Delhi to Chicago American Airlines experience

nycank · Jul 3rd, 2009, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by davef22

Just got back from my trip, delhi-chicago the flight was comfortable but the food was just horrible on American Airlines. Worse than 711 food. I wouldn't travel on this airline ever again and on this sector too.Delhi airport there is a lot of checking and it is a pain to deal with.

Could you write a trip report ? What did you expect from AA ?

For that matter any US airline. This is not a flying restaurant, more like flying school cafeteria.

What did you mean by checking ? Can you elaborate.

TIA

Sharmscharms · Jul 3rd, 2009, 18:31

Food's food, isn't it? How bad can it possibly be?

namaste_cat · Jul 3rd, 2009, 23:26

I've yet to have anything but sucky food on any airline, whether I was in 1st class, business, or coach. And no, I'm not especially picky, just assumed food was one of those bonus features, so to speak.

davef22 - I'd be interested too in some elaboration as well esp the "checking & "pain to deal with" part.

Sharmscharms · Jul 4th, 2009, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by namaste_cat

I've yet to have anything but sucky food on any airline, whether I was in 1st class, business, or coach. And no, I'm not especially picky, just assumed food was one of those bonus features, so to speak.

davef22 - I'd be interested too in some elaboration as well esp the "checking & "pain to deal with" part.

Well we all know how many airlines, esp. the American ones are doing away with their "bonus features"!

I would also love to hear more about Dave's "pain" at Delhi.

davef22 · Jul 6th, 2009, 20:31

Hi Guys,
My flight was originally from Chennai. So my route was Chennai-Delhi-Chicago-Orlando. First a screening is done before checking your baggage at the counter.I don't mind this, but they made us do this even at Delhi airport. Now my baggage was checked all the way from Chennai till Orlando. The Chennai-Delhi was a Kingfisher flight which is 5 stars. We had to identify our baggage at Delhi local airport and move it on a bus(Thanks to Kingfisher staff who helped us with this) and then had our baggage checked in at Delhi Intl airport even though it was checked all the way right through Orlando. So we checked in our stuff at Delhi,then just before boarding the plane our carry-on was searched even though it was screened before checking our baggage at the AA counter in Delhi. We misplaced a key for one our carry-on which was locked and the Delhi airport guys(who identified them as TSA) checked this bag for us. I agree it is our fault of loosing the key but we gave the option to break open the lock to which they said "We don't have the means to do it and we are not allowed to do this".Anyway we had to check-in our carry-on. As for the food, I have traveled economy in Virgin Atlantic,Jet airways and they are just good food. We were served some chicken and mashed potatoes in a small alumnium foil and then later in a ziplock bag a piece of cake,bread and a veg sandwich with some sauce in between it..smashed basically and it was a night snack. Anyway in summary, it was just stale. Well that's my experience with AA. Thankfully we got our all our baggage in 1 piece. AA should be just renamed Awful Airlines...

namaste_cat · Jul 6th, 2009, 22:04

davef22 - thanks for elaborating. The food situation sounds even worse than usual when it comes to airlines

About the checking, I have been subjected to that as well in the US. I'm all for safety but it's getting pretty insane. I flew last yr from a mid-size town to Chicago, and then on to Europe, and Delhi. No layovers. I had to go through security at origination, which made sense, then again in O'Hare, and yet again in Frankfurt. So that part isn't AA's fault, though it's a hassle for sure. Fortunately, I didn't have to deal w/ the checked bags more than once.

davef22 · Jul 6th, 2009, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by namaste_cat

davef22 - thanks for elaborating. The food situation sounds even worse than usual when it comes to airlines

About the checking, I have been subjected to that as well in the US. I'm all for safety but it's getting pretty insane. I flew last yr from a mid-size town to Chicago, and then on to Europe, and Delhi. No layovers. I had to go through security at origination, which made sense, then again in O'Hare, and yet again in Frankfurt. So that part isn't AA's fault, though it's a hassle for sure. Fortunately, I didn't have to deal w/ the checked bags more than once.

Yes I agree with the checking at various points but checking the carryon here and there is a bit over the board. In India, you need to have a stamp on your carryon and if you don't they send you back to get it at security. This happened at Chennai airport but this was the security's fault, not the airline. But AA was not good, leaving all this security , their food was not great and service was OK. The flight from Newyork to Brusells was bad, the plane was cramped,food was "OK" but not good. Something is better than nothing, but in AA that something is just horrible.

davef22 · Jul 6th, 2009, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by namaste_cat

davef22 - thanks for elaborating. The food situation sounds even worse than usual when it comes to airlines

About the checking, I have been subjected to that as well in the US. I'm all for safety but it's getting pretty insane. I flew last yr from a mid-size town to Chicago, and then on to Europe, and Delhi. No layovers. I had to go through security at origination, which made sense, then again in O'Hare, and yet again in Frankfurt. So that part isn't AA's fault, though it's a hassle for sure. Fortunately, I didn't have to deal w/ the checked bags more than once.

I think just flying into Delhi is a pain compared to Chennai. While coming to India with Jet airways, it was great. I agree airports in US are also a pain and being from India they give you a pale look like we are from Mars.

nycank · Jul 7th, 2009, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by namaste_cat

I've yet to have anything but sucky food on any airline, whether I was in 1st class, business, or coach. And no, I'm not especially picky, just assumed food was one of those bonus features, so to speak.

Once upon a time...

Food in the front was quite elaborate. Old Swiss;Old Air France; Pan Am of yonder era competed for pax based on service. Now, US carriers have to compete in routes where the national carrier(s) has prestige at stake. In some of the route pairs, US carriers do OK serving in front of the plane.

Quote:

Originally Posted by davef22

Hi Guys,
My flight was originally from Chennai. So my route was Chennai-Delhi-Chicago-Orlando. First a screening is done before checking your baggage at the counter.I don't mind this, but they made us do this even at Delhi airport. Now my baggage was checked all the way from Chennai till Orlando. The Chennai-Delhi was a Kingfisher flight which is 5 stars. We had to identify our baggage at Delhi local airport and move it on a bus(Thanks to Kingfisher staff who helped us with this) and then had our baggage checked in at Delhi Intl airport even though it was checked all the way right through Orlando. So we checked in our stuff at Delhi,then just before boarding the plane our carry-on was searched even though it was screened before checking our baggage at the AA counter in Delhi. We misplaced a key for one our carry-on which was locked and the Delhi airport guys(who identified them as TSA) checked this bag for us. I agree it is our fault of loosing the key but we gave the option to break open the lock to which they said "We don't have the means to do it and we are not allowed to do this".Anyway we had to check-in our carry-on.

I'm sorry to hear of your ordeal. Some observations in general -

No matter who told you about checking the luggage all the way from a domestic to domestic; it is not true (Chennai to Orlando)

Scanning and screening regulations for domestic india, is different than international. Secondly; All passengers arriving in the U.S have to clear immigration and customs at the first port of entry - no ifs no buts about it.
your checked baggage will be at the carrousel in ORD.

Indian authorities have the same rule. If the first port of entry is BOM with onwards flight to DEL/MAA/whatever... Immigrations and customs is done in BOM.

All flights into US airports go through secondary check irrespective of who(airline, airport authority) did it before and where. This is common phenomena post 9/11. Specially if it is a US carrier, and that too AA on top.

In fact, I find screening at many international airports in EU and South America pretty rudimentary. It is the secondary screening that will sometimes pick up on a liquid medication bottle, or infant liquid for further examination.

Since the carry-on is supposed to be in your possession all the time, from the time you leave the house; why lock it ? I doubt TSA is in Delhi Airport; TSA in the form of ICE in a couple of caribbean ports plus canada and ireland. They have no qualms about breaking locks.

Neither do the dutch for that matter.

A good rule of thumb, do not store valuables in checked baggage; and dont lock it. TSA in US will break it without care.

Sharmscharms · Jul 7th, 2009, 17:41

So then my Dallas-Chicago-London-Delhi luggage won't be checked the whole time either? The customer service rep told me it would be. Just making sure, though.

LBJ_KING · Jul 7th, 2009, 17:45

Wait AA flies Chicago-Delhi? FML

Me and the GF bought tickets last week, leaving for India in a couple days. Chicago-London-Delhi, with a 8 hour layover

davef22 · Jul 7th, 2009, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by nycank

Once upon a time...

Food in the front was quite elaborate. Old Swiss;Old Air France; Pan Am of yonder era competed for pax based on service. Now, US carriers have to compete in routes where the national carrier(s) has prestige at stake. In some of the route pairs, US carriers do OK serving in front of the plane.

I'm sorry to hear of your ordeal. Some observations in general -

No matter who told you about checking the luggage all the way from a domestic to domestic; it is not true (Chennai to Orlando)

Scanning and screening regulations for domestic india, is different than international. Secondly; All passengers arriving in the U.S have to clear immigration and customs at the first port of entry - no ifs no buts about it.
your checked baggage will be at the carrousel in ORD.

Indian authorities have the same rule. If the first port of entry is BOM with onwards flight to DEL/MAA/whatever... Immigrations and customs is done in BOM.

All flights into US airports go through secondary check irrespective of who(airline, airport authority) did it before and where. This is common phenomena post 9/11. Specially if it is a US carrier, and that too AA on top.

In fact, I find screening at many international airports in EU and South America pretty rudimentary. It is the secondary screening that will sometimes pick up on a liquid medication bottle, or infant liquid for further examination.

Since the carry-on is supposed to be in your possession all the time, from the time you leave the house; why lock it ? I doubt TSA is in Delhi Airport; TSA in the form of ICE in a couple of caribbean ports plus canada and ireland. They have no qualms about breaking locks.

Neither do the dutch for that matter.

A good rule of thumb, do not store valuables in checked baggage; and dont lock it. TSA in US will break it without care.

Having to check-in or identify your baggage at first port of entry is fine, I have done this. But I did have my baggage checked-in all the way through, I however had doubts because I was landing in a domestic airport and then start from Delhi Intl. The carry-on I had a video camera which I wanted to keep locked at all times. This they forced me to check-in because I lost the keys and they didn't have the means to open it and not allowed to break locks I believe.If you have a TSA lock, your lock will not be broken. But just apart from this experience at Delhi airport, just don't travel on AA. It was seriously stale food and worse than 711 food.

davef22 · Jul 7th, 2009, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBJ_KING

Wait AA flies Chicago-Delhi? FML

Me and the GF bought tickets last week, leaving for India in a couple days. Chicago-London-Delhi, with a 8 hour layover

Yes Chicago-Delhi is a non-stop flight. I am lucky to not have travelled on this route. I took Jet airways on my trip to India and used AA for return back to the US. I went with a mind set not to expect much from AA and they proved it. Wasn't surprised, I wish I read the reviews on various sites before booking my travel. My family made a trip from Bangalore-Mumbai-London-Chicago with AA and they said it was a nice flight. In anycase, I will stay away from AA in future.

Boston123 · Jul 7th, 2009, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by davef22

Having to check-in or identify your baggage at first port of entry is fine, I have done this. But I did have my baggage checked-in all the way through, I however had doubts because I was landing in a domestic airport and then start from Delhi Intl. The carry-on I had a video camera which I wanted to keep locked at all times. This they forced me to check-in because I lost the keys and they didn't have the means to open it and not allowed to break locks I believe.If you have a TSA lock, your lock will not be broken. But just apart from this experience at Delhi airport, just don't travel on AA. It was seriously stale food and worse than 711 food.

Just a thought.. most security screeners around the world, will ask you to put your video camera, laptop, cell phones etc.. in a bin..don't understand why you would keep it locked.

And for LBJ_King : While the AA flight is non-stop, and gets you into Delhi in 15 hours or so, AA, just like other US carriers does not offer free alcoholic beverages in Economy( you can buy a drink for $ 4 to 5 ), on ANY flight, irrespective of the duration... which I think is taking cost savings to a new level!!

nycank · Jul 9th, 2009, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boston123

Just a thought.. most security screeners around the world, will ask you to put your video camera, laptop, cell phones etc.. in a bin..don't understand why you would keep it locked.

And for LBJ_King : While the AA flight is non-stop, and gets you into Delhi in 15 hours or so, AA, just like other US carriers does not offer free alcoholic beverages in Economy( you can buy a drink for $ 4 to 5 ), on ANY flight, irrespective of the duration... which I think is taking cost savings to a new level!!

I thought; maybe wrongly so, that US carriers offered one complimentary alcoholic drink with a meal on international ? I admit I have no clue

I had champagne before takeoff, because Air Jamaica offers it throughout the flight

If I'm not mistaken DL/NW do serve a drink with a meal flying across the pond and beyond.

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Jul 3rd, 2009, 18:31	#17
Sharmscharms "Pani peanut!" Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ferozepur, India Posts: 152	Food's food, isn't it? How bad can it possibly be?

Jul 3rd, 2009, 23:26	#18
namaste_cat Kashmiri-Punjabi Sherni Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Amreeka Posts: 938	I've yet to have anything but sucky food on any airline, whether I was in 1st class, business, or coach. And no, I'm not especially picky, just assumed food was one of those bonus features, so to speak. davef22 - I'd be interested too in some elaboration as well esp the "checking & "pain to deal with" part.

Jul 6th, 2009, 20:31	#20
davef22 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: FL, USA Posts: 72	Hi Guys, My flight was originally from Chennai. So my route was Chennai-Delhi-Chicago-Orlando. First a screening is done before checking your baggage at the counter.I don't mind this, but they made us do this even at Delhi airport. Now my baggage was checked all the way from Chennai till Orlando. The Chennai-Delhi was a Kingfisher flight which is 5 stars. We had to identify our baggage at Delhi local airport and move it on a bus(Thanks to Kingfisher staff who helped us with this) and then had our baggage checked in at Delhi Intl airport even though it was checked all the way right through Orlando. So we checked in our stuff at Delhi,then just before boarding the plane our carry-on was searched even though it was screened before checking our baggage at the AA counter in Delhi. We misplaced a key for one our carry-on which was locked and the Delhi airport guys(who identified them as TSA) checked this bag for us. I agree it is our fault of loosing the key but we gave the option to break open the lock to which they said "We don't have the means to do it and we are not allowed to do this".Anyway we had to check-in our carry-on. As for the food, I have traveled economy in Virgin Atlantic,Jet airways and they are just good food. We were served some chicken and mashed potatoes in a small alumnium foil and then later in a ziplock bag a piece of cake,bread and a veg sandwich with some sauce in between it..smashed basically and it was a night snack. Anyway in summary, it was just stale. Well that's my experience with AA. Thankfully we got our all our baggage in 1 piece. AA should be just renamed Awful Airlines...

Jul 6th, 2009, 22:04	#21
namaste_cat Kashmiri-Punjabi Sherni Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Amreeka Posts: 938	davef22 - thanks for elaborating. The food situation sounds even worse than usual when it comes to airlines About the checking, I have been subjected to that as well in the US. I'm all for safety but it's getting pretty insane. I flew last yr from a mid-size town to Chicago, and then on to Europe, and Delhi. No layovers. I had to go through security at origination, which made sense, then again in O'Hare, and yet again in Frankfurt. So that part isn't AA's fault, though it's a hassle for sure. Fortunately, I didn't have to deal w/ the checked bags more than once.

Jul 7th, 2009, 17:41	#25
Sharmscharms "Pani peanut!" Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ferozepur, India Posts: 152	So then my Dallas-Chicago-London-Delhi luggage won't be checked the whole time either? The customer service rep told me it would be. Just making sure, though.

Jul 7th, 2009, 17:45	#26
LBJ_KING King James Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: chicago, IL Posts: 110	Wait AA flies Chicago-Delhi? FML Me and the GF bought tickets last week, leaving for India in a couple days. Chicago-London-Delhi, with a 8 hour layover