Jeremy Clarkson in The Sunday Times
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The BBC are probably pulling Top Gear because they want to put on some PC garb. What about a gay ethnic baby whales theatre workshop group against the bomb and racism to replace it? Might be quite nice whilst tucking into some steamed mung beans on organic rice (I bet those paddy field workers don't go to the side of the field for a p!ss) No Thanks! I'll stick to a big mac and watching boy racers come off the roundabout behind my Impreza, come back Jez all is forgiven. Up the lads. 
Trash du Blanc
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Ask any ACMI/Supplemental freight dog. We commercial ALOT, all over the world. It is amazing how poor service is, generally. U.S. carriers, regretfully, are the worst. Where do all the flight attendants go after level-off?
And who the 'ell certified that godawful A-340 with no gasper vents in back? Satan? A Cessna 150 at least gives you fresh air....
And who the 'ell certified that godawful A-340 with no gasper vents in back? Satan? A Cessna 150 at least gives you fresh air....
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As a frequent user of Virgin intercity trains and occasional Manch/Heathrow shuttle or BMI passsenger I am frequently amazed at the flack Virgin get while the airlines get away with a far less punctual or reliable service.
Wilmslow/Euston first class return is about £220, about the same or slightly less than the airfare. I use the train about 3 times a month, sometimes more, and (apart from the post-Hatfield slow downs, now history) it's usualy on time or within a few minutes. Worst ever was 1hr 30mins late due loco breakdown (I've had that twice). I've never had a train cancelled, but I know it occasionally happens. And the on-board service is superb, with, on morning trains, the best breakfast I know.
The aeroplane, in contrast, is nearly always late - often very late. And it gets cancelled frequently. And it's not a nice experience - hanging around airports (I can arrive at Wilmslow station just before the train and hop straight onto it). Awful cattle-herding airport staff. Nasty cramped conditions on board.
It's fashionable to knock trains post privatisation, but IMHO the journos should put the boot into competeing short (but expensive) inter city air services, where it more properly belongs.
Whaever happened to BA's 'walk-on' shuttle service?
SSD
Wilmslow/Euston first class return is about £220, about the same or slightly less than the airfare. I use the train about 3 times a month, sometimes more, and (apart from the post-Hatfield slow downs, now history) it's usualy on time or within a few minutes. Worst ever was 1hr 30mins late due loco breakdown (I've had that twice). I've never had a train cancelled, but I know it occasionally happens. And the on-board service is superb, with, on morning trains, the best breakfast I know.
The aeroplane, in contrast, is nearly always late - often very late. And it gets cancelled frequently. And it's not a nice experience - hanging around airports (I can arrive at Wilmslow station just before the train and hop straight onto it). Awful cattle-herding airport staff. Nasty cramped conditions on board.
It's fashionable to knock trains post privatisation, but IMHO the journos should put the boot into competeing short (but expensive) inter city air services, where it more properly belongs.
Whaever happened to BA's 'walk-on' shuttle service?
SSD
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I used to like JC, when he talked about cars he generally knew what he was talking about. Having branched out he uses the same formula of sarcasm and ranting except he generally doesn't know what he is talking about and the results are articles like this. I'm bored with it now.
Someone said in an earlier post words to the effect of : if travel agents could say 'unless you pay a bit more you can expect crap service, then people would pay it.
Well guess what - they won't. We in the airlines spend a lot of money on market research and would dearly love them to pay a bit more so we can offer more legroom, more aircraft availabilty to cover delays, etc etc. However, this is the British public we are talking about. Take a look at a German or Scandanavian charter jet, nowhere near as many seats coz they won't put ip with it and more importantly ARE prepared to pay for it.
You get what you (are prepared to) pay for.
Someone said in an earlier post words to the effect of : if travel agents could say 'unless you pay a bit more you can expect crap service, then people would pay it.
Well guess what - they won't. We in the airlines spend a lot of money on market research and would dearly love them to pay a bit more so we can offer more legroom, more aircraft availabilty to cover delays, etc etc. However, this is the British public we are talking about. Take a look at a German or Scandanavian charter jet, nowhere near as many seats coz they won't put ip with it and more importantly ARE prepared to pay for it.
You get what you (are prepared to) pay for.
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I have read this thread the whole way through and am amazed at some of the replies.
Some people seem to believe that by purchasing a cheap ticket one should expect delays and antipathy from the company concerned. The quote "you gets what you pays for" has been used. I guess to some that entitles the skipper to be late to work and not need to make an apology!!
I think JC is funny as was his article that leads this thread.
Some people seem to believe that by purchasing a cheap ticket one should expect delays and antipathy from the company concerned. The quote "you gets what you pays for" has been used. I guess to some that entitles the skipper to be late to work and not need to make an apology!!
I think JC is funny as was his article that leads this thread.
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Can't agree more. No matter what price you pay service and civility is not to much to ask. If budget airlines advertise that their fares are cheaper because you might get there 4 hours after the advertised departure time, just how long do they think they would stay in business. It dosn't matter how much is paid for a particular trip courtesy and punctuality should be the norm.
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Some may consider this a little controversial, but I dont see why anyone should "apologise" for a problem that they weren't responsible for, I believe that a simple acknowledgement of regret for the inconvienience caused is sufficent.
Also.. its extrememly stupid singling out one person (in this case the Captain) as being responsible for the flight being late, there is a risk that some air-rage ridden idiot might attack the Captain? ... airlines DO have standby crew after all....
Anyway, I find JC quite amusing, I dont think anyone should take his rantings too seriously.
LP
Also.. its extrememly stupid singling out one person (in this case the Captain) as being responsible for the flight being late, there is a risk that some air-rage ridden idiot might attack the Captain? ... airlines DO have standby crew after all....
Anyway, I find JC quite amusing, I dont think anyone should take his rantings too seriously.
LP
Top Gear last night? Wasn't it utter rubbish. Boring little microcars, an indifferent section about the Caterham 7 and V B-H driving a couple of hot hatches.
Bring back the non-PC wit of Clarkson!!
Bring back the non-PC wit of Clarkson!!
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Well it is easy to shoot the messenger, especially one as big and ugly as JC, but it has to be said that the charter airlines often do NOT deliver. Every season all the operators advertise a first class service yet attempt to deliver it with fewer crews, less aircraft downtime and paying even less for ground handling.
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There are STILL a lot of boring, sanctimonious old farts populating this thread. And, what's more, they're probably methane-powered vegan tree-huggers as well. Jeremy Clarkson for President, I say, and BEagle for Minister of Morale and Political Correctness! 
More expensive tickets, if 'bearable' would merely fund improved dividends, increased profits and even staff pay rises long before a single passenger saw a single improvement in service on scheduled services, because there isn't sufficient competition to force this service industry to give its customers the service they deserve. On the charter front, it's perhaps bound to be shoddy and no frills in order to make the overseas holidays we now expect affordable, which perhaps they shouldn't be anyway, if the environmentalists are to be believed?
With regard to Top Gear, Clarkson may be an @rse - but hugely entertaining, passionate and knowledgeable, making TG great watching, while similar aviation programmes (inevitably presented by weather girls, sports presenters and other aviation-illiterate TV personalities) tend to be lowest-common denominator, anodyne crap.
With regard to Top Gear, Clarkson may be an @rse - but hugely entertaining, passionate and knowledgeable, making TG great watching, while similar aviation programmes (inevitably presented by weather girls, sports presenters and other aviation-illiterate TV personalities) tend to be lowest-common denominator, anodyne crap.
What did happen to the English Electric wonderjet that used to be outside JC's home? I flew over his pad the other weekend and noticed it had gone. It was much more interesting than your average garden gnome!
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Sorry guys, but reading between the lines, Clarkson's article assumes a wholly negative, albeit humourous, description. Even if for eg, the fat family had generously offered to share some of their chips......or a member of crew had been extremely courteous, I doubt it would have warranted a mention. I agree that bad service is never excusable, but in this instance, perhaps events are an eency bit exagerated.
What will be the topic in this week's ST? Could be this thread? !
[ 17 August 2001: Message edited by: tiger burn ]
What will be the topic in this week's ST? Could be this thread? !
[ 17 August 2001: Message edited by: tiger burn ]
If it is, then JC - if you'd like to fly in something which won't cause you to throw your ring, post here and perhaps something could be arranged??
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AIRLINE PASSENGERS' COMPLAINTS SOAR
By Peter Woodman, Air Correspondent, PA News
COMPLAINTS from airline passengers soared last year, with moans about delays more than doubling, the Air Transport Users Council reported today.
Written complaints received by the council in the 12 months to the end of March 2001 rose 45%, while telephone complaints increased 10% compared with the 1999-2000 figure.
Delays topped the list of written complaints in 2000-01, while mishandled baggage headed the telephone moans table.
The council's chairman, Ian Hamer, said today: "These statistics show yet again that too many passengers are being badly let down in these important aspects of service.
"We are particularly concerned about the continuing increase in complaints and inquiries about lost or damaged luggage. This year's increase follows a similar rise last year.
"We have called repeatedly for publication of airline mishandled baggage statistics. Publication will not in itself make the problem go away. But we believe that the `name and shame' effect will provide a strong incentive to airlines and their agents to do better."
On delays, the council said extensive media coverage of held-up flights might have prompted more passengers to complain.
On baggage, the council said there was "a particularly worrying and continuing trend" in bags being lost on connecting flights.
The existing regulations meant there was "little incentive for airlines to seek to ensure that the bags actually make the connections with their owners".
Complaints about cancellations rose 124%, although this was partly explained by the severe disruption caused by the London air traffic control computer breakdown in June 2000.
However, the council added: "There appears to be mounting evidence of airlines cancelling flights for commercial reasons, often with little obvious concerns for the effects on passengers' travel plans.
"When they cancel flights, carriers are obliged to offer refunds or alternative transportation. But we consider cancelling flights for commercial reasons, with no further redress for passengers, to be a serious abuse of the conditions of carriage."
Mr Hamer ss "highly regrettable" that firm proposals to improve European air traffic management as a whole had not been put forward.
He warned: "Passengers will meanwhile continue to suffer delays arising from congestion in the skies."
The top 10 written council in the 12 months ending March 31, 2001 (with the 1999-2000 figure in brackets) were:
COMPLAINT NUMBER
1. Delays 311 (148)
2. Mishandled baggage 238 (155)
3. Cancellations 160 (71)
4= Reservations 90 (89)
4= Overbooking 90 (60)
6. Tickets 72 (36)
7. Seating ules 66 (51)
9. Ground services 63 (55)
10. Safety 46 (57)
The top 10 telephone complaints were:
COMPLAINT NUMBER
1. Mishandled baggage 631 (437)
2. Delays 460 (232)
3. Cancellations 293 (146)
4. Tickets 274 (228)
5. Reservations 193 (318)
6. Overbooking 169 (141)
7. Schedules 149 (157)
8. Special needs 90 (107)
By Peter Woodman, Air Correspondent, PA News
COMPLAINTS from airline passengers soared last year, with moans about delays more than doubling, the Air Transport Users Council reported today.
Written complaints received by the council in the 12 months to the end of March 2001 rose 45%, while telephone complaints increased 10% compared with the 1999-2000 figure.
Delays topped the list of written complaints in 2000-01, while mishandled baggage headed the telephone moans table.
The council's chairman, Ian Hamer, said today: "These statistics show yet again that too many passengers are being badly let down in these important aspects of service.
"We are particularly concerned about the continuing increase in complaints and inquiries about lost or damaged luggage. This year's increase follows a similar rise last year.
"We have called repeatedly for publication of airline mishandled baggage statistics. Publication will not in itself make the problem go away. But we believe that the `name and shame' effect will provide a strong incentive to airlines and their agents to do better."
On delays, the council said extensive media coverage of held-up flights might have prompted more passengers to complain.
On baggage, the council said there was "a particularly worrying and continuing trend" in bags being lost on connecting flights.
The existing regulations meant there was "little incentive for airlines to seek to ensure that the bags actually make the connections with their owners".
Complaints about cancellations rose 124%, although this was partly explained by the severe disruption caused by the London air traffic control computer breakdown in June 2000.
However, the council added: "There appears to be mounting evidence of airlines cancelling flights for commercial reasons, often with little obvious concerns for the effects on passengers' travel plans.
"When they cancel flights, carriers are obliged to offer refunds or alternative transportation. But we consider cancelling flights for commercial reasons, with no further redress for passengers, to be a serious abuse of the conditions of carriage."
Mr Hamer ss "highly regrettable" that firm proposals to improve European air traffic management as a whole had not been put forward.
He warned: "Passengers will meanwhile continue to suffer delays arising from congestion in the skies."
The top 10 written council in the 12 months ending March 31, 2001 (with the 1999-2000 figure in brackets) were:
COMPLAINT NUMBER
1. Delays 311 (148)
2. Mishandled baggage 238 (155)
3. Cancellations 160 (71)
4= Reservations 90 (89)
4= Overbooking 90 (60)
6. Tickets 72 (36)
7. Seating ules 66 (51)
9. Ground services 63 (55)
10. Safety 46 (57)
The top 10 telephone complaints were:
COMPLAINT NUMBER
1. Mishandled baggage 631 (437)
2. Delays 460 (232)
3. Cancellations 293 (146)
4. Tickets 274 (228)
5. Reservations 193 (318)
6. Overbooking 169 (141)
7. Schedules 149 (157)
8. Special needs 90 (107)
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So whats it take to say sorry, obviously too much for some. I have looked at most of the thread and the majority of you are moaning about Clarkson...he was doing his job, its a pitty that the same cant be said about the Captain. Those passengers pay our wages..lets look after them and not treat them with contempt!
ENTREPPRUNEUR
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Mr Clarkson made two separate complaints - airlines and airports. Well to be fair, as usual, he was also having a go at his fellow countrymen. (Why do English people look and behave like complete prats?).
I was recently delayed 2 hours by Brtiannia. In fact the first hour was to wait for passengers to arrive after a major Motorway blockage. The second was to get baggage off to remove lighters.I have no complaint with this.
I do however have a complaint with the pathetic lack of facilties at the airport concerned. They'd got a lounge, cafeteria, toilets and a couple of shops. That's just not good enough for killing 3, 4, 5 etc etc hours.
Aviation just totally lacks creative thinking...
(I was sufficiently occupied on the plane though. It took me the whole 3 hours of the flight to work out where I could put my legs...)
I was recently delayed 2 hours by Brtiannia. In fact the first hour was to wait for passengers to arrive after a major Motorway blockage. The second was to get baggage off to remove lighters.I have no complaint with this.
I do however have a complaint with the pathetic lack of facilties at the airport concerned. They'd got a lounge, cafeteria, toilets and a couple of shops. That's just not good enough for killing 3, 4, 5 etc etc hours.
Aviation just totally lacks creative thinking...
(I was sufficiently occupied on the plane though. It took me the whole 3 hours of the flight to work out where I could put my legs...)