I think we can all agree that UA's international catering quality has significantly declined -- and to a point where they are probably the worst of the major carriers. Having "dated" Kirby on and off for a long time I can tell you this isn't accidental -- with a "superior" route network and a very solid hard product -- they will continue to get the bookings they need to deliver what Wall st. wants -- until they don't...

I've got tons of friends that have never heard of FT and ALL of them know UA's food is just awful -- so I don't think it's just the vocal FT minority -- even my wife hates UA's food and won't eat it (and has never heard of FT) -- but she does like the mattress pads and IFE... UA needs to fix their balance sheet and reduce debt and isn't going to spend another penny unless they have too -- and I don't believe that any soft product enhancements will be coming until UA starts to see share losses in key markets -- I read that on page 13 of the Kirby Cutback Manual....

The airline industry is a really unique ecosystem -- it's like a cutthroat hedge fund run by an actuary that markets themselves as a Ritz Carlton in Monaco but delivers the Holiday Inn Express in Des Moines - unless there is bad weather then you are on your own....