As a US citizen currently living in the Middle East, I have experience flying with all three Gulf airlines in question. My f amily members are all Privilege Club members

of Qatar Airways, which is our airline of choice for 100% of our travels (where availa ble). We are also Emirates Skywards members.

In my opinion, today there is no comparison between the Gulf airlines and American / Delta / United. I have flown all three US airlines many times in the past, and was both an AA and Delta Skymiles member for years (I even had a Delta Skymiles AMEX). My family and I make trips between the Gulf and US several times a year. Normally, when flying Qatar Airways, we connect to American Airlines (or their regional partners), so I feel I have honest an d constructive feedback to provide. We fly in coach class, so please note that my comments relate to that cabin category only.

In the nearly three years that I have been flying on a Gulf airline, I have never witnessed an employee disparage or act disr espectfully towards another team member, or anyone else. Thei r employees are pleasant, respectful, professional, conscientious, and go above and beyond to assist their customers. I have never been charged excess fees for luggage or ticket changes, and ticket agents look for ways to upgrade me wherever possible (unf ortunately, it doesn't happen because upper class seats on Gulf airlines are so popular and always seem to be full). I was especially impressed with the care and level of ser vice afforded to me when I shipped my pet overseas on Qatar Airways. In contrast , I cannot count how many rude, dismissive, uncooperative US airline employees I have encountered over the years.

My most recent trip on a US carrier in May, 2015 is an example. After flying from Doha on Qatar Airways (a nearly 15 hour fl ight), I conne cted at DFW to USAirways #2561. The flight was delayed because the crew had not shown up yet (even though the plane was there), the gate agent was di smissive, and when we finally were allowed to approach the plane, we were made to wait at the door as the plane had not been cleaned. The flight attendant came out and chastised us for waiting at the doorway because they were not ready for us to board. He even went so far as to yell down the hallway to the gate agent t elling her to stop sending passengers be cause they weren't ready. His lack of professionalism was painful to watch. The co

- pilot then came out and told us that the gate agent had no business sending us down to the plane because they weren't ready for us to load. At no point did the flight cre w apologize for the delay, they just seemed annoyed that we, their customers, were standing there waiting to board the plane. I was shocked to see two crew members so blatantly throw a team m ember under the bus in this manner.

In the past year our family has encountered several upsetting instances at the hands of American Airlines and United Airlines, which we had to use as con nections within the US

- including lost luggage, delayed flights, missed connections, and dismissive staff. Most recently, my tee nage daughter was flying back to the Middle East on her first solo international flight for the Christmas holidays and endured a horrific 30 hour delay in Dallas while a ttempting to connect from American Airlines to Qatar Airways. She received no assistan ce from AA, other than rebooking her ticket, and was left to her own devices at the airport

- no food vouchers, no accommodation, nothing. And, her lug gage took seven days to arrive.

On a previous flight, connecting through Houston on United Airlines, ou r family's luggage was misplaced during a four hour layover and didn't make it on to our flight into LAX.

My family avoids flying US airlines as much as possible, mostly because of a lack of convenient flights and price (which is a bsolutely exorbitant t hese days even with the lower oil prices), but also because of flight delays (it seems as if every flight is late), seat comfort (hard and small) , lack of onboard entertainment, and overall lack of customer service. I won't even mention the food, or lack thereof. I have even been the recipient of disrespectful comments by US airline employees who question why I fly Gulf airlines.

Another instance earlier this year, I flew my daughter from MS to Washington, DC (with one connection) at a cost of $700 RT

- the cheapest flight I could find, even with a 30 day advance purchase. In contrast, my RT flight from the Middle East to Washington DC (direct flight) was $1,400. I find it ridiculous that I had to spend 50% the cost of an international 14 hour flight, for her domestic flight that lasted less than two hours. How is that possible?

There is no comparison between the Gulf flight attendants and US flight attendants. Gulf flight attendants are gracious and act like they really want to be doing their jobs. US flight attendants always seem harried, too busy and condescending when you ask for something. And, the difference in bein g a Qatar privilege club member is far and away a better experience than what I ever had with Delta or AA. Sitting in QA coach s eats as a privilege club member reminds me of when I flew business class with AA. QA, Emirates and Etihad don't care what category seat you have, they treat everyone well. I will say that I have not encountered any problems when flying Southwest and Virg in America, but unfortunately they are not options for me at this time.

The US airlines have alot of work to do to catch up to the Gulf airlines, and it has nothing to do with Open Skies. I know m any people involved in the Gulf airline industry, at many levels and in different roles, some of whom are former US pilots who came to Qatar Airways because of the current situation i n the US. The big three are grasping at straws when they bring up job protection and subsidies. The US as a whole needs to wake u p and recognize that there is a lot of competition in the areas where we have historically excelled and we have to improve our service offerings or else we will be left behind. I feel strongly about this matter and when I eventually return to the US, if th e airline industry has not changed it ways, I will continue to fly international carriers wherever possible.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my comments.