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On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 20:10:56 +0100,

<ding>

The only reason to use them is if you have no other choice. When they
go to South America they're overpriced too.

The only real airlines that have protected routes there are Iberia,
Aerolineas Argentinas and TAP. They run as a sort of cartel and fix
their prices.

 

Indeed. I had no choice here, though - press trip, so take the ticket
and go.

LAN (Chile's airline) flies a lot of South American routes and (despite
a reputation for over-booking, which I've never actually experienced) is
bloody good. even in economy - good legroom, and good food, decent
service, punctuality. Recommended.

I've flown Aerolineas Argentinas othe biz and cattle. Cattle sucks, even
more than usual. Biz was bloody good.

 

You should have tried Afghan Airways in their heyday

Comfy seats held to the floor with at least one bolt, and the first four
rows get the luxury of cotton wool for the ears for when the door seal
goes

Luxury !

 

I'll be taking them to Kabul in about six weeks.

I hope things have improved.

 

Wow. I'm impressed. And grinning slightly at the thought of what may
transpire. ISTR an Afghan airline called Ariana - were they the same
ones?

We ought to have a GT (GlobeTrotter) number, really. DFV, anyone?

 

Only if it includes time travel. To 1999/1998.

 

[snip]

So you need to look, and sound (probably as important as the look)
like a dithering, pompous, old English gentleman?

Some people have a head start on the rest of us, obviously... )

 

It's worked for me three times before. This time in Bogota it wasn't a

Jim, a now 'departed' mate of my old man, used to buy the cheapest tickets
and usually got upgraded. The galling part is that as an ex MD of Wiggins
Teap he could easily afford it. However, he not only looked the part, he was
the part. I think you both worked along similar lines.

 

I've never met TOG so I can't comment, but I did have this withering vision
of Quentin Crisp . . . . . .

 

Heh. Well, yes.

Bastard.

I was amused to receive an email from one regular, however, who said
that he uses *exactly* the same procedure (minus the hat) and has scored
three times to date.

 

I might try it myself next scheduled flight.

A few years ago I went on a holiday to Domincan Republic where we
met a honeymooning couple. The guy had got all togged up, best blazer,
fedora, slacks and a tie and tried the same, playing the honeymoon
card as well.

Unfortunately, holiday charter flights, even 11 hour long ones, don't
have anywhere to updgrade *to* as they're cattle class only.

He said he'd never felt such a twat on the plane, surrounded as
he was by people in t-shirts, shorts etc.

 

<snort>

 

He could have upgraded to the little room at the front,
if he didn't eat the fish and claimed to know how to fly a 'plane.

 

You hit the bullseye every time, as far as I'm concerned ;-)

 

Some colleagues took it a couple of months ago. Apparently it's ok.

Dunno.

 

The single best prop you can have is a Frequent Flyer Gold Card.

If it's that airline's card, they'll treat you like a God to keep you.
If it's another airline's card, they'll treat you like a God because
you clearly fly a lot and they want to win your business.

Not necessarily. I've been upgraded a dozen times. Mostly from
Economy to Business, but also from Business to First. Only ever on
long-haul, too, when it's most welcome.

Agreed.

 

<LOL>

 

<back-pedals desperately>

I've always said it: Ferger's the brightest poster on ukrm....

 

Yup. Unfortunately I don't fly enough with the same airline to get one.

 

Remember to take your own earplugs ...