US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-2005 America West merger) - Merger Video / Gate Announcement / DEN Changes (?)

Not sure if this has been posted or not: On my flights yesterday (Sept 3), US78 DEN-CLT and US94 CLT-LGW, US has begun a gate announcement about the merger, as well more information during the in flight video similar to what aired on HP in August. PS: the TA flight was oversold by 32 -- full boat.

Also, as we were boarding, the captain announced that the newly painted plane was coming our way -- and sure enough my first view of the new livery as it passed the A330 on its way to a gate at CLT -- I agree with some others -- it looks better in person than in the photos.

No news on what the ticket counter / gate configuration will be in Denver. I do not believe gates 43, 45 could handle all of the DEN flights (incl. regional jets) of the new US, but I prefer this location to HP's at the opposite end of Terminal C. There was talk when F9 and UA were fighting over slots / expansion at DEN that US may move to be with the other *A carriers in Term B, but the resolution kept things relatively the same.

Using the RCC in DEN as *G for TA flights is still a pain in the butt -- only 50% of the attendants know what the deal is and grant access, others require an explanation of how it works - and they don't like being wrong.

I heard a similar announcement in SAN, but not in SFO on 9/2. The GA went on and on about the new destinations in Mexico and Hawaii--he actually was very enthusiastic.

Heard the GA announce it for the first time in KC on Friday, followed by the GA and FA in CLT later that same day.
No mention of the new livery just the expanded options for flight service, like Hawaii.

Does anyone have a link to the new video online? I'd like to compare the HP one with US's version before I take my next flight.

Does anyone have a link to the new video online? I'd like to compare the HP one with US's version before I take my next flight.

I don't have a link, but I was not impressed with US's version. I thought AWA's was much much better.

I don't have a link, but I was not impressed with US's version. I thought AWA's was much much better.
I saw the US version Friday night on PHL-PHX and didn't think it was as nice either. It seemed much more devoid of feeling and seemed to just be informational vs the HP one where I felt they wanted to really invite us into the merger. Of course I just flew in from VCE and spent 3 hours in PHL so I was pretty tired and I'm used to the HP lady from all the HP Safety Messages.

Lance

I saw the US version Friday night on PHL-PHX and didn't think it was as nice either. It seemed much more devoid of feeling and seemed to just be informational vs the HP one where I felt they wanted to really invite us into the merger. Of course I just flew in from VCE and spent 3 hours in PHL so I was pretty tired and I'm used to the HP lady from all the HP Safety Messages.

Lance

Yup, no excitement and devoid of any emotion.

Got it at the Shuttle gates today in LGA and agree with the other posters as to the blandness.

to fly one of those old school Piedmont painted planes.

to fly one of those old school Piedmont painted planes.

Allegheny Air all the way, baby.

What is a lot of fun, is when CS upsets me, and I say, your name maybe "USAirways" but you are no different the Allegheny Air...the CS rep is usually pretty confused. :p

I heard the announcements about the US/HP merger in the gates of DCA, PHL, CLT, and MCO this weekend. And they ran a video hyping the merger on most of my flights this weekend. (I flew on 8 US flights since Friday.)

The FA made a similar announcement after we landed at PHL from DCA on 9/2. After the "welcome to PHL, local time is..." routine, she launched into the merger "creating the world's largest low-fare, full-service, blah, blah, blah" and mentioned all the new regions to be served my the merger. As others have posted, she seemed less than enthused to be making the announcement.

Link to the HP/US video:
http://kpho.com/Global/SearchResults.asp?qu=america+west+video&x=7&y=9

I heard the annoucement on the PA at the express gates at LGA on Sunday, and in RDU later that day.

Link to the HP/US video:
http://kpho.com/Global/SearchResults.asp?qu=america+west+video&x=7&y=9


So I should assume that the same video is being shown onboard HP and US flights?

So I should assume that the same video is being shown onboard HP and US flights?


NOPE, it was reported that there is a video for HP and a different one for US.

So I should assume that the same video is being shown onboard HP and US flights?
No, US has their own "version" of the video and HP has their own "version".

Lance

No, US has their own "version" of the video and HP has their own "version".

Lance


As I originally thought. So does anyone have a link to the US version of the video, NOT the HP one?

As I originally thought. So does anyone have a link to the US version of the video, NOT the HP one?


Someone will have to record it. I woul have seen in as I flew on sep 4 i was stupid enough to fly United that day back from cancun oh well Im off to BUF next month hopefully still time to catch glimpse. but the HP one was quite cool I love the part where they showed history of HP and the commercial with the FA's dancing and singing it went something like:

A W E S T

Come On Wont You Fly With Me?

LOT Polish Airline ~ Were on Board!

Saw the new inflight merger video today. It wasn't as "encouraging" as the America West version, but it wasn't that bad either.

I do think they should have used someone that gave more expression in her voice when announcing the new changes. And no offense to our FEMALE FT'ers, but if you listen closely to the announcers voice, she SSSSS's too much. I find a female voice that SSSS's too much somewhat irritating.

Listen closer next time to how she drags out the SSSSS's.

I guess I'm the lone voice of liking the merger announcement. I thought it gave pax needed info about the merger. Remember, not everyone hangs out here for info. I'm betting that video is answering a lot of questions for infrequent flyers.

Saw the new inflight merger video today. It wasn't as "encouraging" as the America West version, but it wasn't that bad either.

I do think they should have used someone that gave more expression in her voice when announcing the new changes. And no offense to our FEMALE FT'ers, but if you listen closely to the announcers voice, she SSSSS's too much. I find a female voice that SSSS's too much somewhat irritating.

Listen closer next time to how she drags out the SSSSS's.


CAN PLZ SOMEONE GIVE A LINK OF THE US AIRWAYS MERGER VIDEO, I NEED TO SEE IT. BUT THE US AIRWAYS VERSION PLZ

I guess I'm the lone voice of liking the merger announcement. I thought it gave pax needed info about the merger. Remember, not everyone hangs out here for info. I'm betting that video is answering a lot of questions for infrequent flyers.


Well I neither like or dislike the US version. I just think it wasn't as uplifting as the America West version is. Again I think it's the tone of the announcers voice. Rewatch the America West version and notice how that announcer has more "up tempo". She is showing her enthusiasm in her voice.

I think it would have been nice to review the company's history a bit more like they did in the America West version. Maybe there just weren't enough old footage to use like they did on the other one. I'm sure someone must have Piedmont and PSA footage somewhere they could have editted in.

The US version could use that "up tempo" too to get the customers excited about this merger. Just my opinion.

Well I neither like or dislike the US version. I just think it wasn't as uplifting as the America West version is. Again I think it's the tone of the announcers voice. Rewatch the America West version and notice how that announcer has more "up tempo". She is showing her enthusiasm in her voice.

I think it would have been nice to review the company's history a bit more like they did in the America West version. Maybe there just weren't enough old footage to use like they did on the other one. I'm sure someone must have Piedmont and PSA footage somewhere they could have editted in.

The US version could use that "up tempo" too to get the customers excited about this merger. Just my opinion.



FYI, the woman in the HP version is the same woman in HP's pre-flight safety announcements. I think it's a really nice touch that they featured her, giving it a little bit of familiarity.

There's plenty of old Piedmont commercials around on the web, I've seen many of them myself on some historical pages, and I'm sure there are many PSA and US ones as well, I think US just didn't put all the effort it could have into the video.

www.cactuswings.com has samples of most of HP's advertising over the years.

I stopped by the HP gates at DEN tonight and a GA told me that US is moving from gates 43, 45 to the other side of Termial C to be with HP (30, 31) and adding 33. Presently gate 33 is Big Sky sharing with AA. I assume the new US had to keep 30 & 31, as they accommodate regional jets? Changes will be effective December 2005.

Still makes a difficult *A connections in DEN between US (T3) & UA, AC (T2) and TED, LH (T1)!

Link: Terminal C @ DEN (http://www.flydenver.com/maps/inside/concourseC.asp)