View from the 23rd Row

Virgin Atlantic Airways Sucks!

As an airline employee who has traveled extensively on not only my carrier but on other airlines, I feel it is my imperative, as a self-professed expert, to tell you why you should NEVER fly Virgin Atlantic Airways, THE WORST AIR CARRIER IN THE WORLD!!

Have you ever seen the movie, Titantic (the one with Leo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet in it)? Remember how rich Kate Winslet's character was treated compared to poor old Leo? Well that White Star line thinking didn't go down with the ship, it is alive and kicking at Virgin Atlantic Airways.

My every experience (more than one I assure you) with Virgin has been an exercise in torture. I always fly economy and I'm always dealt with the way Leo was dealt with on the Titanic, poor, badly and flat-out rudeness. The seats in Virgin's steerage are smaller and harder than most average carrier's economy section. They really cram you in there, on top of each other. The flight attendants behave as if they are doing me a favor by being there and on more than one occassion I've been told that the flight attendants are there only for my safety and anything else they do (meal service) is out of the goodness of their heart. They are all very snobby and look down their nose at those of us peasants riding in steerage.

But it is not only their in-flight crew that makes Virgin so vile, their ground staff is equally rude and offensive. Besides the asinine carry-on rule of allowing only bags that weigh five pounds or less, I've been verbally abused by baggage handlers because my mother dared to raise her voice (hey she is a paying customer she can yell all she wants!). Their customer service agents, when I had a problem, didn't lift a finger to help out (she was busy flirting with some guy), but rather sent me to another carrier to seek assistance! Even their reservation agents act as if they are doing a huge task by making a reservation, with lots of exaserbated sighing and sarcastic questions.

I seriously believe Virgin's recruitment policy for all their staff must entail gauging how rude a person is, the more boorish you are, the more chance you have of being hired. In-flight they hire all these young chippy's who think they are the bee's knees cause they are a flight attendant for Virgin (get over yourself, you're not that cool, overpaid waitress!) and will only provide good service if you are a young cute male in first class. oh and they will give you great service in first and business class, just like the White Star line.

I have never been treated as badly as an airline employee as I have on Virgin and to me how another airline treats a fellow airline employee says a lot about the culture and attitude of the company. Do they place no value on goodwill and the the golden rule? Would they want to be cared for the way I was cared for on Virgin? I doubt it. No other carrier acts this way - everyone is always pleasant and friendly, my favorites are British Airways, Delta, American, Emirates, Lufthansa and SAS.

In a customer service oriented field like air travel, Virgin's behavior is unacceptable! If you are planning a trip to London, DON'T USE VIRGIN, there are so many carriers that go over, you are bound to find a cheap deal on one of them. Just about every American airline flies to London as well as British Airways and British Midlands. Between all of these choices (that offer you all the same anemities that Virgin does, the tv in the seat and the free travel bag), you can find someone better to fly across the pound.

I just hope Virgin remembers what comes around goes around....remember what happened to to the Titanic!