I'm still caught up in the recursive American Express/Delta Skymiles trap that started when I was a "corporate slave." I still travel enough that Skymiles make a big difference, but I finally realized I had to opt for the Platinum Card to always get the flights and seat assignments I want. It's a ruse. First year free, then $350 every year thereafter just to "feel special?" So I usually fly on Delta in business class, except when they refuse to let us "special" people use Skymiles to upgrade to business or first class.
I flew back to Nevada from Spain to vote last year on British Airways. They always seem to have some way of getting me to and from their western hub in Phoenix regardless where I might be starting and returning to in the West, and for the same ticket price as if I were starting from Phoenix. But British Airways doesn't fly from the USA to Argentina, and my favorite airline, LAN Chile, did not have any available flights for the dates I need to travel. So, I booked a one-way flight from Nevada to Atlanta and because I make travel plans three to six months in advance Delta usually puts me in business class automatically. Then I booked a the long haul (9 to 10.5 hours, depending on the season and other factors) from Atlanta to Buenos Aires, which is one flight they no longer let us "special" Platinum Card holders use Skymiles to "buy" our way into business class. Nope, they want cash up front for those big leather seats more comfortable than a bassinet with surround sound.
My "preferred coach" ticket would have cost $1,800 plus airport taxes this year. And remember that was the cheapest round trip flight I could get; leaving and returning six months apart. But I could buy it with Skymiles. If I had wanted to fly business class I would have had to cough up more than $5,000. It doesn't matter if you're in business or coach, everyone who staggers off of Flight 110 leaves that flight with kennel cough. But one thing Delta has always done on that Argentina to Atlanta flight is pull one of the doubled business class curtains on one of the aisles back so people in coach have access to five bathrooms instead of four (most 767's have dueling bathrooms in the aft section). The business class people are still made to feel "special" but 10 hours on a non-stop flight is a dumb idea to begin with so the flight attendants on this particular route tend to show more humanity than on domestic Delta flights.
I feel bad for the guy who couldn't get past the beverage cart and was treated so poorly. I also feel for the flight attendants who work their asses off serving the public having to serve drinks, food, and play "duty free" shills when their primary function is to manage public safety and administer medical assistance in case of emergencies. It's degrading to see a woman or man my own age who probably receives half of what she or he made 20 years ago perform duties more suited to a house maid. Their jobs are no longer secure and Delta is more worried about what colors to paint all the equipment they're inheriting with the merger with Northwest than use that same money to reward loyal hard work from their front line employees. And that includes the maintenance and mechanic folks, too. But the passenger had a legitimate need and shouldn't be charged with a felony for trying to make a dash to use the bathroom to avoid shitting his pants.
There have always been separate sets of bathrooms for first/business class and coach/tourist. But does anyone remember the days when the counter agent who checked you in was a counter agent? Now, the counter agents are often the same people who herd everyone on board announcing seating sections and then follow the passengers onto the plane and work as the flight attendants. It's a job I would never want. So, I can understand a flight attendant getting his or her Irish up and displaying what little authority they have left. It's a no win - no win situation.
My only solution for avoiding these sorts of problems has been to fly a European or South American passenger carrier. I doubt there's a more stringent and well-oiled airline when it comes to quality and service than British Airways. But they have a problem with making connecting flights to other countries at the Heathrow hub. Plus, non-US carriers are quite liberal with with wine and alcoholic beverages. I've yet to be charged for a beer or a second, third, or fourth split of wine.
I yearn for the days when Delta was still a southern regional carrier and the options for us folks in the West were Western Airlines (which Delta bought and merged with), Frontier Airlines, or Hughs Air West (fly the BIG banana!). American, Pan Am, TWA, and some exotic companies like Air France or Swiss Air would make appearances at SLC International 3 or 4 times a week. But climbing aboard a Western Airlines flight was always a treat. It didn't matter what time of day, everyone was offered at least one free glass of champagne before the flight crew had to do beverage and food service. Granted, it was the cheapest possible champagne in the world, but it was free and they made everyone feel genuinely welcome.
Fuck Reagan and his cadre of blood suckers for deregulating the airline industry in 1982! (Whoops! Did I just write that out loud?)
