US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Is it time for a FFOCUS press conference??

As I was reading the WSJ's doom and gloom today along with USA Today's interviews with the man on the street (or more appropriately) flyer on the concourse, I was wondering. . .Is it time for FFOCUS to speak out uniformly and publicly? Perhaps in a press conference?

I know that some members have already been intereviewed, but I would think it important to make a statement that US's frequent fliers are not abandoning US in droves and still stand-by the airline. There is just too much negative spin PLUS some of the joe on the concourse interviewees barely know what airline they are on.

We've been working on a bunch of things for FFOCUS since Friday. Unfortunately, since we all have other jobs, we can't turn this on a dime.

Interviews with aviation and mainstream press are occurring daily.

We're also still working with the company on non-BK issues such as the E-bucket. L4pi has spent a lot of time with the appropriate department. Other departments continue are planning for the future and are seeking our opinions. I'll repeat my prior observation- These folks are not acting like a company about to close the doors.

We were editing the press release last night. Not sure when it will go out. Press conference may be a bit more difficult for logistical reasons, but is being considered.

Neo, we are in total agreement. Just can't keep everyone up to speed, work, and dodge hurricanes at the same time.

We've been working on a bunch of things for FFOCUS since Friday. Unfortunately, since we all have other jobs, we can't turn this on a dime.

Interviews with aviation and mainstream press are occurring daily.

We're also still working with the company on non-BK issues such as the E-bucket. L4pi has spent a lot of time with the appropriate department. Other departments continue are planning for the future and are seeking our opinions. I'll repeat my prior observation- These folks are not acting like a company about to close the doors.

We were editing the press release last night. Not sure when it will go out. Press conference may be a bit more difficult for logistical reasons, but is being considered.

Neo, we are in total agreement. Just can't keep everyone up to speed, work, and dodge hurricanes at the same time.


I don't think I've ever said this before so here it is:

I think you and all other roaches (I guess to be politically correct, I should say FFocus) members deserve a big thanks from all of us US flyers. I for one don't have nearly the time nor the Ffocus (pun intended) to do what ya'll are doing with everything. Dealing with the press, working with the E-bucket and the loads of other things that should be addressed are getting done because of your hard work. I think it's very important the the nation knows that we're not running and niether should anyone else. So a much deserved thank you to all of the Ffocus organizers who do so much for us all! :-:

I don't think I've ever said this before so here it is:

I think you and all other roaches (I guess to be politically correct, I should say FFocus) members deserve a big thanks from all of us US flyers. I for one don't have nearly the time nor the Ffocus (pun intended) to do what ya'll are doing with everything. Dealing with the press, working with the E-bucket and the loads of other things that should be addressed are getting done because of your hard work. I think it's very important the the nation knows that we're not running and niether should anyone else. So a much deserved thank you to all of the Ffocus organizers who do so much for us all! :-:

Hear, hear! I second that emotion. A hearty round of applause ^

Please don't take what I said as a criticism, it is anything but. I think FFOCUS is very relevant to what is happening to US right now ^

Please don't take what I said as a criticism, it is anything but. I think FFOCUS is very relevant to what is happening to US right now ^


Oh I didn't think it was criticsm at all. I totally agree with your OP. You're absolutely right: people need to know that the most frequent flyers aren't abandoning the airline the way the WSJ and other sources have reported it.

There is a newly posted statement of support for US Airways on www.ffocus.org.

We are trying to generate some positive press for US--

Please spread the word.

Thanks all,

Art

I agree. If there is a way for us to express our support for US just let us know. I want to see them succeed.

There is quite a bit of legal activity here, as well as velocity from the opposing camps, which include management, employees, unions, and creditors. Cheerleading is great, but watch where you tread. You want to be on the bus...not under it.

Please don't take what I said as a criticism, it is anything but. I think FFOCUS is very relevant to what is happening to US right now ^


No criticism taken.

Sometimes we don't tell folks what we're doing because the work is better done in the dark (please, no cockroach references here). When we get to a certain point, that info is made public. In some cases, we'll be asked to sit on some information for a period of time for various reasons.

Occasionally, changes are made based on our suggestions and someone at Airways never gets that to us. In a similar vein, we wrote an article for the employee newsletter and did not know it was published until a pilot and 2 FAs came up to me after a flight and thanked me for our hard work.

Since the McCarthy article in WSJ was brought up, I disagree with the negative sentiment on another thread. I thought that is was reasonable and appropriate. But then again, my opinion is often in the minority.

I agree. If there is a way for us to express our support for US just let us know. I want to see them succeed.

We will have an action plan shortly that will requirre the actions of every cockroach and FT member. Stand by.

The plan in order to be effective is going to need a lot of folks helping. If you haven't been to the website and registered your e-mail address please do. We need you!! Consider this a Cockroach "Call to Legs" er "Arms"

We will have an action plan shortly that will requirre the actions of every cockroach and FT member. Stand by.

The plan in order to be effective is going to need a lot of folks helping. If you haven't been to the website and registered your e-mail address please do. We need you!! Consider this a Cockroach "Call to Legs" er "Arms"


:D Ok, I'll go and register. But can someone tell me how? I can see the site is under construction.

I too am having trouble figuring out how to register. Detailed instructions would be appreciated :)

PB kinda shot the gun and described a site feature that had not been implemented yet. Given the nature of the situation, I put a temporary page that will give the info we need.

So, GotCalcio4, macska and all other interested roaches, a "Join FFOCUS" link is now available on the FFOCUS site. Try it now at www.ffocus.org

PB kinda shot the gun and described a site feature that had not been implemented yet. Given the nature of the situation, I put a temporary page that will give the info we need.

So, GotCalcio4, macska and all other interested roaches, a "Join FFOCUS" link is now available on the FFOCUS site. Try it now at www.ffocus.org

Well it appears I have done a typical salesmans trick. Promise something and then not deliver. Sorry. But we NEED membership now.

If FFOCUS could get a DIP or equity package together for US Airways, I'm sure that the airline would appreciate it. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much about sending out a PR.

We could do a bake sale -- I make some awfully good cookies!

We could do a bake sale -- I make some awfully good cookies!

I make good chili. Where shall we set up shop? Between B & C in CLT? ;)

I have actually thought about this a great deal. Anyone remember when Rush Limbaugh held the "Bake Sale" as a publicity stunt because a guy wanted a copy of the Limbaugh Letter for free since he was on a tight budget? Rush said "NO!" and the whole Bake Sale started. Twenty some thousand people showed up.

If we could get a national celebrity of some sort behind us we could pull the whacky thing off.

Think we could do it?

I have actually thought about this a great deal. Anyone remember when Rush Limbaugh held the "Bake Sale" as a publicity stunt because a guy wanted a copy of the Limbaugh Letter for free since he was on a tight budget? Rush said "NO!" and the whole Bake Sale started. Twenty some thousand people showed up.

If we could get a national celebrity of some sort behind us we could pull the whacky thing off.

Think we could do it?

When I hear the term "bake sale" anymore, I always think of Dan's Bake Sale. That was a great event and great PR for Rush at the same time.

I doubt Rush would back such a event for US, so the question then is, who, as a celeb, would?

Think we could do it?
Are you into the moonshine from the Grey Fox Bluegrass festival again?

Maybe a sugar high from Tastykakes?

No I'm not in the 'shine, but i am coming to CLT-GSO end of the month. I just think if we could pull something like that off it would be so cool

No I'm not in the 'shine, but i am coming to CLT-GSO end of the month. I just think if we could pull something like that off it would be so cool
Ok, just checking. Count me in. I can't bake very well but I can bring some Krispy Kremes. :D

I doubt Rush would back such a event for US, so the question then is, who, as a celeb, would?
Maybe we could get Dave Segulls new company to donate bagels. :p

This is great. And great to see something positive on these boards for once. Coming here lately was getting depressing.

We can do a huge Kryspy Kreme sale. People do this all the time to raise money for schools, and other non profit events. This country loves Kryspy Kreme. :p

I will help out any which way I can ^

Troy

Maybe we could sponsor a plane wash?

Seriously though--we do need all the members we can get right now...


I can get Dunkin Donuts......


My best to you all

This is great. And great to see something positive on these boards for once. Coming here lately was getting depressing.

We can do a huge Kryspy Kreme sale. People do this all the time to raise money for schools, and other non profit events. This country loves Kryspy Kreme. :p

I will help out any which way I can ^

Troy

Yeah, KK's! I should have thought of that. At the university where I teach, the student org's often sell them as fund raisers a few times a semester. I don't know where they truck them in from, GSO/Winston or CRW, as those are the closest KK stores that I know of to us in rural Appalachia, unless KK got the test market store open in WalMart near Blacksburg, VA.

If we do KK's, l4pi will take at least a case! :p

Another idea... one of the best raffles I've seen in my many years at CU was about 10-12 years ago. One of the frats did a "turkey" raffle around Thanksgiving. The winner got their choice of turkey... either a fresh, ready-to-cook one OR a fifth of the "Wild" Turkey. Perhaps we do it with Finlandia and green limes?

I can see it now. We set up shop in the food court area between B & C in CLT. One table with KKs selling to the northerners on the way through, one table with a raffle, one table selling TastyKakes to the locals/southerners. You think the airport authority would go for this? ;)

A Bake sale sounds like a great idea, in any case if we do something in CLT I'll drive my happy (removed for tastefullness) down there... anyone need a ride?

How about an event in PHL?? Anyone ?? I'll be glad to help.

Hey Gang,

I signed up on ffocus.org and should have been at Roachfest. Nevertheless, count me in to help in this effort. I can bake, buy and I can also help draft communications. Once you have selected a location, let me know and I'll get there. I live and work in DC.

Glad to find folk that are vested in helping US survive.

-Rayshad

Are you into the moonshine from the Grey Fox Bluegrass festival again?

Maybe a sugar high from Tastykakes?

I never even noticed Tastykakes before Roachfest and now I see them everywhere: Giant, CVS, Walmart, etc.

This is great. And great to see something positive on these boards for once. Coming here lately was getting depressing.

We can do a huge Kryspy Kreme sale. People do this all the time to raise money for schools, and other non profit events. This country loves Kryspy Kreme. :p

I will help out any which way I can ^

Troy

Hey don't forget you and I have to set up a date for our field trip to Krispy Kreme on Route 1 in Alexandria. When are you coming home? Others are welcome to attend.

Hey don't forget you and I have to set up a date for our field trip to Krispy Kreme on Route 1 in Alexandria. When are you coming home? Others are welcome to attend.

Alysia,

I get back from Europe Sept 28th but will only be in Washington until Oct 3rd and leave on the 4th. So I hope we can do it between those dates. Otherwise I won't be back again until Oct 24th.

Let's see if we can get together. It would be a lot of fun and I am looking forward in having some KK :p

Anyone else want to come! We can always post a new thread of a mini get together. This might get lost in the forum.

Troy

Bake Sales are great. After all, it helped Dan get a EIB newsletter so I see no reason why with a little extra work it could not raise 1.8 Billion Dollars to save US. Maybe we can can add Pies! News Release are always good too. The entire world must know that those of us who fly US want it to succeed. There must be no doubt that those who want this business to fail do not share our values. Otherwise how would they know this very important piece of information?

It is good to see that at US Airways, nobody is at fault. No, not the management who dismissed the LCC business model as a joke. No, not the Unions with their "Full Pay to the Last Day" attitude. Especially not those dear customers who when they heard that US was in trouble asked the all important questions: "what will happen to my miles" and "how does this effect bringing back fine china in FC".

Words of wisdom such as "Communication must be two way" and "Success breeds success" remind us all that in this crazy upside down world all that is missing is a little understanding. Let's forget that one airline can fly from point A to point B profitably while another loses money. Lets forget the fact that on one airline the F/A cleans the cabin allowing for faster plane turn around while on another they sit around complaining about possibly being laid off. It make no sense to even consider that a plane not in the air is not making money. After all, why don't they understand that they "aren’t in the transportation business but the people business"

Of course there are those naysayer that still believe in Free Market Capitalism where the market determines the price of goods and services. Let us turn our backs on these dinosaurs of the past. Some will say that if a business, any business can not turn a profit - it should and must fail. To those we say "where is your compassion?" If a F/A can not make a decent wage to support her family - are any of us truly free? After all, sometimes these highly trained skilled professionals actually put down their magazines during the flight to toss out small bags of peanuts.

For those who are worried, I say: Relax and Enjoy your day. We now have a few self appointed "Insiders" that will speak for us. Heck, they have even talked to real life US managers and (believe it or not) were told some super secret details. Naturally they have decided to keep such things to themselves or share them with only those who would live by their rules. Don't worry, it is much better this way. After all, only a select few elites should know more than the rest of us unwashed masses. Otherwise, who would lead?

I for one am ignoring those trolls who claim that just because a person says they care is not the same as doing something about the problem. Calling Dr. Rush! For this reason I will continue to purchase the lowest priced ticket and demand upgrades. I will refuse to read and learn why one airline can make a profit while the others can not. I will simply ignore what AA has done in how they treat their employees. I simply will no longer listen to those who do not think that after 25 years of service a F/A should make less than a Dentist. I do not want to hear about the economics of a business because, damn it - I just care too much about US Airways! Don't forget, its nobodies fault. Well, actually its everybody's fault but the fault is evenly distributed so really its just a misunderstanding between the Company, Union, Customers and that pesky little thing call Business Realities. Pass the Pies !

We could do a bake sale -- I make some awfully good cookies!


LOL I can only imagine. The bake sale is OKK ;) with me!

Oh, and I'm all FFOCUSed now! I'm so excited! :cool:

Alysia,

I get back from Europe Sept 28th but will only be in Washington until Oct 3rd and leave on the 4th. So I hope we can do it between those dates. Otherwise I won't be back again until Oct 24th.

Let's see if we can get together. It would be a lot of fun and I am looking forward in having some KK :p

Anyone else want to come! We can always post a new thread of a mini get together. This might get lost in the forum.

Troy

I bought one of those $108 BWI-SFO deals that was posted in the MR forum last night for Oct 1 (leaving in mid-afternoon) and taking a red eye back on Oct 2 to arrive back at BWI at 9 AM on Sunday the 3rd. So I can do one of the evenings in the week, Friday morning (the entire day is my CWS day), or probably better, something on Sunday late in the afternoon or early evening.

Yum! Count me in for KK in Alexandria too on Oct. 3 or thereabouts. I seem to get a craving for "HOT NOW" donuts more often now that the company store here in Charlottesville has gone out of biz. :(

Yum! Count me in for KK in Alexandria too on Oct. 3 or thereabouts. I seem to get a craving for "HOT NOW" donuts more often now that the company store here in Charlottesville has gone out of biz. :(

OK 3 PM on Sunday the 3rd it is. (Are the Redskins playing at that time?) I'll post another thread for this event.