was dumbstruck too. wonder if it was a last min tower decision or pilot error or what?

Mileage runs will become even less fun when this: http://www.theonion.com/articles/american-airlines-to-phase-out-complimentary-cabin,35367/ happens.

Yes, I know that it is a satire website with "fake" news. Or is it?

Lucky - I'm pumped to say that your favorite Vodka is from my hometown of Bend, Oregon! I'm glad you approve!

@Lantean

Nothing happens if a passenger refuses to sign a document given to him by the airline. This has nothing whatsoever to do with the FAA - I really wish people would stop pinning things to the FAA all the time. This is some sort of document generated by the airline, and the only thing the airline could do is ban the passenger.

I certainly would not sign it and I would report the employee.

just fyi regarding "Contract Enforcement Team to the rescue!"

not having all FAs to board the plane is an FAA violation. has nothing to do with their actual contract.
what if there is a fire? FAs are there to run the evacuation. doesnt matter if its during boarding or during the flight 😉

I have to agree on the food on alaska airlines, those carrot sticks and hummus don't cut it in first class on the sea/san flight.

About the go around, it's great that the FA came right on and explained what was happening. When you understand it, it's no big deal, but the first time it can be quite disturbing to be descending rapidly and then suddenly be ascending rapidly.
Although, we had a go around in MDW during the one day with semi-decent weather around new years between two several day periods of horrible, airport closed kind of weather, and I had a serious sinking feeling. Something like, "please god, just let this plane safely land so that I can go home and go to bed!". Irrational visions of being diverted somewhere else and not getting home for days were plaguing me.

On the disturbance report, I would have accepted it and informed the FA that I would consider signing it once I've had my attorney review it.

On the A321, the crews are certified but the airline is not because it hasn’t operated the A/C for long enough. AA had the same issue with the B777 when they first got it, even though the model was 4 years old at the time.

Well, can readers start suggesting routes for you to fly so you can book them (maybe on miles)? I know you want to go on less of them, but Lucky, looks like you still have a long life ahead of you.

Okay, now that some other weird things had been covered by prior comments, what the heck was up with an FA in slippers and not in uniform?

I enjoy your blog more when you're not worrying about who might get in trouble because of what you're writing. Some of those crew actions are begging for full disclosure. Come on!

@Lucky: Which airline was handing out tongue lashings and written violations to passengers for trying to get out of their seat during the pilot potty break?

@ Dax -- That was on American.

I too am curious about the disturbance report (I've no idea why anyone would sign such a thing). How was it presented to the passenger? Like "if you don't sign this you'll be greeted by law enforcement on landing?" (Which would be totally unwarranted for the circumstances.) Did the passenger offer any resistance? Personally I'd have just ignored the FA and walked off the plane as usual on landing.

@ Claire -- The flight attendant went up to the passenger and said "you're Mr. ____, right?" When he said he was he said "here, sign this."

So what are the consequences of signing the report? And what happens if you refuse to sign it or dispute its content???

@ Ivan Y -- Not 100% sure, but believe it's basically just a "warning." You probably *would* have issues if you didn't sign it, though.

I too was on an Alaska flight last week and heard the same claim that they have over 170 airline partners world wide. I've heard you (and others) refer to Alaska as the slut of the skies because they'll partner with anyone, but I had no idea just how far that sluttiness had gone! We must have had the same flight crew or even been on the same flight but I can't remember which it was.

If you have a soft spot for coffee infused booze you need to try Firelit Coffee Liqueur from St. George Distillery. It's tough to find outside of the Bay Area but last time I checked they had it at the BevMo in Downtown Bellevue. It's a little slice of heaven.