A 10 Year FT Perspective

zrs70 · May 22, 09, 6:49 pm

I haven't quite been on this board 10 years. (I think I joined in 2000). But It's interesting to look at UA/ MP then vs now.

Here's what we once had, the good mixed with the bad:
Paper Upgrade Certificates

United Connection

Really bad C seats in domestic business

Luggage sizers on the security belt

Discount awards for two people on same PNR

No *A awards (either all UA metal or all partner metal/ no mix and match)

City Ticket Offices

Two sets of SWU's sent. One upon gaining status, and one at the beginning of the year (12 in all)

Long check in lines/ no on line check in

No change fees for 1K's (for advance, same day changes)

SGJazz · May 22, 09, 6:51 pm

Free Meals In Coach

stargold · May 22, 09, 7:07 pm

Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame in International First...

Yes, it has been a while!

flyinbob · May 22, 09, 7:13 pm

I LOVED United Connection.

Don't forget 747s and DC10s on domestic routes, even routes like ORD-IND or CLE. I used to do UA 119, the last flight of the night ORD-LAX. A 747.

warreng24 · May 22, 09, 7:17 pm

TED

Shuttle by United

**MileageAddict** · May 22, 09, 7:17 pm

You want to cry? Take a look at the United Saver Award Chart and the Upgrade Chart from June 2000.

MatthewLAX · May 22, 09, 7:21 pm

"Connoisseur" Class

SGJazz · May 22, 09, 7:22 pm

I seem to remember paying for headphones to watch the movie, I think it was in the 80's.

ORDnHKG · May 22, 09, 7:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyinbob

I LOVED United Connection.

I used to do UA 119, the last flight of the night ORD-LAX. A 747.

That 747 works the other way as well, UA 120 for the redeye back to ORD.

Whenever I did that flight, it was always 100% full F, C, Y. F and C were served the old deli plate (turkey breast, chicken breast, roast beef with a bun and small side of marcroni and cheese)

Somehow I don't quite understand why would it has a 747 for LAX-ORD redeye back then but not SFO-ORD. LAX-ORD redeye now becomes a 2 class 763, while SFO-ORD got 2 class 777.

Btw, back then I think there were 3 744 for ORD-SFO. UA 805 then UA 803/809, UA 857 and UA 149

UA 805 was ORD-SFO-HKG, before ORD-HKG nonstop.
UA 857 was ORD-SFO-PVG, before ORD-PVG nonstop.
UA 803/809 was ORD-SFO-KIX, later change to UA 885 ORD-KIX

mauiUAflyer · May 22, 09, 8:16 pm

Entering the airport, and going to the RCC to check-in (assuming you only had hand luggage).

travelinmanS · May 22, 09, 9:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewLAX

"Connoisseur" Class

Complete with 45" pitch and 135 degree recline

**Ocn Vw 1K** · May 22, 09, 9:32 pm

1K rooms in e.g., ORD, DEN, IAD, LAX, SFO, SEA with concierges.

unagi1 · May 22, 09, 9:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by stargold

Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame in International First...

Yes, it has been a while!

Missing the Dom from the late 90's

unagi1 · May 22, 09, 9:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelinmanS

Complete with 45" pitch and 135 degree recline

Don't think it was even close to either of those. Are you referring to those gray seats with the red/white stripes?

travelinmanS · May 22, 09, 9:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by unagi1

Don't think it was even close to either of those. Are you referring to those gray seats with the red/white stripes?

Definitely not the red/white stripes..those would be considered torture by today's standards. I'm talking about when they introduced the new seats (in '97 I think) that are similar to the version still flying around today in the 777's and the 747's that haven't been converted yet. They were a huge improvement over the striped seats but pitch/recline wasn't that great.