Riding on USAir

[CA1900]

Where do they get off making me sit through a five and a half minute "infomercial" for their stupid USAir MasterCard?

Right there with ya. Alaska recently started this as well, and I'm just as irritated with it. (That's a shame, too, as I really enjoy their product otherwise.) Minor in the grand scheme of things these days, as others have said, but it's still very irritating.

The Bose headset has been worth its price many times over in keeping my sanity.

 

[Cornelius]

At least the commercial distracts you from looking at people board that should be taking greyhound instead.

 

[Mike Jenvey]

You're not safe over here either, a loco called Ryanair do "death by PA" - it is very hard to differentiate sometimes between essential information or sales pitch - "Ladeees 'n gennelmen, we will be lannin' soon at London Loootin, so please return to yaw seeets & fassen your seeet belts & yeew can still buy discounted train tickets from a crew member...."

They also have a wide variety of European crew so some of the accents are very difficult to understand, much more so than regional UK speech!

 

[QOL_is_great:)]

So, I commuted to work today on US Air. Rode on mainline first leg (A320), then an RJ run by PSA.

I got a complaint and would like to see what ya'll think:

Where do they get off making me sit through a five and a half minute "infomercial" for their stupid USAir MasterCard?

I don't think it's fair that they lock you into a metal tube and FORCE you to listen to an advertisement for their crap. I can't think of any other place where it's okay to force someone to listen to your commercial. If I'm watching TV and an ad comes on I can change channels or even turn it off. If I'm at the movies and a commercial is in the trailers I can at least walk out. Printed ads I can simply ignore. My point is I have options.

How is it okay for them to put you in a place where you can not escape and blast their nonsense over the PA?

Oh, and that's another point. It's the PA right? Every flight they tell you that "FAA regulations REQUIRE ALL passengers to comply with crewmembers instructions". So now it's a federal law that I listen to their infomercial? How is that right?

Who could you even complain to? USAir? Master Card? The FAA? My congressmen? Some advertising watchdog group? I don't know, I just don't think it's right. There should be a law.

So, what do ya'll think?

Do this glass. Next time your passing one of their stands in the terminal that offers their credit card, stop and take the time to fill one out. Only don't use your real name and numbers. Use fake info then take the free gift. Back in 2001 when I was flying for a US Air I did that one time. I filled out a form while in civilian clothes and then picked the little bear with the goggles and leather jacket. Took it home and gave it to my little girl.

 

[wolfpackpilot]

I have a standing rule... If I can drive from A - B in six hours or less, and scheduling does not care, I'm in a Avis car.

I have been to kindergarten piano recitals more pleasant than flying the airlines.

 

[ozpilot]

I have a standing rule... If I can drive from A - B in six hours or less, and scheduling does not care, I'm in a Avis car.

Same here. I just request a car with a GPS and a satellite radio so I can listen to Blue Collar radio!

 

[wolfpackpilot]

Same here. I just request a car with a GPS and a satellite radio so I can listen to Blue Collar radio!

Oz,

Isn't it just totally relaxing to have your bag in the trunk, a big mug of coffee, and listen to the tunes and see the sights?

I'm in GSO... I can drive to SAV for recurrent and actually beat the airline.

(That is door step to hotel room).

I really enjoy driving when I can. We did a SJC to Sacramento drive a weeks back and it was great!

 

[acaTerry]

What pi$$e$ me off is hearing the brief and then hearing it AGAIN in SPANISH!!!

 

[Fedmagnet]

Soon you will be hearing the sales pitches in Arabic with the Obama upgrades.

 

[filejw]

You must be single or you would have the "tuning out" skills required.

 

[realityman]

I have a standing rule... If I can drive from A - B in six hours or less, and scheduling does not care, I'm in a Avis car.

I have been to kindergarten piano recitals more pleasant than flying the airlines.

Same here. I've taken a rental car from EWR to PIT. A 5-hour drive. Sooooo much easier than Continental out of EWR! Heck, I've seen 5 hour delays (and worse!) out of EWR.

The only problem I've had from time to time is USAirways. And what I mean is, sometimes their tickets out of the New York area are so cheap, the company can't get me a rental for cheaper than the airline! And NJA will always go with the cheaper option.

I flew from LGA to PIT on USAirways and the ticket was $80 (all taxes included!). I couldn't believe I couldn't talk them into giving me a rental car instead. But with the base price, plus the one-way drop fee plus gas and tolls, I really couldn't beat USAirways on price. Scary!

 

[ozpilot]

Oz,

Isn't it just totally relaxing to have your bag in the trunk, a big mug of coffee, and listen to the tunes and see the sights?

Yes it is! I started doing it about a year ago when I was briefed to travel from my home base (Burlington VT) to MMU.

The brief comprised a one way ticket on a USless Airways Dash 8 from BTV to LGA - $740 (and this was when they had just announced they would charge $2 for a bottle of water!)

A limo from LGA to MMU - $120

As opposed to ...

One way rental - $80
A tank of gas - $15

Not having to deal with

the TSA (no "professional courtesy" at BTV)
USeless Airways
LGA

Priceless!

The drive took about 6 hours, or about 30 minutes more than the airline/limo option.

 

[NJAPLT]

Yeah, these credit card commercials are annoying. Not much we can do about it however, I suspect soon we will see vendors in the aisle selling snacks like at a ball game.....

Whoops, forgot they already sell "snack boxes" and beer......

I'm just waiting for the pay toilet for the experience to be complete...... I hear Ryanair is working on that one.....

P.S. The sick sacs are suppose to be waterproof.....

 

[QOL_is_great:)]

No message for me

I fly US Air three legs last week. PHL-CLT and CLT-AVL same day and then BTV-PHL another day. No a single leg had any ads about credit cards or other "stuff".

I thought years ago from seeing ads on buses and knew that airliners could do the same thing. The empty space on traytable (top and bottom) and the back of the seat when the tray table is down is a great space. Companies from credit cards, parks, restaurants, and other companies could use the space. Of course the airline would gain from the income. Maybe then they would not have to charge for drinks or pillows.
Hell, we have the credit folks selling or pushing the cards in the terminal. It's funny how they don't approach me when in uniform, but I am a paying pax. Not in uniform they try and stop me to sign up. I should go up one day (in uniform), try to sign up for a card and see what they say. Only if they offer a cool gift!!

 

[glasspilot]

The difference is I can carry on a conversation, or hear my music, or sleep with an ad stuck on the tray table or overhead bin doors or whatever.

It's crazy that they get to get on the PA and FORCE you to listen to an infomercial! I have no problem with a printed ad anywhere on the plane. Put the McDonalds arches on the rudder for all I care. But don't prop my eyes up with toothpicks and blare propaganda from the loudspeaker in a confined, enclosed place. It's BS and should be illegal.