We're not traveling anywhere this year because my wife is spending the summer 7-8 months, vomiting nearly every day, and the c-section is going to cost $3500. Also, I'm not convinced she isn't going to deliver sooner than later. 

But, I've been thinking/saving for next year, and some of these waiting on the runway extended periods of time stories scare me. Especially since we'd be traveling with a 5 and 1 year old. 

I loathe Southwest and their shitty boarding process. Will only them if I have to.

This reminds me, I will only only take a conneting flight if absolutely necessary. If needed, no way I transfer through Chicago or SF. Worst airports ever.

posted by friendfromlowry

 

But, I've been thinking/saving for next year, and some of these waiting on the runway extended periods of time stories scare me. Especially since we'd be traveling with a 5 and 1 year old. 

I hear you.  There are horror stories for every consumer experience there is.  I'd say for most of the reputable airlines, they're tolerable.  Your five year-old will probably be fascinated, as long as you can keep him/her occupied.   

My worst "runway time" experience:  had just changed planes in Dallas on way to Hawaii.  After we were boarded and cross-checked, a major thunderstorm system rolled through Dallas, and they held us in position on the runway for 3 hours.  That was pretty bad - no AC, no snacks, no drinks, unless you were better-prepared and stocked up on some (I wasn't).  My only saving grace was reading the Dallas newspaper I bought 5 or 6 times, and watching some Entertainment Tonight-style video montage featuring Alan King doing a stand-up routine while commenting on President Reagan's hair.  I can't imagine doing that with a 5- and a 1- year-old.  :D 

posted by Zunardo

I hear you.  There are horror stories for every consumer experience there is.  I'd say for most of the reputable airlines, they're tolerable.  Your five year-old will probably be fascinated, as long as you can keep him/her occupied.   

You're right. If I let it hold us back then we'd just never travel since we're going to have a toddler-aged kid for another several years. The five year old flew before at least and did fine. 

posted by friendfromlowry

We're not traveling anywhere this year because my wife is spending the summer 7-8 months, vomiting nearly every day, and the c-section is going to cost $3500. Also, I'm not convinced she isn't going to deliver sooner than later. 

But, I've been thinking/saving for next year, and some of these waiting on the runway extended periods of time stories scare me. Especially since we'd be traveling with a 5 and 1 year old. 

I've never had to wait on the runway, and I've never even had a delay longer than 30ish minutes. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I really don't think it happens all that often. 

I'm up to 85 segments on Delta so far this year, and have yet to have a delay much longer than 30 minutes as well, knock on wood. Probably the worst thing this year was being #17 in line for takeoff at ATL about 6 weeks ago.

posted by fish82

I'm up to 85 segments on Delta so far this year, and have yet to have a delay much longer than 30 minutes as well, knock on wood. Probably the worst thing this year was being #17 in line for takeoff at ATL about 6 weeks ago.

 

I'm Delta platinum and I like them very much.  All told, my experiences are always good and efficient.

Whoever on here said they hate Southwest, I'm right there with you.  Their boarding process is horrible and the stupid jokes by the flight attendants are nails on a chalkboard.  I will pay a reasonable premium to avoid SW.

Thankfully I don't have a shitty travel story. I've only flown 5 times and every time has been with Delta and they were great. Worst thing was I thought my luggage was lost when I flew to Las Vegas but it was found like 20 minutes after everyone elses. The worst parts about flying for me are just he high costs out of Huntsville and 99% of the flights always have a connection in Atlanta. 

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

I'm Delta platinum and I like them very much.  All told, my experiences are always good and efficient.

 

Whoever on here said they hate Southwest, I'm right there with you.  Their boarding process is horrible and the stupid jokes by the flight attendants are nails on a chalkboard.  I will pay a reasonable premium to avoid SW.

Still trying to decide if I want to go for Diamond this year, just to see how the other half lives lol. 

Agreed on SWA. Hard pass. 

posted by fish82

Still trying to decide if I want to go for Diamond this year, just to see how the other half lives lol. 

Agreed on SWA. Hard pass. 

It’s fantastic. I had it for 2 years...platinum this year. It’s a significant step down, despite still being amazing for travel. 

Im already nearly platinum for next year with a full football season, so I’ll hit Diamond again. 

posted by Laley23

It’s fantastic. I had it for 2 years...platinum this year. It’s a significant step down, despite still being amazing for travel. 

Im already nearly platinum for next year with a full football season, so I’ll hit Diamond again. 

That's what I'm afraid of...I'll get it and not be able to keep it LOL. I'll be close enough that I'll have about 40-45K rollover miles if I don't go for it...which would pretty much guarantee lifetime Platinum at least. Do you remember what you picked for the Choice Bennies when you had it? Leaning toward upgrading the SC membership to Executive, but I've read that's not a great move. For sure going for the Global Upgrade Certs, since I have a London trip next spring. Other than that, no idea.

Also about to hit Platinum on Marriott, so looking forward to some Concierge Lounge time and a Suite or two. 

posted by fish82

That's what I'm afraid of...I'll get it and not be able to keep it LOL. I'll be close enough that I'll have about 40-45K rollover miles if I don't go for it...which would pretty much guarantee lifetime Platinum at least. Do you remember what you picked for the Choice Bennies when you had it? Leaning toward upgrading the SC membership to Executive, but I've read that's not a great move. For sure going for the Global Upgrade Certs, since I have a London trip next spring. Other than that, no idea.

Also about to hit Platinum on Marriott, so looking forward to some Concierge Lounge time and a Suite or two. 

I did Miles/Upgraded Wife to Gold and the international upgrades.

If I did it again, wife doesn’t need gold since she isn’t traveling again, so I’d switch that with a global Entry

posted by fish82

Still trying to decide if I want to go for Diamond this year, just to see how the other half lives lol. 

Agreed on SWA. Hard pass. 

I'm going to hit diamond this year.  We'll see.  It's certainly not what it used to be.  But that's every carrier.  

Iposted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

I'm going to hit diamond this year.  We'll see.  It's certainly not what it used to be.  But that's every carrier.  

I remember before the merger when Platinum was the shizz. 

posted by Laley23

I did Miles/Upgraded Wife to Gold and the international upgrades.

If I did it again, wife doesn’t need gold since she isn’t traveling again, so I’d switch that with a global Entry

Was considering that. I already have PreCheck (should have done GE at that time, but wasn't going international then) but as much as I go to/from Canada, it might come in handy. Coming back from Stockholm this year was a most unpleaseant experience at DTW customs LOL. 

If you go international more than twice a year GE has to be worth it. I went through Miami this year and it was terrible. 

posted by iclfan2

If you go international more than twice a year GE has to be worth it. I went through Miami this year and it was terrible. 

Agree. But it really depends on where you are re-entering.

Woke up on a Tuesday morning after finishing my shift as a bartender at the Emmitt House in Waverly, Ohio finishing up my final year in college.  A buddy of mine was getting married in Reno and we were flying out in the afternoon with the entire wedding party.  We had rooms booked and plans made.  I was single at the time and I turned on ESPN and the ticker at the bottom said turn to abc for more bomb coverage.   I remember thinking to myself who is getting attacked now, and that is when I saw the planes crashing into the Trade Centers!  I sat stunned, called my mom and brother just to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was.  All flights grounded, we got some of our money back, but didn’t care.  Just thinking that we could have been one of those flights hijacked, and the loss of life made us grateful for what we had.   We pooled our money and got mountain cabins in Pigeon Forge later in the week for our friends wedding.   I have only flown twice since then, hate it.

posted by Zunardo

..... This Monday we were to leave LAX at 4:50 PM, stop and switch at Phoeniz AZ, then leave there 7:20 Pacific and arrive in Columbus at 2 AM early Tuesday.   .........the intercom blares "Mrs. Zunardo, please report to the Southwest luggage office" ....... yep, one bag didn't get on the plane.   

 

I must have jinxed my oldest son.  He flew from Bellingham WA (north of Seattle) to Orlando FL overnight on Alaska Airlines.  Texted me this morning, said his one checked bag was missing.  He took a puddle jumper from Bellingham to Seattle last night, so we're thinking the mix-up was somewhere in that area..  I told him to keep us posted on finding it.

posted by Commander of Awesome

I loathe Southwest and their shitty boarding process. Will only them if I have to.

This reminds me, I will only only take a conneting flight if absolutely necessary. If needed, no way I transfer through Chicago or SF. Worst airports ever.

LaGuardia disagrees.

posted by GOONx19

LaGuardia disagrees.

Agreed...LGA is usually a shitshow. That said, my last two connections there have gone flawlessly, as opposed to the previous 50+ which were all FUBAR on some level or another. 

Comes in 3s for me. I'll have 3 flawless trips in/out of La Guardia, then 3 disasters. 

I'm on a good stretch right now so I'm due. 

I have a transatlantic redeye out of Newark coming up and I just learned it's a notoriously late flight. 11pm take off turnes to 2-3am. Awesome.

Even if flights at LGA are fine, the construction (JFK not much better) make it unbearable. When the fuck are they gonna be done? I feel like LGA has been under construction for 5 years now. Driving in and out of those airports at the moment is almost imposs

Delta terminal is great now. It's come a long way. I haven't been in the others in a while. 

Overall construction is going well into 2022. An Airtrain (similar to JFK) is coming.

Delta is about to start a major remodel on Terminals C/D at LGA. I'm sure it will suck while it's going on, but the drwaings of the final product look pretty sweet.