Wow, it really has been a while...

today was my first call to USAirways as a general member, after 5 years of CP status! well, for one thing, the phone menu is unbelievable. it's like pulling teeth to actually get to a point where you can get an agent. they really, really want you to use usairways.com, but of course, nothing really works on usairways.com. in any case, i had booked a star alliance award with united and have a phl-lax segment on usairways, so i called to get seat assignments, special meal requests, etc. the first agent i spoke with yelled at me and told me that united should have assigned the seats. well, the only problem is that ua can only assign seats on us on codeshare flights, and this of course was booked true usairways. in any case, he didn't wait for me to explain this and hung up on me. amazing!! then, i got a lovely woman who started going on and on about how these awards were such a pain; all she had to do was ASSIGN TWO SEATS for us--she didn't even have to do a meal for us, because they don't have them anymore domestically. is that so difficult? is everyone at usairways except at the chairman's desk so mean?

finally, i guess this is not new to most of you, but i had no idea they cut special meals on domestic flights. i guess vegetarians in first class better just pack their dinner!

i have to say, it was really depressing to see where usairways is. while us stll has some wonderful employees, i'm thinking more and more that ua is a class act in comparison.

Wow, it really has been a while...

today was my first call to USAirways as a general member, after 5 years of CP status! well, for one thing, the phone menu is unbelievable. it's like pulling teeth to actually get to a point where you can get an agent. they really, really want you to use usairways.com, but of course, nothing really works on usairways.com. in any case, i had booked a star alliance award with united and have a phl-lax segment on usairways, so i called to get seat assignments, special meal requests, etc. the first agent i spoke with yelled at me and told me that united should have assigned the seats. well, the only problem is that ua can only assign seats on us on codeshare flights, and this of course was booked true usairways. in any case, he didn't wait for me to explain this and hung up on me. amazing!! then, i got a lovely woman who started going on and on about how these awards were such a pain; all she had to do was ASSIGN TWO SEATS for us--she didn't even have to do a meal for us, because they don't have them anymore domestically. is that so difficult? is everyone at usairways except at the chairman's desk so mean?

finally, i guess this is not new to most of you, but i had no idea they cut special meals on domestic flights. i guess vegetarians in first class better just pack their dinner!

i have to say, it was really depressing to see where usairways is. while us stll has some wonderful employees, i'm thinking more and more that ua is a class act in comparison.

I actually shared the exact same experience you did when I wanted US to assign me seats for a paid First/Envoy class flight. Only that the CP desk, which I tried later (calling them was suggested by a few CP FTers) was quite mean, as well. Luckily, a kind FTer working for US stepped in and got me what I wanted inofficially. Still, this wasn't an experience I want to repeat, so I won't fly them anymore. Just way too much of a hassle for a product that eventually is inferior to LH/UA.

finally, i guess this is not new to most of you, but i had no idea they cut special meals on domestic flights. i guess vegetarians in first class better just pack their dinner!

I can't think of a single airline that has gone to a buy on board system that still has special meals for those flights.

Although I am very old w/ US (my first flight was on a Piedmont DC-3 INT to ILM in 1948), I am new to FT, so if I step on any toes, chalk it up to naivete and not meanness. As a confirmed "Baltimoron", I started with FF miles on US when BWI (then FSP, I think) was one of its hubs. I still have quite a few miles & GP status with US, & am looking to get out of them with another legacy carrier. Unfortunately, the majority of flights out of BWI are Southwest, Continental, Jet blue & US 3000. Any suggestions?

Although I am very old w/ US (my first flight was on a Piedmont DC-3 INT to ILM in 1948), I am new to FT, so if I step on any toes, chalk it up to naivete and not meanness. As a confirmed "Baltimoron", I started with FF miles on US when BWI (then FSP, I think) was one of its hubs. I still have quite a few miles & GP status with US, & am looking to get out of them with another legacy carrier. Unfortunately, the majority of flights out of BWI are Southwest, Continental, Jet blue & US 3000. Any suggestions?
Well, about the only way to fly many places nonstop with US miles is on UA from IAD or US from DCA unless you're going to CLT/PHL, etc.
Anyway, back on topic, c'mon, it's never (relatively) as bad as people make it sound...

Although I am very old w/ US (my first flight was on a Piedmont DC-3 INT to ILM in 1948), I am new to FT, so if I step on any toes, chalk it up to naivete and not meanness. As a confirmed "Baltimoron", I started with FF miles on US when BWI (then FSP, I think) was one of its hubs. I still have quite a few miles & GP status with US, & am looking to get out of them with another legacy carrier. Unfortunately, the majority of flights out of BWI are Southwest, Continental, Jet blue & US 3000. Any suggestions?

That is very interesting, I wasn't aware that JetBlue had begun serving BWI. Did I miss something? :rolleyes:

I can't think of a single airline that has gone to a buy on board system that still has special meals for those flights.

Buy-on-board is generally for coach, right?

I can't speak to other airlines, but United has buy-on-board for coach and normal meal service in First Class on many of its flights.

Anyway, anytime normal meal service is offered in First Class, Special meals (the entire range of them including 4 vegetarian choices) are offered as well.

Oh, and UA still offers complimentary meals in coach on virtually all transcons--it has been said many times, it is fine if USAirways wants to remake itself as a LCC, but they have to make the fare switch as well.

Look, I flew USAirways extensively for over 5 years and I used to love them. I'm really sad to see what they're becoming;its a real shame because I think they still have some of the nicest employees out there; there are Chairman's agents that have become personal friends of mine-- we extend Christmas cards, meet up when I'm passing through the area. I'm not kidding :(

Edited to add--btw, I had 23900 status miles on US last year, and stupidly didn't realize I was so close, so I found myself dropped from CP to General member. I guess I could probably petition them to make me a Silver again, but its just not worth it. My 1K status from UA probably does just as much for me.

I can't think of a single airline that has gone to a buy on board system that still has special meals for those flights.

Last week I served to FC special meals on a flight that had BOB onboard in YC. The specials were a veggie meal and a diabetic meal. They were actually the same, but they were ordered and were delivered.

Guess you should have booked your transcon on UA ....

Buy-on-board is generally for coach, right?

I can't speak to other airlines, but United has buy-on-board for coach and normal meal service in First Class on many of its flights.

Anyway, anytime normal meal service is offered in First Class, Special meals (the entire range of them including 4 vegetarian choices) are offered as well.

Oh, and UA still offers complimentary meals in coach on virtually all transcons--it has been said many times, it is fine if USAirways wants to remake itself as a LCC, but they have to make the fare switch as well.

Look, I flew USAirways extensively for over 5 years and I used to love them. I'm really sad to see what they're becoming;its a real shame because I think they still have some of the nicest employees out there; there are Chairman's agents that have become personal friends of mine-- we extend Christmas cards, meet up when I'm passing through the area. I'm not kidding :(

Edited to add--btw, I had 23900 status miles on US last year, and stupidly didn't realize I was so close, so I found myself dropped from CP to General member. I guess I could probably petition them to make me a Silver again, but its just not worth it. My 1K status from UA probably does just as much for me.

Well, about the only way to fly many places nonstop with US miles is on UA from IAD or US from DCA unless you're going to CLT/PHL, etc.
Anyway, back on topic, c'mon, it's never (relatively) as bad as people make it sound...

Lots of UA flights from BWI: ORD, DEN, LAX, SFO, and connections to many other places through those four hubs.

Oh, and UA still offers complimentary meals in coach on virtually all transcons--it has been said many times, it is fine if USAirways wants to remake itself as a LCC, but they have to make the fare switch as well.

Actually, the only legacy carrier that still offers domestic meal service (for free) in coach is CO.

UA only has a free meal on PS flights. BOB will be implemented effective June 7th on all other domestic flights, including those from the west coast to Hawaii.
NW has a snack box available for purchase on flights up to 600 miles and sandwhiches available for purchase on longer domestic flights.
DL no longer has a meal service; only complimentary snacks (cheese, crackers, etc.) are available.
AA has a snack box available for purchase; sandwiches available for purchase only on flights to Hawaii.

I've seen both US and DL start to rationalize their fares - but certainly have not seen a similar initiative from UA. US is not remaking itself as an LCC; it is converting to a hybrid model between that of the legacy carrier (one that has been proven not to work in the US) and an LCC (that many passengers do not want to travel). Yes, it has been rocky, but we are seeing most of the other legacies follow US' footsteps (DL at first, and the others are showing signs as well). And there is something to be said for first mover advantage.

Fly UA or whatever other airline all you want, but the only person you're fooling right now is yourself.

Actually, the only legacy carrier that still offers domestic meal service (for free) in coach is CO.

UA only has a free meal on PS flights. BOB will be implemented effective June 7th on all other domestic flights, including those from the west coast to Hawaii.
NW has a snack box available for purchase on flights up to 600 miles and sandwhiches available for purchase on longer domestic flights.
DL no longer has a meal service; only complimentary snacks (cheese, crackers, etc.) are available.
AA has a snack box available for purchase; sandwiches available for purchase only on flights to Hawaii.

Fly UA or whatever other airline all you want, but the only person you're fooling right now is yourself.

No need to be personal about this.

I stand corrected about United's transcon coach meal cutbacks, but there has been no mention of cutting special meals in First Class yet.

I agree that doesn't mean it won't happen, but there have actually been some enhancements to meal service in domestic First Class within the past month at UA, so I wouldn't expect it.

We can disagree on this, but I think its a little sad that First Class passengers who have dietary restrictions cannot be accomodated given either:(a) the high fares they're paying, or (b) the volume of business they or their family or friends bring in order to permit an upgrade or a free ticket in First. We (and many people, really) will have to start packing food, which will feel odd.

Anyway, I can't find any markets where I fly that USAirways is cheaper or less restrictive than its competition, so I'll stick to the Friendly Skies for now.

Jet Blue does not serve BWI. They serve a limited number of cities from Dulles. AirTran is pretty big at BWI though. It's a focus city for AirTran, second only to Atlanta.

That is very interesting, I wasn't aware that JetBlue had begun serving BWI. Did I miss something? :rolleyes:

Actually, the only legacy carrier that still offers domestic meal service (for free) in coach is CO.

UA only has a free meal on PS flights. BOB will be implemented effective June 7th on all other domestic flights, including those from the west coast to Hawaii.
NW has a snack box available for purchase on flights up to 600 miles and sandwhiches available for purchase on longer domestic flights.
DL no longer has a meal service; only complimentary snacks (cheese, crackers, etc.) are available.
AA has a snack box available for purchase; sandwiches available for purchase only on flights to Hawaii.

I've seen both US and DL start to rationalize their fares - but certainly have not seen a similar initiative from UA. US is not remaking itself as an LCC; it is converting to a hybrid model between that of the legacy carrier (one that has been proven not to work in the US) and an LCC (that many passengers do not want to travel). Yes, it has been rocky, but we are seeing most of the other legacies follow US' footsteps (DL at first, and the others are showing signs as well). And there is something to be said for first mover advantage.

Fly UA or whatever other airline all you want, but the only person you're fooling right now is yourself.

Sorry, but I flew over 100K no UAL last year, about 70K on US and about 50K on AA and I profoundly disagree. At least last year I found US service, food, check-in, on-time performance and every other aspect of their performance I can think of to be markedly inferior to UA and AA. Moreover, I often found them to be often be more expensive than UA or AA. US seems to me to be operationally a complete disaster. From what I see their fare structure doesnt offer as much as say Delta and for many routes isnt different than UA or AA. The difference between flying US and flying AA or UA is almost unbelieveable. Even check in is a hassle at US anymore.

Sorry, but I flew over 100K no UAL last year, about 70K on US and about 50K on AA and I profoundly disagree. At least last year I found US service, food, check-in, on-time performance and every other aspect of their performance I can think of to be markedly inferior to UA and AA. Moreover, I often found them to be often be more expensive than UA or AA. US seems to me to be operationally a complete disaster. From what I see their fare structure doesnt offer as much as say Delta and for many routes isnt different than UA or AA. The difference between flying US and flying AA or UA is almost unbelieveable. Even check in is a hassle at US anymore.

Thanks for articulating this more cogently than I had. I think all airlines are essentially a pain to deal with anymore-I can't speak to AA, but United has a lot of problems as well. My feeling is that US in particular, however, is going about the business of rebuilding their business all wrong. They are winning the race to the bottom, and it's sad more than anything else.

Thanks for articulating this more cogently than I had. I think all airlines are essentially a pain to deal with anymore-I can't speak to AA, but United has a lot of problems as well. My feeling is that US in particular, however, is going about the business of rebuilding their business all wrong. They are winning the race to the bottom, and it's sad more than anything else.

I would have to agree with you on that point. I have been flying US for the majority of my travels in the past 4 years, and have watched service just tank--especially flying through PHL has just been a real nightmare...I'm still a little bitter about the Christmas fiasco. Going through Chicago on UA hasn't been a real picnic either. Although I must say, the US CSR's in PVD (where I usually fly out of) have helped me out more than any other agent in the other cities I travel through. Kudos to them!

They are winning the race to the bottom, and it's sad more than anything else.
KV99

We are all like battered wives. We often resent being told we are in an unhealthty relationship. In many cases we just keep coming back for more.

The sad thing is that many of this airline's most vocal supporters have now tried other options and many are stunned just how bad things have become at US. We didn't notice it because it was happening slowly, but more importantly because we DID NOT want to. We drank the Lime Juice and wanted to believe.

Thanks for the confirming from the outside looking in, what many want to refuse to believe looking from the inside.

Face it folks, the lipstick is gone

KV99

We are all like battered wives. We often resent being told we are in an unhealthty relationship. In many cases we just keep coming back for more.

The sad thing is that many of this airline's most vocal supporters have now tried other options and many are stunned just how bad things have become at US. We didn't notice it because it was happening slowly, but more importantly because we DID NOT want to. We drank the Lime Juice and wanted to believe.

Thanks for the confirming from the outside looking in, what many want to refuse to believe looking from the inside.

Face it folks, the lipstick is gone

The difference being that if you start flying AA or UA, you dont need a restraining order to keep US from following you to the shelter to make your AA or UA flight be late.

I dont know what the future will bring. But I very seldom fly coach. And at least for now, if I fly AA or UA from ORD-LGA at dinner time in first I can get a steak dinner. And the price is the same as US. I think something that is happening is that there are two types of US passengers, those in fortress hubs and those who arent. I have to go out of my way to fly US to most places I fly coming out of NY. There is not much incentive for me to take a connection in PHL in order to fly to LAX when I can get much better service on UA for the same price or less, at least last time I checked.

Even apart from the service, I think I had more flights delayed because of no crew during a 3 month period last summer on US than I have had in 10 years as a Prem Exec or 1K on UA. I have found US to be very unreliable. Even as a CP I have found the check in lines intolerable at times recently. And no, I couldnt, for one reason or another use the damn kiosks on those occassions. Twice in the last 6 months or so I have just bagged waiting to check in for US at DCA and left the airport and taken the train. All this talk about competing with the LCCs is nonsense. LCCs dont have poor ontime records and poor lost baggage rates. The reason people fly LCCs is only partially due to low cost. It is possibly mostly due to better service. I believe US is attempting to take the easy way out and blame it on cost when the real problem is the quality of their operations. It is a lot easier to force pay cuts and cut fares than to do a top to bottom fix on all aspects of their operations.

Yea, the CP desk treats me great, but a very large part of the great things they do for me are fixing things that went wrong that shouldnt have. And it, like most people, I wasnt a CP, I would be in deep poop when those things happened. Lastly, I have the impression, and it is qualitative, not quantitative, that over the last year or two, the attitude of US employees towards customers has deteriorated somewhat. In contrast, I have noticed a continuing improvement in CS attitude among UA crews, RCC staff and gate agents. I really can tell the difference at UA, and to a lessor extent AA. I have no problem saying that I think the people in general are friendlier and make you feel that they appreciate your business on UA than they do on US. And the trends are making the difference greater.