I'll start with a caveat - I'm more a NW flyer than a UA flyer - however, being a DC based biz traveler, I'm often times flying on UA. I think they have a great FF program from a redemption standpoint, decent customer service, and terrible on-time flying history (and I think it's crap that they don't give free internet in the RCC like NW & CO do in their clubs - but I digress).

I'm on my last flight of the year, sitting at LAX in the RCC, using a pass that another FTer gave to me since it was expiring on 12/31/06, getting ready to get on the 10:25 LAX-IAD redeye, booked in F, and this flight will qualify me for Premier. In 2006, I was a UA PremEx & a NW Plat logging on a heck of a lot of miles traveling about 60% of the time for business - all domestic (which is why I prefer NW, they give me upgrades). I do believe that its ridiculous that as a UA PremEx, I've had hold times over the phone that have been more than 15 minutes during normal ops (yes, during the Denver snow storm, I can understand - but when it's a normal day, it shouldn't take 15 minutes to talk to someone when calling the elite line...but I digress...).

So, reflecting on the 28 segments I've flown on UA in 2006 (about to be 29), I can honestly say that literally every single biz trip I've been on where flights were operated by United or Ted, I've had at least 2 delayed flights by more than 5-10 minutes. The only time I've ever had every flight depart on time was when I flew UX IAD-TYS-IAD. UX, for me, has better on-time departures (though not always out of IAD, but generally back into IAD) than any mainline. With NW, I flew about 76 segments this year & I think I was only delayed about 4 times by more than 5-10 minutes.

So, that brings me to my question - about what percentage of your UA/Ted operated flights have been delayed this year? - for me, it's 100%. It's gotten to the point where I really just hate United. United Express carriers, no problem - UA's ground & inflight staff - no problems (except I will say they need to do something to expedite elite check-ins at IAD - but friendly staff nonetheless - although I don't think the ORD agents are very friendly - all DTW, MSP, and MEM agents I've dealt with have been friendly - maybe I just get bad apples?).

The main reason I decided to fly the 27K EQMs on UA this year (and that's including my LAX-IAD flight that I'm about to take) is that since I'm DC based, UA's got a great route network and it doesn't make sense for me to fly to DTW to get to TYS (and yes, I know I'm the mileage run moderator - but I've still got to cover my behind when it comes to trips I'm expensing for work - they know how I like to route & if it's more expensive, they'll frown upon it & may crack down on me) and since I'll have to occassionally fly on UA, I may as well do it in E+ rather than E-.

But the lack of on-time departures is killing me...especially when I'm just trying to go home.

Gotta roll out soon...assuming my flight'll be on time...

PS - this was prompted by overhearing at least 5 phone conversations for people on different flights calling their loved ones telling them that their flights are delayed - that & 2 of my flights on this 5 flight itin have already been delayed...