NYC Travel - AVOID JFK

Get_Right

I just got back from the worst travel experience I have ever had. That is close to 35 years travelling internationally. This was by far the worst experience. As some of you know, I travel to Japan. American Airlines. Supposed to leave Sunday at 10 AM. Direct JFK to Tokyo. Then 12:30 PM, then 1:00 AM (yes 1 am WTF). Then 9:30 am today. Now leaving at 4:30pm. I went to the desk, asked for a refund and a meal voucher. JFK is a nightmare as it is under construction. Avoid at all costs. Holidays in NY this year while my family enjoys Japan. I will never book another AA flight. I think all US airlines are the worst. Thanks for letting me vent.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Damn, what a disaster. 
Thats just awful.

Get_Right

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Damn, what a disaster. 
Thats just awful.

Speedy I guess once in a long time of traveling is not so bad. I generally have patience when travelling. The worst part was the trips back and forth to JFK. It is a combat zone. 2.5 hours to get back home which is ridiculous. 

josevolution

If I’m to fly internationally I fly the airline that pertains to the nation I’m visiting! Screw any American Airlines they can just fly nationwide, last summer it took me close to 4 hours to drive 45 miles back home from JFK after dropping my daughter off! Never again I won’t even attempt to fly nationwide 

F Me In The Brain

I flew 40+ weeks this year and sometimes the shit is just broken.  Gotta roll with it if you want to fly.

The delays described here are brutal.

Also, it is my experience that all 3 NYC area airports are to be avoided when possible. 

tempo_n_groove

josevolution said:

If I’m to fly internationally I fly the airline that pertains to the nation I’m visiting! Screw any American Airlines they can just fly nationwide, last summer it took me close to 4 hours to drive 45 miles back home from JFK after dropping my daughter off! Never again I won’t even attempt to fly nationwide 

I flew AA once a few years back.  Just after the merger.  Worst airline I ever dealt with.  Never again.  Not even if they are cheapest...

When I traveled for work I had Status w US Airways.  I miss them.  They were a good company

Get_Right

We normally fly Japanese airlines, JAL or ANA. But this year we had miles we needed to use and AA was the best fit. This is one of the most expensive weeks to travel and there was not much flexibility. I personally prefer flying out of White Plains to Chicago and then on to Tokyo. Even if it adds hours to a very long trip. But whatever, my wife just said your flight is booked. First world problems and my mother in law is probably happy I did not make the trip.

Get_Right

F Me In The Brain said:

I flew 40+ weeks this year and sometimes the shit is just broken.  Gotta roll with it if you want to fly.

The delays described here are brutal.

Also, it is my experience that all 3 NYC area airports are to be avoided when possible. 

I am a patient traveler, delays happen, bags get lost etc. But this was ridiculous. Good news, is that AA awarded me 20K in miles due to the inconvenience. That and a token will get me downtown (kudos if you get the token reference). 

josevolution

I’ll pay extra to fly out of Islip McCarthur airport it’s 15 minutes from me but they only fly to certain cities so it’s not always available 

Get_Right

josevolution said:

I’ll pay extra to fly out of Islip McCarthur airport it’s 15 minutes from me but they only fly to certain cities so it’s not always available 

I have flown through there a few times. It is just fine. My dad used to fly me back to Syracuse when we had family in Mineola. But yes, those smaller airports require a connection to get to most places. I prefer a low stress longer travel day. Same with White Plains, it is probably 20-30% more expensive than using the major airports, but it is so worth it. 

CROJAM95

Few weeks ago to Germany @ jfk was a disaster… I can only imagine now… thanks to Cheeto my tsa still hasn’t come in , govt shutdown 

like 2 hours to clear security… I almost missed my flight to Vienna in August cause of the bs 

sorry Get Right… that sux dude 

F Me In The Brain

tempo_n_groove said:

josevolution said:

If I’m to fly internationally I fly the airline that pertains to the nation I’m visiting! Screw any American Airlines they can just fly nationwide, last summer it took me close to 4 hours to drive 45 miles back home from JFK after dropping my daughter off! Never again I won’t even attempt to fly nationwide 

I flew AA once a few years back.  Just after the merger.  Worst airline I ever dealt with.  Never again.  Not even if they are cheapest...

When I traveled for work I had Status w US Airways.  I miss them.  They were a good company

Yeah, USAirways now part of AA

AA really isnt much worse than any other US based carrier.
I would put Delta, United, American in ranking but they all have issues and treat non status (high level status) fliers like assholes.

Get_Right

I find Delta to be much better, but they are more expensive. This was just a bad confluence of events. I am actually enjoying the quiet house thanks for the kind words gents.

Merry Christmas to my goyim friends.

josevolution

Next flights for me will be next September I’m headed to Europe to do a Disney river cruise 

tempo_n_groove

Get_Right said:

I find Delta to be much better, but they are more expensive. This was just a bad confluence of events. I am actually enjoying the quiet house thanks for the kind words gents.

Merry Christmas to my goyim friends.

Goyim?  Are u speaking Yiddish to us gentiles?

Get_Right

tempo_n_groove said:

Get_Right said:

I find Delta to be much better, but they are more expensive. This was just a bad confluence of events. I am actually enjoying the quiet house thanks for the kind words gents.

Merry Christmas to my goyim friends.

Goyim?  Are u speaking Yiddish to us gentiles?

  Yes. 

eddiec

Whenever I fly home, it's always to Newark. Even if the flights to JFK are a bit cheaper. Getting out to JFK is just a nightmare. Even if we hit traffic back/forth from Newark, there are options to avoid. With JFK, iy just feels like you're stuck and screwed. 

Get_Right

eddiec said:

Whenever I fly home, it's always to Newark. Even if the flights to JFK are a bit cheaper. Getting out to JFK is just a nightmare. Even if we hit traffic back/forth from Newark, there are options to avoid. With JFK, iy just feels like you're stuck and screwed. 

I never thought I would say that going to Newark is preferable, but it currently is. I guess in three years the trip to JFK will be improved.

We All Believe

I always fly Newark, and always United, unless alternatives make much more sense. I generally have good experiences with both, but I also really only travel domestically.

I avoid JFK and LGA at all costs. If I visit a college buddy in Florida, I fly out of Westchester, and even then there aren't a whole lot of flights to choose from.

Years ago, my company sent me to the Philippines for 10 days, and they paid for the trip, but I got to keep the miles, then I.opened a United credit card, and the rest is history.

josevolution

La Guardia is much better these days since they renovated it! Newark is not an option at all for anyone from Long Island crossing over on the cross Bronx is hell on earth 

GlowGirl

LaGuardia is great now and with no traffic I can get there in under 1/2 hour. Newark is ok. I have gone there many times for United flights. But it takes longer to get there and is more expensive taking a car service there. But I agree that right now JFK sucks. The construction is obnoxious. I have had to go there a few times this year. Also, it feels like it takes at least 20 or more minutes to walk to baggage claim. It is such a long walk. Ugh!!