I think you need to read more carefully before commenting. I will explain:
1. I wrote: "The Envoy Class check-in agents at PHL did not seem very professional at first and provided no assistance. However, when I showed an agent proof that the kiosk would not let me print my boarding pass because I had more than 3 legs in my itinerary..." Thus, I maintain my opinion: it is not professional to direct customers to the kiosks so that you can continue talking to your colleagues... this would be unacceptable for Y class, and completely out of place in J. I knew that I had a complex itinerary and that's why I requested help to begin with, only to be told to use the kiosk, and then an agent helped me when I showed proof that the kiosk would not let me check-in. After that, the agent was helpful, even taking the time to check entry requirements for Sri Lanka, and was much nicer. I like giving credit where it is due.
2. Have you been at a United Club recently? UA claims that it has merged with CO to become the world's leading premier airline, and its lounges are falling apart, have no glassware, and less food than US Airways Clubs. AA and DL's clubs tend to be slightly better than UA/CO's, but still below US'. Therefore, in this soft aspect, I still think US is the winner. I can understand you are upset about the closing of the former Envoy Class lounge (trust me, I was too!), but in my experience, US Airways Clubs are still superior to those of the competition.
3. With regards to your comments on the crew, again, please read more carefully. I stated: "The three ladies serving the Envoy Class cabin seemed a bit unpolished, but what they lacked in classy touches, they made up for in their extremely hard-working and friendly attitude." Let me rephrase it: my Air China crew between PEK and SIN was wearing very elegant uniforms and seemed like the epitome of what cabin crews should be, but they were unfriendly, lazy (not even offering water after the meal service on a 6-hour flight), and clearly disliked their jobs. I'd take a slightly unpolished but hard-working and friendly crew over a superficially polished one who cannot be bothered to look after passengers' well-being every time.
4. Another soft aspect that I appreciate about the new Envoy is the china. It is just lovely... makes AA's long-haul J china look almost as the same level of McDonald's, which has no china.
