Just flew home from LA. I have some ideas for Continental Airlines and probably most any airline out there.

1. On your electronic check in system, you allow "convenient" check in with any 1 of 3 long combination of letters and/or numbers; my confirmation number, my One-Pass Number, my credit card number that I used

How about using something I don't have to go digging for like, oh I don't know... my NAME?

2. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the baggage handlers for one particular airline took the care to lay your bag on it's back and position it so that when it comes off the ramp, it lands where anyone can easily see the name tag and grab the handle?

3. Microwave cheeseburgers and a "salad" that consists of 99.5% iceberg lettuce don't cut it.

And to the LAX TSA (Transportation Security Admin), congratulations. You people are hands down, the rudest, unhappiest, "power-corrupted" bunch of airline security personnel my family and I have ever had the displeasure of meeting.

I smiled as we left you working the job you hate, with the satisfaction of knowing that I make in about 3 days what you do in a month.

Airlines are a favorite for marketing advice. They're immune. They're more likely to hire bankruptcy attorneys than marketing people.

The only book these guys are interested in is: "Purple Cows Make The Best Overpriced Microwaved Burgers"

I can appreciate your comments! I remember Jeffrey Gitomer also has a lot of choice words for the airline industry, and after reading about Michel's recent headaches, it seems very much a concern.

I will say however, that flying United recently was a real pleasure, everything was on time and polite people there etc... (compared with a nightmare on US Airways, which I'll never take again)... so flying the right airlines (and airports if you have a chance) makes a huge difference...

In other airline news, it was a bit sad to see Aloha airlines in Hawaii just went bankrupt again, and is ceasing operations (HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser | Honolulu news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Honolulu, Hawaii). They had been a client of mine, there are a lot of nice people there.

-ken

Aloha-- Aren't those the folks that had part of the fuselage actually come off a plane and one of the stewardesses was sucked out-- some place over the Pacific?

I seem to recall it was them. What a horrible way to die. Ugh.

That is a great comment. Swipe worthy. And true of more than the airlines.

I can only hope some day that I can afford to go in on one of those private jet sharing deals so I never have to fly commercial again. Fat chance, but one can dream.

wow...you got food???

I flew cross country to Seattle and literally got peanuts (and a ginger ale).

Things have certainly changed from my days of flying standby on Royale Air Maroc and being served veal and pilaf, a fresh salad and a cute little bottle of white wine.

It was amazing, we were flying First Class on a very expensive ticket and the airline said they don't carry pillows anymore, not even for first class.

Bruce,

Don't get me started...

http://www.michelfortin.com/new-copy...-takes-flight/

Good thing you weren't flying Oceanic Flight 813 (TV show Lost). The tail actually did come off!