"United's decision to raise business fares as much as $100 each way just before Thanksgiving proves exactly how cruel, calculating and utterly incompetent the airline's management really is. To raise fares the equivalent of about 10 percent while you are running the worst airline in the country is cruel. To raise fares while business travelers' attention is diverted by the holidays and the Presidential election is calculating. To impose a record-breaking fare increase after your domestic traffic has plummeted during each of the last four months is simply incompetent. We already know that no one at the top levels United's management knows how to run an airline. It appears none of them knows how to run a business, either.

And shame on all the other airlines that went along with that United-initiated fare increase. According to American Express, the "typical business" fare in September jumped 13 percent compared to the third quarter of 1999. Can someone--anyone?--explain to me what the airlines have done for us that justifies adding as much as $100 more each way on top of that breathtaking 13 percent year-over-year fare hike? Or do the airlines think they deserve to raise prices at the same speed as their on-time performance has deteriorated?"

-Joe B.
biztravel

"The nation's largest airline is a national disgrace. Its unprecedented collapse this summer was a direct result of management playing a losing game of chicken with its pilots. Yet United is now pursuing the same disastrous strategy with mechanics. The result? Unscheduled cancellations are skyrocketing again. And even though it padded its schedule throughout the summer--when fewer than half of its flights ran on time--the airline's on-time arrival performance in November was once again below 70 percent. United's reward for loyal customers? No protection of their elite frequent-flyer status and last month's dumbfounding 10 percent price hike. But passengers are resisting: United's domestic traffic has plummeted for five consecutive months. My rating: Avoid"


-Joe B.
biztravel

[This message has been edited by doc (edited 12-08-2000).]