I am a US CP and have been for as long as I can remember. Without exaggerating, prior to this past Friday, my last 200 flights have been on US. More likely it has been 400 US flights. I am loyal beyond words. I read (and experience first hand) the decline in service. But the reality is that I am upgraded 95%+ of the time, and have just resolved that air travel is not what it used to me.

The Context of this rant: This weekend, I attended the Continental DO in Houston. It was a sold out event that brought 525 people from all over the country and other countries as well. Based partially on individual selections and partly on luck, participants got to participant in a variety of activities including riding in the simulator (and flying it), actually taking a ride on a plane configured with new IFE (direct TV) while their CEO and other top level employess wore aprons pouring chamagne; tour their catering facility, see their baggage resolution operation and even visit their executive offices. (and this was just Saturday morning). Saturday afternoon there were Q & A sessions with Larry Kelner (CEO) and other top level people regarding CO product development, FF enhancements, IFE and internet issues, etc. Friday night their was a welcoming party at a local hotel and Saturday night, their was a party in one of their hangers on the field, complete with catered food, open bar, live entertainment, and games where winners won miles. CO figured out several years ago to use this show and tell event (which costs them plenty...think of the jet fuel to take 3 plane loads of people on a tour of Houston for an hour at a time) as a focus group session for the airline. Figure out what works, what doesnt and what at least this group of frequent fliers (admit fanatics in most case) wants. Oh, and the cost: your transportation to Houston. Event cost: $0.00.

So on Friday, I board a CO flight to Houston. I felt a little like a cheater...US flies there and nobody would have been the wiser, but I felt like it was the right thing to do since it was a CO event. I had written to CO when the whole mile debacle came down and asked for a status match, which I was given but had never used. Upgrades are not nearly as generous and it was not until 24 prior to my flight that I was upgraded. From what I hear, even top tiers don't get upgraded with regular frequency, but I was. Cool. except it was a 737.

As I am waiting to board, I seem to be the only person that is standing right by the podium. At US, the line starts building 15 minutes+ prior to boarding. I get on the plane and realize why: The overheads are gigantic and very sufficient for the 16 F passengers. No issues at all. I get my pre-departure drink. I chuckle to myself because it comes with a logoed stir-stick. I dont think I have seen one of those for 5 years! Seats are comfortable, definately more room than on US, IFE with a short and then a tv show of some sort, similar to what US used to have and 12 channels of music. Cocktails are served: glassware of course with a package of almonds. Dinner is offered: tonight we have three items, please let us know what components you would like...hot chicken wrap, Tomatoe Basis soup, and a dinner salad. No other choices. I'll try all three. It comes on a tray with a piece of linen. Silverware, linen napkin and a wine class. The FA's 2 of 4 working up front at this point insure that no wine class gets below 1/2 full. Oh yea, Peppridge Farm cookies for desert. I was totally blown away. It has been so many years that I have seen so much attention. (btw, CO serves meals in Y as well, generally a sandwich and something healthy like a bag of carrots).

Today, I came home on a CO 757. This was a much older plane but F still had 16 seats and which were their business first seats. They certainly are not lie flat seats, but the they go back considerably, and there are foot rests that come out with the push of a button. You could not stretch out far enough to touch the seat in front of you. IFE was in the armrest and was AVOD: music, games, shorts, full length movies, flight path map "where are we now...). Cocktail before takeoff, breakfast (Ham and cheese sandwich or cold cereal and banana (in its skin). both came with yogurt, fresh sliced fruit. Once the meals were passed out, the FA came through F with fresh big cinnamon rolls! Again, the crew could not do enough to please us.

CO has gone through some extremely rough times over the years (remember peoples express acquisition that pushed them into bankruptcy?). Kellner came in and decided that their horrible reputation was unacceptable and apparently decided to change it.

As a pax, please explain why I would fly US rather than CO, price being similar which it generally is?

I wouldnt rant if I didn't care. I want to support my local economy. I want US to be successful. It is good for me and it is good for Arizona (and of course the workforce, shareholders etc).

I know that there are plenty of people that grip about CO (as well as AA UA and all of the others), but at least CO acts like they care.

Much of my travel is short hops on the west coast. US will continue to be my carrier given the choices. Mid haul and long haul domestic, I am looking forward to many connections in Houston, which I know has its share of weather challenges, etc. I just can't (and won't) give US the same money that CO ask for and returns a much superior product. I feel like I am one of the lasts fools that has bought into "this is what we need to do"

If Parker and Kirby can't emmulate a model similar to CO which apparently is pretty successful, maybe its time to bring in people that can.

(at the CO event, people actually asked me if US "REALLY" charges for water. Sheepishly, I had to tell them the truth..."except if you are sick, I understand that policy is you are given a cup of water.) Embarrassing to say the least.

Oh yeah: don't even get me started on the PDA delivery of boarding passes. TSA scans the image on my treo looks at my ID and away I go. CO also scans you in as you board. CO worked extensively with TSA to get this working at IAH and apparently is rolling this all out systemwide! Awesome.