As a very frequent flyer into/out of DCA (weekly) I've noticed that the flights in the afternoon tend to be running late more than usual. I overhead a pax on the bus while we were waiting to go to the plane mention that the 3:30 and 3:59 PM flights in the afternoon from DCA to ORF rarely leave on time and usually leave about the same time.

Yesterday I was on the 3:59 PM flight and thought I'd catch the 3:30 PM to get home a bit early. Well got to the airport early only to find the 3:30 delayed till 4:30 and the 3:59 delayed until 4:05PM. So kept my seat on the 3:59 PM and we finally took off at 4:35PM or there abouts. This has happened for the past several weeks it seems.

As I was standing outside of the plane in line to get in the plane a off duty FA I recognized began to chat with me. She said that Express Ops at DCA have been horrible lately. She also hears rumors that US will announce very soon the migration of many flights at DCA to Potomac from Piedmont. This change will affect the ORF/DCA runs and thus impact me. I'm not looking forward to it.

All of the above and they just jacked up the fare for RT ORF DCA travel to $671 with a 3 day advance. The only lower fare requires a 14 day adv pur WITH a Sat night stay. The full Y fare prior to this was $409. I've also noticed it's now more expensive to fly to BWI than it use to be. What gives? I guess the fact that UA said it won't raise fares for two years post merger means they are going to raise them now to compensate. I understand Potomac is not UA but I think it will transition to DC Air. So I guess UA is just helping DC Air out ahead of time by raising fares so they won't have too.

This sucks for the business flyer. I fly ORF/DCA weekly and this $200++ fare hike is making me seriously consider ORF IAD instead. I had IAD and since I work downtown it will add significantly to my commute time but these new fares to DCA are outrageous.

With all of the above said, Express Ops at ORF in the AM are PERFECT. The US Staff at ORF are angels and we always board on time and depart on time. I can't remember the last time I was late leaving ORF. Wish DCA staff would take some lessons from ORF. Would surely be nice. But I know that's not going to happen. Two completely different staff groups as well as facilities/ops.

USAirways Express should be arrested for impersonating an airline. Their favorite trick at DCA is waiting until one minute before departure to actually post the cancellation, making sure you have lost your opportunity to make an alternative plan.

I had the same experience in December -- the later DCA-ORF flight left before the earlier, and both were delayed.

for what it is worth, BWI-ORF-RDU is a valid connection and usually a 14 day OW advance purchase for $61. Of course, if there is a delay they might want to put you on the nonstop BWI-RDU!

Originally posted by gercohen:
for what it is worth, BWI-ORF-RDU is a valid connection and usually a 14 day OW advance purchase for $61. Of course, if there is a delay they might want to put you on the nonstop BWI-RDU!

I could probably get away with this one time but if they began to notice that I never took the ORF-RDU leg I'm sure I'd be in some type of hot water. But that fare is unbelieveable. Thanks for the suggestion.

Last night US Express cancelled its flights from DCA to RDU (snow storm). I was lucky to be on Midway because I did not want to take a 6:15 AM flight to DCA. Midway was delayed but they were still flying and I got home by 11:30PM on a 6 PM flight. At least I got home, which would not have been true with USE yesterday. 3 trips to DCA in the last 7 days and I noticed USE had problems on 2 of those days.

Interesting you brought up this thread. I did a trip out of DCA yesterday. Weather was clear, no clouds or traffic at DCA or really anywhere in the northeast. Every single flight at DCA delayed yesterday (ranging from 15 minutes to at least an hour) was an Express flight. Not a single late mainline or Shuttle flight. Some mainline flights were even early. So there was a noticeable difference in service.


BTW, anybody notice a basic disappearance of the CRJs in favor of ERJs? I actually like the ERJ better, but I saw only one CRJ in DCA or CLT (but at least 8 or 10 ERJs).