Let's fly back in time, shall we?

Let's fly back in time, shall we?

Take a look at an amazing museum located at Los Angeles International Airport!

The Sky Steward Spreads His Wings

Hello Everyone...This is Gailen David, The Sky Steward I have something exciting to share with you!!!!!

I am spreading my wings and sharing my experience to help individuals and businesses to expand their visibility and connect with others that will benefit from the products, information, and services they have to offer. Of course we willl always talk about travel, but now I have someplace where business takes center stage at Ionosphere Media

Besides being connected to me on this blog, please follow me on Twitter and visit IonosphereMedia. Whether you're a highly successful entrepreneur or someone just starting out in a home business for the first time; we've got things to talk about.

Alcohol air-travel side effect: failure to maintain elevation

Alcohol air-travel side effect: failure to maintain elevation Click link to read article on examiner.com

Woman's thirst for first class has her seeking air-travel advice

Woman's thirst for first class has her seeking air-travel advice




Yet another question posed to the Sky Steward regarding first class upgrades. Will the desire for first class luxury ever subside? Click title to see post on examiner.com

This just in: U.S. airlines serve the worst food | The Stew - A taste of Chicago's food, wine and dining scene

See? We're not crazy!This just in: U.S. airlines serve the worst food The Stew - A taste of Chicago's food, wine and dining scene Click on link for full story. One bright spot is the new Managing Director of Inflight Products (this includes meals) at AA. Not only is he hot, he has a great team that is on task!

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Sunwing Airlines customer shocked by inflight spark response

Months ago, I received a letter from a Sunwing Airlines customer who shared her frightening experience in which she witnessed a flight attendant creating sparks inflight by manipulating an emergency light in an effort to entertain her fellow crew members with a high-flying pyrotechnics display. The passenger wrote a letter to Sunwing describing this and the overall shocking behavior of this company representative.

Here is the response this customer received months after the incident:

Thank you for your letter regarding your recent experience with Sunwing Airlines. Our customers’ satisfaction is of our highest concern and we sincerely appreciate your taking the time to provide us with your feedback.

We are concerned to read of your disappointment and frustration with the treatment you received by our In Flight crew members. Our intention is to provide our passengers with the high level of service that we endeavor to introduce to the industry. We have sent a copy of your letter to our Director of In‐Flight Services to ensure that this type of behavior is addressed and to enforce that our valued passengers are to always be treated with the highest regards. We assure you this type of behavior is not the customer service standards that we aim for and normally provide. We appreciate all the feedback that we have received and will continue to implement many changes to ensure that we meet your expectations in the packages and services that we provide. We sincerely regret the situation described adversely affected your travel experience.

In closing, it is the dedicated aim of all of us at Sunwing Airlines to offer our clients the best possible service in every aspect of their travel. We sincerely regret any displeasure you may have experienced and we look forward to the opportunity of serving you again in the near future under more favourable circumstances.

Sincerely,
Customer Service Coordinator

Well, I am a bit disappointed with this response. This is not about a spilled cup of coffee, it is about safety being compromised. Considering the situation, wouldn't it have been smart to offer the customer some sort of compensation to not only as a gesture of goodwill, but to also bring the customer back to Sunwing? This situation could have turned much worse and the customer could have contacted Transport Canada rather than the airline itself; firing off an all-out investigation.

Hey Gailen, Sky Steward...Who are you serving?

I received this comment, forwarded from a friend who lives in California. It got me thinking:

"I’m dropping Galen [The Sky Steward]. Lol. His columns could have been good as there is a need for a sort of ‘ombudsman’ to be a middleman between airlines and travelers but lately his columns seem sort of self serving. Product placement and I can’t quite shake the feeling that his ‘letters’ are more about something he wants to say. Am I wrong?"

Hmmm. Yes, I understand what this person is saying and at the same time I want to say that this is my blog and I can pretty much say anything I want, right? However I might be missing the wisdom that is embedded in this comment. You know, it's not easy coming up with ideas and topics to be used on the blog but I have been feeling that being a "complaint department" is not really where I want to go after all since it really does focus on the negative.

I've been taking readers along with me on my journey as I find the . I am almost there and this comment actually helps. It's important to remember that blogs are special because bloggers are able to share their insights and discoveries with others that may find them valuable and readers are able to find blogs that offer them addtional perspective and share their take on things as well.

By posting this unflattering comment from a reader, I have taken a step towards keeping this blog "real" and "authentic".

Thanks for the feedback and I will still talk about what I want to when I want to :)

Surfing and Shopping In Flight

I've been hearing so much about inflight WiFi and wanted to try it the last time that I flew between LAX and JFK; only the last time I was too tired to fire up my laptop. I had another chance this morning and I am writing you now from 40,000 feet up in my business class seat on American Airlines from JFK to LAX. You know what? It works like a charm! I've visited Bonobos online to do some trouser shopping (their pants are perfect for traveling), checked my bank account balance, and then I just could not keep myself away from the temptation to blog so here I am!

To top it off, I asked for a glass of champagne and received an entire tumbler of ice cold bubbly. For $12.95, I've had the pleasure of being completely connected as I cross the country. Is it worth it? I only wish I had not looked at my bank balance!

Find out if your next flight will offer GoGo Wireless Internet

Luxury Luggage Alert: Louis Vuitton Fit for Travel?

Dear Sky Steward,

I've been a longtime, loyal, & frequent customer of Louis Vuitton. I have their luggage, handbags, wallets, key chains, and even their makeup carrier. One of my most prized LV items is my briefcase. I purchased LV over the years because of their quality and durability. I also felt secure in knowing that they stood behind their products.

Something unusual began to happen to my briefcase as the interior lining began to disingrate. This black lining also damaged some of the articles being carried in my briefcase and subsequently on my paperwork and even my clothing. Can you image how unprofessional it appeared to arrive at a meeting only pull a proposal from my briefcase covered with black marks and debris? It actually took me a while to even suspect that this was occuring due to the defective materials used in the construction of the bag.

To further my shock and disappointment the response I received from Louis Vuitton and even Saks Fifth Avenue. After being questioned about how I care for the bags and what I carry in them, I was told the LV policy requires me to pay over $400.00 to repair the bag and correct the problem and replace the defective materials. I must tell you that I own many luxury accessories from LV and others and none of them have deteriorated like this.

I did not realize that an LV "brief" case refered to its short lifespan. I always thought that the Louis Vuitton name stood for something. Am I mistaken? Which luxury luggage brand would you use.

Regards,

Later on Louis

Dear L on L,

The Sky Steward has received several accounts of luxury brands offering less than impeccable service. It seems that the tight economy has caused them rely on their reputations; placing less emphasis on customer service. Sadly, much of the legendary service we've all heard about it from these brands is nothing more than urban legend. This will only work for so long.

Part of the allure in purchasing these high-end bags is that they will last for many years therefore justifying the investment. There are however no guarantee afters all it seems and many of these high ticket brands are focusing more on getting new customers rather than satisfying their loyal, long term clients. Maybe their more about quantity than quality these days.

The Sky Steward suggests that you continue to treat yourself to smaller items from luxury brands (not necessarily LV), but consider less expenive lines for items that will be put to the test such as a briefcase so that you are not disappointed. Tumi is an example an upscale brand that is less expensive but works well with luxury accessories. Give it a thought.

Travel Alert: Ladies' Razor or High Tech Luxury Toy?

Dear Sky Steward:

I am a little embarrassed to ask, but my friends say I should not be. Will the TSA search my bag if I travel with a vibrator?

Signed,
Curious from Chattanooga

Dear Curious,

The Sky Steward understands that it makes you uncomfortable for TSA officers to see your classically shaped vibrator passing through the X-Ray machine. He also wants to make sure that your next trip is a pleasurable as possible and he thinks he has a great solution for you!

He has come across a very clever device that is so discreet you won't have to worry about it being seen by the TSA or even your children. It looks exactly like a ladies razor! Don't underestimate this device. They Sky Steward has received glowing feedback from one of his product testers that described the Tinge as the most highly sophisticated, eager-to-please travel companion she's ever encountered; without a downside. (You don't have to buy it dinner or listen to it talk about itself)

Some more information: It appears to be a wet-shaver that is perfectly suitable to be left out in the open for all to see in a bathroom or in luggage. It has 5 preprogrammed vibration settings and up to 32 customized setting variations with up to 2.5 hours of operation per charge. The Tinge automatically charges in its tabletop cradle.