I flew at least one round trip a week for about 30 years. Domestic and International.
Eastern hosed me big time once, and I swore I would never ride them again. Couple of years later, I got to the airport late for an EWR-San Juan flight. My problem. Eastern counter was next to my counter. Eastern guy said "I got you", I handed him my AA ticket. 20 mins later I was in First Class on Eastern. I canceled my Never Again on Eastern vow. Alas, they quit flying a few months later. The crews were really trying, but...
The night Continental took over People express, my crew of 20 and I got really hosed and I ended up chartering a flight from Teterboro. (Back when ABC TV was ABC TV). Continental went to the top if my "Never Again" list, and Frank Lorenzo's picture went on my dartboard and in the porcelain convenience on the wall in the office. Never flew them again. Look at them now. And I think Frank sings with The Choir Eternal. Between shoveling brimstone, one hopes.
American (I'm Lifetime Executive Platinum) always came through for me, even when it was my fault. I'm still sitting on about 800 thousand miles, but I haven't been on a plane in 8 years. TSA and the airports in general are just too much. Even First Class (!) is not that deluxe nowadays.
Now retired, I bust my wrinkly old butt to ride AMTRAK whenever I can, even suffering FLEX meals. Sure, I've had a few irritations, but even the Dragon Lady in the Chicago Lounge has gone overboard for us when things went sideways. It will take something REALLY BIG for AMTRAK to get on my Permanent Defecatory Database, even though they treat the Eagle, CONO and Crescent like rented mules. FLEX Meals on the Crescent? That's just wrong in so many ways.
Me, a Foamer? Yes.
Oh yeah, I'm a Tesla Foamer, too.
My Tips of the Day?
1) Amtrak Guest Rewards generally calls back within 30 mins. The attendants are really great.
2) Irritating as it is, consult the AMTRAK webpage after checking the timetables (
Amtrak Timetable Archives - Home)
They have current timetables in the classic form in downloadable PDFs.
3) Check the website after 0300 AM ET. That's generally when they purge the "Hold Until" list. Miracles happen.
-- Doc