American Airlines: Fly Slum Class

A recent business trip from New York to Los Angeles convinces me to quit compiling American Airlines miles.

Worst airline in the U.S.? There are lots to choose from.

Worst terminal in a major hub? No contest: American Airlines at LAX.

I left my Santa Monica hotel 3 hours before my 1 p.m. flight, as friends urged. I even stopped at a supermarket to buy prepared foods for both lunch & dinner.Then I took Lincoln Boulevard rather than the freeway toward LAX.

This is the 21st century, yet it would seem that going Greyhound from Los Angeles might be more scenic, and about the same level of comfort. The American Airline LAX terminal is a low-ceilinged slum with endless lines, long, long hallways and crowded check-in facilities.

Pulling my carryon, I waiting for 25 minutes while the passenger line inched toward the security area. American's security portals are so ancient they don't even have conveyor belts or rollers to get your stuff smoothly to the X-Ray machine. If you are a senior, it is helpful to have a strong, young gent in line nearby to help you lift your bags.

Did things improve past the security choke point? Mais non! The waiting area for the NYC-bound plane was so filthy it reminded me of the Calcutta airport (the worst I ever saw) minus the beggars. It should be busted by the Board of Health.

We boarded an hour late, despite all signs indicating the flight was "on time." We arrived at JFK after 10 p.m. Then it was a 20 minute shlep from the gate to the AirTrain.

If this is what it means to get old and cranky, I am returning to age 20 tomorrow. Icelandic Air to Luxemburg, anyone?