I won't deny the operational issues UA is currently having, and their poor shape competitively in terms of customer satisfaction. But someone raised the question "why do we still fly UA??".

I left UA about 3 years ago, moving all of my international business elsewhere and moving as much of my domestic business elsewhere as I could (given my SFO location, easier said than done!). I still avoid UA for international, but have returned to UA for domestic for only ONE reason: cheap First Class fares. The A and P fares United is offering on many domestic routes are too attractive to turn down. Often just about 2x economy fare. For me, that 2x is the magic number. At the same time, I am seeing better service from FAs on my flights. Maybe I am just lucky, or maybe my standards have been so ridiculously lowered, but for whatever reason I am seeing improved service on UA from front line personnel. Not always, but often so.

I still prefer to fly Delta when I can, but UA's cheap first class fares are making me fly them more and more.