Commutair - poor operations of late.
Mar 29, 2017, 3:39 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,024
Yesterday I flew FRA-IAD-JAX and the IAD-JAX had rolling delays. UA offered IAD-EWR-JAX as an alternative with EWR-JAX operated by Commutair. I said no flipping way. Turns out the EWR-JAX flight cancelled. I pity the people who accepted the reroute. Looking at the flight status this morning, looks like they flew an empty plane into JAX from IND last night for this morning's 6AM JAX-EWR flight.
I hope there is some performance penalties built into the contract.
Mar 30, 2017, 10:48 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,024
if i have a need to go Ewr I drive to MCO and fly from there.
Apr 3, 2017, 4:39 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
Spoke with one of their pilots today (on time!!!!). He said they were severely understaffed on the captain side. Apparently they promoted a bunch into UA, then got the contract, and didn't have the capability to fly the routes they committed to. He also said that the splitting of many routes out of EWR with ExpressJet causes double the delays. In the past, it was easier to reposition or simply cancel and consolidate....now they can't do that.
Apr 16, 2017, 6:14 am
#22
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,157
Troubles continue.
My Commutair flight on Friday has already cancelled. Crew Availability.
Now added a connection and several hours of travel time to my day.
My Commutair flight on Friday has already cancelled. Crew Availability.
Now added a connection and several hours of travel time to my day.
Apr 16, 2017, 10:23 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SoCal (ONT), PVD/BOS, JAX, RSW
Programs: AA/US PlatPro & 1.05MM, DL Plat (challenge), UA dirt
Posts: 3,189
This Commutair mess is forcing me with two options to get to PVD...
- Either chance a 47 minute connection in ORD (mainline to express), or,
- Fly on AA via PHL, which leaves at a time that is not convienent, and involves 2 stops.
Apr 16, 2017, 11:28 am
#24
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
David
Apr 16, 2017, 12:17 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SoCal (ONT), PVD/BOS, JAX, RSW
Programs: AA/US PlatPro & 1.05MM, DL Plat (challenge), UA dirt
Posts: 3,189
I'm sure that could change.
Apr 16, 2017, 12:35 pm
#26
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
David
Apr 16, 2017, 4:50 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
I've completely sworn off of Commutair for the remainder of the year in any situation where I have options. I'm certain I'll be back in this thread to complain about a last second booking where I had little or no choice, but I'm actively scheduling away from this carrier.
I'll make AA elite EWR-CLT-??? for my dozen or so trips over the next several months as opposed to flying Commutair direct. Based on my experiences this year, I'll bet I have considerably less travel time with my connections than had I decided to fly straight there.
This is completely unacceptable, and I have absolutely no comprehension as to why UA is ok with it. Personally, this matters much more to me than their IDB policies.
I'll make AA elite EWR-CLT-??? for my dozen or so trips over the next several months as opposed to flying Commutair direct. Based on my experiences this year, I'll bet I have considerably less travel time with my connections than had I decided to fly straight there.
This is completely unacceptable, and I have absolutely no comprehension as to why UA is ok with it. Personally, this matters much more to me than their IDB policies.
Apr 26, 2017, 12:42 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,892
Could UA "lend" some pilots from the mainline operation to Commutair?
(I realize that even if this were logistically possible it could cause some friction because of the differing work rules and pay scales.)
Or could they just take over some of the committed but operationally unreliable
express routes with small mainline a/c?
(I realize that even if this were logistically possible it could cause some friction because of the differing work rules and pay scales.)
Or could they just take over some of the committed but operationally unreliable
express routes with small mainline a/c?
Apr 26, 2017, 8:49 pm
#30
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 253
UA should be getting more 737-700s starting this year. Those will probably displace some UX flights, but it remains to be seen just how many.