Will US survive this "weekend meltdown?"
Mar 19, 2007, 7:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum; US Gold; DL Silver
Posts: 941
Will US survive this "weekend meltdown?"
I am hearing from enraged US loyalists who gave me a hard time for getting a status match from Delta, who are still waiting to get on US metal from PHL and DCA, speaking of ruined vacations and complete breakdown in communications with US.
It sounds even worse than the JetBlue fiasco.
With such a dramatic rupture in confidence, with the problems of the reservation changeover happening not much further before, am I the only one starting to wonder if this is going to have long-term consequences on US's business?
I know devout Southwest loathers who are now talking about booking on SWA in Philly whenever possible, who tell me of full happy flights of SWA leaving Philly while US Airways had just lines. It sounded like a complete and total nightmare -- even worse than the experiences of colleagues of mine who were stuck in NYC for an extra day.
It sounds even worse than the JetBlue fiasco.
With such a dramatic rupture in confidence, with the problems of the reservation changeover happening not much further before, am I the only one starting to wonder if this is going to have long-term consequences on US's business?
I know devout Southwest loathers who are now talking about booking on SWA in Philly whenever possible, who tell me of full happy flights of SWA leaving Philly while US Airways had just lines. It sounded like a complete and total nightmare -- even worse than the experiences of colleagues of mine who were stuck in NYC for an extra day.
Mar 19, 2007, 7:28 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 736
Would love to see US flyers leave for Southwest
It would be great if more folks hopped aboard Southwest.. Yes, there are the "I won't fly Southwest they don't assign seats" crowd out there. Know what? If you have a ticket, checked in with ample time, showed up, etc, you'll get a seat. If there's a few of you traveling together, you'll likely get seats together. Don't want to stand in a long line? Get an "A" Group, wait for all of A to board, then board at the end of "A" still get a great seat.
You (97 pct of the time) won't get a rude flight attendant, a "its not my job" fight between the GA and FA, a pilot who hides behind the cockpit when there's a delay (I like how the WN pilots come out and talk with folks during these situations, smile, put a postiive spin on things).
A friend flew US in January - I had a US voucher and they flew to a small airport not served by WN - anyway, I hated how though we printed our boarding pass at home, when we got to the baggage check they made us use the kiosk again. Hello? What's the point of that? with the BP at least I get something in my hands I can use, but since the agent prints the tag, slaps it on, why can't they just do it?
A WN rep would have gladly helped without forcing the non-useuful (in that specific situation) technology on us. Oh, yeah, and WN Kiosks work!
You (97 pct of the time) won't get a rude flight attendant, a "its not my job" fight between the GA and FA, a pilot who hides behind the cockpit when there's a delay (I like how the WN pilots come out and talk with folks during these situations, smile, put a postiive spin on things).
A friend flew US in January - I had a US voucher and they flew to a small airport not served by WN - anyway, I hated how though we printed our boarding pass at home, when we got to the baggage check they made us use the kiosk again. Hello? What's the point of that? with the BP at least I get something in my hands I can use, but since the agent prints the tag, slaps it on, why can't they just do it?
A WN rep would have gladly helped without forcing the non-useuful (in that specific situation) technology on us. Oh, yeah, and WN Kiosks work!
Mar 19, 2007, 7:31 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 94
It would be great if more folks hopped aboard Southwest.. Yes, there are the "I won't fly Southwest they don't assign seats" crowd out there. Know what? If you have a ticket, checked in with ample time, showed up, etc, you'll get a seat. If there's a few of you traveling together, you'll likely get seats together. Don't want to stand in a long line? Get an "A" Group, wait for all of A to board, then board at the end of "A" still get a great seat.
You (97 pct of the time) won't get a rude flight attendant, a "its not my job" fight between the GA and FA, a pilot who hides behind the cockpit when there's a delay (I like how the WN pilots come out and talk with folks during these situations, smile, put a postiive spin on things).
A friend flew US in January - I had a US voucher and they flew to a small airport not served by WN - anyway, I hated how though we printed our boarding pass at home, when we got to the baggage check they made us use the kiosk again. Hello? What's the point of that? with the BP at least I get something in my hands I can use, but since the agent prints the tag, slaps it on, why can't they just do it?
A WN rep would have gladly helped without forcing the non-useuful (in that specific situation) technology on us. Oh, yeah, and WN Kiosks work!
You (97 pct of the time) won't get a rude flight attendant, a "its not my job" fight between the GA and FA, a pilot who hides behind the cockpit when there's a delay (I like how the WN pilots come out and talk with folks during these situations, smile, put a postiive spin on things).
A friend flew US in January - I had a US voucher and they flew to a small airport not served by WN - anyway, I hated how though we printed our boarding pass at home, when we got to the baggage check they made us use the kiosk again. Hello? What's the point of that? with the BP at least I get something in my hands I can use, but since the agent prints the tag, slaps it on, why can't they just do it?
A WN rep would have gladly helped without forcing the non-useuful (in that specific situation) technology on us. Oh, yeah, and WN Kiosks work!
I hope that US fliers leave US for another legacy carrier. In most respects, all five of them are better. We don't need WN adding any more flights (well anywhere for that matter) but especially in PHL. The airport is already over-crowded as it is. the WN ramp-up was the icing on the cake.
Mar 19, 2007, 7:33 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum; US Gold; DL Silver
Posts: 941
If WN can get Philly flyers where they need to go, that's all that matters to most people at this point.
I cannot believe US would allow its crown jewel hub to descend to the chaos being seen right now. It's just shocking.
I cannot believe US would allow its crown jewel hub to descend to the chaos being seen right now. It's just shocking.
Mar 19, 2007, 8:37 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Liverpool, England
Posts: 1,080
I am hearing from enraged US loyalists who gave me a hard time for getting a status match from Delta, who are still waiting to get on US metal from PHL and DCA, speaking of ruined vacations and complete breakdown in communications with US.
It sounds even worse than the JetBlue fiasco.
With such a dramatic rupture in confidence, with the problems of the reservation changeover happening not much further before, am I the only one starting to wonder if this is going to have long-term consequences on US's business?
I know devout Southwest loathers who are now talking about booking on SWA in Philly whenever possible, who tell me of full happy flights of SWA leaving Philly while US Airways had just lines. It sounded like a complete and total nightmare -- even worse than the experiences of colleagues of mine who were stuck in NYC for an extra day.
It sounds even worse than the JetBlue fiasco.
With such a dramatic rupture in confidence, with the problems of the reservation changeover happening not much further before, am I the only one starting to wonder if this is going to have long-term consequences on US's business?
I know devout Southwest loathers who are now talking about booking on SWA in Philly whenever possible, who tell me of full happy flights of SWA leaving Philly while US Airways had just lines. It sounded like a complete and total nightmare -- even worse than the experiences of colleagues of mine who were stuck in NYC for an extra day.
Mar 19, 2007, 8:51 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 77
US Airways VP on NBC 10
Just saw a live interview this afternoon on NBC 10 in Philly with a young woman, a "senior v.p.' based in Tempe. She said their 'meteorologists' told them PHL would get snow, not freezing rain and sleet last Friday. This, after every single Philly weather person accurately predicted sleet for most of the day!
That's the reason she gave for not cancelling US flights, like UA did.
Meanwhile, a mountain of lost luggage grows at PHL.
That's the reason she gave for not cancelling US flights, like UA did.
Meanwhile, a mountain of lost luggage grows at PHL.
Mar 19, 2007, 8:55 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7,541
Just saw a live interview this afternoon on NBC 10 in Philly with a young woman, a "senior v.p.' based in Tempe. She said their 'meteorologists' told them PHL would get snow, not freezing rain and sleet last Friday. This, after every single Philly weather person accurately predicted sleet for most of the day!
That's the reason she gave for not cancelling US flights, like UA did.
Meanwhile, a mountain of lost luggage grows at PHL.
That's the reason she gave for not cancelling US flights, like UA did.
Meanwhile, a mountain of lost luggage grows at PHL.
oh wait thats the Mesa SOC...my apologies 
Mar 19, 2007, 8:56 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Commuting around the mid-atlantic and rust-belt on any number of RJs
Programs: TSA Random Selectee Platinum, * Gold, SPG/HH/MR mid-tier, and a tiny bag of pretzels.
Posts: 9,255
PHL, relative to other airports (and US hubs) has always been this bad. It's just that the bar for "bad" keeps sinking systemwide.
Mar 19, 2007, 9:37 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 94
So, US flying a couple of hundred express flights/day with the same seating capacity as LUV's 40 flights is not contributing to the overcrowding how?
PHL, relative to other airports (and US hubs) has always been this bad. It's just that the bar for "bad" keeps sinking systemwide.
PHL, relative to other airports (and US hubs) has always been this bad. It's just that the bar for "bad" keeps sinking systemwide.
Secondly, everyone bashes Express flights but you have to remember that many of those provide essential air service to places that wouldn't have it otherwise (WN ain't gonna fly to ITH, SBY, ELM, etc.)
Don't get me wrong - I can't stand the New US. I'm a former CP who has headed elsewhere - AA to be exact and love it. And even though I now sit in coach all the time, I still prefer it. I'll hopefully make it to EXP by the end of the year.
What I will defend is the full network carrier airline. Everyone seems to jump on the WN, Jet Blue, etc. band wagon without realizing what they are giving up as a personal consumer (actual recognition for flying frequently, a FF prgm. which can take you somewhere beyond Albany, an FF pgrm. which allows you to spoil yourself in Business class on some of the world's top airlines, interline agreements, seat assignments which I don't care what you say you can't always check in 24 hrs in advance for the "A" group) and as a citizen (airlines that provide national service rather than cherry pick some profitable routes).
Mar 19, 2007, 9:59 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PIT/DFW/MEL; AA Exec. Platinum & 4MM, QF WP
Posts: 7,689
Mar 19, 2007, 10:04 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: High Point, NC
Programs: None
Posts: 9,171
And I'd be surprised if even 10% of the 270+ Express flights a day @ PHL are EAS.
Jim
Jim
Mar 19, 2007, 10:16 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: USAir, SPG, Marriott, Hyatt, Avis, Hertz
Posts: 29
Just saw a live interview this afternoon on NBC 10 in Philly with a young woman, a "senior v.p.' based in Tempe. She said their 'meteorologists' told them PHL would get snow, not freezing rain and sleet last Friday. This, after every single Philly weather person accurately predicted sleet for most of the day!
That's the reason she gave for not cancelling US flights, like UA did.
Meanwhile, a mountain of lost luggage grows at PHL.
That's the reason she gave for not cancelling US flights, like UA did.
Meanwhile, a mountain of lost luggage grows at PHL.
Mar 20, 2007, 8:46 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: DL PM, AA Plat, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, SPG Platinum, National Emerald Exec
Posts: 564
It would be great if more folks hopped aboard Southwest.. Yes, there are the "I won't fly Southwest they don't assign seats" crowd out there. Know what? If you have a ticket, checked in with ample time, showed up, etc, you'll get a seat. If there's a few of you traveling together, you'll likely get seats together. Don't want to stand in a long line? Get an "A" Group, wait for all of A to board, then board at the end of "A" still get a great seat.
You (97 pct of the time) won't get a rude flight attendant, a "its not my job" fight between the GA and FA, a pilot who hides behind the cockpit when there's a delay (I like how the WN pilots come out and talk with folks during these situations, smile, put a postiive spin on things).
A friend flew US in January - I had a US voucher and they flew to a small airport not served by WN - anyway, I hated how though we printed our boarding pass at home, when we got to the baggage check they made us use the kiosk again. Hello? What's the point of that? with the BP at least I get something in my hands I can use, but since the agent prints the tag, slaps it on, why can't they just do it?
A WN rep would have gladly helped without forcing the non-useuful (in that specific situation) technology on us. Oh, yeah, and WN Kiosks work!
You (97 pct of the time) won't get a rude flight attendant, a "its not my job" fight between the GA and FA, a pilot who hides behind the cockpit when there's a delay (I like how the WN pilots come out and talk with folks during these situations, smile, put a postiive spin on things).
A friend flew US in January - I had a US voucher and they flew to a small airport not served by WN - anyway, I hated how though we printed our boarding pass at home, when we got to the baggage check they made us use the kiosk again. Hello? What's the point of that? with the BP at least I get something in my hands I can use, but since the agent prints the tag, slaps it on, why can't they just do it?
A WN rep would have gladly helped without forcing the non-useuful (in that specific situation) technology on us. Oh, yeah, and WN Kiosks work!
Mar 20, 2007, 8:56 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: CLT
Posts: 7,249
What I will defend is the full network carrier airline. Everyone seems to jump on the WN, Jet Blue, etc. band wagon without realizing what they are giving up as a personal consumer (actual recognition for flying frequently, a FF prgm. which can take you somewhere beyond Albany, an FF pgrm. which allows you to spoil yourself in Business class on some of the world's top airlines, interline agreements, seat assignments which I don't care what you say you can't always check in 24 hrs in advance for the "A" group) and as a citizen (airlines that provide national service rather than cherry pick some profitable routes).
Mar 20, 2007, 10:26 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Phila, PA
Posts: 891
Enough Help
In today's Philadelphia Inquirer (Business Section, p.1) there is an article discussing the staffing levels over the last debacle. Written by Tom Belden, it includes some quotes from the PTB out west.
My favorite one is from Kirby, "The anecdotal feedback we're getting is good."
"I get far more positive e-mails and letters than I have in the past." He says that complaints have fallen in the last few months.
I guess that means perhaps he got two positive e-mails instead of none. Sounds like he has been taking spin-meister lessons. Or perhaps that's what helped him get the job.
Jane (Pfed up in Philly)
My favorite one is from Kirby, "The anecdotal feedback we're getting is good."
"I get far more positive e-mails and letters than I have in the past." He says that complaints have fallen in the last few months.
I guess that means perhaps he got two positive e-mails instead of none. Sounds like he has been taking spin-meister lessons. Or perhaps that's what helped him get the job.
Jane (Pfed up in Philly)