I am so po-d re service to Tampa - LaG folks had me stand in 1st check-in to tell me boarding passes only at gate - there a 45 min. wait! ugly service, screaming kids; the only option a connecting fl???? cattle car conditions - Delta?? I must fly to Tampa 5-6 x in the next 4 mos!! I hate metrojet- http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Welcome to the future.

I fly this route very often since I sort of live in both Tampa and New York. I can't stand MetroJet. Despite the fact that you can't upgrade to First Class (there's nothing to upgrade to), the legroom is bad and service awful. I like US Airways and don't think they deserve their bad rap, but MetroJet deserves every bit of it! Plus, they haven't mastered the turnarounds like WN. A short delay and they can never regain the time since the ground time is unrealistically short. If you can get a bulkhead or entry door seat, the flight is bearable.

I now either fly to JFK or EWR and suffer a long cab ride into Manhattan or I connect and fly into LGA. I always prefer nonstops, even on a non-loyal airline, but MetroJet is a glaring exception.

They should clarify the fact that you must check-in at the gate. Apparently, this is so the can collect the stubs at the check-in desk so all you have to do is flash your card when boarding, to save time. Does seem to save any time to me.... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif

I think US Airways is a great airline that has turned around in many ways. But MetroJet, IMO, was a turn in the other direction. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Just wanted to add: I think the Tampa staff is the best. Between the US Airways Club folks and the gate staff, I'm often recognized and am on a first-name basis with a couple agents. It pays to have friends in high places. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Forgot to add one thing:

American has nonstops on this route (LGA-TPA) and they do often match the MetroJet fares. Just another way to avoid MetroJet!

Another Metrojet thing...the gate agents are snappish, rude. The FAs can be fine or atrocious (normally poor service although there are exceptions.) I've had them announce no in-flight service because of the short (1 hour) flight, for example. Ridiculous.

I do like IAD-MDW though. They share the gate with WN and it's only a hop, skip and jump out to the taxi stand. Beats ORD any day.

thanks all - my complaint has yielded a $75. voucher - whoopee!(?) but at least a polite response from US Airways- American to Tampa next time! Would have preferred a couple of upgrades...:

Heck, I'd swap you if they were bearer form. I got $75 out of US for some comments/complaints too, and have 12 N. Am. upgrades with a possible 26 others by end of August!

Being swamped with upgrades is typical on USAirways http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I have forty upgrades left over from last year (all which are still valid, but useless to me)

dg1: I thought CPs didn't use upgrade certs. The agent simply writes or stamps CHPRF (or something similar) and for accounting that's as good as an upgrade.

I think when the CP level was first introduced, CPs had to "order" complementary upgrades. They called the CP-line and requested free upgrades, which were sent by mail. This is I think because the computer required a certificate for everyone, but this has since changed to allow CPs not to have to deal with certs.

I think dg1 has leftover certificates from when he was a low level Gold or Pref. Plus like me... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

geo's right, and in addition my wife, who's a lowly Gold Preferred <grin> has over twenty certificates she doesn't use (since she flies only with me)

I've already wallpapered part of my office with boarding passes .. next comes these certificates http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

If you are a lowly Silver or Gold Preferred, the agent attaches the upgrade certificate (if connection, attaches the connection stub) to the boarding pass.

Godly Chairman's Preferreds don't need certs; the agent writes some sort of abbreviation for Chairman's Preferred, or in some stations (like the Tampa US Club) have a nifty stamp that leaves a large red imprint: "CHAIRMAN'S PREFERRED".

If for one reason or another you are condemned to the lowly cabin (with many lowly Silvers and Gold and many as low as you can go statusless "travelers") the stamp allows the agent to know you are a CP and let you preboard. (Yes, the title under you name should do it, but it goes much faster with the stamp or having your card, as the agent always seems to stare at the little writing trying to make out those words---Chairman's Preferred).

And if I ever meet Mr. Stephen (Steven?) Wolf (maybe I should stay at the DC Four Seasons....I heard he lives there; on the US Airways bill no less) I will run up to him and wave around my card...."Hey! You PREFER me!!!"

hehe what fun! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

sorry, it's been a looooong day at work, time to relieve some pressure!

Oh, yeah, back on topic....

I am very annoyed that my favorite, dear, beloved US Airways (god, I sound like Matt Wald and United!) has put it's sick CattleJet (like United Shuttle) on the frequented TPA-LGA route. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Many letters have been written, but no avail. I thought it was neat that JetBlue made Tampa one of its first destinations, but then I didn't realize that it would mean US responding by putting MetroJet outta LGA. Now I feel like ripping David Needleman (he is the needle in my heart....) into shreads...all LIVE on the JetBlue PTVs!!

Yes, I am stopping more and more now in CLT/PHL/PIT to get to LGA. And the more you stop, the more chance for delays.... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

By the way, is it me or are there more Tampans posting on this topic than any other city? Yes! The other Bay Area is rising to the top!!!!!!!

(Sorry, see comment above about giddyness at work)

I have the same thoughts about meeting Mr. Wolf. Of course, at this point I'd also thank him for selling us all down the river!

The boarding passes say Chairman's Pref http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Mandatory on-topic post: At least there is one benefit to being in a fortress hub, no Metrojet!

I'll be flying MetroJet in a few weeks from IAD to BDL (not thrilled about this, but the price was right). Question about MetroJet at IAD: Do they have their own counter there or do you check in at the US Air counter? Or do you have to check in at the gate, as seems to be implied by one of the above posts? Thanks!

You can check baggage at either curbside or the regular US Airways line (I haven't used US/MJ out of IAD, so there might be a special line, but of all the airports I've been to you use the standard line, if I recall correctly. I might be wrong since I have no first hand experience....never check bags!)

You must go to the gate to receive your boarding pass.

Omni: FWIW, before MetroJet allowed assigned seats ahead of time (Maybe my letters worked? But I requested assigned seats only for preferred, not the lowly travelers!) you could get seats at the US Club or the ticketing counter, but still had to go to the gate for the boarding pass. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif Why can't they make it simple??