Letters to the Editor
qazwart
Published Letters: 137 Editor's Choice: 31
-
Everyone Take a Deep Breath
[Read the article: Ask the pilot]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I found the article quite interesting. However, from the way I've read it, it's not so much of a longing for "Coffee, Tea, or Me" as much as getting away from "Here's your peanuts. Now leave me alone".
Most of the article and readers talk about their experience on Singapore Airlines not so much for the hot young babes, but for the service. I have a feeling most people would feel the same way if the Swamp Thing crawled out of the local bayou and became a Singapore Girl.
The Two hour flight from Pittsburgh to New York on US Airlines is bad enough -- lousy service, overcrowded planes, and dirty surroundings. Add in our TSA personnel scrutinizing our toiletries and insisting that we all walk around barefoot, and you know why I refuse to fly. I'd rather be packed in a shipping crate and trucked to Los Angeles. Now imagine what it would be like taking a 14 hour flight with US Airlines. Sends chills down your spine.
Is there sexism involved? You bet! Back in the 1960s, Western business society was even more heavily male dominated and the boss man loved young, pretty, subservient women. It was the age of secretaries, Playboy keyclubs, and the obedient corporate trophy wife. The airlines responded with what the flying public wanted.
But, what type of career is one that ends at 35? What does a Singapore Girl do once the corporation officially declares her too long in the tooth? Can she become a pilot? Does she move to the executive boardroom? I highly doubt it. The businessman who is being served may fantasize that the Singapore girl's job is full of glamor, but it's probably more along the lines of putting up with fat drunken flyers with overly busy hands and pretending to smile.
I wonder as women move up in Asian corporations how much longer can the Singapore Girl survive? I'm sure women executives want the same great service, but will they feel comfortable in such a sexist atmosphere? A few letters here complained that Singapore Airlines' famed great service doesn't extend to the business woman.
Nor, does sexism and good service go hand in hand. Virgin Atlantic airlines also has great service, yet I don't see them bragging about their pretty attractive stewardesses. The "stewardess" there may be in a male in his late 40s, but its still great service. The airline is clean, spacious, and your made to feel comfortable.
I am personally happy that the age of "I'm Cindy, Fly Me" is long gone. However, that doesn't mean I don't mind being treated like cattle being brought to market. My most memorable flight is a red eye from California where I was assigned to a middle seat in a 727. I spent most of the flight in the bathroom because despite it being dirty and smelly, it was a lot more pleasant than my assigned seat. I wouldn't object to a little more glamour.
-
How did they know Cheney was unhurt?
[Read the article: Cheney escapes bomb attack]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]They certainly weren't looking for a pulse. Bad attempt at humor. Sorry.
However, what no one mentions is that this was suppose to be a secret visit, but apparently the Taliban not only knew about it, but had enough time to plan a suicide bombing.
That doesn't bode well for our mission in Afghanistan.
-
Who is responsible for those poor passengers being stuck on the plane?
[Read the article: Ask the pilot]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I agree with Patrick Smith on this issue. The new legislation is popular in Congress because Congress can "do something" without costing us tax payers a penny. But, we should be very, very careful about what we wish for.
Here's the big question: Why did JetBlue load the plane and leave the gate when they didn't have clearance for takeoff in the first place? Why not let the passengers sit in the gate where there's more room and amenities?
Well, that was due to another piece of regulation passed by the Civilian Aviation Board right before the CAB went out of business. At that time, the big story was about the number of people stuck waiting at the gate for delayed flights. Many passengers waited hours to board. The CAB decided that publishing airline's "on time" percentage for the month would allow passengers to avoid airlines that were chronically late. This would put pressure on the airlines to make sure their flights left on time. And, it worked. Airlines felt immediate pressure to improve their on time performance and they did.
However, there was a bit of a quirk in the way the on time statistics were calculated. What if an airplane left the gate on time, but through no fault of the airline, it couldn't take off when it was suppose to? Therefore, the on time statistics were compiled not when the flight actually took off, but when the plane disembarked from the gate.
Before the new regulation, if the airport itself was backed up due to inclement weather, the airline would simply not have the passengers board the plane. Passengers would be more comfortable in the gate, the planes wouldn't get dirty sitting around loaded with passengers, and it allowed for flexibility in crew assignments.
After the new regulations, that plane would now be loaded up on time, the plane would leave the gate right on the money. It would move about 100 feet away from the terminal, then sit around and wait for clearance. That plane may be sitting there on the ground for 2 hours, but since that plane left the gate on time, the government counted it as an on time departure.
And, that's why JetBlue loaded that plane up, taxied that flight away from the terminal and had it sitting there for 10 hours waiting for clearance to take off. Yes, it is inhuman to be stuck in a small bodied over crowed jet with no food and festering bathrooms. But, by golly, that plane took off on time!