I understand that flights are late or overbooked. I understand summer vacation is here and airports are crowded. but there are some things I just don't get.
When I booked my ticket on United to Budapest, I was told that the 10-hour leg was on Lufthansa and therefore, they could not give me a seat. This is important because the longer you wait, the more likely it is that you get a middle row seat. I call Lufthansa and they tell me that since United booked it, United must give me the seats. So, I go back and forth.
In the end, Lufthansa says they cannot release a seat to me until I get to the airport. I am not overly worried because at the time of booking, the plane was basically empty. I get to the airport, 6 hours before my second leg, the Lufthansa leg, and find that I have been given a middle seat. No one could be earlier than me and yet they all got assigned seats. I made it to Los Angeles (more on that in a minute) and at the Lufthansa counter, I tried to get a better seat. No luck. When I asked if there was a secret handshake or something that I was doing wrong, she got mad. I just walked away; their job is hard enough without me making it worse.
So, I am at LAX. This place reminds me of bus depot in a third world country. It is filthy and completely disorganized. Every time I come through here I marvel that this is the best Los Angeles can do. Right now its about 80 outside and 90 inside.
I told my business partner that we could eliminate all screening if, when a terrorists tries to take over a plane, handguns fall from the overhead compartment. My business partner responded with, "That or bottles of shampoo." The sad part is that this is true. TSA places the same threat on a 4 oz bottle of shampoo as they do on a bazooka.
Okay, so I am complaining a bit. I had to dump it somewhere.
Off to my next flight.
j
