I blogged about my last experience with United on the Aust-USA sector a few months ago because it was so bad. Nice to see that President and CEO of United Airlines, Jeff Smisek agrees with me in a recent article in Australian Business Traveller. “…the product on the 747 that United flies to Australia is not an acceptable level of product” “And I know that, I recognise that. But United on its own didn’t have the money to invest in that product. Now (with the United-Continental merger) it does, and we will.” “You have to invest, because the price…
Thank you to you! Assessing Wild about Travel 2010
As 2011, gets underway, I want to say thank you for three things: 1. for reading my travel blog! (almost 4000 page views!) 2. for those who have commented on it (both the 66 here and the many on Facebook) 3. to those who have encouraged me in the blog sphere and by email and by offline (you know who you are!) 4. for subscribing (hint hint!) The most popular posts for 2010: Three Airlines-one plane- comparing the A380 (10% of all readers ) — Sep 30, 2010, 7 comments Almost had $1200 stolen (dodgy travel agent) Oct 25,…
Computer Says “No”- bad customer experience
Today, I am taking the train from Brisbane to Grafton, a regional town about 250 kilometres (150 miles) away. Then I am going onto Sydney (another 600km/ 360 miles). I am using a pass called the East Coast Discovery Pass which allows you unlimited travel in one direction on multiple rail systems in three states along the Australian East Coast. This pass used to be reserved for non Australian tourists but a year ago, it was opened up to Australians too. Today, I wandered into a rail ticket office to buy my pass. Have you…
Best and Worst Airports of 2010
Airports Picture this, You have been trapped inside a metal tube for 13, 15, 22 hours with your knees wrapped around your ears. The tube lands and disgorges you into an airport. Some airports give you a great welcome to that country and some make you think you are in some sort of on going hell. Here is my list of best and worst airports. Best Airports Singapore (SIN)- take a shopping mall, throw in a waterfall or two, add the most efficient processes for everything from customs to luggage retrieval (challenge you to try…
MyTop Cities of the World 2010
My Top Ten Cities Paris remains my Number One in the world. What I like overall about Paris is that it works. The infrastructure is a dream with world’s best public transport , water, sewerage, and electricity systems. Add to that amazing culture, fantastic streetscapes and mind bogglingly wonderful food. I was shocked to find I can buy an apartment there for less than I can in my own city Melbourne, Australia. Tourists: buy breakfast at a bakery not your hotel and get lunch supplies at the local marches (markets) for amazing quality and a sense of authenticity.…
2010 Best and Worst Airlines!
So in 2010, I flew 90 times with my 90th flight for the year on 31st of December 2010 bringing my total air distance for the year to 202 000km (120 000 miles). I feel that gives me some qualifications for the following subjective rankings. Best Airlines I have confessed a few times in this blog that my favourite airline in the world (out of the 70 I have flown) is now Emirates. Emirates – all round amazing customer service product- friendly, amazing food, attention to detail Air New Zealand, an efficient and friendly operator-…
When Enhancements alienate a customer
I have flown Qantas a lot. A real lot. Up to now I have been on Qantas 356, 745 miles 574,125 kilometres 14.33 times around the world for 32.2 days inside their planes! Their reward to me has been to name me a Platinum Frequent Flier – Thank you Qantas. Recently Qantas sent me an email which said: We’ve made a variety of changes in the last few years to give you a broader, more rewarding program. The coming months will see further changes, including enhancements for most frequent fliers…You’ll find highlights …. Now to me, an…
I love a train ride!
I am taking The Overland from Melbourne to Adelaide in Australia nexy Thursday. This is a 828 kilometre trip – about 500 miles. These two capitals are almost twice the distance as the Eurostar which is 495km, just over 308 miles. The Overland takes about nine hours to do its journey and Eurostar 2.25 hours! It is a long slow trip with great scenery, a nice dining/lounge car. I plug my laptop into the onboard power, fire up my 3G internet card and I can work and play all the way! The train started originated as the Intercolonial…
Happy Christmas Qantas- some things are not your fault.
The 2010 Qantas Christmas card doesn’t show metres of snow or faulty engines. Image: Copyright AP Photo/ Steve Parsons taken from Herald-Sun Difficult job being in Qantas PR this year. I do wish people would stop blaming them for the snow delays though. And think! 8 stranded jumbos. Thats 3200 people on them and at least 3200 people waiting for them. Every 24 hours they are delayed is another 6000-7000 people. If they all called Qantas simultaneously and spend 5 minutes talking to an agent 70 000 minutes of calls or 10 000 hours -every 48…
Help! Sorting out luggage fees and weights
In an extraordinary admission, the, President of US Airways, Scott Kirby stated that the airline’s profit for 2010 will come entirely from “ancillary revenue” or fees as we passengers know them. This is the reason why everywhere you turn now when flying, you seem to pay another damned fee. And its so confusing! I am planning a flight from Los Angeles to JFK in 2011. Here are two of my options: Virgin America JetBlue Fare $139.00 $162.00 Luggage $25.00 50lb- Free Entertainment Free and for-pay entertainment Free Meals and Drinks Drink included-snacks to buy Drink included-snacks to…
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