ATA Airline - flight from Milwaukee, WI to Las Vegas - poor travel experience

# 8 for February 16, 2002

Complaints.com received the following e-message on February 15, 2002:

From: Glenda Pollock [Email User]

ATA Airline - flight from Milwaukee, WI to Las Vegas - poor travel experience

I have just returned from a trip, flying ATA. I was amazed at how poorly they treated their passengers. On 2-8-02 four of us (2 couples) arrived at the Milwaukee, WI airport to check in, arriving well within the check in time.

We recieved 4 seats straight across, but in non reclining seats (not a big problem in he morning). Once on the plane, I asked the flight attendant for a magazine, and was informed very rudely that they would be in the seat pocket. I retorted there were not any.

She then stated that they were out, again very rudely. She did bring one to me a short time later. Shortly after take off the attendants distibuted beverages and snacks, but then disapeared, so that the passengers were left juggling bags, empty cups, etc.

It was shortly before landing in Las Vegas that we saw the flight attendants again. On the return flight from Las Vegas to Milwaukee (2-11-02), we arrived at the airport early, and were the first ones to check in for the 7:35pm flight. We requested that we have seats where each couple would sit togeather. We ended up with 4 aisle seats. Upon boarding the plane, I requested a pillow.

The young flight attendant informed me that they were out of pillows. The woman in the seat next to me asked about a blanket and was told that they were out of those, also. When another flight attendant (with a pin marked senior) went by we asked him about pillows and blankets.

He went and brought for all of us. We did notice that the first attendant we asked was more involved with reading her novel instead of assisting passengers.

This is the first time any of the four of us have flown on ATA, and we all agreed that this was not a good experience. I am amazed at the consistant rudeness of the flight attendants, and can not believe that this is condoned by the airline.

I realize that they have a demanding job, but they chose it, and if they are so unhappy that they need to shirk their duties and be rude to the customers, maybe it is time for them to find another job.