Osler's Razor

Sincere question from an infrequent traveler: how are they any different than any other airline? I see complaints across the board. Flights are more expensive, employees are treated badly, and there are fewer flights from which to choose. Fees are stacked on top of fares. If you had the choice, which airline would you choose? I'm asking in all honesty - when we do fly, we rarely get a direct flight, so we often do have a choice among several carriers.
 

American and United right now are below average-- but American seems to be going through something very special (and bad) right now. Hopefully they will get through it.

The biggest difference between American and, say, Southwest, is the corporate culture which is reflected in how the employees treat the customers. When the employees are mad at the company, it's bad news for the customers, and right now American has the angriest employees.
 

You left out the next line from your quote, and it is quite revealing (line 5 in the lead paragraph):

"Like the country whose name graces the hulls of your flying ships, you are exhausted and shorn of purpose."
 

Curessa -- I absolutely hate to fly, but when I have to I love Jet Blue. Lots of legroom, friendly employees. Convenient flights.
 

Farmer-- Crikeys! I agree with the part about American Airlines, but not the part about America.
 

I can't remember who came up with this analogy, but he was talking about the way political reporters analyze politicians they don't like. And he said it was like talking about a cat and telling someone who did not know anything about cats that his cat was finicky, self-absorbed, and seemed to have absolutely no loyalty. All true--but, what seems to go unsaid, this is the nature of cats.
 

Well, I have no choice. I am bound for Paris on American Airlines on the 14th. I traded in my miles and $88 for the flights. C'est la vie... I will carry on my own water and food.

When I fly from Durham to Tampa I always fly Southwest and they let me check my bag for FREE - big bonus. When I fly from Durham to Detroit my only choice for a nonstop is Delta (once known as - NW). Last time I paid to check my bag when I should have schlepped it through the airport and gotten it gate checked for FREE (really pissed me off). All the frequent travelers knew this little trick because the plane is small and roller bags don't fit in the overhead - oops...
 

See, I've even heard complaints about Southwest and JetBlue lately. I always thought of those as the more reasonable choices, but people gripe about them, too.
 

If destination's choice is limited by carrier and schedule, where should frustrations angst be laid? Should music or text of choice be of measure equal to angst anticipated?

High speed rail anyone?...
 

I guess I have lowered my expectations as I don't wish to spend 11 to 13 hours in the car to reach my destination.

I always loved JetBlue when I commuted from Tampa to NY.
 

Southwest is still the best!

We recently flew Texas to NYC, and Montreal to Texas on American - I had better trips on Greyhound many years ago! The only difference was the number of stops and bus changes. The planes were filthy, the employees obviously could care less, and the whole experience left us swearing never again.

Luckily we had shipped our luggage ahead, so were not in the loooooong line waiting for checked bags that never mostly never came.

Lee