PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

Airlines

Hey pbh'ers! Just wanted to write a quick update on my flight with Spirit. Thanks so much for your advice on everything. It was definitely better than expected. The plane was clean and comfortable and everything seemed pretty organized. My only complaint is that the flight attendants were extremely rude. Not only were they short with me, but I saw them rolling their eyes at Colombian passengers who didn't speak English. A few times they went on their loudspeaker and made announcements about passengers doing something wrong. I found it very unprofessional and was embarrassed for them. I'm considering writing the company to inform them, but I highly doubt it would get to anyone. That being said, I will fly Spirit to Guatemala City before heading back to Colombia.

So now I would like to ask for some more advice. I need a ticket from Guatemala City to Barranquilla. I was going to get one from Expedia, but I'm wondering if anyone has experience flying this route and what you went with? I could also fly into Cartagena if it saves me some cash.

Thanks in advance!

By jenny6 on Jul 6, 2008, 21:33 in Friendly Talkzone.

Catfish35 says on Jul 6, 2008, 22:32:

Jenny,
Can't help you with the ticket much however, I urge you to write the company. Please tell them your concerns. I also would urge you to write the FAA in the USA. many flights now are being stripped of the LODO's or Language interpreters in cost savings measure. I have personal knowledge and experience with this. This is very unfortunate and very dangerous what the airlines are doing. If they choose to fly to foreign countries then they should have sufficient linguistic staff onboard to deal with that in the name of safety first and customer service second!
If you need any info to write to anyone please advise me. I was going to post something about this awhile ago but just have not gotten the chance. Good luck and peace

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

0 funny, 0 helpful.

sanandressi says on Jul 7, 2008, 06:18:

My understanding has been that the flight attendants of American Airlines have been Colombian nationals between Colombia and the United States. My understanding is that by law these flight attendants have to be Colombian. Why? Is American Airlines based out of Bogota, Colombia or Dallas, TX?

My understanding is that if the free trade agreement is passed then American can use AMERICAN citizen flight attendants bi-lingual or not. THAT IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE! Does Avianca hire American citizens?

Somebody correct me if I am wrong?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

toneloc24 says on Jul 7, 2008, 07:11:

at Jenny - re: GUA-BAQ. Try Copa Air to/from Panama City, then either Copa or Avianca over to Barranquilla/Cartagena. I'm not sure if Copa flies Guatamala City, but it's an option.

I can clear state that Delta Airlines hires bilingual and trilingual American citizens as flight attendants. The flight attendants are generally based out of a US city, and travel whichever international routes that they have, and return the next day. In fact, this morning I just returned from Lima Peru on a Delta flight in which there were English, Spanish, and Japanese translations by flight attendants for everything. That's not going to change, as their goal is to grow internationally.

I don't think there is any law stating that US airlines must hire Colombian nationals to work that route. I do think, in an interest in customer service, that if an airline plans to service and international destinations, there should be adequate flight crew that speaks the language. Common sense to me, but whatever.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

sloopskipper says on Jul 7, 2008, 07:49:

Copa does fly from Guatamala City to Panama City, and of course on to Cartagena or Barranquilla on Copa or subsidiary Aero República.

It seems every time I hear something about Spirit the word "rude" is mentioned, and of course bad customer service is a given.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

sanandressi says on Jul 7, 2008, 14:28:

I think I even read where American had to sign a contract with Colombia's government over the pay rates for those Colombian flight attendants.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Catfish35 says on Jul 7, 2008, 22:19:

It is NOT a law that any international flights of any american owned and operated airline have onboard any linguistic people. Believe it or not but this is true. They are on these flights now because the AFA or other unions have negotiated this. There are many reasons why translators are suffering on USA owned and operated jets. But the bottom line is about money. They are paid more than the average flight attendant.

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aztec says on Jul 8, 2008, 06:46:

I believe every time I have been on a Delta flight from Atlanta to Bogota there has been at least one bilingual attendant.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jenny6 says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:51:

Thanks to everyone for your advice. I never thought of writing anyone other than Spirit. Just to clear things up, I do believe one of the attendants spoke a little Spanish, but I didn't hear much. They just treated the Colombians as if they were an annoyance. When I flew American Airlines, I didn't have any Colombian flight attendants then either. It's only through Avianca that I've had Colombian flight attendants. It's a mystery how that all works out I guess. In my opinion, the worst thing is not the fact that they don't speak Spanish. You can still be courteous and attempt to communicate even if you don't speak the same language. Thanks again. I'll keep everyone updated if something happens.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Catfish35 says on Jul 8, 2008, 21:04:

Many if not all the flights still have translators, however it is not a law to have them which I thick is ridiculous. They do not have to be say Colombian but you should atleast have 2 linguistics onboard for safety. IMHO...Pero they are cutting back on this though and this is a fact. They all used to fly with 3.

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

0 funny, 0 helpful.