Apparently Joe Brancatelli can dish it out but can't take it very well. Seems when I challenged the lengendary (in his mind) Joe B he reacted by cancelling my subscription to "Joe Sent Me". I was attacked by one of his robot sycophants who lept to Joe's defense. Since it was sent to me via e-mail which offers no guarantee of privacy I thought I'd let you know just what he thinks of our efforts. Getting "Fired" by Joe is a badge of honor I shall always cherish. I would also like to personally invite Joe to join us next Saturday as my guest at my expense. That way Joe can actually speak to the "media Flak" and 3rd rate carpetbagger" Chris Chiames. C'mon Joe put your Saturday where your mouth is.

The wit and wisdom of Joe B and his take on the Cockroaches appear below.

"I tried to tell him that I wasn't impressed with a 3-hour meeting fronted by an airline flak, but he said it didn't matter. He just wanted the link. So I was happy to oblige. Otherwise, I would not have mentioned it. To be honest, if this member, whose also a cockroach, hadn't brought Roachfest to my attention, I wouldn't have known about it."

"No, of course US Airways management isn't really listening to the
cockroaches or any of their most frequent flyers. I give US Airways
credit for co-opting the cockroaches effectively, though. What started out as a grass-roots protest group has been rather dramatically transformed into a mouthpiece for the management of the moment. Or, perhaps more accurately, the supposed leaders of the cockroaches have been turned into another mouthpiece of the management of the moment. Basically, the guy who runs US Airways' PR has played on thecockroaches' very legitimate desire to try to effect change. So he gives them a little access and makes them feel like insiders and then, suddenly, they identify with the management they once opposed. It's sort of like the Stockholm Syndrome."

Joe in his clairvoyanance has determined ALL of the above and more having never talked to anyone from US Airways, The Cockroach leadership (such as it is). Must be great having a trust fund and a forum to spew forth from.

I too have a forum, I just missed out on the trust fund.

Some people have way too much spare time on their hands!

we're "insiders" now. Cool.

Some people have way too much spare time on their hands!

Joe or me? Just curious? Besides you know the old saying, "Time to spare? Go by Air!"

Joe sounds a bit like Sheryl at BFT. Can't take the teeniest bit of criticism or challenge of their opinion and authority. Stockholm syndrome, my ....

US Airways management has listened to us. They listened when they rescinded the no tier mile earning on leisure fares. Don't ever doubt that our flood of emails and letters made a difference there. And, yes, it does make me feel good that they listened. And loyal.

When a grass roots protest group uncovers a glitch in Airways computer system that left unrepaired could have cost US Airways "MILLIONS" (their words) then I think we have EARNED the right to be heard.

Guys like Joe B are a lot like barnyard Jackasses in that they are quite skilled at tearing down anything and everything of value. But it takes a team of carpenters to actually build a barn.

Media elite like Joe B are not used to being critisized. Especially by a six legged critter like me.

Invitation still stands Joe. Attend RoachFEST next Saturday at my expense. I'll up the ante. I'll use my miles and get you a ticket if you need it. PLUS! Because I'm that kinda guy I'll throw in the baseball game after as well. Just so you know it's just business and not personal, I'll personally pick you up at the airport. Get a testosterone injection and join us. Come face the "One Note Carpetbagger" and all of us who fell victim to Stockholm Syndrome. It's ONE thing to insult via e-mail and internet, why not come and insult me and the others to our face?

Joe, I'll add to the pot. Your choice of a cockroach mug (steel or ceramic) or set of luggage tags.

Joe has his agenda. So does the company. It wants to know more about its adversaries. Some years ago, right after he took over, Bethune met with a bunch of us Continental regulars who had a New York area association of regular commuters to Florida. We had been instrumental in pushing back an attack on elite benefits (some of us were, and are, continuing sources for national publications), not unlike what US tried a couple of years ago. He, and other CO execs flew to Newark, and hosted a cocktail party at the airport Marriott. I believe that speech he gave was the first time he used the "you can take so many ingredients out of a pizza, it loses its taste", to compare with diminution of elite benefits (it became a standard line over there after that). We rolled over like puppy dogs, and today at Continental, not only is the pizza gone, but so are the upgrades. Understand that whatever happens at your meeting, any sign of weakness will cost you. The one thing they fear the most is your access to the national media, and I'm not talking about "Joe Sent Me".

Deelmaker,

So far it looks like we will have REAL media coverage. Not saying more. Companies have been known to exert pressure and get stories squashed. We have avoided that up 'til now.

Your assessment is spot on as usual. Sorry to waste bandwidth but Joe B just rankles me and I just can not despite counsel to the contrary, leave him alone.

Hope he gets a testosterone injection and joins us. It would be as if not more interesting then when I met BBB in CCY after sharply and roundly critisizing him here and elsewhere.

Bob, there's no shortage of Kool Aid over there at Fort Fumble. Everybody's favorite marketing executive no doubt has visions of future CEO dancing in his head. This most recent activity, limiting elite upgrade benefits at a time when there is little pressure in that area, speaks volumes about priorities, which in turn, speaks volumes about why the real problems never get fixed. These threads are sport for us (we probably need to get a life...or at least take up golf), but for that bunch, it's a living. When they smile, it's time to get somebody else to start your car. Watch 'em. :D

Joe has his agenda. So does the company. It wants to know more about its adversaries. Some years ago, right after he took over, Bethune met with a bunch of us Continental regulars who had a New York area association of regular commuters to Florida. We had been instrumental in pushing back an attack on elite benefits (some of us were, and are, continuing sources for national publications), not unlike what US tried a couple of years ago. He, and other CO execs flew to Newark, and hosted a cocktail party at the airport Marriott. I believe that speech he gave was the first time he used the "you can take so many ingredients out of a pizza, it loses its taste", to compare with diminution of elite benefits (it became a standard line over there after that). We rolled over like puppy dogs, and today at Continental, not only is the pizza gone, but so are the upgrades. Understand that whatever happens at your meeting, any sign of weakness will cost you. The one thing they fear the most is your access to the national media, and I'm not talking about "Joe Sent Me".

Sounds like a most sensible warning to me. It's nice US has agreed to a meeting, but there are plenty of bodies still in place from the elite-hostile camp [the ever quotable BBB being one] and so a strong measure of suspicion is warranted. Other airlines may indeed not have done things on the scale of RoachFest, which is a positive sign, but CO and DL did so on a small scale and seem to be busily racing the tripartite alliance to the bottom

Deelmakur is right. Remember who coined the term "cockroach".

And like it or not Joe B has a point too -- real or imagined the "Stockholm Syndrome" perception is a danger. It's easy to see how he got that idea and it would be real easy to fall into the trap. Let's not.

when Atlantic Beach and i met the first time with CCY we were under no illusions. We have to walk a fine line here.

we both have something to lose. I can tell you it has been a frustrating thing at times but we soldier on.

We annoy them. Meeting us extends a measure of acceptance. Credibility for people who they don't think should be in their business to start with can't be a goal they aspire to. They want to see what they are really up against. I wouldn't be surprised if the company delegation you expect is smaller than they originally have promised. Speak with unity, and know your facts. Don't insult them, and be sure your priorities are not trivial. They take notice when you get national press (like USA Today), mainly because somebody like RSA has a clip service, and it will get there. You are to be managed. Ostensibly you are also to be heard, but if you analyze the place, decision making often doesn't appear to be the work of people who take a lot of advice. :D

Once again Deelmaker is on point. We need to be focused and on point as well. A shrill or hostile tone coupled with issues that lack substance will doom our efforts.

The open question in my mind is are the folks at CCY "elite hostile" or merely desparate to keep the doors open at any cost.

What I think needs to be made clear is with the Plan of Transformation US should be better positioned to take elite market share for the likes of Co, DL & NW and that now is NOT the time to diminish elite perks. The question from Airways to us should be "We have a finite budget for elite perks what would you like that money spent on"?

... The question from Airways to us should be "We have a finite budget for elite perks what would you like that money spent on"?

No, you're letting them choose the ground if you do that. Couching the issue in terms of a "finite budget" is a huge mistake -- it plays right into their disinformation campaign. We should talk more about positions, principles, policies and plans.

Tom is right. They would love to be able to say that the things they are doing have been blessed by the elites themselves. You guys should be good listeners. Be careful not to get caught up in dialogue that can later be said to have supported positions you may not have meant to. For example, your use of words which describe the things they do for us as having a cost. Such as? For reasons of meeting certain accounting standards, they attach value to free seats. That's baloney. They make sure you never get one they could sell...and anyway, you are "buying" that seat with miles you earned as a result of having bought and paid for other tickets.You paid for that seat in one form or another. If they sense you will drop your guard with flattery, they will work you. And never forget they treat everyone differently, from targeted promotions not available to everyone, to better prices for corporate customers. In my case, I have the Amex Centurion card, which gives me automatic Gold status even if I never flew the airline. As it happens, I make CP anyway, but my point is that they are big boys, and they know exactly what they are doing.Beware of being used as a prop, and watch out for people who ask questions they know the answers to.

No, you're letting them choose the ground if you do that. Couching the issue in terms of a "finite budget" is a huge mistake -- it plays right into their disinformation campaign. We should talk more about positions, principles, policies and plans.


Perhaps. But either which way we need to maintain the proper tone. My concerns are less what is said but the manner and tone in which it is said. For me personaly I am in "Listen Mode" I want to hear what they have to present MORE than I want to present or press my agenda. I pushed for this more for the other 48 attendees than I did myself.

Perhaps. But either which way we need to maintain the proper tone. My concerns are less what is said but the manner and tone in which it is said. For me personaly I am in "Listen Mode" I want to hear what they have to present MORE than I want to present or press my agenda. I pushed for this more for the other 48 attendees than I did myself.

I agree with PB on this. I want to hear what they have to say instead of going in with an agenda. I hope it is the desire of all who come on Saturday for the survival of this airline. Given the state of the industry and of the company, some "friends" might be a boost to both management and employee morale.

That being said, I would hope that all who are attending and are flying this weekend be wearing/showing their roachwear promenently. It makes the employees who see it (and have talked to me about it) feel good that we are supporting the company. I've got a left coast excursion Tuesday-Thursday AM... I'll have my US polo shirt and roach pin on. I'll have to get some tags from Ira on Saturday, as that's the one roachwear I'm lacking. ;)

As the guy who originally coined the term "Cockroach", in reference to the way in which the company suddenly started treating many of its very frequent fliers, I have a warm spot for the movement, and wish you well in the upcoming get together. I have elected not to go for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that I see no evidence the people running things have ever modified their view of us. Besides, it's more fun to sit on the sidelines and make wiseass remarks. More to the point, the anecdotal evidence seems to support the theory that nothing has modified the thinking of key marketing decision makers. Case in point, the recent changing of upgrade inventory allocation, which is driving upgrades to the gate, even when there appears to be less, not more pressure for those seats, on the revenue side. I'm sure the folks coming to visit with you guys are very nice. They don't beat their wives, they are nice to their kids, and they may even walk the dog. But based on what they say, and what they actually do, I can only conclude George Washington never would have made it in the airline business. Much good luck. You'll need it.

Deelmaker,

I value your insight and giving us the name. Regretfully you've decided not to join us. I want you to understand that we are not Boy Scouts and I've no problem going back to a far more confrontational style and tone in a heartbeat. Without getting into a detailed re-cap of events there is reason to be hopeful and that's ALL I'm prepared to say right now

I hold few illusions and many opinions regarding RoachFEST and what will be accomplished. You have to look at where we are versus other groups. Our brethren at Save Our Sky Miles have expensed between $20,000 & $30,000 where we are in the 30 cent range and have had more access in terms of level of management and number of managers prior to RoachFEST. Media will be present, we are protected in that regard OUR message will get out.

The airline industry is in turmoil and as any good business person knows change breeds opportunity. For whatever reasons we now have access to the highest levels of management at our favorite airline. I for one don't want to blow it. My experience is that there is a time to storm the barricades and a time to hear the other side out. IMO now is the time to listen. We can always storm the barricades tomorrow.

I think the best thing written thus far:

Don't advocate, admit, or even pretend to give tacit approval to anything they might "float" at this little juant.

To do so gives guy like BBB "buy in" that he can repeat in the press release when they whack benefits at the knees.

I won't be attending (unless the LGW flight the night before mechanicals), but I'm probably beyond The Makur of Deals RE: my degree of skepticism about what these guys say. If I wanted to watch Joe Isuzu, I'd turn on "I love the 80's."

I think the best thing written thus far:

Don't advocate, admit, or even pretend to give tacit approval to anything they might "float" at this little juant.

To do so gives guy like BBB "buy in" that he can repeat in the press release when they whack benefits at the knees.

I won't be attending (unless the LGW flight the night before mechanicals), but I'm probably beyond The Makur of Deals RE: my degree of skepticism about what these guys say. If I wanted to watch Joe Isuzu, I'd turn on "I love the 80's."


There apparently a huge undercurrent of mistrust still out there. That was one of the key messages that was carried back in Dec. I think they got that. but time will tell

I want to echo deelmakur and tom's concerns. Not unreasonably, US leadership will come into this meeting looking to receive buy-in for whatever plans they already have in the works for Dividend Miles.

We need to be laser-focused on our objectives. I will again lobby those attending to push hard on the newly instituted reduction in advance upgrade inventory. I sat on the upgrade list yesterday in PIT and watched while F6 evaporated to F1 as gate agents dumped overbooks into the F Cabin. There is NO REASON why I should not have cleared in advance, I eventually got the upgrade--but only because I bailed to a later flight. US is worthless to me without F Class upgrades. At least at UA I have the safety net of E+

Neo, you're on point. These guys are serving it up to us big time with the upgrades. If you're a gate agent, it's easier to dump an overbook in First, than do two transactions, by moving one of us, and retrofitting the overbook into our chair. I was the equivalent of a ticket agent in the USAF, at Maguire. I know how that works.We weren't computerized back then, but one situation we had was back to back departures, an Eastern charter to Torrejon, Spain, and a Braniff to Thule, Greenland. The 3 letter airport codes weren't that different. Any jerk that hassled us on his way to Spain got his bags sent to Greenland. They're probably still looking for them. That's when you learn to never mess with the person at the counter (or gate). We don't want the system doing that if it isn't under pressure. These guys are looking to turn that meeting to their advantage. They know which group of customers we represent, and they have spoken loud (and often) in words and deeds, with regard to how they view us. They wouldn't give us spit. If they're coming, they've got an agenda. All this stuff about meeting privately with them to conduct useful exchanges. I got your exchanges. It's called "you're at the gate hanging around, with half the seats open, and all the overhead gone". A few more meetings, and we'll all be on Southwest, because it won't matter. :mad:

I'm excited about the RoachFEST, but I share the skeptecism that people have been writing about. It will be an interesting meeting, but how many real and tangible changes that matter will come out? I have a lingering mistrust of US management because, among other things, they introduced a large number of anticonsumer initiatives in August 2002 (some of which are gone and some are still here). I think Joe equated the announcements in Aug 2002 to the biggest fare increase in the history of commercial aviation, and he also I think alluded to the fact that the public and mainstream media would probably be too stupid and preoccupied with other issues to understand the significance of what had just been announced by US.

In addition to the public announcement in Aug 2002 that most people already know about, there have also been I suspect many internal announcements cutting how much agents can do for us, etc. In some locations I have personally been told there is a culture of fear if agents deviate from the draconian fare rules and make waivers or exceptions. I don't think this is as acute right now as it has been, but I have the sense that probably Aug 01 or Aug 02 this might have been really severe.

And they continue to quietly implement anti-roach procedure changes like playing or shutting E off to a trickle even if there are many open F cabin seats, and they recently told res not to call inventory management about clearing E seats even for Chairman's Preferred members.

I am not as pesemistic as Joe is about the RoachFEST meeting, but at the same time all I have is very very cautious optimism that the management might actually be thinking about turning the direction of the ship away from service experience cutbacks, gouging pax with all sorts of fees, doing things like playing with E inventory quietly, etc.

Another major issue I have with US management is there complete llack of two-way communication with Preferred customers. We all found out about no glass in first either on this board or on board flights. We have collectively "figured out" that they are playing games with E inventory by sharing stories here. They do not proactively communicate with customers about changes that will impact passengers. I also heard that yesterday (Sun Aug 2) that there was no announcement on the home page about major delays in the system initially caused by the Sabre Sunday morning issue (which was widely reported in the media), and then continued and amplified due to weather and ATC. Again no communication from the company that I got, saw, or heard about. In contrast, apparently AA did put something on its web site announcing and appologizing for somewhat widespread delays.

Let's look at this with a different set of glasses (not the plastic ones in First either).

I for one am looking forward to meeting new and old friends while in PHL. I am also looking forward to renewing and developing new relationships with some of the speakers from US.

Once we have all met and get to know each other, we will be a collective "band of brothers" and much more closely tied to a common goal than we are now. If they think we were just a bunch of posters on an internet bullentin board, and that may have been the case up until now, they will be in for a surprise once we have met and agreed on common goals. The collective power of the customers meeting in that room will exceed the pure numbers of bodies present. And we can be a very vocal group.

With all that said, I hope they are approaching the meeting from the stand point of understanding that some of us are about to jump ship and if we do, we take a lot of roaches with us and it only makes their job harder. Just look at what has happened at DL and the number of VFF's that have jumped ship over there.

In any case, regardless of the outcome, the most enjoyable part of it for me will be meeting many of the on-line friends that I have come to know over the last two years. I look forward to meeting you all. That they can NOT take away.

Once we have all met and get to know each other, we will be a collective "band of brothers" and much more closely tied to a common goal than we are now.

l4p, that's a great sentiment however, we already are a band of brothers. We have our fraternity, the cockroaches. It is the US folks who are the outsiders. That does not mean they are the enemy but only that their perspective is different than ours. We both seek a common goal - the survival of the airlines - but that does not mean we see eye to eye on the means to achieve the objective. We have goals that we seek to achieve. If they differ from US' goals, so be it. They can make a business decision to either accommodate us or not. We, then, can make our own decisions as to whether we will continue to fly US.

This does not mean we need to be hostile or confrontational. I, for one, applaud the airline for even meeting with us. This does not mean we need to roll over and play dead. If I disagree with some things they say, I'll let them know. I will be respectful in my disagreement but I will not be silent. Perhaps a little disagreement is a good thing. They might not realize that some of their decisions are goring the sacred cows of us FF. In this way we, as their sounding board, may be able to tell them that its a dumb idea that will backfire if they implement it. In that way, we may be able to head off stupid mistakes.

These are my thoughts and hopes.
I'll see everyone at the FEST!

l4p, that's a great sentiment however, we already are a band of brothers. We have our fraternity, the cockroaches. It is the US folks who are the outsiders. That does not mean they are the enemy but only that their perspective is different than ours. We both seek a common goal - the survival of the airlines - but that does not mean we see eye to eye on the means to achieve the objective. We have goals that we seek to achieve. If they differ from US' goals, so be it. They can make a business decision to either accommodate us or not. We, then, can make our own decisions as to whether we will continue to fly US.

This does not mean we need to be hostile or confrontational. I, for one, applaud the airline for even meeting with us. This does not mean we need to roll over and play dead. If I disagree with some things they say, I'll let them know. I will be respectful in my disagreement but I will not be silent. Perhaps a little disagreement is a good thing. They might not realize that some of their decisions are goring the sacred cows of us FF. In this way we, as their sounding board, may be able to tell them that its a dumb idea that will backfire if they implement it. In that way, we may be able to head off stupid mistakes.

These are my thoughts and hopes.
I'll see everyone at the FEST!


I wholeheartedly agree! We can disagree WITHOUT being disagreeable. Unlike Mr Burns, one of Joe B's brainwashed sycophants who wrote me and said he read my posts and "found them to be fawning little suck-ups to the management that is destroying USAirways" I guess when I get to PHL on Saturday I'll ask the "One Note Carpetbagger" if he thinks I am a suck-up?

All of this time with my strident views and sharp tongue and all it took to generate some really vicious hate mail was to attack Joe Brancattelli.

What's the matter Joe can't find PHL on the map? Burn some FF miles and join us this Saturday. Offer still stands? C'mon be a man, I'll shake your hand just as I did BBB's when we met in CCY. By your silence are you saying you have less courage then BBB or I do? Seems like it to me. C'mon Joe, I'm a harmless, clawless ole puddy tat. Just ask the One note carpetbagger. Can't wait for the next piece of hate mail from your "Hit Squad" Then I can post it here.

I'd love to be there and see what happens, but the weekend was already committed to another event. Having already made CP through 2006, I'm taking a hedge and going over to fly some on NW. I've given US a few chances, and I like the *A options, but I'm no longer going to take 95% of my flights on US, only switching when there's a major price difference. Now I can basically fly anyone except AA or BA and get status to my US or NW account.

Part of my switching is that I've already been to almost all the interesting places with US that I originally started going to -- all of the European destinations save Great Britain/Ireland. The other part is that I've watched so many little things here and there go away, and I don't think they'll come back. I'll stick around and take flights here and there, but I'm not going to stay committed to just US flights and partner options.

I personally am planning to listen with an open mind to what US has to say about how they intend to build a better mousetrap. Perhaps some of the other posters are correct in that they do have a hidden agenda, but I think their willingness to reach out to a core group of their most frequent and loyal customers on a Saturday is really admirable. Based upon all of PineyBob and Atlantic Beach's posts, I can tell US has put a great deal of thought and preparation into this meeting, and I think we owe them the courtesy of listening to their side without preconceived notions (I know that's alot to ask, given the sad state of affairs), and without attacking them on every front.

I think WN and Indepence Air's assault on PHL and D.C. has been a rude awakening for US in that they now realize they are no longer immune to the threat of LCC's "stealing" the "extortion fare" business they once took for granted. There is no question that US cannot survive unless it takes a flying leap into the 21st century (in more ways than one). The old business model is no longer a recipe for profit in today's competitive airline marketplace. US knows this very well, and the question is will they transform in a manner which entices us to continue flying them, will they transform in a manner which drives us to their competition, or will they stubbornly cling to their 20th century business model until liquidation day?

What I expect to gain as a result of this face-to-face interchange is a better understanding of US's challenges, and an assurance that US is seriously considering our constructive feedback -- and not using the meeting as a dog and pony show to silence the elite masses. Don't forget that corporate cultures do not change overnight. We have seen evidence of the corporate culture at US shifting in our favor. Maybe it's not entirely to our satisfaction, but business decisions at the highest corporate levels are made for any number of reasons, and I for one am looking forward to hearing those reasons, even if I do not agree with them. End of rant.

IAWTP

I want US to succeed, in part because I have a silly sentimental attachment to the airline, and have enjoyed knowing some of their employees. Including some who've unfortunately been laid off. I remember one ticket agent who used to run through people like mad. She'd be done with three people before anyone else was done with one. But she probably got laid off 2-3 years ago. I think she'd trade off between the 1st class and Envoy lines.

But I digress.

I also want US to succeed because I don't fly enough to accumulate status on more than one airline, and I *don't* want Southwest to be my primary carrier. I have my doubts about any airline providing as much service from Philly as US does (apart from Southwest whom I don't want to fly that often).

But that desire also assumes that they'll be worth flying. Chances of upgrades (to an actual first class section), decent on time performance, the other stuff that we've all already talked about.

Jeez Joe,

You cancelled my subscription, you had your sycophants e-mail me hateful diatribes and after all of that I invited you at my expense to attend our event and the social gathering afterward. I just wanted you to know that you are welcome to attend and see for youself if I am "A fawning little suck up" suffering from "Stockholm Syndrome". I think you'll find that the "One note carpetbagger" & "Media Flak" to be a pretty good guy too.

But I know you never allow fact or journalistic integrity get in the way of your bloated ego. None the less I think US Airways willingness to actively attend to be far more encouraging than your unconfirmed & uncoroberated rantings masquaerading as "Road Warrior Wisdom"