i ♥ @alaskaair
I discovered I couldn't, because the flight is "operated by Alaska Airlines". Eventually I figured out that I could check-in at Alaska Air's website. But the reservation code American had issued me wasn't working.
After about ten or fifteen minutes trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, I gave up and tweeted in frustration:
"Not actually possible to E-Checkin to Alaska Air with info provided by American, who sold the *$#& ticket. Hope they all go bankrupt. Soon."
To my immense surprise, about a minute later I learned that Alaska Air is on Twitter. @alaksaair replied @ me with a couple of helpful suggestions, then switched to direct messaging me with support! We messaged back and forth a few times.
I couldn't find whatever info was needed from American to check-in on Alaskan's site, but the patient help of @alaskaair turned a hugely frustrating experience into a human one. Yes, the problem wasn't fixed ... but someone tried to help me.
I tweeted "Frustration with web check-in aside, i ♥ @alaskaair"
The next day, with access to my printed itinerary at work, I found the information I needed from American to check-in on Alaska's site, and got my aisle seat.
I had a very pleasant flight on Alaska Air, and will gladly fly them again.
As for American Air? Turns out they have been "looking into" how to "set up" Twitter since at least August...
Comments
I heart them as well, but for different reasons than the ones Nick is 'meh' about them for. They had enough staff at their check-in counters that it was quick, their online check-in is fast and easy to use, they fly 737s instead of the junky MD-80s American uses, they have comfy leather seats with reasonable legroom and elbow room, and all of the flight crews are professional, polite, and friendly without being cloying. Oh and everything happened on time.
I just want to get there, safely, with a minimum of aggravation, and on time. I'll supply my own entertainment :-).
Ahhh - see for me it's all about the onboard gizmos.
Sure a nice staff/crew is a good trait but besides responding to "What would you like to drink" I don't think I ever have to talk to anyone. Even getting a boarding pass or checking luggage is done through computer. So for me that's not a top attribute I look for. On a six hour flight with a two hour ipod additional entertainment is crucial. I could get another 2 hours out of a book or magazine but with my tiny attention span, I need something else (preferably with buttons) and in-seat entertainment will do me right. Now add in wifi and an power adapter and I'm pretty much doing business at 10,000 feet. These days pretty much all planes are accommodating for the modern man so seats and leg room seem the same to me across the board. Food is the next big component, but I think that's a separate blog in itself. Although I did just read that Richard Branson is putting together a team to perfect the onboard Curry.
The first airline to offer a half-decent indian curry on board will have my business for life.
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Visitors
Alaska Air seemed to be the no frills Airline. Compared to Virgin America who has free in-flight WIFI, plugs, individual monitors to watch movies, TV, listening to music and it even has a built in keyboard so you can text others in the plane.
They're prices are about $100 cheaper as well.
Note to self: Don't watch season 1 of Lost when flying. The plane crashing scenes are a bit too real to watch.