So - here is the lovely story of my recent trip out of LAX.
I swear, I don't know how much longer I will be willing to fly into the US.
- Check in is mobbed. All kiosk check in, which is fine with me, but it was a mob scene and it took 5 minutes for our luggage tags to print out. During this time, we were jostled and bumped three times by people trying to get to a kiosk.
- Bags to the "TSA X-ray station". Rather than have them take our bags at check out, we have to take them to the screening machine ourselves. Not just that, but the first two were "closed" with smart mouth bitchy women saying "Go to the next one". When I asked, where is the "next one", I was called a smart ass and told to "move along"
- Security line. Another mob scene. A 30 minute wait. So long in fact, that they had to triage people on earlier flights so they would make it. 30 minutes later, when we were finally "checked" (passports and boarding passes) and got into the THIRD line to get through, a "runner" took off into the gate area and so they closed it down. No one in or out. This took another 20 minutes, during which time my 8 yo son had to pee. The "Oh so helpful" TSA folks said we would have to go outside and wait in the line again. Finally, a nice lady said, just tell them the "2nd line" that you've already been cleared and they will "expedite you". That one only took 5 minutes more.
- The "gate". A story still to be told, but I imagine we will be yelled at and corralled onto the plane. Then treated rudely in tiny seats with obnoxious flight attendants. Given the "premiums" they are now charging for fuel, I fully expect more take overs and bankruptcies in the near future.
All I can say is, the airlines have brought their demise on themselves, and I can't think of any folks who deserve it more.