I'm not how many other cities are losing all their mainline jet service, but as of 10FEB, US in STL goes all jungle jets. I was already highly discouraged over the last year as both PHL and PIT transitioned to the RJ's, but always had CLT as a last resort. No more.

So there goes any inclination whatsoever to fly US Airways. There goes my gold status (though that was evaporating anyway). I'm a mostly paid F flyer and already avoid UA due to employee class and lousy service to non-status F passengers. And UA doesn't provide me with usable connections to the east coast like US did.

Ah well...more revenue for AA.

Yikes! I started flying to STL a little and now AA will get all my business. I avoided the flights out of PIT because of the RJ so there will be no incentive for me to use US anymore.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tfjim:
I'm a mostly paid F flyer and already avoid UA due to employee class and lousy service to non-status F passengers. </font>

You wouldn't happen to work for a large maker of adult beverages? I've heard of such a company based in STL that flies their employees in paid F ...

"You wouldn't happen to work for a large maker of adult beverages? I've heard of such a company based in STL that flies their employees in paid F ..."

Are you asking if Biggs is large, his company, or his company's beverages?? :-]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Heinrich:
"You wouldn't happen to work for a large maker of adult beverages? I've heard of such a company based in STL that flies their employees in paid F ..."

Are you asking if Biggs is large, his company, or his company's beverages?? :-]</font>

Heinrich, I wasn't asking Biggs anything ...

I thought that my use of the adjective large was correct and could only be read to be modifying the noun company ... but I'm no English major ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

BTW, although all-RJ is definitely bad at the moment, if US eventually adds RJ's with FC, as has been discussed in the past, it might not be so bad!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Heinrich:
"You wouldn't happen to work for a large maker of adult beverages? I've heard of such a company based in STL that flies their employees in paid F ..."

Are you asking if Biggs is large, his company, or his company's beverages?? :-]</font>

Just for clarification, I am not large but my stomach is from drinking too many adult beverages; my company is very large; and we have no beverages http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

BTW, I enjoyed the large adult beverage company's holiday lights they display at their complex, but did not sample their beverages right before Christmas.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
You wouldn't happen to work for a large maker of adult beverages? I've heard of such a company based in STL that flies their employees in paid F ...</font>

This is an easy dodge. Busch makes a lot more than just barley pop.

Bah, I fly to St. Louis a lot. I may need large amounts of adult beverage to convince myself to fly a DASH8 from LGA to PHL and an RJ to STL when MRTC awaits on a nonstop. Arent these people thinking at all about the revenue side of the equation?

the way things are going, the other majors (save AA) might not be far behind in going to RJ only service at STL. With its central location, its in RJ range for all the majors hubs (except maybe SFO).

Embarassing both for US and STL. Even my podunk airport SAV still has US mainline.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MUC Flyer:
Even my podunk airport SAV still has US mainline.</font>

Hope you knocked on wood after saying that! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I feel like I'm one of about six people in the universe that actually LIKE the RJ's. I guess the fact that I'm 5'8 and not 6'2 is one factor...but I've always (knock on wood) had good experiences. Plus...there's no obsession over "will I or won't I get upgraded".

If I can get seat 12A (exit row), I'm fine with RJ's. I invested in a pair of noise cancelling headphones which make it seem like I'm in a library.

It just yanks me that they charge MAINLINE JET pricing for BUDGET JET service.

I've only been on three RJ trips in my life (one-way to STL and one flight to/from SDF) and I feel perfectly comfortable in them.

I'm 6'1" tall and haven't had any problems with space. The only issue I had was an enormous woman sitting next to me refused to move to the single window seat after I politely asked her if she could exchange seats so I could sit with my brother. That reduced the seat width even more. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

As for noise, the Embraer RJs are extremely quiet. I just picture myself traveling in a private jet to my destination and relax the whole way- there just happen to be around 50 other people on this jet. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Well, maybe I am getting a bit too upset by this. If I can go though PIT, the 1 hr or so in the RJ isnt bad. I think it is the general fact that all of the planes are getting smaller and less comfortable. And difficult or impossible to upgrade on. When that happens, the main benefit of CP, the free upgrades disappears to my mind.

I will quote another FT who has flown the PIT-STL RJ route "And ****, it hurt bad".

My 2003/2004 project will require weekly flights in and out of STL. This might force my hand and make me move to AA. Even though the flight time is managable, at 6'4", I don't relish sitting in the RJ Sardine Can with the indeterminable weather delays that are so prevelant in STL during the summer.

Note to USAir, I once rode a GreyHound from PIT-NYC for SpringBreak, I refused to take the bus back home and flew my first flight on Peoples Express out of EWR. Cramming people into confined tin cans is not the answer. Much like the truth, your answers lie somewhere within.

So in the end, my US option for the time being will be a narrow seat with less pitch and no first class for the longer leg from STL-PIT and good old flight 398 upfront for the 30 minute jaunt from PIT-MDT.

I really do like USAir, but as Popeye once said "I can't stands it no more".

EOR (End of Rant) or maybe a comparison to a character from AA Milne is more appropriate.

G

[This message has been edited by Gandalf (edited 01-03-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
You wouldn't happen to work for a large maker of adult beverages? I've heard of such a company based in STL that flies their employees in paid F ...</font>

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! you'll blow my cover! Not only that, we know that in this day and age (and economy) that no company is foolish enough to fly their employees paid 1st http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">BTW, although all-RJ is definitely bad at the moment, if US eventually adds RJ's with FC, as has been discussed in the past, it might not be so bad!</font>

First class might help somewhat, but it's more than just the seat and private cabin. I don't mind the aircraft, per se, but it certainly takes some adjustment. And it's still a bummer because you truly feel like a second class citizen, trooping off to gate B689 along with departures to Altoona, Schenctady, and Wheeling and then to walk out on the tarmac to get in your plane.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Biggs:
BTW, I enjoyed the large adult beverage company's holiday lights they display at their complex, but did not sample their beverages right before Christmas</font>

The lights are pretty impressive, aren't they? The beverages are just as good!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MUC Flyer:
the way things are going, the other majors (save AA) might not be far behind in going to RJ only service at STL. With its central location, its in RJ range for all the majors hubs (except maybe SFO).
Embarassing both for US and STL. Even my podunk airport SAV still has US mainline.
</font>

An interesting observation, I can only hope that you're wrong. Jungle jets imply so much more than just a smaller aircraft: minimal inflight service, no chance of inflight entertainment, bumpier ride, less availability, etc.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that STL is probably not "embarrassed" by this. They've got plenty of other problems right now, including how to pay for all those expensive expansions planned while the airline "bubble" of irrational exhuberance was in full play in the late 90's.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by shinbal:
...I feel like I'm one of about six people in the universe that actually LIKE the RJ's...Plus...there's no obsession over "will I or won't I get upgraded".
</font>

Obviously, I don't have to worry about being upgraded either http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gandalf:
I will quote another FT who has flown the PIT-STL RJ route "And ****, it hurt bad"...
</font>

I wish I could take credit, but it wasn't me. All I can say is that whereas last year I actually flew STL-PIT-PHX to fly US, there is not a chance in **** that will happen again.

[This message has been edited by tfjim (edited 01-03-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MUC Flyer:
the way things are going, the other majors (save AA) might not be far behind in going to RJ only service at STL. With its central location, its in RJ range for all the majors hubs (except maybe SFO).

</font>

Save AA? Even AA just converted all St. Louis-Charlotte and -Houston service to RJ, and that is just the beginning.

By the end of 2003, STL is supposed to be 45% ERJ with American.

Actually I think PIT is also ERJ in addition to CLT, so US isn't facing mainline competition anyway.

Trans States is receiving 10 ERJ-145s from American Eagle to use at STL.... ERJs have taken over B concourse and now have a few gates on D concourse. Pretty soon only C will be mainline with AA.