My very own Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (aka America West is awful)

My cheapness trumped my better judgement when I booked our flights to and from California this holiday season. While almost vomiting as I completed the transactions due to how much it cost, I knew it could have been a LOT worse. America West had much cheaper flights than anywhere else. We did have layovers but each was less than an hour and flights sans layovers went for at least $200 more.

Well, I’d rather pay $500 extra than ever fly America West again!!!!! Apparently we are not the only ones who hate America West!

Our first flight was from Boston to Las Vegas and it left at 8:30 PM. The planes were cramped and uncomfortable. One stewardess was talking SO loudly throughout the entire flight. Each time I managed to doze off for even a second (no easy task for me, I seldom sleep on planes), I was awoken by the voice of this flight attendant. I don’t even know who she was talking to! She was just yapping away nonstop. People were trying to read and sleep, so they were turning around and scowling at her but she wouldn’t shut up. The flight was over five hours long and they never even did a second beverage service!

Our second flight was from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. It was turbulent but that wasn’t the fault of America West.

After landing, we had to pick up a rental car at Avis. It was 2 AM, and we didn’t get out of there until almost THREE! The line was incredibly long and they seemed understaffed! What a nightmare.

Our flight from Los Angeles to San Jose was not on America West, but on American Airlines. But let me assure you, it was not without its own drama! First, we were all comfy in our seats ready to go…and then we were all made to “deplane” because the airplane was “unsuitable to fly”. Comforting! So we “deplaned” and then “replaned” on to another plane…THEN, the plane was too heavy so they needed to rearrange where people were sitting to evenly distribute the weight.

But back to my complaints about America West. Something very, very fishy happened with our flight plans. They seemed to have our reservations on file but nothing was paid for. It seems that the transaction never went through when I bought the tickets. BUT I think they had the reservations! Actually, I’m certain they did. We wound up having to pay $200 extra to fly home. :-( I was furious!

Also, one of our pieces of luggage happened to be ONE POUND over the allowed amount. The lady working at the ticket desk let us know JUST how nice she was being by letting it slide. She did, however, let us know that any other ticket clerk would not let us go through.

The security line at San Jose airport was long and it moved slowly. I was sobbing because I had to pay the extra $200, which is a lot of money to me! Everyone was staring at me. Jerks!

Since we bought our tickets the day of the flight, we were pulled aside and had to go through the “special” security check. We were convinced we were going to miss our first flight (from San Jose to Phoenix)…but the plane hadn’t even begun boarding by the time we made it there. In fact, the plane boarded a half hour late. We had a connecting flight to pick up in Phoenix and we were worried we wouldn’t make it in time! We were also worried that even if WE made it in time, our luggage would not.

Luckily (or unluckily, depending on how you look at it), our flight from Phoenix to Boston also happened to be delayed!

Fortunately, the seats on our Phoenix flight were a lot more comfortable and they made up for time in the air so we only landed about 10-15 minutes late.

Since we got back fairly late, we took a taxi to where our cars were parked by Matt’s office building. The cab driver seemed desparate to up the meter fees, and took a VERY roundabout way home! He almost took an even longer way before Matt told him that he had to go a different way.

Anyway, we’re back in Massachusetts. It was great seeing family and friends but I hope it will be a long time before I have to set foot in an airport again. I need to recover from all of this! And I’ll tell you right now, I’ll never fly on America West again. The experience was far less than favorable.

Everybody have a fun and safe New Year. :-) And don’t fly America West!

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