Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspective

SpiceWeasel

SpiceWeasel

Tre Kronor
"jumpseated" and got a seat in the back of COAxxxx SNA --> IAH (2:50 PM dep).....

The Flight Crew were very nice, both happy to have me on board and happy I checked in (considering I was assigned a seat at the gate even though I Offline Jumped).... The flight attendants, all were VERY pleasant.... I got an exit row so in theory I had more room except some humongous dude sat to my right and some guy sat on my left. Even though this is a "new" airplane (737-700), they go a bit old school with the in flight amenities.... overhead screens that pop down from the bin area rather than seatback screens. Most impressive, a FREE meal?!?! WTF, I thought airlines were cheap mofos these days.

Also, as an aside, can anyone who flew Continental prior to mid-February tell me if they had the Q400 in their in flight mag? I suspect they dropped it from the mag to keep a low profile.

Anyways, if Calcapt reads this, I just want to say that even though I've heard that you guys are having "issues" with your management, you all did a very professional job. Most pleasant FAs and pilots on a mainline carrier I've dealt with since Dec 07. (oh and a bonus, their FAs are good looking.... a far cry from the Pinnacle "Simply the Best" standard of the 3Gs).
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

I haven't been on a CAL flight in a while, but the Q was never on that page where they showcase their a/c. The Q was given a one-page (I think) write-up in the Magazine the first couple of months on the line.

FAs on mainline are hit or miss, IMHO. I've had some great ones and some who were an embarrassment both in how they behaved and looked.
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

cencal83406 said:
"jumpseated" and got a seat in the back of COAxxxx SNA --> IAH (2:50 PM dep).....

The Flight Crew were very nice, both happy to have me on board and happy I checked in (considering I was assigned a seat at the gate even though I Offline Jumped).... The flight attendants, all were VERY pleasant.... I got an exit row so in theory I had more room except some humongous dude sat to my right and some guy sat on my left. Even though this is a "new" airplane (737-700), they go a bit old school with the in flight amenities.... overhead screens that pop down from the bin area rather than seatback screens. Most impressive, a FREE meal?!?! WTF, I thought airlines were cheap mofos these days.

Also, as an aside, can anyone who flew Continental prior to mid-February tell me if they had the Q400 in their in flight mag? I suspect they dropped it from the mag to keep a low profile.

Anyways, if Calcapt reads this, I just want to say that even though I've heard that you guys are having "issues" with your management, you all did a very professional job. Most pleasant FAs and pilots on a mainline carrier I've dealt with since Dec 07. (oh and a bonus, their FAs are good looking.... a far cry from the Pinnacle "Simply the Best" standard of the 3Gs).
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I am glad you had a good experience on Continental. The free food has been popular and I don't think there are any plans to take it away. Our "issues" are nothing more than negotiating a new contract with management and the games that go along with doing that. For the most part, everybody seems to get along and from my perspective, it is a pretty decent place to work. You are always welcome on my jumpseat, and to a first class seat if one is available. :)

Not sure on the Q400 question. :confused:
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

Qgar said:
FAs on mainline are hit or miss, IMHO. I've had some great ones and some who were an embarrassment both in how they behaved and looked.
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I guess I got lucky then. :) Not bad for being 3 hours late to ATL because Delta was full to the brim and a Skywester was on the jumpseat.

And Re: the Q.... just figured I'd ask, since I know that Delta puts the SAAB in its mag. Looks pretty gnarly in the Delta colors though.
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

Man this place is turning into anet's trip reports forum. First DPA and now you.



Just giving you crap. And no, no CO connection airplane has been on that page. I guess passengers might be afraid that they will get on an airplane with those big spinny things.
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

OldTownPilot said:
Man this place is turning into anet's trip reports forum. First DPA and now you.



Just giving you crap. And no, no CO connection airplane has been on that page. I guess passengers might be afraid that they will get on an airplane with those big spinny things.
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This is another thing you might answer.... Do they use "Connection" for the non-jet operations? It would seem so....
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

BTW, Rex, you know I have to challange you on the 3G reference related to "grannies". Aside from the fact that you don't find them attractive, are they unprofessional (for the most part)? I'm just curious as to what your (and others) beef with them is. :confused:
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

cencal83406 said:
This is another thing you might answer.... Do they use "Connection" for the non-jet operations? It would seem so....
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Yes, All Colgan, Commutair, Cape Air (ATRs in GUM) and gulfstream is 'connection' as well as the skywest EMB-120's that were in IAH before the Saabs.
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

cencal83406 said:
I got an exit row so in theory I had more room except some humongous dude sat to my right and some guy sat on my left.
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You should have gotten up, made a scene and said...

"I can't sit next to this big dude. I need my space! I am a pilot and I flew the CRJ900 sim at FLIGHTSAFETY DANGIT...ON ONE ENGINE OUT OF KEY WEST AND THEN CIRCUMNAVIGATED A THUNDERSTORM!!!
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

The delta colored saabs are a little cooler (temp) than the red NW. At least so far.
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

Qgar said:
BTW, Rex, you know I have to challange you on the 3G reference related to "grannies". Aside from the fact that you don't find them attractive, are they unprofessional (for the most part)? I'm just curious as to what your (and others) beef with them is. :confused:
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1: Why are you only offended by the 3rd G? What makes the other two Gs ok to you?

2: If the FA needs a walker to get around, they probably shouldn't be FAing. It's odd, it seems like we sometimes hire out of the retirement home. I'm not talking women in their 50s. I'm talking late 60s early 70s, here for the travel benefits.
2a: Had one who forgot something on the plane on an overnight (we wouldn't be switching planes).... it was a book bag or something.... she told the van driver to "go on without us" after flipping out. She also didn't tell us she lacerated her hand pretty good on the galley equipment in the morning...
2b: Had one who couldn't apparantly close the MCD correctly. Had a Master Warning with the Triple Chime and "Door" coming through 23,000 feet. Turns out she didn't stow the handle.... to compensate, she attempted to close the door with the pins sticking out.
2c: Had one who decided with her much younger FA partner (he was in his 40s), that it would be a great idea to be pushed around the T concourse on a hardback wheelchair.
2d: I could go on.... these were just the tip of the iceberg.


I fully support having hiring requirements for FAs that involve some height and weight restrictions. They have that in socialist Europe, but for some reason, FAs who can't fit down the aisle can still get a job over here.:eek:
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

CRJDriver said:
You should have gotten up, made a scene and said...

"I can't sit next to this big dude. I need my space! I am a pilot and I flew the CRJ900 sim at FLIGHTSAFETY DANGIT...ON ONE ENGINE OUT OF KEY WEST AND THEN CIRCUMNAVIGATED A THUNDERSTORM!!!
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:clap:

Actually I just kept using the tray table.... too bad his knee had to move every time I needed it.... lol

And of course, I don't travel in uniform when I can help it. I go biz casual and the badge disappears once I check in with the CA.
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

cencal83406 said:
1: Why are you only offended by the 3rd G? What makes the other two Gs ok to you?

2: If the FA needs a walker to get around, they probably shouldn't be FAing. It's odd, it seems like we sometimes hire out of the retirement home. I'm not talking women in their 50s. I'm talking late 60s early 70s, here for the travel benefits.
2a: Had one who forgot something on the plane on an overnight (we wouldn't be switching planes).... it was a book bag or something.... she told the van driver to "go on without us" after flipping out. She also didn't tell us she lacerated her hand pretty good on the galley equipment in the morning...
2b: Had one who couldn't apparantly close the MCD correctly. Had a Master Warning with the Triple Chime and "Door" coming through 23,000 feet. Turns out she didn't stow the handle.... to compensate, she attempted to close the door with the pins sticking out.
2c: Had one who decided with her much younger FA partner (he was in his 40s), that it would be a great idea to be pushed around the T concourse on a hardback wheelchair.
2d: I could go on.... these were just the tip of the iceberg.


I fully support having hiring requirements for FAs that involve some height and weight restrictions. They have that in socialist Europe, but for some reason, FAs who can't fit down the aisle can still get a job over here.:eek:
Click to expand...

We have one that is so heavy she breaks the jumpseat.

EDIT : Ohh OHH forgot to mention we hired 4 who can't reach the emm door handle! AWESOME
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

jynxyjoe said:
We have one that is so heavy she breaks the jumpseat.

EDIT : Ohh OHH forgot to mention we hired 4 who can't reach the emm door handle! AWESOME
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You guys hire midgets?

I actually had a Pinnacle FA tell me he couldn't get a job with SkyW because he exceeded a height requirement... I'm sure he could sue under some sort of EEO protection....
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

cencal83406 said:
1: Why are you only offended by the 3rd G? What makes the other two Gs ok to you?

2: If the FA needs a walker to get around, they probably shouldn't be FAing. It's odd, it seems like we sometimes hire out of the retirement home. I'm not talking women in their 50s. I'm talking late 60s early 70s, here for the travel benefits.
2a: Had one who forgot something on the plane on an overnight (we wouldn't be switching planes).... it was a book bag or something.... she told the van driver to "go on without us" after flipping out. She also didn't tell us she lacerated her hand pretty good on the galley equipment in the morning...
2b: Had one who couldn't apparantly close the MCD correctly. Had a Master Warning with the Triple Chime and "Door" coming through 23,000 feet. Turns out she didn't stow the handle.... to compensate, she attempted to close the door with the pins sticking out.
2c: Had one who decided with her much younger FA partner (he was in his 40s), that it would be a great idea to be pushed around the T concourse on a hardback wheelchair.
2d: I could go on.... these were just the tip of the iceberg.


I fully support having hiring requirements for FAs that involve some height and weight restrictions. They have that in socialist Europe, but for some reason, FAs who can't fit down the aisle can still get a job over here.:eek:
Click to expand...

I'm NOT offended by the ghetto "G". Those beauties who embarrass themselves AND their entire crew by acting out and being totally unprofessional in every aspect.
Are you seriously going to tell me some of your FAs use walkers. Hmm, what would the FAA think about that?

I don't want to get into a pissing match, but how come it's ok to pick on older FAS, but I get lambasted since a few ignorant JC'ers think I'm anti-youth. I can imagine the howls of protest I'd get if I said I hated and didn't trust the younger pilots I flew with. Double standard, anyone? :rolleyes:
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

Qgar said:
I can imagine the howls of protest I'd get if I said I hated and didn't trust the younger pilots I flew with.
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Actually I am a bit older than I look. You can trust me dear. :crazy:
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

I know NWA only got rid of their FA's with walkers because the captains started making the FA's demonstrate their ability to lift and open the cabin door. When they failed to they removed them from the flight. Eye opening story to a young pup like myself.
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

Qgar said:
I don't want to get into a pissing match, but how come it's ok to pick on older FAS, but I get lambasted since a few ignorant JC'ers think I'm anti-youth. I can imagine the howls of protest I'd get if I said I hated and didn't trust the younger pilots I flew with. Double standard, anyone? :rolleyes:
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Then you'd just be another one of those passengers. I had to laugh in my mind when the old lady came up to me and asked if I was flying the plane when I first started. My reply was, no maam, I'm done and I get to go home in back. "Good, because you look too young to fly".

or "Have you graduated from HS yet?", or "Do you even have a drivers license"?

Anyways.... older FAs.... if they are hot, are good. The whole point of a stewardess is to serve drinks and look good. At least that's what it used to be about.... boy I wish I had been around in those days.
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

cencal83406 said:
Then you'd just be another one of those passengers. I had to laugh in my mind when the old lady came up to me and asked if I was flying the plane when I first started. My reply was, no maam, I'm done and I get to go home in back. "Good, because you look too young to fly".

or "Have you graduated from HS yet?", or "Do you even have a drivers license"?

Anyways.... older FAs.... if they are hot, are good. The whole point of a stewardess is to serve drinks and look good. At least that's what it used to be about.... boy I wish I had been around in those days.
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God I hope you are kidding. Flight attendants are there to save pax ass, not kiss them. You're just being satirical right?
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

Methinks he has been rebuffed by a cougar or two. :D
 
Re: Continental Airlines passenger experience.... my perspec

While I agree that the flight attendants are important for the safety of the flight, if passengers stop flying on your airline because they are nasty or disgusting they have to go. We have a few who use the "Im just here for their safety" routine and are rude to the passengers and it makes by blood boil. You guys are the face of the airline and really the only human interaction the customers experience. As for the old blue hairs that can't open the door, well they really shouldn't be working, if they do their job well and go out of their way to make the passengers comfortable/happy then I have no problem with how old they are. I don't care how old/hot you are if a passenger complains about you to the gate agent or us on their way out then you aren't doing your job well.
 
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