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4 El Al pilots don't arrive for work; flights delayed
Itay Blumenthal
Published: 08.05.14, 21:52
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10 Talkbacks for this article
1. El Al et al
Ameridane ,   Aarhus, Denmark   (05.08.14)
For years I had my private war against El Al, and now I feel satisfied that El Al at last overtook Ryan Air as the World's Worse Air Lines!
2. El-AL Pilot shortage
Sruly ,   Israel   (05.09.14)
Tired Pilots and over scheduled pilot have been a major reason of mishaps and accidents over the history of commercial air travel. It behooves EL-AL and the pilots union to follow the rule for max hours and rest periods. This could be a very bad situation if not resolved very very soon. Till it is announced that the situation has been satisfactory addressed I will fly any other airline but EL-AL.
3. El Al is stilll the safest airline
Scott ,   Ramat Gan   (05.09.14)
When is the last time you heard of an El Al flight crashing or going missing? They have the strongest safety standards in the industry have been x-raying luggage & were using reinforced cockpit doors before 9/11. They are also one of the few airlines to have missile deterrence systems. This problem came about because they are having financial problems & they just launched a low cost airline for Europe. Hopefully they will hire some alternates soon so the pilots aren't overworked.
4. No 3- safe El Al
Ameridane ,   Aarhus, Denmark   (05.09.14)
The safest air line in the world is Quantas! El Al has the lousiest record for delays and bad service. I would rather fly with Gulf Arab airlines. Stop your chauvinism, it doesn't improve your image.
5. To No 3 Scott
Ameridane ,   Aarhus, Denmark   (05.09.14)
P.S. don't forget the Amsterdam disaster.
6. about El Al
Toledano Jean-Pierre ,   Israel   (05.09.14)
I don't really complain about El Al. The price for a ticket is very high, but I excepted and still except it because the security measures cost a lot of money. The service - I'm talking in the economy class - on the plane is ok, but you see or feel that before it was better: -there was a choice between white or red wine, nowadays forget it, maybe because the white wine is more expensive than the red one -when you asking a second glass, sometimes quick service, sometimes a wrinkling of the eyebrows (how dare he),... -the food, but it's a question of taste, so no comment -I'm for something very happy. No more the hot little towels for your face and hands, I hated it. But, I saw in the past the same things happening to other companies before they stopped definitely. Also on a flight this year to Tel Aviv, we underwent a very short but very heavy shaking - I think above Germany or Switserland - but people looked to each other: what's that! What a heavy turbulence. When the meal was served, again turbulence but - believe me, I'm a frequent flyer - I never experienced it before! Tea, coffee, water, cola, wine spots on the tv-screens. Stewards on their knees holding themselves with one hand on a seat, the other hand on the foodcart,... It happened between 5 and 10 minutes or even more. Afterwards no explanation at all. Or, the pilot continued his flight because if he has to turn around the turbulence area than El Al can lose money because the plane has to use more fuel. Maybe, I'm almost sure, the pilot saw at the last moment or was warned about the upcoming turbulence, because 2 or 3 seconds before it started the signs to close your safety belt went one. But again, afterwards no explanation at all.
7. The heaviest suitcases are loaded by Israelis.
Michael ,   California, USA   (05.09.14)
They bring back home so much junk from everywhere it's hard to believe. As a result, the planes are heavy and pilots have to work extra hard to get off the ground. But not on Saturdays because less people fly, so it's better. Poor pilots.
8. to N.1 Ameridane
Gabs ,   Tel Aviv   (05.10.14)
Seems to me you have never flown Iberia... They have won the worse airline ever world's contest!!! I see that you think we are chauvinists when we feel proud of El Al, as we are proud of any other Israeli company. We say here "al tam vareach ein leitvakeach", meaning everyone is entitled to have their own preferences. Be my guest and please, fly Gulf Arab airlines, Qantas or Iberia. You are entitled to be dissatisfied with El Al as much as we are entitled to feel proud of a company that finds a solution for every traveler, without being accused of chauvinists And regarding delays and bad service... check your statistics... You are so very wrong.... I will be flying El Al in two weeks, there is no better feeling than seeing your flag awaiting you to take you back home!!!!!
9. #6 Frequent flyer???
Sergey ,   Tel Aviv   (05.09.14)
EL AlL is a horrible company. Their service is the lowest quality I've ever experienced on board. Regarding turbulence. You do not seem like a frequents flyer. Turbulence is a normal phenomena during many flights and can appear anywhere. Normally in 90% of times pilots aware of turbulence ahead and seat belt lights turn on few minuets in advance. It is normal practice in the industry. Sometimes when they know that turbulence is going to be stronger then usual they make an announcement to passengers.
10. turbulence
Toledano Jean-Pierre ,   Israel   (05.10.14)
I know very well what it is to have turbulence on a flight, remember: I wrote in my previous talkback that this one was extreme and I never experienced such a one before. Stewards were lying or sitting with one knee on the floor grabbing seats with one hand and holding the food carts with the other hand. A co-passenger said me that once he had almost the same troubles on a flight above Africa. He knows what it was. I also wrote a few seconds before it started the warning lights were going on, the tv-screens stayed open but the stewards couldn't move to close them and the two pilots had their hands full to keep the plane in balance and couldn't give an oral warning. I always flying with my security belt on, but I had the feeling that we were even falling 2 times in a (little) vertical draft. By the way: I'm flying between 3 a 5 times a year, not short distances.
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