Standard of air travel in America has really dropped

[Lisafuller]

Sidenote, has anyone ever flown Pakistan airlines? I've seen videos taken by passengers, and it's almost laughable. Based on the videos, Delays are rampant, food is better suited for animals, and service is dreadful.

[NYY1]

As a matter of fact, tomorrow morning we'll be doing just that. We're in Orlando right now, and flew in from Miami. Took spirit airlines.

Worst decision I could've made. Flight was terribly delayed, but what was more frustrating was the lack of communication and transparency that left everyone frustrated and confused. I was really dreading the return flight, in spite of the fact that it's a easy 35 minutes.

Made the last minute decision to book us two tickets on Amtrak, and I'm now feeling much better. Will update with my experience.

Why not just drive? Total time with going to the airport and stuff is probably similar (and minimal risk of delays). I guess maybe you guys don't have a car there yet since you haven't moved permanently. Anyways, good luck.

[PNGMK]

Sidenote, has anyone ever flown Pakistan airlines? I've seen videos taken by passengers, and it's almost laughable. Based on the videos, Delays are rampant, food is better suited for animals, and service is dreadful.

back in 2005 my wife (finance) worked in Karachi at the American school. I flew there on PIA and it was ok then. It was part of Star Alliance from memory.

[MOCHS]

There was a series of hilarious videos on TikTok by content creator lisamarie.tv about how the flight attendants from each airline walks. When it came to Spirit Airlines, there was no one on screen as they are almost always delayed.

Other than JFK airport damaging my luggage twice upon arrival & departure in April (SIA still has not contacted me…), my airport experience was alright thanks to Global Entry. Flying out of the newly renovated LGA felt a bit like Changi. My in-laws small town airport had a cute airport service dog for passengers to pat.

I felt the smaller airports had nicer staff compared to the bigger international airports.

I was mostly worried about losing my luggage and had an AirTag in them to track their movement. No lost luggage which was a relief.

For Amtrak, I heard if you have big luggage, you gotta put them in the designated luggage rack, yeah? What’s stopping strangers from taking off with your luggage?

[Lisafuller]

As a matter of fact, tomorrow morning we'll be doing just that. We're in Orlando right now, and flew in from Miami. Took spirit airlines.

Worst decision I could've made. Flight was terribly delayed, but what was more frustrating was the lack of communication and transparency that left everyone frustrated and confused. I was really dreading the return flight, in spite of the fact that it's a easy 35 minutes.

Made the last minute decision to book us two tickets on Amtrak, and I'm now feeling much better. Will update with my experience.

Why not just drive? Total time with going to the airport and stuff is probably similar (and minimal risk of delays). I guess maybe you guys don't have a car there yet since you haven't moved permanently. Anyways, good luck.

You got it.


We used to lease when we'd come back every year, but let it go during covid for obvious reasons.

Now that we're getting close to moving back for good, I'm starting to think about what car to get. Any suggestions?

[Lisafuller]

Sidenote, has anyone ever flown Pakistan airlines? I've seen videos taken by passengers, and it's almost laughable. Based on the videos, Delays are rampant, food is better suited for animals, and service is dreadful.

back in 2005 my wife (finance) worked in Karachi at the American school. I flew there on PIA and it was ok then. It was part of Star Alliance from memory.

It's a good thing she's not there anymore. The Middle East has gotten to be a horrible place for women.

If it used to be ok, it's definitely fallen off since. The videos I've seen have to be some of the worst.

[Lisafuller]

There was a series of hilarious videos on TikTok by content creator lisamarie.tv about how the flight attendants from each airline walks. When it came to Spirit Airlines, there was no one on screen as they are almost always delayed.

Other than JFK airport damaging my luggage twice upon arrival & departure in April (SIA still has not contacted me…), my airport experience was alright thanks to Global Entry. Flying out of the newly renovated LGA felt a bit like Changi. My in-laws small town airport had a cute airport service dog for passengers to pat.

I felt the smaller airports had nicer staff compared to the bigger international airports.

I was mostly worried about losing my luggage and had an AirTag in them to track their movement. No lost luggage which was a relief.

For Amtrak, I heard if you have big luggage, you gotta put them in the designated luggage rack, yeah? What’s stopping strangers from taking off with your luggage?

Having now flown spirit, I can attest to that.

And yes, completely agree with you on the AirTags. They are an essential! Bought a pack of 4 for myself and my daughter each, and put one in each piece of luggage/handbag. Even attached one to my keys! Did not have to worry one bit about anything going missing. Game changer for sure.

As for Amtrak, I'm on the train at this very moment. Big luggage gets checked in, the overhead racks are only meant to accommodate small carry ons. You put them right above your seat so there's little worry about anyone nabbing your bag, unless you're not alert.

[Lisafuller]

On my final hour of a 5 hour train ride, and here's how it's going so far.

Train is not filthy, but seats aren't exactly clean. If I wasn't wearing leggings I might not be able to sit comfortably.

Conductor and staff are very, VERY nice. Seats aren't assigned at the time of booking but rather as you board the train. If you're particular and want a window/aisle seat, just mention in to the attendant and they'll do their best.

Speaking of which, one nice thing is that the train is arranged in a 2-2 configuration, so there's no middle seat whatsoever.

Bathrooms are pretty horrific though.

There's also a cafe on board, where you can grab sandwiches/snacks/drinks. Didn't get anything as I made a stop at Panera Bread before.

As for time, we were a little delayed as we had to wait for another train to leave the station first. Not sure what contributed to the delay but it was a 40 min wait. Not too bad though as the cabin is spacious and cool.

[NYY1]

You got it.


We used to lease when we'd come back every year, but let it go during covid for obvious reasons.

Now that we're getting close to moving back for good, I'm starting to think about what car to get. Any suggestions?

I'm not much of a car person. Functionality trumps all (4 wheels, steering wheel, moves forwards and backwards). For this, Camry, Accord, or Prius? Tesla's sound kind of cool, but I am not up to speed on the charging stations, battery, etc.

Above that, it's all kind of personal preference if one has the desire and ability. Will you be rolling into any parties at Indian Creek? If so, you may want to go for something stylish.

[x9200]

Anyways, there's nothing worse than a US domestic flight; the entire process is terrible.

Reminds me times when we still considered flying airfrance. Our flight was delayed because of what they claimed was heavy snow but arriving in CDG for connecting flight to Singapore there was like 2-3cm of snow only max at any visible, uncleaned surface of the tarmac. Yet everything seemed completely paralyzed. Initially airfrance staff helped us pretty efficiently to reach the right terminal but later at the internal luggage check (the one just before the gates) they repeatedly x-rayed our luggage, delaying the whole process by good 15min, and I am very sure this was for the reason we told them we had the flight just waiting for us at the gate. Thanks to this we could only see our plane departing from the gate. We got stuck there for 24h with like 5000 other people on that terminal with practically all shops closed and some pathetic vouchers for 1-2 sandwich per person that supposed to be used in these closed shops. Nothing like transit counter was working already (note: the main airport of France, near midnight) and it opened only in the morning. And in the morning we waited like 1-2h in the queue to be send back to the end of the queue because we dared to comment (just sarcastic, nothing openly insulting) their handling of the crisis. Later they did their best to push us not to Singapore but to Bangkok but fortunately for us we needed visa for this at that time so they had to abandon the idea. Unhelpful, incompetent, top arrogant staff everywhere.
Arrived to Singapore on the next day flight without our luggage. We were later told that they (at CDG) lost close to 100000 pcs of luggage that night. It took few days to deliver ours.

I flew with airfrance earlier, they also managed to lose my luggage. There was no apparent crisis at that time.
Now avoiding anything that may even stop over in France or be on a sharecode.

[Lisafuller]

You got it.


We used to lease when we'd come back every year, but let it go during covid for obvious reasons.

Now that we're getting close to moving back for good, I'm starting to think about what car to get. Any suggestions?

I'm not much of a car person. Functionality trumps all (4 wheels, steering wheel, moves forwards and backwards). For this, Camry, Accord, or Prius? Tesla's sound kind of cool, but I am not up to speed on the charging stations, battery, etc.

Above that, it's all kind of personal preference if one has the desire and ability. Will you be rolling into any parties at Indian Creek? If so, you may want to go for something stylish.

I've always liked Teslas, but I've heard that the cars aren't made very well because Tesla is a tax company and not a car company. I also I'm not really interested in giving Elon Musk any more money.

I've been thinking of getting a Corvette, but they are obviously impractical. However, with my daughter at College, it'll just be me and the Mr., so we don't need a car that can seat more than two. Plus, I'm sure he'll get some sort of SUV. Just not sure which.

[Lisafuller]

Anyways, there's nothing worse than a US domestic flight; the entire process is terrible.

Reminds me times when we still considered flying airfrance. Our flight was delayed because of what they claimed was heavy snow but arriving in CDG for connecting flight to Singapore there was like 2-3cm of snow only max at any visible, uncleaned surface of the tarmac. Yet everything seemed completely paralyzed. Initially airfrance staff helped us pretty efficiently to reach the right terminal but later at the internal luggage check (the one just before the gates) they repeatedly x-rayed our luggage, delaying the whole process by good 15min, and I am very sure this was for the reason we told them we had the flight just waiting for us at the gate. Thanks to this we could only see our plane departing from the gate. We got stuck there for 24h with like 5000 other people on that terminal with practically all shops closed and some pathetic vouchers for 1-2 sandwich per person that supposed to be used in these closed shops. Nothing like transit counter was working already (note: the main airport of France, near midnight) and it opened only in the morning. And in the morning we waited like 1-2h in the queue to be send back to the end of the queue because we dared to comment (just sarcastic, nothing openly insulting) their handling of the crisis. Later they did their best to push us not to Singapore but to Bangkok but fortunately for us we needed visa for this at that time so they had to abandon the idea. Unhelpful, incompetent, top arrogant staff everywhere.
Arrived to Singapore on the next day flight without our luggage. We were later told that they (at CDG) lost close to 100000 pcs of luggage that night. It took few days to deliver ours.

I flew with airfrance earlier, they also managed to lose my luggage. There was no apparent crisis at that time.
Now avoiding anything that may even stop over in France or be on a sharecode.

The crazy thing is CDG is still known to be the Bermuda triangle of travel, luggage just seems to go missing for no reason.

[NYY1]

I've always liked Teslas, but I've heard that the cars aren't made very well because Tesla is a tax company and not a car company. I also I'm not really interested in giving Elon Musk any more money.

I've been thinking of getting a Corvette, but they are obviously impractical. However, with my daughter at College, it'll just be me and the Mr., so we don't need a car that can seat more than two. Plus, I'm sure he'll get some sort of SUV. Just not sure which.

If there's only two people at home and you have another car/SUV that can be used when needed, it's probably fine. Do you like the convertible or normal version (nice weather where you are going)?

I just looked and I think these cars are much faster 0 to 60 than they were before. I guess they are keeping up with other options in the market, and they or anything else in this class are probably pretty fun to drive.

[Lisafuller]

Definitely. And they are incredibly sleek too.

The trouble is that without the COE restrictions, I'm thinking a lot harder about what car is right. I'm not sure I'll still want a sports car in 10 years, but maybe that's all the more a sign to get one now while I still can.

[smoulder]

Sidenote, has anyone ever flown Pakistan airlines? I've seen videos taken by passengers, and it's almost laughable. Based on the videos, Delays are rampant, food is better suited for animals, and service is dreadful.

back in 2005 my wife (finance) worked in Karachi at the American school. I flew there on PIA and it was ok then. It was part of Star Alliance from memory.

It's a good thing she's not there anymore. The Middle East has gotten to be a horrible place for women.

If it used to be ok, it's definitely fallen off since. The videos I've seen have to be some of the worst.

Pakistan is in south asia.... Whole different animal.