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American Airlines Still Performs Well American Airlines

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These days, all of the airlines are being closely monitored by travelers everywhere. This is due to rising fuel costs, which influences pricing, as well as flight schedules, and ultimately, business operation. Some well known airlines have already gone bankrupt, while even the survivors are living a stressful existence. This includes all of the major airlines, like American Airlines.

Through the years, I have flown just about every airline out there (remember Eastern? TWA?) And just a few days before 9/11/01, I decided to settle down and stick with one of them - American Airlines. I have over 30,000 miles of travel racked up with AA, and including my most recent flight from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Fort Myers Southwest Florida International (RSW), the experience has been solid.

If there is ever a good time to fly out of O’Hare, it is early in the morning. With a good friend providing a nice ride, I arrived at the AA terminal (number 3) at 5:00 a.m., eager to start my week long Florida vacation. Check in is so quick, even pleasant these days, as I breezed through this phase efficiently. It helps to have an AA Advantage number, which tells either the computerized check-in system of your upcoming flight, or the live representative at the counter that you are a frequent traveler with the airline. Just furnish a government issued ID, and your boarding ticket is delivered with a smile.

Luggage was no problem. As always, I checked one major piece (there was no extra charge, due to an early ticket purchase, totaling $158.00/taxes included). I also had a small carry on. Then I was on my way to the gate. As all of you travelers know, this is where government security must do its thorough check of all passengers. But even this was no hassle, since the lines were not long during the early morning hours at O’Hare.

After the security check, I strolled to the gate where AA Flight #2420 (departure time: 7:00 A.M., CST) was set to board. I enjoyed looking at the jets, whether they are parked at the gates, or moving from the gates to the runways, or from the runways to the gates. The jet for my flight was an MD-80. It is a mid-sized jet, I would say similar to a 737, but maybe a bit larger. Boarding was smooth as I took my window seat (9F) near the front.

From there, we were all set for a smooth taxi ride to the runway, even through the pouring rain. But as we got in line, the control tower informed our pilots that the wind had shifted, and the downpour of rain had increased. The pilot notified us of this, and explained that the jet had to be turned around, and taxi to another runway where the wind was more favorable for a safe departure.

And so the jet was turned around, and we traveled the length of O’Hare field to the alternate runway. Then we, along with many other delayed flights, sat still for a few moments, but were informed by the pilot that as soon as the weather was favorable, we would be departing. There were ten jets ahead of us. Therefore, we had to wait. But no one on our flight, including myself, seemed frustrated by this. Minutes passed until we saw the first jet take off - then we knew that things were rolling again. We waited 40 minutes until it was our turn to depart (10 jets ahead of us, each take off was spaced by four minutes time, for safety purposes). Our departure was smooth and welcomed, even as the jet plowed through the moisture of the rain, it seemed our pilots were ready to do their thing, with skill and safety in mind.

I must point out that as our jet turned onto the runway for our departure, all of us could see at least 25 jets behind us, waiting to take off. In all, the delay was just an hour and a half. Our actual departure time was 8:30 A.M., CST. After that, the flight was comfortable. The usual complimentary soft drinks were provided once the jet reached the flying altitude of 33,000 feet. I opted for water, and I did not purchase any snacks, since the direct 1,200 mile flight would take just two and a half hours.

This was a nice, no frills flight. The seats, even for coach, were okay. I had decent leg room, and as always, the window view was wonderful, even with clouds. As soon as the large blue water of the Gulf of Mexico appeared beyond the Florida panhandle, I felt the subtle decrease in altitude as the pilots were preparing 45 minutes in advance for entry into Fort Myers. It is always a treat to look at the water from above, as bits of land jut out every now and then, providing a real time, real life outline of what we see on maps. Almost the entire Gulf coast of Florida was viewed on our way to a sweet landing on the gentle runways of RSW. Once we touched down, there was a sudden joy from all of the passengers that a vacation was really underway, at just a shade past noon, EST.

Prior to leaving the jet, we were instructed by the flight crew (which was professional and courteous) to shut the window shades to keep the jet cool from the hot Florida sun. Once I was off the jet, the pace of my vacation became slow and sweet. The warmth and brightness of RSW International provided a nice tone, all the way to the baggage claim area, where after just 20 minutes, I was able to snag my one piece off the carousel, and head off to Fort Myers Beach.

Now the return flight (AA Flight #773, with an 11:30 A.M., EST departure time) was just as pleasant. Check-in was easy at RSW, as the terminals were clearly marked, and the airline counters were visible and easy to access. The AA representative was very professional, as she checked me in with the computer, using my AA Advantage number, and in less than a minute, I had my boarding pass. Security check was quick, with no major lines. Soon, I was at the gate, waiting for my return flight to Chicago O’Hare.

Boarding again was organized, with only small delays provided by the usual hunt for overhead luggage space (an understandable and common event). Departure was on time, and the arrival to O’Hare was about 15 minutes ahead of schedule, as we touched down softly at about 1:15 P.M., CST. Now Saturday afternoons at O’Hare are hectic, as most of you know. But after a lengthy (I am used to this) walk to the baggage claim area on the lower level, there was only a 20 minute wait for the luggage to roll onto that carousel. Once mine appeared, I snagged it, and knew that my vacation was officially over. But my recent experience on American Airlines was solid. My flights were reliable and reasonable. And of course, I will fly AA again. My next destination will be Kona, Hawaii (Big Island), in October. I hope the AA crew on that flight will provide some Aloha spirit for nearly nine hours of flying.

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