dbehr

To address your point, it's not only the RCC crowding issue. There's a larger and fundamental component, which is the decision to buy a ticket with United to begin with.

In that context, I think that one has to consider a prospective passenger's selection of a carrier in the abstract. There are numerous components to that decision, other than basic transportation, such as perception of value of each carrier's flavor of perks.

I select a carrier partially on the basis of the package of amenities that are helpful to me as a mobile businessman. And to me, Wi-Fi is important. To the degree a carrier eases and satisfies this and other needs while traveling helps cinch the decision to buy a ticket with that carrier. And, I need to communicate with people via e-mail and Skype and I need to eat, because I don't have a lot of time. I also don't like being ripped off by airport eateries.

So, looking at the whole picture of how competitive a carrier is relative to other carriers, I would submit that United would have a competitive edge if it included Wi-Fi and good food available for its passengers, especially 1Ks and Premier Execs, their core revenue producers.

I can't imagine I'm the only one who holds this view.

I fly a lot (I'm a 1K) and, in general, I have not observed overly crowded conditions. Granted, from time-to-time, RCCs become overly populated, but not objectionably so. I've been to the SFO RCC numerous times, as well, although I avoid layovers at SFO and DEN, partially because I can't get a Wi-Fi signal, other than T-Mobile.

So, in conclusion, it's pretty simple; in the end, it's about selling tickets.

United can enhance it's competitive edge by offering free Wi-Fi in its RCCs (food would be nice, too), to its core revenue producers, 1Ks, GS and Premier Execs.