IMHO, SkyClub reps (especially in the smaller clubs) are among the remaining bright spots in the DL network.

I have been helped frequently in IRROP situations with the SkyClub personnel accomplishing itinerary repairs that, I am firmly convinced, SMS would not have been able to do as quickly or as competently... sometimes doing what SMS had already told me could not be done.

Hence, my frustration with DL management's incompetence in addressing the SkyClub situation in PHL. Four months (...or six months... or eight months, depending upon your level of pessimism) without a SkyClub (and, therefore, without access to competent SkyClub staff) in PHL will be a royal PITA.

With staff cutbacks, the staff in smaller clubs are often checking members in, addressing itinerary issues, and tending the bar... sometimes one person to do all during certain times of the day.

As for the larger clubs, especially in ATL, I am less enthusiastic. I am left to speculate what is is about ATL that sucks the interest in providing customer service out of some (thankfully, not all) of the staff. (Must be the same virus that affects executive management on Virginia Ave.)

Back to the smaller clubs... staff there have the advantage of being able to get to know the PAX, which I believe improves the interactions.

On balance, a ^ for SkyClub staff.