US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Your Fault -- August 2003

I was cleaning out some things around the house and came across an old "award winning" Attache magazine from August 2003. I couldn't remember why I kept this copy; however, when I read "Your Fault" by Deborah Thompson I couldn't help but laugh. The first question:

A customer from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, sent us a letter asking about our plans to operate more regional jets (RJs):

"With the increase of your regional jets, it is no longer a benefit to be Chairman's Preferred. The main benefit of the program is the ability to upgrade, and there is no first class on regional jets."

Deborah's response: "I have good news for you. We will offer First Class seats with the introduction of our Canadair CRJ-700 and Embraer-170 fleet of regional jets. One of the key elements of our business plan is to improve the level of service we provide our customers, especially in some of the smaller cities on our network. After all, if you have chosen to fly First Class, we will do our best to bring you First Class service on all legs of your journey."

I just found this funny.....

I just found this funny.....

Or tragic...

Or rather US realized like some others that the regional jets aren't so great when competition forces prices down, and they need to have more available coach seats in order to help absorb that cost.... and it's not like very many around here actually pay for that First Class seat on a regular basis, so it'd be a freebie upgrade.

From the beginning, use of RJ type aircraft was all about crew cost. Nothing else. Passengers, especially those with earned upgrade access, never liked them. They are inappropriate for trips beyond 500 miles, based on toilets alone. With the mainline pilot givebacks, the cost issue subsided, and it's interesting to note that the so-called "low cost carriers" don't even use them (the JetBlue Embraers seat over a hundred...hardly a commuter plane). As for the elite program, US1's should ask themselves when they got any recognition, or a break because of status, recently. That in itself speaks volumes about why they never installed F seating. They don't care. Remember that the next time they board B of A Visa cardholders along with Gold, Silver and Chairmen in "son of preboard", also known as Zone 1..

I was cleaning out some things around the house and came across an old "award winning" Attache magazine from August 2003. I couldn't remember why I kept this copy; however, when I read "Your Fault" by Deborah Thompson I couldn't help but laugh. The first question:

A customer from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, sent us a letter asking about our plans to operate more regional jets (RJs):

"With the increase of your regional jets, it is no longer a benefit to be Chairman's Preferred. The main benefit of the program is the ability to upgrade, and there is no first class on regional jets."

Deborah's response: "I have good news for you. We will offer First Class seats with the introduction of our Canadair CRJ-700 and Embraer-170 fleet of regional jets. One of the key elements of our business plan is to improve the level of service we provide our customers, especially in some of the smaller cities on our network. After all, if you have chosen to fly First Class, we will do our best to bring you First Class service on all legs of your journey."

I just found this funny.....


Funny is NOT the word I'd use!

I found out about the decision in an offhand question I asked at teh original cockroach meeting in CCY with BBB & BB. This is yet another example of not being truthful to their core customers. Granted the company has had one foot in the grave and another on a bananna peel since but still honesty is the best policy. As a group we were NEVER told of the decision and that sucks.

and of course with planes already delivered, they're not gonna go back and pay to adjust the current fleet to F cabins anytime soon.

I say this because I believe some (all?) of the America West mini-fleet have F cabins.

and of course with planes already delivered, they're not gonna go back and pay to adjust the current fleet to F cabins anytime soon.

I say this because I believe some (all?) of the America West mini-fleet have F cabins.Well, it wouldn't be unheard of.

With the 757's US has already demonstrated that they know how to reconfigure between Y and F rows...

and of course with planes already delivered, they're not gonna go back and pay to adjust the current fleet to F cabins anytime soon.

I say this because I believe some (all?) of the America West mini-fleet have F cabins.


Nope. America West no longer has a first class cabin on its CRJ 200, CRJ 900, and Dash-8 aircraft fleet.

http://www.usairways.com/about/press_2003/nw_03_0512.htm

The CRJ Series 700 aircraft and the Embraer 170s will offer both First and Coach-Class service.

Note that I was unable to find any obvious retraction of this statement.

Perhaps a followup letter to "Your Fault" is in order?

. Remember that the next time they board B of A Visa cardholders along with Gold, Silver and Chairmen in "son of preboard", also known as Zone 1..

No.....

Zone 1 = First/Envoy, Chairmans and Gold and Star Gold
Zone 2 = B of A Sig., Silver Pref and UA Premier

On smaller/less full aircraft they do combine these zones in one boarding call. On both my flights this weekend (A321's) they were not together.

I'm stilll trying to figure out what happened to "If you're seated in the First Class cabin, you may board now", which came before any zone was called. Before anybody jumps me about being arrogant, or elitist, please remember, as it always has been, "it's the overhead, stupid". Nothing more than that. :D

I'm stilll trying to figure out what happened to "If you're seated in the First Class cabin, you may board now", which came before any zone was called. Before anybody jumps me about being arrogant, or elitist, please remember, as it always has been, "it's the overhead, stupid". Nothing more than that. :D

I agree.