Category: Travel

Travel writings from around the world

United Airlines under Jeff Smisek wants you to hold it in a vee bit longer….

United Airlines Bathroom Line 777 Economy/Economy plus
United Airlines Restroom Line 777 Economy/Economy plus 4 restrooms/221 passengers

The recent flight from LA to London I was on was a Boeing 777 carrying 221 passengers in Economy class.
Jeff Smisek seems to think that passengers have no right to a bathroom when they need it, rather they should hold it in until one is available – and given the 4 restrooms available to those 221 passengers (that’s 55 and 1/4 passengers/restroom) that might just take a while when the rush is on.

I was unfortunate enough to be seated in a seat just next to the restrooms and I saw first hand how some passengers had problems with ‘holding it in’ as evidenced by crossed legs etc. I had my feet stepped on several times – not a very pleasant experience – I would suggest that you, Mr. Smisek get on one of these flights and be seated in seat 33H to see for himself!

I think United airlines is headed for trouble – I constantly get the response “No one listens to us’ from the flight crews when I try and point out problems and areas that can be improved to them so that they may forward it up the chain. It is my impression that this chain is severely broken at Unite. The general feeling after the merger with Continental and the new ‘bean counter’ policies enacted my master bean counter Smisek, is one of total resignation amongst the front line personnel.  I don’t blame them – if you feel that your voice is never heard – that’s not an unusual or strange reaction to have.

The shareholders may be happy at the moment – but sooner or later one would think that the constant ‘over-promising’ and ‘under-delivering’ for us customers will take a toll on the bottom line. I have been a loyal frequent flier in United’s mileage plus for many years, lately I have seen my benefits eroded by mr Smisek’s new policies. Despite the constant advertising campaigns telling us how much better it was going to be after the merger, it’s only been going downhill. Those advertising campaigns now seems more like the style of advertising and sales tactics employed by the worst of the worst used car sales companies. It may just be time to look elsewhere for better frequent flier programs and an airline that actually cares about and listens to their customers.

– It’s definitely time to wisen up Mr. Smisek and it’s time for United to start treating your loyal customers right again!

New York – New York

New York City November 2014

New York City
New York City

On a recent visit to New York City I had a chance to test my theory of the good quality of Vegetarian food at museums around the world. So far one of my favorites is the restaurant at the Tate modern in London. The bottom of the barrel so far is the Louvre museum in Paris, where the best Vegetarian dish was a microwaved quiche! That alone should be fodder for another French revolution given the French’s love of food…

My first museum restaurant in NYC this time around was the ‘Wright‘ at the Guggenheim museum. Since the restaurant was not planned for at the time of building but was added in 2009 it is located on the bottom floor and pretty much has no views to the outside and neighboring Central Park, but the space is nicely designed and the surrounding museum has plenty of visual pleasure to enjoy before or after your meal anyway. The lunch was very good and an overall superb dining experience even for a Vegetarian, I can strongly recommend it! I recommend that you check the hours though since the were only open for lunch and closed early at the time I visited.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
The Wright restaurant at the Guggenheim in NYC
The Wright restaurant at the Guggenheim in NYC
The Bar in the Wright restaurant at the Guggenheim in NYC
The Bar in the Wright restaurant at the Guggenheim in NYC

 

A Manhattan at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
A Manhattan at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Soup at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Soup at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
A Manhattan at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
A Manhattan at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Risotto at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Risotto at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Dessert at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Dessert at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan

 

 

 

French Quarter Fest got underway in New Orleans today under sunny skies

At the Chevron Cajun/Zydeco showcase Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet was performing for an enthusiastic dancing crowd
At the Chevron Cajun/Zydeco showcase Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet was performing for an enthusiastic crowd with some people breaking out dancing to the very rhythmic music…

French Quarter Fest kicked off today in New Orleans and the weather was cooperating – a couple of days back we had hail and lots of rain with not very warm temperatures – today – none of that, just sunny skies and warm winds. FQF is a smaller festival and it is free with no ‘cover charges’ apart from for example Jazz Fest which comes a little later in April. Admittedly the FQF does not have the same magnitude of well known performers as Jazz Fest does, and this to me is part of the appeal – it is also less crowded and crazy, it’s more of a whole family celebration of good music and good food . Below are some photos from the first day.

Let me see here what is next, hmmm... there seems to be something wrong with my program - it's all sideways to me...
Let me see here what is next, hmmm… there seems to be something wrong with my program – it’s all sideways to me…
I'm hungry anyway - let's see if this thing is at least tasty to eat....
I’m hungry anyway – let’s see if this useless thing at least is tasty enough to eat….
Women like wearing stylish hats in New Orleans.
Women like wearing stylish hats in New Orleans.
Michael Doucet of Beausoleil playing his little accordion
Michael Doucet of Beausoleil playing his little accordion and singing.
New Orleans has a cuisine that is different from the rest of the US, this girl is about to demonstrate that...
New Orleans has a cuisine that is different from the rest of the US, this girl is about to demonstrate that…
She eats swords....
She eats swords….

 

Is United Airlines and Jeff Smisek flying too high to keep an ear to the ground?

United First Business Vegetarian (strict) Lunch in business First from Europe. It is steamed Broccoli, Carrots and some other vegetable on white rice.
United First Business Vegetarian (strict) Lunch in business First from Europe. It is steamed Broccoli, Carrots and some other vegetable on white rice  with a dab of tomato based sauce.

The trend in eating today is generally moving towards healthy alternatives and Vegetarian or even Vegan options. Many people are concerned with the effects on their bodies from over eating and eating things that may not be as good for us as we once thought. It seems to me that this is something that has totally flown by the radar unnoticed by anyone at United Airlines, and in particular the ones that are responsible for coming up with food items to be served on United flights.

The above picture is an example of just that. It was the main course for lunch on a flight from Paris (CDG) to Washington D.C. (IAD) in the beginning of January 2014. Pretty uninspiring may I say, some steamed veggies on top of white rice! Really?  Is this First Business food? It is un-inspiring, and just a sign of laziness on the side of the kitchen in any class of service. Mr. Smisek, would this meal make you a happy customer if you were a vegetarian or vegan person? Well it certainly didn’t make me very happy and I am one, vegan that is. Here is another kicker, all other meals get a fresh salad – the vegetarian meal does not have a fresh salad to go with it!  The cabin crew was very nice and managed to get me a salad and some other vegetarian food that they had to spare.  This is not my first such experience with United, and if I continue being a United customer, likely not my last unless we can stir some changes up at United.

Below is another example of the un-inspired Vegetarian food items that is served on United Airlines flights. This time it is an Economy class breakfast box on a Transatlantic flight, Newark (EWR) to Stockholm Sweden (ARN). It consists of a rock hard cold bagel in plastic, a minimalist tub of margarine, a cup of fruits in heavy syrup, and a packet of mrs. Dash (?!). I can only speculate on why the mrs. Dash is included, not something I think anyone in their right mind would put on their bagel or their syrupy fruits, it must have something to do with Mrs. Dash being salt free…

United Airlines Economy Vegetarian (strict) Breakfast February 2014
United Airlines Economy Vegetarian (strict) Breakfast February 2014

It is interesting to observe that all the regular meals have a small tray of fresh fruits included in them, but not the Vegetarian box. The standard meals also come with warm croissants.

Dinner service is not much different from the breakfast service, the standard economy class dinner meal have a fresh salad included – if you chose to order the Vegetarian special meal, there is no fresh salad but a half frozen tub of some mix of middle eastern style grains.

Maybe we need to impress on United’s responsible parties in the catering department, that being a Vegetarian generally means that you like eating fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition there are plenty of really tasty dishes that can be prepared from all plant based ingredients, pretty much the same way that one would prepare non vegetarian food – just replace the meats with plant based ingredients.

So, Mr. Smisek, what are you going to do about this? I certainly hope you will do something, let me know if you need any help. I can probably steer you to some really good Vegetarian chefs, if nothing else.