Gee guys....

As one loyal flyer on USAir over this past year and a half, I am really surprised that no one else has yet stood up to challenge all the negative publicity being given to USAir's recent email announcement.

Based on my personal experience, let me lay out a couple of facts:

1) USAir flys me safely.
2) USAir lands me "on-time" for all but one segment in this last year and a half since I have become a regular flyer (As a CP member, that amounts to quite a few "on-time" arrivals.)
3) USAir Transcon routes and hubs are efficient and work smoothly to connect me to my desired destination.
4) USAir Domestic First Class service had nothing to apologize for whatsoever when compared to any of the other major airlines that I have flown.
5) USAir Employees have inspired confidence in that they are well trained, they have been courteous, and when an unusual situation develops, they respond effectively to help alleviate the problem.
6) USAir International Envoy service is really terrific.
7) USAir's website is the best in the business, and second only to SouthWest in ease of use. And that may have changed just recently with the recent software overhaul.
8) USAir has made my personal and business travel very affordable. I can document many additional trips I have taken because the cost was within reason.
9) USAir has made it easy for me to fly First Class with the availability of upgrades for preferred members. I am referring to my recent experience as a Silver, Gold and now a CP member.
10) USAir clubs have made my travels so much more pleasant and civil. The crowds are non-existent even at the major hubs at peak hours. Can one say that about the UAL and AA facilities.
11) From recent experience, the personalized attention from the CP desk alone will cause me to look for ways to fly USAir and not another of my preferred airlines, even if the schedule is not as convenient.
12) With all the talk of no "Hawaii" award possibility, DM members still have a viable network of destinations to fly to on Award tickets. However, I too enjoy Hawaii, and look forward to an Alliance that makes sense for all parties concerned.
13) USAir uses the super quiet Airbus 321 and 330 on selected routes. I prefer the A321 transcon over any Boeing product, including the 767 or the 757 anyday. The seat comfort and support are also superior, and with my back, I do appreciate such differences.
14) USAir has offered a very generous Dividend Miles program and has put forth multiple series of promotions that if one follows the rules, one can earn a lot of miles very quickly.
15) One last thing for now, the network of USAir Frequent Flyers that I have encountered both on this board and "on board" in travels, has been incredible. FT's in general are very helpful; in particular there are many individuals on the USAir Board that have been just terrific.

So, let's keep flying USAir, and encourage your work associates and your friends, and your families to fly USAir more as well. In the end, if we want our preferred airline to survive, it will be because people buy tickets. So buy some tickets, go away for the weekend, do a mileage run, plan your next couple of business trips, etc. If we are in fact USAir's most loyal customers, then our actions will go a long way to insuring its success.

I am interested to hear from others on this board...What are your positive experiences on USAir?


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" ...overcoming my fears of turbulence one glass of chardonnay at a time. "

[This message has been edited by YoffieLA (edited 05-12-2002).]

Geez - you're singing to the choir in this group! This forum is full of positive experiences on US -

Sure we're all a tad nervous with lots of miles hanging out there. I think most of us are of the opinion that in the end, even if US fails financially, it will a) take a long time to unravel, and b)the customer base behind the FF program will be a tangible asset that will get picked up..

But we're all status junkies in the end and those with elite status aren't likely to defect (and get their status downgraded in the process) just yet..

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by YoffieLA:
Gee guys....

2) USAir lands me "on-time" for all but one segment in this last year and a half since I have become a regular flyer (As a CP member, that amounts to quite a few "on-time" arrivals.)
5) USAir Employees have inspired confidence in that they are well trained, they have been courteous, and when an unusual situation develops, they respond effectively to help alleviate the problem.

</font>


1) I do not recall the last time that I either departed or landed on time in Philadelphia.

2) I have been flying Continental lately given the extremely courteous personnel that they have in Philly. USAir has the rudest staff in Philly. I brought this to the attention of their consumer affairs department last year and the rep. indicated that they do recognize that there is a problem in Philly with customer service.

3) I will grant you that USAir has a great east coast network, but there's more in the world than just the east coast.

4) Food service is a joke on USAir, and American too for that matter. A few weeks ago I had to laugh becuase American made an announcement in the boarding area that there was a McDonalds next to the gate and passengeers should feel free to bring food on board becuase there is no food service.

In general, USAir is a fairly good regional carrier. Their few routes to the Carribean and Europe hardly make them a world class airline.

I have started to go back to Continental (where I am Infinite Platinum). It has been a pleasant surprise. US has cut so much service, which I tried to compensate for by doing things like driving nearly an hour from West Palm to Ft. Lauderdale. Suddenly, I asked myself why I was doing it? In the main, they have abandoned (or downsized equipment and schedules) so much service, that unless you live in a hub, or upstate New York, it makes less and less sense. As someone living in the New York City area, and traveling regularly to South Florida, it's history. They have walked away from one of the most heavily used corridors in the air transport system.

On PSA, our smiles aren't just painted on.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TTT103:

Their few routes to the Carribean and Europe hardly make them a world class airline.
</font>

They serve as many, if not more, Caribbean destinations as anyone else, and with good yields. 8 European cities is nothing to sneeze at, either. All this in just a few years of expansion. A few routes to Asia would have made them a "world class airline". A few more western cities would have helped that. But, for what they are to me - an East Coast resident - they're really a fine choice for 90% of my travel.

Hear, Hear, Yoffie! We all love our little airline here, and frankly just don't know what to say as the ominous dark clouds build. But do you know what? When I feel sad, I find it helps to sing a happy song.

So sing along everyone. Sing as if US Airways' life depended upon it! Everyone, SING!
---------------------------------------------
SETTING: ABANDONED US AIRWAYS CONCOURSE AT BWI. COUNTERS ARE COVERED WITH DUST. OLD NEWPAPERS LITTER THE FLOOR. A FEW DOZEN PASSENGERS WANDER ABOUT, APPEARING CONFUSED. EERIE US AIRWAYS PERUVIAN PAN-FLUTE THEME SONG IS PLAYING ON THE PA SYSTEM.

SUDDENLY THE PERUVIAN THEME SONG STOPS. STRANGERS CATCH EACH OTHERS' EYE. THEN SHOULDERS SAG. EVERYONE LOOK TO THE GROUND IN SILENCE.

THEN, THEY HEAR A VOICE. FAINT AT FIRST, IT GROWS STRONGER. IT IS A VOICE OF PURITY AND GOODNESS. WHY, IT'S YOUNG MARK BACH:
Some things in life are bad,
They can really make you mad,
Other things just make you swear and curse,
When you're chewing life's gristle,
Don't grumble,
Give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best.
And...

OTHER DC CONTINGENT MEMBERS, ITRADE, GEO1004, AND STUDENT JOIN THE CHORUS:
Always look on the bright side of life.
(whistle)
Always look on the light side of life.
(whistle)

LAME-DUCK CHAIRMAN STEPHEN M WOLF POPS UP FROM BEHIND ABANDONED FORT LAUDERDALE GATE COUNTER:
If life seems jolly rotten,
There's something you've forgotten,
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps,
Don't be silly chumps.
Just purse your lips and whistle.
That's the thing.
And...

CHARLOTTE MEMBERS CLTFLYER, LA2CLT, SVPII, DINGLES AND BECKLES JOIN IN:
Always look on the bright side of life.
(whistle)
Always look on the right side of life,
(whistle)

NOT TO BE OUTDONE, PHILADELPHIA PASSENGERS GARDENER, CATWOOD, AND PHL HARMONIZE;
For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word.
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin.
Give the audience a grin.
Enjoy it. It's your last chance, anyhow.
So,...

USAIRWAYS UNIONS, RESOLUTE TO THE END, JOIN IN WITH GUSTO!
Always look on the bright side of death,
(whistle)
Just before you draw your terminal breath.
(whistle)

LIGHTS DIM.
SINGLE SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON INDIVIDUAL WITH TOPHAT AND CANE.
IT IS RESIDENT CURMUDGEON DEELMAKUR. HE SMILES A SAD SMILE. THEN HE PERFORMS A BRIEF SOFTSHOE, WHILE CAST HUMS THEME SONG.
THEN, WITH A DEEP BARITONE, DEELMAKUR SINGS:
Life's a piece of sh*t,
When you look at it.
Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true.
You'll see it's all a show.
Keep 'em laughing as you go.
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.
And...

CAST, EMPLOYEES, ELITE MEMBERS, GHOST OF FRANK LORENZO AND AUDIENCE SING:
Always look on the bright side of life.
Always look on the right side of life.
(whistle)
Always look on the bright side of life!
(whistle)
Always look on the bright side of life!
(whistle)
Always look on the bright side of life!
(whistle)
Always look on the bright side of life!
(whistle)
Always look on the bright side of life!
(whistle)
Always look on the bright side of life!
(whistle)
Always look on the bright side of life!
(whistle)
Always look on the bright side of life!
(whistle)

FADE
(apologies to Eric Idle and Life of Brian)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PHL:
They serve as many, if not more, Caribbean destinations as anyone else, and with good yields. But, for what they are to me - an East Coast resident - they're really a fine choice for 90% of my travel.</font>

I never travel to the Carribean on business. I'm sure many do; however, I would guess that there are more excursion fares on these routes than full fares. In any case, they do have a great east coast and carribean network. My company particularly enjoys paying $700+ for me to fly from PHL to CLT.

I would probably be much happier with USAir if they weren't on the brink of bankruptcy. I don't cherish the idea of losing all of my miles--particularly since most of my miles are on USAir. I also wish they would examine how Continental survived bankruptcy and now offers a level of service considerably higher than AA, US, etc. Finally, they need a partner. Their current ones are dropping like flies. This doesn't make reward travel very rewarding.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ATC:
So sing along everyone. Sing as if US Airways' life depended upon it! Everyone, SING!</font>I missed where it was my cue to join in! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TTT103:
Their few routes to the Carribean and Europe hardly make them a world class airline.</font>

Whether an airline is "world class" does not have anything to do with their route network in my opinion. Alaska and Southwest are generally both considered "world class" within their peer group for various reasons, and their route networks are even more limited than US's.

Hello California, when you're ready to fly
We've got more planes in your sky
And when you're rushed won't you leave it to us
As we'll make your time Fly!

Hello California, PSA is our name.
Your skies are home for our planes
And every mile we are wearin a smile
To help your spirit SSOOOOOAAARR!!!

Catch us, PSA. We're waiting to hear from you. Call us PSA, we're saving a seat for you!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chexfan:
I missed where it was my cue to join in! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>

You can just step in for geo1004. He never shows up anyway http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pitflyer:
You can just step in for geo1004. He never shows up anyway http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>


geo has many friends out there in US AirwaysLand!!!

Maybe I'm just not too fond of McD's! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
Whether an airline is "world class" does not have anything to do with their route network in my opinion. </font>


Maybe "world class" was a poor choice of words on my part. I was trying to get at the route system aspect of USAir, their low level of service, and their continued cut-backs.

I have nothing to add to YoffieLA's posting.

Having 4 frequent flyer memberships USAir is the best in all the points he mentioned. Sure, I am a bit nervous about US future (and my miles). But Murphy's law is: the more you fligh, the more you encounter some difficulties or things you do not expect. Too bad, that this forum does not have the budget to make some tv commercials and tell the world what is good about this airline.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1004:

geo has many friends out there in US AirwaysLand!!!

Maybe I'm just not too fond of McD's! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

</font>

BLASPHEMY!

That the airline will fail is probably a given. Costs are too high, and in an environment where even American and Delta can't make a buck, why will USAirways? Our miles will be safe, and the place will be subsumed into one or more other companies. In retrospect, the UA merger was probably right, even though it would have hurt us high milers (benefits would have been cut), but greed in the corporate suite (and stupidity at UA) focused on too high a price per share, which eventually sank it. History will blame the government regulators, but UA just let it die. We should continue to support the company, but the circumstances in the marketplace will dictate the outcome, and the prognosis is poor.

the maker of deals is correct. US has the best employees in the business. Unfortunately, they work under union contracts that ensure US Airways will have the highest labor costs in the industry.

Unless the high labor costs can be significantly reduced, it's just a matter of time before these high costs drive them to chap. 11 for a major reorganization or to the chopping block for an asset sale. If US does go on the chopping block, anyone holding a balance of miles in their US DM account should not have too much to worry about. They'll be converted to whatever airline offers the most for that piece of the pie...


[This message has been edited by geo1004 (edited 05-13-2002).]

On 5-10 I just bought a PIT-ORD, return MKE-PIT on US for $141--long stay (&gt;30 days.)
I really needed a OW on 5-28 to connect to an AA award, took a guess that I may want to visit Germanfest & Bradford Beach on Lake Michigan 7-25 to 7-28.

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Flyertalk.com ...because miles & points don't grow on trees!

Just checking myself in for the US Air Support Group. Enjoy the Airbus 330 tremendously and the many direct flights out of DCA on other Airbus.

Wish I could be a more avid supporter and buy more tickets however my travel plans this month and next include Dubai, Korea and California.

I would be worried as an investor holding U stock, but not as a DM with miles which I will hold on to. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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"Fly me to the moon and let me earn alot of miles."