meFIRST
Jan 2, 02, 12:15 am
I'm quite peeved that UA does not serve the lucrative northeast shuttle market,(my loyalty is with UA and SQ) so my options have been to take the Acela Express, which if it did run at full speed, would be worth the money. I hate US (Useless airways) so let's not go there.
The acela gets me there, (downtown to downtown) UnionDC-NYC33rd St, in about the same time the shuttle would take (on the DC-NYC route). But given the heavy holiday travel season and choas at Penn Station, I'd though I'd give a DL shuttle a try. (BOS-LGA)
Immidiately, I realize that DL has a better product than Useless airways (BOS-LGA). The DL shuttle has a seperate terminal for the shuttle service, which is shared with CO. So security and check in is quick and speedy, as passenger loads are small. No big planes to service at this terminal.
The service is targetted for business people, and DL goes out of its way to make it business oriented. There are plenty of complimentary magazines that line the DL shuttle gate areas, and at LGA there is a business center where you can station your laptop (ditched the CRC room, there isn't one to be used at the shuttle terminal)
The planes are all Y class, but with plenty of legroom, specially configured for the shuttle market. Blue leather and very comfortable (like UA Eco +)
I got a snack box which consisted of cookies and candy and a drink. Considering that flight time is 30+ mins, that's quite amazing. Was very much appreciatd.
There were a few things that bugged me. It's free seating so who gets into the plane first gets the better seats (I have a preference for aisle, no bulkhead, in the front of the plane). Those who board last sit at the back. It made me feel anxious that if I boarded late, I'd get a lousy seat. I wish they had pre assigned seating.
Also Medallions are not recognized at the shuttle, there are no medalion lines nor do medallions get to board first. So a full fare paying UA MP customer felt like it was a fare ball game for the good seats
I showed the gate agent my UA Prem Exec card, and noticing that I was a full Y passenger, she gave me a Biz Elite priority tag, which made no difference at LGA (in fact my bag handle broke, some priority handling there). An excuse to buy myself a tumi bag that I wanted, but was too cheap to spend money on myself.
All in all a nice trip. The seperate terminals means that you can get from BOS-LGA or DCA-LGA really quick, quicker than US. US Shuttle and the mainline US share the same terminal, so you have to deal with large crowds at US. Not so on DL.
And DL has the same cabin video screen, as US does but no fox news. Who going to NYC wants to watch conservative crap anyway?
Great alternative to the Acela Express, if you love to fly. The approach to LGA was worth it, the pilot made a very hard right turn at midntown (near the Metlife building) and you could see the wing almost touching the antenna on the Empire State Building).
Fun . Stress free. Loved it. (edited for typos)
[This message has been edited by meFIRST (edited 01-01-2002).]
The acela gets me there, (downtown to downtown) UnionDC-NYC33rd St, in about the same time the shuttle would take (on the DC-NYC route). But given the heavy holiday travel season and choas at Penn Station, I'd though I'd give a DL shuttle a try. (BOS-LGA)
Immidiately, I realize that DL has a better product than Useless airways (BOS-LGA). The DL shuttle has a seperate terminal for the shuttle service, which is shared with CO. So security and check in is quick and speedy, as passenger loads are small. No big planes to service at this terminal.
The service is targetted for business people, and DL goes out of its way to make it business oriented. There are plenty of complimentary magazines that line the DL shuttle gate areas, and at LGA there is a business center where you can station your laptop (ditched the CRC room, there isn't one to be used at the shuttle terminal)
The planes are all Y class, but with plenty of legroom, specially configured for the shuttle market. Blue leather and very comfortable (like UA Eco +)
I got a snack box which consisted of cookies and candy and a drink. Considering that flight time is 30+ mins, that's quite amazing. Was very much appreciatd.
There were a few things that bugged me. It's free seating so who gets into the plane first gets the better seats (I have a preference for aisle, no bulkhead, in the front of the plane). Those who board last sit at the back. It made me feel anxious that if I boarded late, I'd get a lousy seat. I wish they had pre assigned seating.
Also Medallions are not recognized at the shuttle, there are no medalion lines nor do medallions get to board first. So a full fare paying UA MP customer felt like it was a fare ball game for the good seats
I showed the gate agent my UA Prem Exec card, and noticing that I was a full Y passenger, she gave me a Biz Elite priority tag, which made no difference at LGA (in fact my bag handle broke, some priority handling there). An excuse to buy myself a tumi bag that I wanted, but was too cheap to spend money on myself.
All in all a nice trip. The seperate terminals means that you can get from BOS-LGA or DCA-LGA really quick, quicker than US. US Shuttle and the mainline US share the same terminal, so you have to deal with large crowds at US. Not so on DL.
And DL has the same cabin video screen, as US does but no fox news. Who going to NYC wants to watch conservative crap anyway?
Great alternative to the Acela Express, if you love to fly. The approach to LGA was worth it, the pilot made a very hard right turn at midntown (near the Metlife building) and you could see the wing almost touching the antenna on the Empire State Building).
Fun . Stress free. Loved it. (edited for typos)
[This message has been edited by meFIRST (edited 01-01-2002).]