WSJ: United Continental Struggles to Stabilize
Jun 8, 2014, 4:13 pm
#1
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WSJ: United Continental Struggles to Stabilize
Article in tomorrow's WSJ on United's continuing challenges. Not surprisingly, more excuses and promises from United...
Interesting to see how increasingly widely UA's struggles (that we all have been seeing for years) are now being picked up broadly.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/unite...LEFTTopStories
Interesting to see how increasingly widely UA's struggles (that we all have been seeing for years) are now being picked up broadly.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/unite...LEFTTopStories
Jun 8, 2014, 4:18 pm
#2
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I believe this link will allow the full article to be displayed:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...68445247,d.aWw
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...68445247,d.aWw
Jun 8, 2014, 4:20 pm
#3
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Their responses are like some old Laurel and Hardy comedy...blame, blame, blame instead of listen, fix, listen, fix.
Jun 8, 2014, 4:47 pm
#4
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I love this statement -"United says it has improved passenger experience with lie-flat seats and Wi-Fi, as well as better airport facilities like new clubs and terminals."
Other than the lie-flat seats comment, the remainder of this statement is a flat out lie. Wi-Fi isn't close to being operational across the entire fleet, only a few UC's have been renovated/updated, and other than SFO and IAH where individual terminals have been renovated, the vast number of United facilities are today what they were four years ago - some good, some not so good. And let's not even talk about the dark aircraft and crappy new seats on the Airbus.
I don't know why the media doesn't call them on these lies.
Other than the lie-flat seats comment, the remainder of this statement is a flat out lie. Wi-Fi isn't close to being operational across the entire fleet, only a few UC's have been renovated/updated, and other than SFO and IAH where individual terminals have been renovated, the vast number of United facilities are today what they were four years ago - some good, some not so good. And let's not even talk about the dark aircraft and crappy new seats on the Airbus.
I don't know why the media doesn't call them on these lies.
Jun 8, 2014, 4:51 pm
#5
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I love this statement -"United says it has improved passenger experience with lie-flat seats and Wi-Fi, as well as better airport facilities like new clubs and terminals."
Other than the lie-flat seats comment, the remainder of this statement is a flat out lie. Wi-Fi isn't close to being operational across the entire fleet, only a few UC's have been renovated/updated, and other than SFO and IAH where individual terminals have been renovated, the vast number of United facilities are today what they were four years ago - some good, some not so good. And let's not even talk about the dark aircraft and crappy new seats on the Airbus.
I don't know why the media doesn't call them on these lies.
Other than the lie-flat seats comment, the remainder of this statement is a flat out lie. Wi-Fi isn't close to being operational across the entire fleet, only a few UC's have been renovated/updated, and other than SFO and IAH where individual terminals have been renovated, the vast number of United facilities are today what they were four years ago - some good, some not so good. And let's not even talk about the dark aircraft and crappy new seats on the Airbus.
I don't know why the media doesn't call them on these lies.
In the past four years:
- More planes have WiFi than did before.
- New Clubs have been opened and some have been remodeled.
- SAN, BOS, LHR, IAH and SFO have new terminals
Therefore, this isn't a lie. You might like to have more done faster, we all would, but it isn't factually incorrect.
Jun 8, 2014, 5:03 pm
#6
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Exactly ... clueless!
United executives blame several factors, including "inadequate training" of employees by the old United, a buildup of flights to the U.S. by Chinese carriers and too much reliance on small regional jets. Last fall, the company's use of faulty information caused the airline to sell too many seats too cheaply, denting its revenue even after it made fixes.
Jun 8, 2014, 5:08 pm
#7
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United executives blame several factors, including "inadequate training" of employees by the old United, a buildup of flights to the U.S. by Chinese carriers and too much reliance on small regional jets. Last fall, the company's use of faulty information caused the airline to sell too many seats too cheaply, denting its revenue even after it made fixes.
Perhaps these executives including the CEO need to look in the mirror and see who is causing the "problems" at the "new UA".
United Airlines traces its claim to be the oldest commercial airline in the United States to the Varney Air Lines air mail service of Walter Varney, who also founded Continental Airlines.
UA was formed by Varney Air Lines in 1926.
Take off the rose colored glasses, take a whiff of the UA coffee, suck on a lime wedge and give your employees a little slack and don't bash them in the media. Work as a team.
God it must suck working with a management team like this.
To the workers at UA - keep your chin up. A few more months of losing money and this "Texas think" arrogant CEO will be gone.
Jun 8, 2014, 5:12 pm
#8
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I'm so not going to be a UA apologist, but...
In the past four years:
Therefore, this isn't a lie. You might like to have more done faster, we all would, but it isn't factually incorrect.
In the past four years:
- More planes have WiFi than did before.
- New Clubs have been opened and some have been remodeled.
- SAN, BOS, LHR, IAH and SFO have new terminals
Therefore, this isn't a lie. You might like to have more done faster, we all would, but it isn't factually incorrect.
My point is are they spending their money on the right things? Customers can tell very quickly when something is done halfway, and it can actually have the opposite effect of what UA intends.
Bottom line, maybe not lies, but I think these statements are meant to divert attention from the real issues.
Jun 8, 2014, 5:14 pm
#9
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Inadequate training of employees by the "old United", really? That's a pathetic excuse that I feel has no basis in reality. The union leader has it spot-on, management is making short-sighted and bad decisions which explains their poor performance.
Jun 8, 2014, 5:19 pm
#10
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Excuse. excuse. excuse. Blame. blame. blame.
Perhaps these executives including the CEO need to look in the mirror and see who is causing the "problems" at the "new UA".
So I guess "inadequate training" of employees by the old United since 1926 is why this CEO and BOD are in trouble.
Take off the rose colored glasses, take a whiff of the UA coffee, suck on a lime wedge and give your employees a little slack and don't bash them in the media. Work as a team.
God it must suck working with a management team like this.
To the workers at UA - keep your chin up. A few more months of losing money and this "Texas think" arrogant CEO will be gone.
Perhaps these executives including the CEO need to look in the mirror and see who is causing the "problems" at the "new UA".
So I guess "inadequate training" of employees by the old United since 1926 is why this CEO and BOD are in trouble.
Take off the rose colored glasses, take a whiff of the UA coffee, suck on a lime wedge and give your employees a little slack and don't bash them in the media. Work as a team.
God it must suck working with a management team like this.
To the workers at UA - keep your chin up. A few more months of losing money and this "Texas think" arrogant CEO will be gone.
Jun 8, 2014, 5:20 pm
#11
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Sure, but this is nothing new; the moment UA started its "flyer friendly" campaign, we all knew how much a joke the airline had become. It was a sure sign that they don't care about FFs/HVFs because those are the people who know the truth from personal experience. The message it sends is that UA is content scamming kettles who don't know any better.
Jun 8, 2014, 5:21 pm
#12
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Not to mention the fact that Smisek has had nearly four years to retrain them!
Jun 8, 2014, 5:22 pm
#13
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Jun 8, 2014, 5:23 pm
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Jun 8, 2014, 5:25 pm
#15
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Jeff is incapable of thinking or even developing an appropriate strategy. He most likely got into Princeton and Harvard because of his family's wealth. Seriously, have you seen his videos? He'd struggle to make a C- in any public speaking class at a world class university. Under his reign of terror, not a single positive thing has occurred at United. The airline is nothing more than a global Spirit these days.