Blue's blues

Once upon a time, when I was a frequent flyer(both for business and for pleasure), like any common (wo)man, I have had my fair share of flight related woes. Right from being stranded in transit at O'Hare due to weather to sitting on the runway for 5 hours at Newark due to mechanical problems. One learns over time to demand for hotel vouchers at the right time, to never stand in the line AT THE AIRPORT for rescheduling the ticket(you call or go online, silly!) and equipping oneself with ipods, laptops, cell phone chargers and many more gadgets to while away one's time. One also learns tricks to check in standby, to carry the minimum makeup items to not have to checkin baggage and so on and so forth.

For about 4 months during this "frequent flying" period I was supposed to fly from DC to Boston regularly, every week Mon-Thu. I had perfected the routine of leaving early on Monday mornings, taking the first or second flight out, renting the car, driving the 40 mins to a Boston suburb etc etc that I could do all this and be able to THINK clearly of my day's workload. In these weeks, out of trial and error I had figured that there was nothing as punctual or smooth as Jetblue airways. Much like Jetblue, thy name is punctuality. If I had a flight at 7am, so long as I made myself available near the gates by 6:30am, A Jetblue flight would definitely take off and land at the designated time, without fuss.

And that, in today's state of domestic airlines is just a mammoth task, something no other airline(I have tried every one of them out there) has been able to accomplish. I used to read JetBlue's sky magazine and had long since fallen for its simplistic ideals and dedication. I was very impressed with the founder's story and the history behind the airline. I totally agree, for such regular travellers there's no other luxury required except that of travelling on time with no hiccups. Who needs business class and champagne during a hectic work schedule AND for a one hour 20 minute flight? I enjoyed the satellite TV that this airline offers and the "blue" chips so characteristic of this wonderful airline. Also many a time, I have walked out from another airline's ticket counter filled with disgust at their shoddy service and cancellations and delays and lo and behold! a helpful JetBlue rep would print out a new ticket for a flight that left in 30 mins and I'd be back home just as I wished! In all those times, I have saved a special prayer for JetBlue, long live the airline.

So recently when I read about the cancellations at Jetblue due to the storm that clouded the North-East coast during Valentine's day and the commotion it stirred, I was not surprised. All the other airlines were waiting for such an incident to happen to JetBlue so they could feel better about their miserable service. Another case of "how the mighty have fallen" in their eyes. They must have gotten tired of hearing customers rave about the Mighty Blue.

But I am sure none of JetBlue's loyal customers are going to change their minds, such an incident cannot and will not cause a stir. And the way JetBlue has apologized and is making amends, kudos! I was reminded to write this because I actually received an email from JetBlue apologozing for their disruptions. Their new customer Bill of Rights makes one wish the other domestic airlines would be half as courteous as JetBlue is and has been. I mean, which airline takes the trouble to email every customer apologizing for its mistakes? In the first place a weather related incident is god send for these airlines to disrupt their flight schedules. I dont even believe JetBlue needs to be fully responsible for bad weather! Any other airline wouldnt even reschedule/refund or give hotel vouchers conveniently blaming the weather and washing their hands off all and any kind of blame or responsibility.

And I cant believe all the other slimy creepy airlines are trying to maximize on JetBlue's forthrightness! Pathetic!

JetBlue rules and soars!


--a staunch Blue fan