From: cid@athena.mit.edu (Derek H Cedillo)
Subject: Re: Continental DC-10's and MD-80's and cheap fares... good or terrible?
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 15:33:20 GMT


In article <1jqtd4INN86e@escargot.xx.rmit.OZ.AU> raeram@kittyhawk.aero.rmit.OZ.AU (Richard A. Muirden) writes:
>I've just booked an ultra cheap (for here) airfare to the USA and
>then onto London then back home. The back home bit I am happy with
>(via Cathay Pacific even if they are on strie just now but at least
>they have 747 craft and so on). The first bit is with Continental
>Airlines. Departing Melbourne, via Auckland and into San Francisco
>then around the US with several stops (eg: Seattle, Denver, Boston)

>I got this fare because of the fact that I could get these stops
>as part of the deal and thus pay less overall, otherwise I'd fly
>united or northwest or something.

>My question is: how good or bad are they, and the planes? DC-10's
>have been going for years and I thought at least an old 747 would
>have bee used. 

747's have had problems as of late as well....El Al...China Air Lines...

>I've heard about their slack safety and so on, but what are
>people's opinions of them both as an airline and if you've
>travelled with them (eg: service and so on). 
>
>-RICHARD>

I have flown continental and continental only about 4-5 times a year for the 
past couple of years.  I have NEVER had any problems with delays or any 
Mechanical features at all.  Of course I regularly fly through Newark, so
I get held up by crappy weather at times.

Personally, I think the fleet is in OK shape.  Even though the FAA is getting
strapped lately for people, I think they typically watch the bankrupts
better than the big boys.  TWA has got the oldest planes around if your worried
about sheer age.  Perhaps Robert could give us the ages of some of CO's planes?

I always take an MD-80 to Newark From boston, and then usually a 757 or 737
to chicago from there.  The interior color scheme as well as some of the
exterior's (they are almost done) really make the planes look alot older
than united or so, even if it was the same date of manufacture just because
drab oranges and earth tones dont look to lively.

I think service is good, and many times they have accomodated special
requests for me.  I never walked away mad from a counter because they
couldnt help me out somehow. Even on a weather delay from Bos to NJ,
the plane left but missed the connection.  according to the books,
they have no control over weather delays, and thus are not responsible.
But after talking to a few people, they put my GF up in a hotel for the
evening.  Not many airlines will do this for a weather delay.

All in all, I wouldnt worry much about service or anything,
things are pretty good.  The food isnt the best, (mind you, its not bad..
just not the best) but then again I always pack my own no matter what 
airline I fly, because they simply dont give you enough!

The only problem I ever had a on a flight was getting stuck in row 32 of an
MD-80.  AUUUGGGGHHHH!  Of course I should have made sure I didnt get that row,
but out of 33 rows who would have thought I would have won 32! :)
And of course, it was a full flight so I couldnt change... :(

Hope this helps! :)

Derek

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"He lived a life of going-to-do, 
   and died with nothing done"	       
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In other words---JUST DO IT!