Originally Posted by
iahphx
In a nutshell, the basic difference is that CO is generally run by people who know what they're doing, and UA often isn't. So while we sometimes enjoy decent service on UA, it's all a bit random. Sometimes we don't like some of CO's policies, but there's usually a reasonable business justification behind them.
We all know that bad, failing airlines can deliver extraordinary ff benefits. For the short term. But for the longer term, you want the airline to be decently run. CO is. UA has generally not been.
I was intrigued by your use of the term "short term" as it relates to United, since the airline has been in existence since 1926. Not only is it the oldest airline in the United States, but it was actually founded by the same person (Walter Varney) who later would start Continental Airlines.
UA's frequent flyer program has been around since 1981; it is the second oldest ff program after AAdvantage.
As to your comment about UA's uneven style of management, I believe any airline as old as United (or Continental) has had its ups and downs. Can anybody say Frank Lorenzo?