America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - Is this business as usual with HP management? If so, I'll Move On

Can someone give me, a US CP, an insight to HP Management. Impressions prior to the merger were that they were very customer oriented and responsive to their customers needs. The impression was that they were a well run company.

Pre-merger events at US are now giving me pause. They seem to have adopted the “we know best” philosophy of the former US Airways managements of the past two decades. They seem to make changes without any thought about how the customers perceive it.

For example in the last month one has to wonder about these decisions that are taking place with US with presumably HP management's approval: 1. Drop pretzels to save $1million per year (giving more the displaced managers--really makes them look cheap), 2. Recreating banks of flights in PHL as of Nov, that previously created gridlock (debanking actually made PHL work on most days), 3. Now taking out power ports on airbus’s which make them uncompetitive to UA on trans con flights (if you don’t have power to work, why not be in E+, so you can at least be comfortable and have more room to work).

They are creating what they say a low cost carrier, but it doesn’t have anything to distinguish itself, be it IFE or a no-frills no reserve seat model. It was something that could have been used to distinguish themselves even in HP markets for the business customer on trans cons.

Is this business as usual with HP management? If so, let the merger happen, but I’ll look elsewhere. I’m only at 91,000 miles so far this year, so someone will comp me .

If not, how do you get their attention that they are making wrong moves out of the starting gate.

Can someone give me, a US CP, an insight to HP Management. Impressions prior to the merger were that they were very customer oriented and responsive to their customers needs...

Yes, they are very customer-oriented. To serve me better, they cut the Gold Elite bonus of their "award-winning FlightFund program" from 100% to 50%. Inflight service is top notch-- first, the delicious First Class Hot Pocket and now, even more disgusting pasta dishes. Finally, they made redeeming award tickets a delightful experience by requiring significantly more miles for them.

Thanks to their thoughtfulness and responsiveness, I have realized that my needs are better met by other airlines.

the delicious First Class Hot Pocket

:D ^

Well the customer service doesn't matter as much as the "coffin" first class on the 737-300. I would say always go for row 1.. because row 2 you have row 1 in your lap...... sheshhh

But that is my personal rant :)

Well the customer service doesn't matter as much as the "coffin" first class on the 737-300. I would say always go for row 1.. because row 2 you have row 1 in your lap...... sheshhh

But that is my personal rant :)

HP is pretty much a LCC model with a few First Class seats. The new airline will be the same.

HP is pretty much a LCC model with a few First Class seats. The new airline will be the same.


Don't forget about the "robust" frequent flyer program and "extensive" airport club network (that has lost 7 clubs in the past year, btw) that we should soon expect.

There is no point in debating decisions made by management; we should all let go.

There is no point in debating decisions made by management; we should all let go.

Very nice.

Just a wee bit passive aggressive (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473408)?

Things are changing that's for sure, but you will probably notice more of a difference if you are a regular US flyer than an HP flyer. Yes certain things may be cut to lower costs but other things may be added. My station manager just went to a meeting about the merger and they went over a lot of policies that were going to be added/changed/deleted. They said US wasted incredible amounts of money and that would be stopped immediately. Overall you will probably be pretty happy with the way the new airline turns out eventually....it will take time though. Just be patient.

Having flown both enough last year to make HP Plat and UA 1K (I always credit my US flights to UA) I suggest that HP's execution was superior from a customer perspective. And the difference was not trivial.

Assuming that the execution I saw as a customer reflect's management competence, I imagine that US customers will either be happy to have the new management, or else the merger will swamp everybody and continue to drag US into oblivion and suck HP down with it.

.... or else the merger will swamp everybody and continue to drag US into oblivion and suck HP down with it.

I am an optimist, but I keep smelling, hearing and seeing signs that your latter remark will bear truth.

It's too bad. Parker and crew did a great job shoveling up after Franke's ill-gotten parade, but it appears that they have no clue how to capture their higher margin customers.

Having flown both enough last year to make HP Plat and UA 1K (I always credit my US flights to UA) I suggest that HP's execution was superior from a customer perspective. And the difference was not trivial.

Assuming that the execution I saw as a customer reflect's management competence, I imagine that US customers will either be happy to have the new management, or else the merger will swamp everybody and continue to drag US into oblivion and suck HP down with it.
I think most will be happy, we have a good team. Believe me I was there when HP was in their darkest hour...I saw how Doug turned things around. There is no comparison. He and his team will do a good job, but like I said it may take a little time. There is a lot to fix at US!!

Complaining about a specific airline is a waste of time. Every program has massive flaws. Where are you going to go instead? NWA or Delta ? I cant beleive how many people complain about the meal they are served. When was the last time you got excited about eating airplane food? Its nasty at best.

Every Airline has their problems, you might as well use them to your best advantage. Also you should accumulate as many points as possible in non-airline (aka hotel points ) the end is coming for most if not all airline, as we know them.


Ken in Phx

Drop pretzels and power ports so they keep flying & I don't loose my hard earned miles? I'll take it.

If cost-cutting riles you up, follow the money and start looking at the payoffs to executives -- forget about the <$1MM saved on dropping pretzels, look at the $12MM being paid to 23 US executives just to go away. I'm all for people being paid what they're worth but why give an average of ~$500k per person that drove the company to Chp 11? This is just the first wave; there will be more.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050915/bs_nm/airlines_usairways_dc

Drop pretzels and power ports so they keep flying & I don't loose my hard earned miles? I'll take it.

If cost-cutting riles you up, follow the money and start looking at the payoffs to executives -- forget about the <$1MM saved on dropping pretzels, look at the $12MM being paid to 23 US executives just to go away. I'm all for people being paid what they're worth but why give an average of ~$500k per person that drove the company to Chp 11? This is just the first wave; there will be more.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050915/bs_nm/airlines_usairways_dc


So you know, pretzels are returning. Recently, Parker made the decision, which I think is a pretty good one.

US is (was) an airline trying to cut losses in excess of $300 million/year, and is trying to save $1 million in pretzels costs? Get real.

Probably the wrong thread to post this in, but the bread sticks on HP are great if you break them up and use them as croutons w/ the ceasar...

I honestly think HP has lost their way over the past year. Not only are they no longer rewarding their supposedly prized frequent flyers like they once did, but I chuckle at their suggestion about being a low cost carrier. They are very much a low cost carrier with regards to what they offer (or lack thereof), but have been inching up prices over the past year.

To support this claim, I reviewed the Sunday AZ Republic travel section which lists the lowest airfares to 22 destinations from Phoenix. For being a low cost carrier, guess how many of these 22 they were listed for as the lowest (or tied for the lowest) fare? Roughly 9% - 2 out of 22. I laugh at their claims of being a low cost carrier - they once were but no longer are. I've taken most of my business elsewhere and generally have more pleasant experiences with AA and UA.

Low-cost carrier pricing strategy doesn't mean they're going to have the cheapest fare all the time. See Southwest.

What it does mean is that they won't usually give last-minute business travelers a screw-job with jacked-through-the-roof BloFares to compensate for the people buying cheap advance-purchase leisure fares.

Don't forget about the "robust" frequent flyer program and "extensive" airport club network (that has lost 7 clubs in the past year, btw) that we should soon expect.

US club network still beats the HP alternative---probably 7 total clubs in their network and 3 are in the same airport--PHX.

Things are changing that's for sure, but you will probably notice more of a difference if you are a regular US flyer than an HP flyer. Yes certain things may be cut to lower costs but other things may be added. My station manager just went to a meeting about the merger and they went over a lot of policies that were going to be added/changed/deleted. They said US wasted incredible amounts of money and that would be stopped immediately. Overall you will probably be pretty happy with the way the new airline turns out eventually....it will take time though. Just be patient.

Yeah, the policy changes we are seeing already are anti-customer. Must be lead by HP management who don't have a clue about servicing elite members or running a large network to the scale of US as standalone, let alone as a combined company.

"As of August 17, 2005, unaccompanied minors will no longer be accepted on connecting flights or direct (one-stop) flights with no change of plane. Children ages 5 to 14 who are traveling as unaccompanied minors will be accepted by US Airways for travel only on nonstop flights. " If you live in Charlotte or Philadelphia a non-stop is no an issue, but what about the rest?

[QUOTE=FCYTravis]Low-cost carrier pricing strategy doesn't mean they're going to have the cheapest fare all the time. See Southwest.QUOTE]

While I generally agree with this statement, HP used to dominate (>50%) the listing of lowest fares out of PHX according to the Sunday AZ Republic. This is no longer the case. Their fares are going up faster than their competition. While this may be necassary to remain solvent, as a consumer, I can (and have) take most of my business elsewhere.

[QUOTE=FCYTravis]Low-cost carrier pricing strategy doesn't mean they're going to have the cheapest fare all the time. See Southwest.QUOTE]

While I generally agree with this statement, HP used to dominate (>50%) the listing of lowest fares out of PHX according to the Sunday AZ Republic. This is no longer the case. Their fares are going up faster than their competition. While this may be necassary to remain solvent, as a consumer, I can (and have) take most of my business elsewhere.

I agree. I moved to PHX a year ago and expected to become an HP Elite FF by now. However, HP's fares have been much higher than the competition. Therefore, I fly the competition! I have earned a free ticket on WN! ^

Yeah, the policy changes we are seeing already are anti-customer. Must be lead by HP management who don't have a clue about servicing elite members or running a large network to the scale of US as standalone, let alone as a combined company.

"As of August 17, 2005, unaccompanied minors will no longer be accepted on connecting flights or direct (one-stop) flights with no change of plane. Children ages 5 to 14 who are traveling as unaccompanied minors will be accepted by US Airways for travel only on nonstop flights. " If you live in Charlotte or Philadelphia a non-stop is no an issue, but what about the rest?
Actually, this policy came about with HP several years ago after HP misrouted some kids. I don't remember the details, but this policy was implemented right afterward.

[QUOTE=FCYTravis]Low-cost carrier pricing strategy doesn't mean they're going to have the cheapest fare all the time. See Southwest.QUOTE]

While I generally agree with this statement, HP used to dominate (>50%) the listing of lowest fares out of PHX according to the Sunday AZ Republic. This is no longer the case. Their fares are going up faster than their competition. While this may be necassary to remain solvent, as a consumer, I can (and have) take most of my business elsewhere.

I'm in the same boat. HP's Blofares have gone through the roof to the point where I now check other carriers before looking at HP. $200+ for a 14-day advance fare from PHX-LAX? Pftttt! :rolleyes:

I've flown enough PHX-LAX/SFO shorthauls on UA that I'm 1000 miles` from being elite.

I'll barely make Plat this year, and that's only because there was lot of F fare paid for by clients. I know I won't make it next year especially as it will require even more flying for top tier.

So this beings me back full circle to HP's self-proclaimed goal of being the largest low cost carrier following the completion of the merger next week.

Where are these low costs? :td: The only thing HP currently offers from PHX is a large route map allowing one to travel to many destinations non-stop, but WN is adding all the time. Some of their planes are starting to get pretty ragged and need replacement.

The only thing HP currently offers from PHX is a large route map allowing one to travel to many destinations non-stop, but WN is adding all the time.

ROTFLMAO! If you seriously consider flying the Heifer Hauler, then why bother to post here?

I don't give a flying fornication about a few bucks here or there when the choice is sitting next to a 700# drunk or sitting in F.

Come on. Do you really fly as much as you make it out to be?

So this beings me back full circle to HP's self-proclaimed goal of being the largest low cost carrier following the completion of the merger next week.

Where are these low costs? :td: The only thing HP currently offers from PHX is a large route map allowing one to travel to many destinations non-stop, but WN is adding all the time. Some of their planes are starting to get pretty ragged and need replacement.
HA! you thought the Low Cost in Low Cost Carrier meant Low Cost to you??? No it means they will cut THEIR costs so they are low...It's a new type of Low Cost Carrier..."Keeping our costs low so we can charge you more..."

Actually I don't think they have to be the lowest or even low everywhere to be a low cost carrier. They still beat out most of the legacy airlines for my flights and some by a few hundred bucks due to my flying out of PHX. I'm flying to MSP on Oct 10th and Northwest was the cheapest of the carriers that I look at (I avoid WN) at 300 something. HP came in at 268 and change. US Airways wanted over 1000K and I forgot what our "preferred" carrier wanted but it was somewhat outrageous as well. Low cost doesn't mean the lowest cost and doesn't even mean low cost everywhere....

Lance

ROTFLMAO! If you seriously consider flying the Heifer Hauler, then why bother to post here?

I don't give a flying fornication about a few bucks here or there when the choice is sitting next to a 700# drunk or sitting in F.


Nowhere did I ever claim to say I flew WN. I avoid that airline like the plague - I hate the cattle call boarding process. My point was the HP business model is vulnerable since prices are no longer that low. If WN continues to add non-stop long haul routes from PHX, watch out. Further, I suspect WN may some day offer pre-assigned seats if competing with the new US Airways proves to be a challenge. And if that happens, looks out. As we all know, while WN does not offer FC, it is a much better operation as evidenced by the stock price, on time ratings, etc.

[/QUOTE]Come on. Do you really fly as much as you make it out to be?[/QUOTE]

I fail to see the relevance of this statement, but FWIW, I do fly a fair amount in my role in Sales and Marketing. I have already made Plat on AA, where I've taken most of my business.