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Published: April 27th 2006
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Philadelphia International Airport
We live halfway between Newark International and Philadelphia Airport. We usually fly out of Newark but because parking was so much cheaper in Philly and we expected lighter traffic heading South, we decided to give PHL a shot. The mad rush for Philadelphia International Airport began as soon as Gail and Cassie got out of school. Grandma Phoebe had already joined us from South Carolina and we were meeting Tyler’s girlfriend, Gen, at the airport. My careful internet research paid off as we had no problems getting to PHL. That’s saying a lot too during snow season in the Pocono Mountains. Parking was a breeze. We were whisked from long term parking to the front door of the airport in a roomy bus. Since we like to check-in early, we had no lines to worry about being there 3 hours early.
When we got to the check-in agent, the first words out of his mouth were “Would you be interested in volunteering for Denied Boarding Compensation…?” Before he could finish, Gail and I screamed “Yes!!!” He told us the flight was over-booked by 25 people. Lufthansa was offering us 700€ each in air vouchers plus free hotel and meals if we agreed to give up our seats. After a minute I remembered that our hotel in Munich was already paid for and we would lose close to $200 if we got bumped. Even worse, the place Airbus A340-600
When did Boeing, McDonnell-Douglas and Lockheed start losing business to European aircraft manufacturers? I hate Airbus planes with a passion - and not only because they're not American products. They are uncomfortable, drab and are a pain when you need to use the toilet. The Boeing 747 may be a cattle car but at least you had plenty of room to stroll and stretch your legs.
(Photo courtesy of www.airbus.com/en) where I was to pick up the car rental on 24 December was only open until 11:00 on Christmas Eve. If we stayed in Philly another day we might not make it to the car rental place before they closed for the Christmas Holiday. Who knew when they’d re-open.
I asked the agent if they might put us on a US Air flight leaving later that night instead. He checked and said it was possible but that our compensation would be less. “Only” 300€ instead of 700€. Our Lufthansa tickets required us to connect through Frankfurt so taking US Air would’ve gotten us into Munich at the same time despite leaving Philadelphia two hours later. We discussed that option and after tying up the counter a good 15 minutes we checked-in with big yellow tags on our suitcases. If we got bumped these tags would tell the bag guys which ones to pull off and put on US Air. We spent the next two hours sitting at the gate dreaming of how we would spend our windfall. But it was not to be. The reason airlines overbook is because they know from years and years of experience that many business people make multiple reservations for busy times just in case their meetings or business run long or shorter than expected. The big companies can afford to buy Mr. Businessman 5 different tickets to Munich at full fare because later on they can just turn in the used tickets for refunds. The airlines cater to those guys because if they do go, they are paying 3 or 4 times as much for their non-discounted tickets than the average discounted ticket holders. In the relatively rare cases everyone shows up, the airlines don’t mind compensating us penny-pinchers with free hotels and tickets if they can fill the seats with full revenue paying customers. At least 25 people no-showed so we were boarded on time.
Years ago when Gail and I worked in the airline industry we had to book our federal government employees on U.S. flag carriers. Often they told us they hated Pan Am and TWA. They begged us to put them on foreign carriers, but we couldn’t. The carrier they all raved about was Lufthansa. These veteran travelers claimed Lufthansa had the best meal service, wonderful amenities, most efficient schedules, and cleanest planes. How times have changed! Pan Am and TWA are gone and Lufthansa sucks. No, they aren’t awful, but they are rather unexciting. I hate the planes they operate - all the Airbuses are uncomfortable as far as I’m concerned. I find Boeing’s planes more roomy and in the case of the 777, better in every way. Lufthansa’s air crew was efficient but devoid of any personality. No nifty freebies like Virgin’s overnight kits or Qantas’ little bags with socks, wipes and gargle. The inflight magazine was boring. And in the 21st Century why don’t I have an entertainment unit on the seatback? Fortunately, the meals were fine even with my recuperating tummy. I passed on the free beer just in case. With the cramped leg room I never could get comfortable enough to sleep. It was then that I realized the first of many things I forgot to pack - my melatonin to help me adjust to the time change and to sleep a little on the plane.
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