Originally Posted by
mike_plat
The discussion about keeping the tulip misses the point. It is an iconic branding for many, many people. Unfortunately, they associate it with crap. It's cheaper and faster to drop it than to try to change the perception.
If you love the tulip, then blame Tilton for its demise. Rather than restoring the brand post-haste in BK or quickly afterwards, he dithered for years moaning about how he needs to combine with a smaller airline to save UA. That is such a crock. The board should have dumped him like a bad habit years ago.
Am I the only one just a bit tired about hearing how
this or
that airline is "crap", as if they all haven't had to adapt to a market in which the consumer is more concerned with price than quality?
The darkest days of UA were behind them
before this merger was announced. Get over it. If people want the experience of flying in the 70s, then we'll be paying, what, $1k min for a transcon (adjusting prices for inflation)? Would any normal person be able to afford traveling overseas?
Forget this nonsense about people associating the Tulip and UA in general with dreadful experiences. That's pretty much what they associate
all flying with. And yet... they still have their loyalties, based upon FF programs (which United has done very well with), pricing, and convenience.
Continuity is
not such a bad thing. Creating a new airline out of thin air (or two existing carriers) would do little to raise customer expectation. Keep people in their same habits, habits that have kept CO and UA afloat, and try to be a bit better, and you'll succeed. Don't throw out everything "old" thinking it's just bad memories.
