US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Wasteland...

I'm in PIT right now -- the place is a wasteland. (This is far beyond the usual mid week lull sort of wasteland.) The parking lot at departure was stunningly empty as well -- not a good sign. This is more than just the end of summer blues...

Getting off the elevator to the club the only other person in the airport replied, when I expressed suprise at how empty the terminal was, "it's ok, I won't be flying them next year" (us two cockroaches got off the same flight -- 8 empty seats in F on an A321 -- but there were still more of us leeches up front gorging on snack bars than there were honest folk in the back.)

FYI it looked to me like 80% or so of the plane were on some sort of business.

Thing is... this airline's management will keep their blinders on and not see that for what it is. Instead, they'll just attribute it to a lull surrounding the 9/11 anniversary.

If you think its empty today, wait until January 1...

It was quiet in PIT this afternoon. I was able to get on standby GRR-PIT-BWI (only because my ticket was purchased before the change as I was told by the CP desk), and the A concourse was empty. My flight into BWI was maybe 65% full--which is very strange for any Thursday afternoon flight into BWI from any hub. The highlight of my trip was getting a window seat in row 26 (I guess they are gonna show me who's boss)on my first mainline coach flight on U in over a year.
The one thing that really struck me today at GRR-PIT and BWI was the buzz among the U FF about the changes. I heard a lot of people *****ing at the ticket counter, on the plane, in the club, and several people just flat out saying that they were taking their business elsewhere.
One thing that can be said about this airline is the fierce loyalty of the FF's. This scheme has turned that same group into the most ferocious and vocal group of critics imaginable.--I'll bet Ben and Dave didn't factor in that intangible!

PHL was amazingly empty at 1 PM today. Went to B security and no one in either the regular line or the preferred line.

But my flight to ATL was about 60% load factor. Spoke to my seat mate in F and he was aware of the no standby - said he had gotten a letter? But was not aware of "no tier miles for NR tix" and was outraged to hear about it. Wanted to know if they sent a letter? I said, "No, they buried it several clicks deep on their website".

I wouldn't believe it either if I hadn't witnessed it all.....

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TomBascom:
I'm in PIT right now -- the place is a wasteland. (This is far beyond the usual mid week lull sort of wasteland.) The parking lot at departure was stunningly empty as well -- not a good sign. This is more than just the end of summer blues...

Getting off the elevator to the club the only other person in the airport replied, when I expressed suprise at how empty the terminal was, "it's ok, I won't be flying them next year" (us two cockroaches got off the same flight -- 8 empty seats in F on an A321 -- but there were still more of us leeches up front gorging on snack bars than there were honest folk in the back.)

FYI it looked to me like 80% or so of the plane were on some sort of business.</font>

I flew a few hours later, and it was just as empty. Maybe 1/3 full on my flight. Perhaps it's because I'm used to M/F flights, but it was wierd. I'll see what it's like on the return tomorrow.

Actually over the last week I took 14 segments on various airlines and things were unusually slow for the time of year. Not necessarily a US thing.

On a LAS-PIT flight last week (in F), my seatmate and I both agreed that we would not be flying US after the changes come January 1st. He was interested in NW/CO, while I'm probably going to stick to AA and possibly HP.

I'm going to miss the great North American Upgrades....they are much more generous than AA's.

Flew LGA-GSO today. 12:40 flight. Terminal empty, no lines at ticket counter and no wait to get through security. Most Thursday's I am there it is fairly active.

Club was the deadest I have seen it at the time of day, maybe 12 people in club total.

Based on the amount of people I didn't see in the terminal I was surprised to find my Flight (RJ) about 85% full.

Once in GSO similar situation, almost nobody in the terminal and about 8 people in the club.

I head back tomorrow, will be intersting to see how busy it will be. Friday afternoons from GSO-LGA are typically busy.



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"I have made up my mind, please do not confuse me with the facts"

The loyalty factor was definately NOT taken into consideration by mssrs. Baldanza and siegal. I had nothing but admiration for the turnaround team until this debacle with DM. You have to wonder with these MBA types. Does common sense go out the window when they hand them the diploma? The real beauty of all of this is we as consumers get to vote with our wallets. I for one will be faxing in all of my itineraries from competing airlines as well as my monthly statements to the CP fax as well as the one in consumer affairs. If all frequent flyers and those of you who decided NOT to fly US Air did the same you would send a powerful message to the Management Team. A dollars and sense message for 2 sides! faxes cost about 3 to 4 cents per page counting paper and toner. Multiply that number by several thousand faxes per day, coupled with the fact that each fax represents at least $200 in lost revenue and even the mail room would be able to figue things out. Don't sit back and critisize!! Organize! Which side are you one!

I am curious if they have already reduced the Priceline inventory. I figured that was the reason for the Esaver bonanza this weekend.

I flew United Express from IAD and back this week (boycotting US) and things were quite hectic even at 9 pm. Full plane on the way back.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gnaget:
I am curious if they have already reduced the Priceline inventory. I figured that was the reason for the Esaver bonanza this weekend. </font>

There's too many unknowns to say what was behind the ESaver Bonanza this weekend ... summer is "unofficially" over ... 9/11 is coming up this week ... the changes were announced, including that one ...

I personally wouldn't want to offer a guess one way or the other at this point ... if it's a long term trend in ESavers, you might be right though ...

I flew from Lga yesterday morning, always very active. but not yesterday, very slow.

as was clt.

Ben Baldanza: Thank you Keith and to all listening. Yes, based on feedback from customers, today we have announced two changes to our policies regarding non-refundable fares. You will be pleased to know that we will continue to credit all miles earned toward tier status whether on a full or restricted fares. Second, for travel on or after January 1, 2003, customers will be allowed to standby with a non-refundable ticket with a $100 fee.