US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - No Glass In First!!! - Why?

Want to know why No Glass in First Class?

Want to know why? I KNOW why, I spoke with one of the key speakers at RoachFEST'04 and got it straight from the horses mouth. Barry Biffle revealed the costs and the thought process behind the decision

If you want to hear the answer along with many others you need to come to RoachFEST.

what about those of us who can't make it??? I'm dying to know!

They still have the glass in first for the trans atlantic flights.

I can think of a few reasons, but I don't know which one US thought of...

1) Plastic is lighter and thus saves on the fuel costs.

2) Plastic is cheaper to buy/maintain. Use it and throw away rather than wash.

3) Terrorist could break glass and have impromptu knife.

4) They think wine tastes better in plastic.

My guess is that the real reason is number 4. Nothing but the best for the roaches. :)

Want to know why No Glass in First Class?

Want to know why? I KNOW why....


Don't be silly Piney (and nothing personal) but....

You are certainly under no obligation to tell us, but given that the vast majority of us will not be able to attend Roachfest, isn't it kind of childish/silly to bait like this? I'm guessing there are zero FT'ers who were "on the fence" about attending but have NOW decided to attend because of this new glassware info. :rolleyes:

You'll just have to wait until after RoachFest!! ;)

It still would be good if more people found a way to come, you can very likely fly in to PHL for the afternoon, etc. And very likely where ever you are US has a nonstop to PHL from your city :). This is the first time I remember in my flying history where frequent flyers have direct access to airline management as in this open forum. I see the thread as creating buzz for the event and hopefully causing people who may not yet have done so to look at the US Cock Roach Web Site (http://www.us-cockroach.com) which contains the agenda and names of US executives who will be present.

Again you can very likely attend with just a one day commitment especially if from the east coast.

Many kudos to Piney Bob and everyone organizing roachfest. If it wasn't for a wedding that I am absolutely committed to, I'd be there. This agenda is awesome! ^


Can we record the proceedings or at least have notes from the sessions? I'd be very greatful to the notetakers.

Can we record the proceedings or at least have notes from the sessions? I'd be very greatful to the notetakers.


I'll be happy to act as secretary. I'm sure we need notes anyway for the website update, FT posting and any media who wants info after the fact.

In addition, I will be photographing the event. I am sure some photos will wind up posted here on Flyer Talk.

Many kudos to Piney Bob and everyone organizing roachfest. If it wasn't for a wedding that I am absolutely committed to, I'd be there. This agenda is awesome! ^


Can we record the proceedings or at least have notes from the sessions? I'd be very greatful to the notetakers.


Already in the plans. With 6 legs we roaches can multi task very well.

Again you can very likely attend with just a one day commitment especially if from the east coast.

And you can even attend from the West Coast with less than a 48-hour commitment. (About 47 hours in my case, including travel time to/from LAX, and PHL delays on the return -- 40 hours if you take the redeye Fri night.)

It still would be good if more people found a way to come, you can very likely fly in to PHL for the afternoon, etc. And very likely where ever you are US has a nonstop to PHL from your city :). This is the first time I remember in my flying history where frequent flyers have direct access to airline management as in this open forum. I see the thread as creating buzz for the event and hopefully causing people who may not yet have done so to look at the US Cock Roach Web Site (http://www.us-cockroach.com) which contains the agenda and names of US executives who will be present.

Again you can very likely attend with just a one day commitment especially if from the east coast.

As I'm (currently) living in PHL, I'd LOVE to come. Unfortunately, while Roachfest sounds like an awesome time and it'd be cool to put faces / names together -- I'm just not able to convince myself to cancel my vacation to Italy... However, anyone up for a Roachfest on US2 to FCO, lemme know (although Roachfares to FCO in Aug don't really exist, sadly). :(

Seriously though, if there's any way for those of us non-attenders to be involved, I'd love to know.

Want to know why No Glass in First Class?

Want to know why? I KNOW why, I spoke with one of the key speakers at RoachFEST'04 and got it straight from the horses mouth. Barry Biffle revealed the costs and the thought process behind the decision

If you want to hear the answer along with many others you need to come to RoachFEST.

This thread convinced me to attend the event so I decided to check on fares. Since I'm based in ORF the trip would be easily accomplished as a day trip, US serves PHL multiple times per day and the flight is about 35 mins in the air plus usually 30 mins on ground in PHL waiting etc. Lowest fare for a day trip is $686 and staying overnight is $ 310 plus hotel cost.

Sorry but if the fare were a bit more attractive, say around $200 I would do it but I'm not very interested in spending upwards of $450-$500.

Anyone with creative ideas on how to obtain a lower fare please share as I really do want to attend.

Thanks,
US1@ORF

Anyone with creative ideas on how to obtain a lower fare please share as I really do want to attend.

Thanks,
US1@ORF

I'm flying free on one of the fly 3 get 1 free tickets from last year. Got any of those you haven't used? Somebody suggested a contest on who had the cheapest ticket (read roach fare) to get there, but they didn't want to include free tickets as cheap. :(

If I attend, I will drive (the horror!) to PHL. ;)

Sorry but if the fare were a bit more attractive, say around $200 I would do it but I'm not very interested in spending upwards of $450-$500.

Thanks,
US1@ORF

If you drive over to PHF you can do a Sat. morning departure/Sun. morning return to PHL for $290 all in.

Hotels.com is showing the Courtyard by Marriott near the airport for $80.00 on the night of the 7th, though you can probably Priceline a comparable 2 1/2 to 3 star hotel in the area for $49 or so.

I'm flying free on one of the fly 3 get 1 free tickets from last year. Got any of those you haven't used? Somebody suggested a contest on who had the cheapest ticket (read roach fare) to get there, but they didn't want to include free tickets as cheap. :(

Good idea but I just used it to send my dad to the family reunion in August. I'm still working on it so I hope to get to meet everyone on 8/7 and show my support for RF and US.

I am also driving to PHL--r/t from ISP was $718. I will be providing transportation for a couple of folks from NYC as well.

Back to the glass--there is no excuse. UA is in as bad if not worse shape financially, and they have glass in F as well as silver, actual cloth napkins, and a much improved meal service. I am putting together another thread on this subject--perhaps I will call it "UA does why can't U?"

I did two back to back trips over the past 2 weeks-one on US one on UA. I will be posting my thoughts as indicated above, but it will be great subject matter for Roachfest.

My best to you all.....

If you drive over to PHF you can do a Sat. morning departure/Sun. morning return to PHL for $290 all in.

Hotels.com is showing the Courtyard by Marriott near the airport for $80.00 on the night of the 7th, though you can probably Priceline a comparable 2 1/2 to 3 star hotel in the area for $49 or so.

I always forget about PHF as an alternative to ORF. Guess is because I'm so close to ORF (5 mins w/o traffic) that the thought of having to deal with the tunnel is a sufficient deterent.

I'll look into it.

>"As I'm (currently) living in PHL, I'd LOVE to come. Unfortunately, while Roachfest sounds like an awesome time and it'd be cool to put faces / names together -- I'm just not able to convince myself to cancel my vacation to Italy... "

Read Norway for me.

Jane in PHL

And Cayman Islands for me.

I travel mostly on US (Mrs PhillyFive is CP as am I - even kids are silver), and am concerned abot the airline's future. I rely on US for both Caribbean and Europe fairly frequently - so PHL non-stops are great. It is VERY frustrating that the date picked happened to conflict with this long planned trip - but it had to conflict for some of us...

I surely hope there will be extensive reportage on FT - and some of us unable to come would be happy to help somehow - at least I know I would.

Since the topic was raised initially as a way of exchanging feedback with the US brass, someone should be documenting the travel preferences of roaches in cities without GoFares. As nice as they are, they only cover a small fraction of the US route network (i.e. with LCC competition).

As already noted on this thread, people from very close cities like ORF, ISP, etc are getting $700 fare quotes which is ridiculous. Perhaps a listing of 'people who wanted to be here but couldnt afford US prices to attend'.

Since the topic was raised initially as a way of exchanging feedback with the US brass, someone should be documenting the travel preferences of roaches in cities without GoFares. As nice as they are, they only cover a small fraction of the US route network (i.e. with LCC competition).

As already noted on this thread, people from very close cities like ORF, ISP, etc are getting $700 fare quotes which is ridiculous. Perhaps a listing of 'people who wanted to be here but couldnt afford US prices to attend'.

I will be pointing this out to our good friends at US by driving to the event. I hope that makes a statement.

Also anyone who had asked for a ride, please PM shortly so we can coordinate schedules.

Thanks

I will be pointing this out to our good friends at US by driving to the event. I hope that makes a statement.



Imagine if US provided a "secret" web link on the cockroach site that would allow for deep discounts for those who want to fly in. It'd be date controlled for inbound to PHL only on Sat a.m. and out again on Sun from PHL only.

Just a thought. When Art has to drive...that's a message!

The fact that some are driving due to high fares does indeed send a message! BUT, is it the message we want to send?

What about the folks who have spent XXXX of their own money to attend an event from as far away as California. Many roaches do not live within driving distance and still chose to come anyway because it was important to them.

Perhaps what we should do is present US Airways with a summary of the dollars expensed in airfare, hotels, miles etc to demonstrate our commitment to being heard and having a voice in Airways future.

The sword of driving versus flying has the potential to cut both ways. Personally I would weigh my words carefully on this point on August 7th. Remember perception is reality

The sword of driving versus flying has the potential to cut both ways. Personally I would weigh my words carefully on this point on August 7th. Remember perception is reality

I habitate/work in GLA. I still vote and reside (for the sake of driver's license and the like) at the other end of Pennsylvania.

Since the roachfest dates were announced, it's been the case, depending upon what my dates were and when I looked to be cheaper to fly in from GLA.

It's been universally cheaper for those from the west coast to fly in for the fest than the folks who reside on Long Island.

Perhaps reality is perception might be more apropos?

I habitate/work in GLA. I still vote and reside (for the sake of driver's license and the like) at the other end of Pennsylvania.

Wow Glasgow to Western PA - now that what I REALLY call a commute!

The fact that some are driving due to high fares does indeed send a message! BUT, is it the message we want to send?

What about the folks who have spent XXXX of their own money to attend an event from as far away as California. Many roaches do not live within driving distance and still chose to come anyway because it was important to them.

Perhaps what we should do is present US Airways with a summary of the dollars expensed in airfare, hotels, miles etc to demonstrate our commitment to being heard and having a voice in Airways future.

The sword of driving versus flying has the potential to cut both ways. Personally I would weigh my words carefully on this point on August 7th. Remember perception is reality

Bob,

The perception is that fares are too high. The reality is that if fares were reasonable, many more people who had driven would be more likely to fly. I am not making a personal statement but a general one--rational fares mean more business--nothing more nothing less.

It just is not worth $718 for me to fly.......nor would I assume it is for anyone else, in light of the fact that people can come from Europe or the west coast for much less.

Remember that I never advocated across the board lower fares, I advocate RATIONAL fares.

I hope this clears the issue up a bit....Looking forward to seeing you there.

Given my current schedule, I will not know if I can attend until just a few days before RoachFest begins. I'll drive it (from DCA-NoVa) unless there are reasonable fares. Either way, I'll be happy to document my decision making on both a monetary and time basis.


Given that US wants to see "us" use the website for more and more of our business, perhaps it's worth pointing out the following:

Right now the lowest fare on the US website out of DCA (or IAD) to PHL on Aug. 7th is $558 + taxes/fees.

Expedia offers the exact same flight options for $378 including tax/fees.

The net result is I have zero confidence that the US website should be considered my primary point-of-contact with US Airways.

The beauty of the Cockroaches is we all come from different viewpoints as to what's important to us as travelers. We need to NEVER lose that.

Speaking for myself, the fare rationalization ship has sailed. It's going to happen! When is the open question. Barry Biffle who is joining us is well versed in this area. He has asked me and I am giving him a list of questions in advance regarding fares and such so that he is prepared to address as many questions as possible.

That is my only point. I have far deeper concerns how all of this is going to play out in terms of marketing and amenities for loyal frequent flyers. To me the fare issue is a done deal. Timing is the question. It just not a hill I want to die on especially since the hill has been largely captured. Of course that's what Bush said about Iraq. So who knows.

The greater point is they are listening, let's make sure they hear us. They have heard fare rationalization ad nausem, that's why it's not a "Hot Button" issue for me.

The greater point is they are listening, let's make sure they hear us. They have heard fare rationalization ad nausem, that's why it's not a "Hot Button" issue for me.

I think they have only heard it where they've got (or might have) LCC competition. Since you fly from PHL a lot, you've probably seen and used it.

I think that if you asked folks from PIT, ISP, CLT, etc, it might be much more of a hot button issue. The question to be asked is "Are we ever going to see the infamous 'GoFares' in these markets absent LCC competition?"

I don't think we will, but the post-Chapter 11 US is doing a marvelous job of lowering my particular expectation, so perhaps I'll be proven wrong.

When Atlantic Beach and I met with Airways in December we had the honor to meet with BBB among others. Now I'm paraphrasing here but the tone of Ben's comments went something like.

Fares are coming down, PERIOD! The issue is when! The old model is gone, the challenge is to restructure to face this new environment and keep the doors open.

Then Ben proceeded to pull over a napkin and diagramed in very basic & simple terms how SWA kills legacy carriers and why they have been so successful. A very impressive presentation even if it was on a napkin.

He also expounded on the JB & HP labor contracts as well as Alaska's route structure as areas they were looking to learn and adopt the best practices from for the plan of transformation.

So on August 7th we will hear the results formally presented. One thing to note is US Airways now has LCC competition on 73% of it's routes. Food for thought on a home office day.

I guess I should consider my $317 fare from LAX bargain! :rolleyes:

As someone who cut her flying teeth in a small market (AVP) a mere two hours' drive from 2 major international airports (PHL & EWR), I am of the solid opinion that if US made a commitment to rationalizing fares systemwide, they could be the industry leaders by taking advantage of the fact that they service the smaller markets the LCC's won't touch. The legacy carriers are losing customers in droves to the likes of WN, etc., flying out of airports within 1-3 hours' driving distance of the smaller markets. I'm not suggesting $168 transcons from these markets (although it would be nice :) ). But if you can fly out of an airport like ABE or AVP for a reasonable fare, US could win back customers. And maybe if this happens, these same markets could support more mainline jet service, thus making these O&D points even more attractive -- especially to the business travelers who aren't on a shoestring budget, and who prefer the ease of getting in & out of a small airport.