Aids HIV FAQ

American tosses pillows off most domestic flights

Question:

> Yup.  But that’s SERVED, not provided.  If the crew is willing to > serve you your own, no problem.

That is 100% correct. It is up to the crew. And the three times I’ve done this in the past year (twice AA FC, the other VS UC) the FA has checked with the Purser/Head FA. If it needs either chilling or opening, I give the bottle to an FA as I board. 13 Dec 2003 AA FC LGW-RDU Chateau d’Yquem 1990 http://www.airlinemeals.net/images/meals/americanairlines164.jpg I can assure you that no airline on the planet provides Chateau d’Yquem 1990 on its wine list! 14 Dec 2003 AA FC RDU-LGW Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 1997 http://www.airlinemeals.net/images/meals/americanairlines151.jpg 8 Oct 2004 VS UC LHR-IAD Chateau Suduiraut 1997 http://www.bloodboil.com/images/img_2559.jpg In this VS picture, they even provided me with the corkscrew to open it myself. Cheers, Howard

Response:

| |> Yup.  But that’s SERVED, not provided.  If the crew is willing to |> serve you your own, no problem. | |That is 100% correct. It is up to the crew. And the three times I’ve done |this in the past year (twice AA FC, the other VS UC) the FA has checked with |the Purser/Head FA. | |If it needs either chilling or opening, I give the bottle to an FA as I |board. | |13 Dec 2003 AA FC LGW-RDU Chateau d’Yquem 1990 |http://www.airlinemeals.net/images/meals/americanairlines164.jpg |I can assure you that no airline on the planet provides Chateau d’Yquem 1990 |on its wine list! | |14 Dec 2003 AA FC RDU-LGW Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 1997 |http://www.airlinemeals.net/images/meals/americanairlines151.jpg | |8 Oct 2004 VS UC LHR-IAD Chateau Suduiraut 1997 |http://www.bloodboil.com/images/img_2559.jpg |In this VS picture, they even provided me with the corkscrew to open it |myself. | |Cheers, Howard | Hi Howard Need a travelling companion? You supply the tix, I’ll supply the Penfold’s Bin 707 or St Henri:-) I must admit, I didn’t have the courage to ask them to open my bottles, I always opened them in the hotel and loosely re-corked. Cheers, Alan

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re: pillows/blankets: how to solve that costly frill problem Approx 50 years ago, for the first and last time, i purchased a greenish, lite "blanket," and vat a bargain it wasn’t I bought something (apparently it was in a marked-down package)  that subsequently was found to be approximately one-fourth linty-clinging fragmentary material And so to this day when i think of obtaining a blanket, as per airline ideas here, a nauseating semi-hilarious memory cell  flashes lintly

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> when a flight comes to the UK from america, during the turnaround >> blankets >> from the inbound flight are just refolded and reused.  Any that are >> missing, >> new ones are taken out of the plastic bags and folded so passengers dont >> know the difference with the rest.  Is this the same with other >> international flights with all american airlines or just tot eh UK. >Qantas to/from the US, the blankets come in sealed plastic bags. >ant

They do on most U.S. carriers’ international flights too, and they are not the same blankets as on the domestic flights. Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I thought that was standard on most airlines, apparently not US ones. > –==++AJC++==–

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yup.  But that’s SERVED, not provided.  If the crew is willing to > serve you your own, no problem. >That is 100% correct. It is up to the crew. And the three times I’ve done >this in the past year (twice AA FC, the other VS UC) the FA has checked with >the Purser/Head FA. >If it needs either chilling or opening, I give the bottle to an FA as I >board. >13 Dec 2003 AA FC LGW-RDU Chateau d’Yquem 1990 >http://www.airlinemeals.net/images/meals/americanairlines164.jpg >I can assure you that no airline on the planet provides Chateau d’Yquem 1990 >on its wine list! >14 Dec 2003 AA FC RDU-LGW Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 1997 >http://www.airlinemeals.net/images/meals/americanairlines151.jpg >8 Oct 2004 VS UC LHR-IAD Chateau Suduiraut 1997 >http://www.bloodboil.com/images/img_2559.jpg >In this VS picture, they even provided me with the corkscrew to open it >myself. >Cheers, Howard

Sigh, but that plastic cutlery just ruins everything:-) –==++AJC++==–

Response:

The blankets in most hotel bed are reused…  sheets are changed but not necessarily blankets or spreads.

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All the stuff that airlines like Southwest got rid of long ago or never even had.  No meals. No entertainement (other than the occassionally funny crew).  And they are one of the country’s most successful carriers.

Response:

> when a flight comes to the UK from america, during the turnaround blankets > from the inbound flight are just refolded and reused.

Next time you’re on such a flight, pay attention to the way they collect blankets after a flight and what sort of container they put in in. Consider how much time it would take for a crew to fold 300 blankets neatly. Blankets are most likely taken out and "procecessed", and different blankets brought in, pre-folded and looking "new".  What that "processed" really means is the question. Could be just some machine that folds the blankets automatically with a bit of steam to press it into shape, could be dry cleaning, could be a lot of things.

Response:

>on > >One bottle of wine, pre-opened so I didn’t need a corkscrew (even >with > >SSSS checks, it never seemed to occur to them what a nice weapon a > >broken bottle would have been). > I’m sure I’ve read in the rules that most airlines prohibit you > consuming alcohol on board, except for that served by them. >It’s an FAA reg.  Only alcohol served by the aircraft operator (the >airline) can be consumed.

Yup.  But that’s SERVED, not provided.  If the crew is willing to serve you your own, no problem. Malc.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > | > | > |> You get what you pay for. > | > |Heh. You in the US don’t, and aren’t. > | > |ant > | > You left an "A" off mate. I’m in AUS. And you sure don’t get any more > than you pay for on Jetstar, Virgin and FreedomAir. > But you do get where you’re going safely and cheaply.

Flights in the US cost approximately what they do in Australia, and you get a lot less service, and what you get during the flight is pitiful. You don’t get what you pay for in the US, at all. ant

Response:

> when a flight comes to the UK from america, during the turnaround blankets > from the inbound flight are just refolded and reused.  Any that are > missing, > new ones are taken out of the plastic bags and folded so passengers dont > know the difference with the rest.  Is this the same with other > international flights with all american airlines or just tot eh UK.

Qantas to/from the US, the blankets come in sealed plastic bags. ant

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> when a flight comes to the UK from america, during the turnaround blankets > from the inbound flight are just refolded and reused.  Any that are > missing, > new ones are taken out of the plastic bags and folded so passengers dont > know the difference with the rest.  Is this the same with other > international flights with all american airlines or just tot eh UK. >Qantas to/from the US, the blankets come in sealed plastic bags. >ant

I thought that was standard on most airlines, apparently not US ones. –==++AJC++==–

Response:

>> One bottle of wine, pre-opened so I didn’t need a corkscrew (even with > SSSS checks, it never seemed to occur to them what a nice weapon a > broken bottle would have been). > I’m sure I’ve read in the rules that most airlines prohibit you > consuming alcohol on board, except for that served by them.

They are usually willing to serve you your own alcohol. miguel — Hit The Road! Photos from 35 countries on 5 continents: http://travel.u.nu

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > |>One bottle of wine, pre-opened so I didn’t need a corkscrew (even with > |>SSSS checks, it never seemed to occur to them what a nice weapon a > |>broken bottle would have been). > | > |I’m sure I’ve read in the rules that most airlines prohibit you > |consuming alcohol on board, except for that served by them. > No argument, you’re probably right. However, the only airline steward > who ever challenged me on it was on Virgin Blue, back home.

The only time I ever took my own on board was on Egyptair. They were mini spirit bottles which I discreetly mixed with soft drinks. — David Horne- www.davidhorne.net usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk

Response:

on >One bottle of wine, pre-opened so I didn’t need a corkscrew (even with >SSSS checks, it never seemed to occur to them what a nice weapon a >broken bottle would have been). > I’m sure I’ve read in the rules that most airlines prohibit you > consuming alcohol on board, except for that served by them.

It’s an FAA reg.  Only alcohol served by the aircraft operator (the airline) can be consumed.

Response:

If its an issue for you bring your own. Keith —-== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==—- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups —-= East and West-Coast Server Farms – Total Privacy via Encryption =—-

Response:

when a flight comes to the UK from america, during the turnaround blankets from the inbound flight are just refolded and reused.  Any that are missing, new ones are taken out of the plastic bags and folded so passengers dont know the difference with the rest.  Is this the same with other international flights with all american airlines or just tot eh UK. I’m sure all sorts of things happen to the blankets during the inbound flight, i just feel cheated that i have to use a blanket thats been used by someone else and not been told about it.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> American tosses pillows off most domestic flights > By Marilyn Adams, USA TODAY > Flying is about to get a bit harder. Literally. > Airline pillows are soon coming off most of American Airlines’ > domestic flights to cut costs. > Estimated savings: $375,000 a year. > The world’s largest airline, American said Tuesday that pillows will > be removed from first-class and coach cabins on all domestic flights > except transcontinental trips and flights to Hawaii starting Feb. 15. > Pillows will disappear from all Boeing 737s and 757s and Airbus A300s, > spokesman Tim Wagner says. > International flights will not be affected. > American, which averted a bankruptcy-reorganization filing in 2003, > lost $761 million last year. The new pillow policy was first reported > by the Dallas Morning News. > American pulled pillows from its MD-80 fleet in November to save > $300,000 a year, then decided to widen the action. It costs money to > replace pillows when they get soiled. > "We had some resistance from customers initially, but complaints > dropped off," Wagner says. > Blankets will remain on all flights to keep passengers warm when > cabins get cold. They can serve as pillows if necessary, he said. > American is hoping most passengers won’t care that pillows are gone. > "I have never used pillows on American or any other carrier," says > James Espy, president of a Christopher, Ill.-based company that makes > Christmas decorations. "Have you looked at these specimens? How often > are they cleaned?" > But not all passengers will bid farewell to pillows lightly. > Dallas-based flier Kathy Anthon has back trouble and already misses > pillows on her American MD80 flights. > "I hate to have to bring one with me, but a rolled-up blanket just > doesn’t work as well," says Anthon, who works for Iwatsu, the phone > system maker. > Business flier Tom Taylor of Lansing, Mich., uses pillows to add > cushion to rock-hard airplane seats. > "Two of them on the seat makes it a bit more comfortable," Taylor > says. > Washington-based frequent flier David Blanchard says he’ll never > substitute a blanket for a pillow because airplane blankets collect > germs, too. > "I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people wrap their feet in > them," he says. > American isn’t the only big airline making pillows scarce. > Starting last week, Delta Air Lines moved pillows to the back of all > planes on flights from its Atlanta home base to speed up boarding and > improve on-time performance. Pillows take up valuable space in > overhead compartments, where carry-on bags need to go, Delta says. > Delta passengers will have to ask a flight attendant for a pillow. > http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-02-08-pillows-usat_x.htm

Response:

>One bottle of wine, pre-opened so I didn’t need a corkscrew (even with >SSSS checks, it never seemed to occur to them what a nice weapon a >broken bottle would have been).

I’m sure I’ve read in the rules that most airlines prohibit you consuming alcohol on board, except for that served by them. — Roland Perry

Response:

|>One bottle of wine, pre-opened so I didn’t need a corkscrew (even with |>SSSS checks, it never seemed to occur to them what a nice weapon a |>broken bottle would have been). | |I’m sure I’ve read in the rules that most airlines prohibit you |consuming alcohol on board, except for that served by them. No argument, you’re probably right. However, the only airline steward who ever challenged me on it was on Virgin Blue, back home. In ‘03 I drank the wine I took on board on six AA flights, Air Nostrum, and Aer Lingus. All of the stewards were aware of it, none objected. There was no need to on Qantas, Iberian or BA as they all supplied it free anyway. I took my own salads on most (as a diabetic), but the food provided on Qantas and BA was adequate and Iberian was excellent (the only good thing I can say about them:-) Cheers, Alan

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> You get what you pay for.

Heh. You in the US don’t, and aren’t. ant

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|

| |> You get what you pay for. | |Heh. You in the US don’t, and aren’t. | |ant | You left an "A" off mate. I’m in AUS. And you sure don’t get any more than you pay for on Jetstar, Virgin and FreedomAir. But you do get where you’re going safely and cheaply. Cheers, Alan

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->The solution: bring your own pillow.  Or use an extra shirt or sweater >for the same purpose. >W : ) > Gee, let’s see.  First they cut back on the onboard entertainment and reading > material and other amenities they had before like playing cards etc.  So we have > to bring our home libraries and entertainment centers with us.  Next they > stopped serving meals so we have to lug around our meals with us through untold > number of airport terminals and concourses during tight connections.  Then they > take out the pillows so now we have to bring them from home too.  Soon the > blankets will be gone also, of course, so we will have to bring our comforters > from home too.  And all this has to fit within the limited space of our > restricted carryon???

Are you saying you actually use the airline pillows?  I’ve seen them under peoples bare feet, under peoples asses, and a few other places.  Not to mention under some peoples heads, and you don’t know what they may have to pass along to the next person.

Response:

| |>The solution: bring your own pillow.  Or use an extra shirt or sweater |>for the same purpose. |> |> |>W : ) | |Gee, let’s see.  First they cut back on the onboard entertainment and reading |material and other amenities they had before like playing cards etc.  So we have |to bring our home libraries and entertainment centers with us.  Next they |stopped serving meals so we have to lug around our meals with us through untold |number of airport terminals and concourses during tight connections.  Then they |take out the pillows so now we have to bring them from home too.  Soon the |blankets will be gone also, of course, so we will have to bring our comforters |from home too.  And all this has to fit within the limited space of our |restricted carryon??? Gee, life is tough… I have one major requirement with any airline I travel with: I walk away from the landing without needing assistance. One thing I learnt early from my pilot friends when I was in the service – any landing you walk away from is a good landing. A secondary, but also important requirement is: The landing is in the place I intended at the time I intended. A tertiary requirement is: The flight and the seating were reasonably comfortable. The rest are frills that I would love to have but come far behind the first two. So, in my little collapsible twin-compartment cooler I took: A pre packed Ham or chicken salad for myself and my wife (Never, ever, ever, order a diabetic meal in advance – better to select from whatever’s going). Most airports will sell you a packed Caesar salad or similar. One bottle of wine, pre-opened so I didn’t need a corkscrew (even with SSSS checks, it never seemed to occur to them what a nice weapon a broken bottle would have been). Two blow-up plastic pillows. Plastic cutlery. One small wineglass (same logic as the bottle:-) Various medications. A paperback book or two. A large bottle of water. Two cans of diet soda. And various other little knick-nacks, band-aids, face towelettes etc for comfort, including some spare headsets from the first flight on the trip. All in the space of a 30cm (1′) cube, with a couple of freezer bricks in it to keep things cool. I’ll always cherish the memory of a voice floating forward to us, on the AA flight from JFK to STT as we unpacked our salads and I poured the wine, as the AA stewards dispensed coke and peanuts: "Stewardess, could I have what they are having please?" A little personal preparation can pay very large dividends in terms of comfort. You get what you pay for. Cheers, Alan

Response:

re: good riddance to the notorious pillow frill of that decadent airline (apparently thanks to a bad decision made by chairperson by r.c. smith, circa 1950s) and so, here’s other shrewd, adaptive measures prompted by the truly wise airline company’s profound economic decision: 10. Eliminate that outrageous cotton in medicine & vitamin plastic bottles 9. Save Trees: Telephone directories should utilize smaller type & thinner onion skin paper 8. Ban Sunday NY TIMES’ "The Week In Review," because that’s history, schnook 7. SUVs should not slow/stop at yellow stop-lights in order to save gasolene to guzzle 6. Step on used gum on sidewalk to seal soles against inevitable dog & cat shite 5. Two Wasteful Words: Porch Lights 4.  Ban neck ties, because bow ties use-up less luxury decorative cloth 3.  Three or four MORE car commercials during the local 11pm tv newscasts, instead of the only three or four in-a-row now (an "economiies of boredumb scale" or sumthin measure) 2. Instead of that supercillious prolonged, "welcome to walmart," why not just an "hey" 1. Eliminate that excessive, "thank you for flying American," because w/o a fresh pillow cushioning one’s head on window, one may not hear of the sincere gratitude because of nerves jangled from that  damne airplane vibration

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The solution: bring your own pillow.  Or use an extra shirt or sweater for the same purpose. W : )

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