Thread: ZED Help

OK, trip to US and return is over.
Delta from Manila to Tokyo
I had checked in over the internet for my AA flight from Narita to LAX before going to the Airport in Manila.
No issues from Delta ticket counter, very helpful and friendly, did not weigh big heavy suitcase.
Upon seeing my checkin document from American showing a continuation from Narita to LAX, the agent checked my big heavy suitcase all the way to LAX
Charged P2880 ($67) to leave the Philippines because I have a resident card. Plus the P750 ($17) airport usage fee. Went to Singapore two weeks ago and I was only charged the airport usage fee(?).
Flight was uneventful, slept as much as possible
Since big heavy bag was checked through to LAX, nothing to do but set around in Narita at AA gate.
American Tokyo to Los Angeles
Went 1st Class. (Prices went up October 1st, just my luck)
Very comfortable, Very well fed, very friendly crew, couldn't even sleep laying down since I had slept setting up on the flight to Narita.

American Los Angeles to Tokyo
First let me say that I am appreciative that as a result of my daughters 26 years as a F/A that she has these flying privileges to extend to me. The cost to me was around 60% of a Y class fare. I thank her for that. I have flown many many times between my home and hers using passes and know full well the risk of non-reving and I have ALWAYS been respectful to all personnel involved as I know there could be a possible negative impact on her career should I be rude or inconsiderate of any of the chain of employees in the process. I know how the seats are assigned and it is up to the gate agent to assign seats and not me. In conclusion, I know all that and am appreciative of that.

Not smooth at LAX, skycap couldn't check TWO BIG BAGS through to Manila because Delta leg to Manila was not LINKED to Narita leg.
Went to Delta counter, not helpful, finally issued me an itinerary but would not show me as even standby.
AA counter not helpful either. Weighed TWO BIG BAGS , 48 & 62 pounds. Backpack already crammed full with TWO laptops etc, no space. $60.00
Gate agent lectured me about the weight, cautioned me that the plane could be overloaded if she didn't weigh bags. I didn't say anything but if she was in charge of making sure the plane wasn't overloaded she should have weighed all the passengers along with their carry on bags. I also know that all the bags are weighed but only Y class passengers pay the fee. It was 'policy', losing jobs etc. First time I have ever had bags weighed as part of checkin and first time I ever paid. It seems to me that if I pay the first class fee I should also have the first class perks that come with it.
After acknowledging the overweight, and paying the fee, she was somehow able to magically connect the two legs and check my bags through to Manila.
I did ask how I could have avoided the NOT LINKED problem since it wasn't an issue with Delta in Manila but was an issue at LAX and was rewarded with the 'just following the rules' lecture.

Went 1st Class. Very comfortable, Very well fed, very friendly crew, couldn't sleep since flight was at noon.
TWO BIG BAGS checked all the way through to Manila so nothing to do but sit around for a couple of hours in a very comfortable lounge area.

Delta from Tokyo to Manila
Seat assigned as soon as boarding was announced. Aisle in the back.
Flight uneventful except for turbulence near Manila due to tail of typhoon winds.

Anyhow home now. If I had it to do over, I probably would have gone Delta all the way and just settled for Y class instead of complicating things by flying business or first. Or maybe Cathy Pacific. At any rate, I understand I have only one of these ZED fares/year so I will have to wait until 2012 to do it again. Plenty of time to think it through.