Fly Right - Choose Something Else. Review on Continental Airlines

The trademark for Continental Airlines thus goes – “Work Hard, Fly Right”. I have never really understood whom do they want to work hard, and flying right can hardly be said about this airline which calls itself Continental. I guess what they are attempting to tell you are that you should work hard and then when you are tired, fly continental. This works to their advantage –(i) You are more likely to ignore those disinterested rude attendants (I mean come off it – if they can’t show respect, I cannot coin a better term for them), (ii) You will also quietly ignore the meager helpings of food which they provide “complimentary” to its customers. Ah, such favors on the passengers! After having flied with Continental, albeit continentally, for more than ten times now, I think I am in a good position to finally put down in words what I think of this airline.

I must admit that they do not take security very seriously at the air ports. While at BWI, the process was smooth and satisfying (I mean I too as a passenger would like to see how secure things are, at least when I have become a paranoid with color threats too LOL). However in the dubyaland, a.k.a Houston, security was just a passé. While the first guard reminded me that it was her birthday on the day, the second one behind the X-Ray, was more interested in gossip talk. So much for security, I whisked through all checks in mere 15 minutes! I don’t know what to call such service – breezy and fast for the super busy or callous checks. Anyways, I must admit though that I do like their counters! I like the color blue.

Anyways, in borne, I can safely tell you that Continental is a RACIST airline and there are no two ways about this. There is a definite difference in the way they treat Americans and other passengers. I have myself had the pleasure of being on the listening side twice now. The attendants in the planes are just puffed up ladies in makeup with no respect or regards to their job. They carry on their jobs as if they were indeed flying a Sky- Cruiser. While I can understand their optimistic contentment in feeling like that, they also forget what they are essentially. Sparingly spread out cushions and blankets (are they bored to lay them for whole flight or continental is bankrupt?), not ONE single attendant helping out the needy people to store their luggage form their basic set of courtesy. They are quite happy in announcing at least thrice about how people should store their luggage – I wish they only helped the needy! After all I didn’t sit in a third class general compartment.

Food has never been a strong point of Continental for reasons best known to them. I was once offered a choice – “Sir, would you like to have an omelet OR a banana?”(What kind of choice is that? I mean how it hurts adding the banana and omelet together?!). At other times I had to be content with a glass of juice, a bread piece, a muffin, a packet of pretzels, a packet of chips, two chocolates, and one bar of KITKAT. If you are wondering whether I got all of them together, then it’s a good joke to laugh at – they are collectively what I have had fortune of eating such nutritious and healthy food on each of their flight. Of course if you may please, you can always “BUY” a glass of beer for five dollars. I wonder then why does anyone pay hundreds of dollars for a ticket?

Continental offers a “complimentary” entertainment service on their planes. Watch out, the TV which hangs out of nowhere is “complimentary” too. You can also see some “complimentary” viewings on TV, and a feature presentation (always a movie), which by the way is also “complimentary”. Only catch (aha! there is always one!) – They don’t provide the headphones!If you are remotely interested in their “complimentary” offerings, then you must buy their “state-of-the-art” headsets for just Five dollars. So much for complimentary stuff – I almost get a feeling that this airline has gone bankrupt and has literally come down to level of begging and extracting money from their flyers! It’s a complimenting thought though.

Anyways so much for in flight entertainment, I prefer the Maharajah and its courtesans in Indian Airlines much better to this gobbledygook of an airline. Some how Continental hubs are always at the are end of an airport – I don’t know why though. At Houston, their courteous staff were conspicuous by their absence; the result being I almost walked miles in the airport before even knowing where the hell was I going. I though I almost returned back to Baltimore, though sense prevailed when I saw my friend. I don’t mind the walking, but it did be helpful if continental managed to put some people at airport guiding the passengers.

On a better side of this airline, I like their flights. Most of their flights are new, and on some flights you really get ample leg room. The interior décor is nice and gives it a polished look. The good look of the planes also build up your confidence, unlike our own maharajah who quite gives a scare in this regards! I have found continental flights a lot better than US Airways or American Airlines, though I must say that US Airways in flight treatment is much better than these guys. On each of my flight US Airways, the least that the air hostess did was to smile and wish me good bye – At continental, obviously other things were more important.

All in all – the only reasons why one would choose this airline is the airline itself - new fleet and safer. Rest all is a dose of crap – right from the food to their attendants. They need a quick haul of their services soon. Given a choice, if US Airways flies direct, I think I will prefer them from now on.

Fly right – Avoid Continental unless you are obsessed with new fleet!