Oct 14, 2015, 9:41 am
Last edit by: JDiver
Reminiscence / Nostalgia: Saying "Goodbye" to US Airways
Tributes, memories, photos, etc.
Tributes, memories, photos, etc.
This thread is for your experiences, memories, tributes, photos, etc. with US Airways, US Air, America West, Piedmont, etc. Purely negative and snarky comments will be summarily deleted.
This thread was in the legacy US Airways forum until October 17, 2015, when it moved to the "Combined" (now American Airlines | AAdvantage) forum for members' convenience and further additions.
/AA Moderator team
LUS: Reminisce / Nostalgia: "Goodbye US Airways" - tributes, photo essays, etc.
Oct 18, 2015, 8:30 pm
#106
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
https://sites.google.com/site/newamericanfleet/
Oct 18, 2015, 11:02 pm
#107
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: IAH
Programs: *AG, Choice Privileges Elite Diamond, SPG Gold, La Quinta Returns Gold, Wyndham Rewards Gold
Posts: 466
My thanks to the US OAK station.
Years ago, I took a hop from PHX to OAK, late on a Sunday evening. I left a paperback book on the plane. I didn't realize it until well after I had gone past the security station at OAK. It wasn't an expensive book, but it was a Christmas present from my daughter, so it had more sentimental value than anything else.
I asked the counter attendant at OAK station to retrieve it for me. I waited there for 30 minutes, never expecting to get my book back. Remarkably, the attendant showed up with the book - and he won my eternal gratitude. Somehow, that incident always stood out in my mind, of solid, professional service from an airline.
I am really sorry to see US go. I hope AA adopts the best of what US had to offer. I have had good experiences on AA - and some not-so-good ones. Time will tell.
I asked the counter attendant at OAK station to retrieve it for me. I waited there for 30 minutes, never expecting to get my book back. Remarkably, the attendant showed up with the book - and he won my eternal gratitude. Somehow, that incident always stood out in my mind, of solid, professional service from an airline.
I am really sorry to see US go. I hope AA adopts the best of what US had to offer. I have had good experiences on AA - and some not-so-good ones. Time will tell.
Oct 18, 2015, 11:26 pm
#108
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Programs: DL-Platinum / AS-PlatPro / Hyatt - Glob / Hilton-Diamond
Posts: 1,573
I was flying AA yesterday from RDU-LGA. I got to the RDU AC and noticed the agent working had a US Airways Club notepad. I asked if I could have it and told her I collected airline memorbillia. She said, perhaps you'd like this instead and gave me this:
She's a longtime PI and US Employee who has a stash of the good old stuff at home and brings it to work.
She's a longtime PI and US Employee who has a stash of the good old stuff at home and brings it to work.
Yea, I collect stuff like this
Oct 19, 2015, 8:53 am
#110
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
Not sure if this is the right thread to post this in, but where is the US Airways history section on AA.com website?? For those who remember, historically US has had great, detailed accounts of the history of US and its legacy airlines on its website, written by employees. I don't see any of this content on the AA website now anywhere, and that's a bummer.
Hopefully the new AA team updates the history page, because as of now it doesn't even mention US.
Hopefully the new AA team updates the history page, because as of now it doesn't even mention US.
Oct 19, 2015, 9:08 am
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,010
Oct 19, 2015, 1:34 pm
#112
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
Some of my memories:
- My first flight ever was on the old USAir. Flight 1949 PIT-LAX in 1990. I was 13, and we were going to my aunt's wedding in LA. I remembered always seeing the planes flying in the sky and my parents going on plane trips, and wanting to fly myself. I even dreamed what it would be like. February of 1990, that dream came true. Outbound was on a 727 in the "aluminum" livery, return on a 737 in an older livery. I remember service was quite good even in Y. No movies on the outbound, but we had a full dinner, multiple drink and snack services, and even was served an ice cream treat. The way back, we had chicken kiev for dinner, and a movie was shown. Life used to be good flying - even in Y.
- I flew home from a church mission in 1998, with my final leg being a USAir Express puddle jumper from PIT-JST. Talk about a loud and bumpy plane ride. I could talk to the pilot as he was right in front of me. There was a lady I knew from church returning on that same flight with a baby she was adopting. She told me I should get off the plane carrying the baby, and tell my family and friends it was mine. I didn't - I wish I did now. That would have been hilarious.
- The old Greater Pitt was my first airport experience as a pax. I always thought it was an amazing place as a kid. It's a shame there isn't much info (diagrams, pics, etc) around for it.
- The new PIT. Still a great airport. I've taken many flights out of there. It's a shame to see it a shell of its former self. I'd love to see it become a hub again for someone.
- Taking my son and my mom to Disney World, with US upgrading all 3 of us on the way back.
- Having US be the only airline ever to have my bags be the very first off on the conveyor - and also the very last - both of which were tagged priority.
- US losing my bags twice on the same flight in 2 weeks due to late connections. The baggage agents remembered me from the previous week.
- US fighting with UA to get our bags back after our European honeymoon. UA didn't recheck the bags properly after landing in ORD. US brought us home on the last two segments. My wife was upset as it was her bag that was lost, as well as one of our bags full of souvenirs.
- US forcing me, my wife, and my stepson on to an oversold flight (CLT-LAX) to get us to the west coast when our crew didn't bother to show up. They got us there about 12 hours earlier than expected. Additionally, the angels at the US club at LAX also got us the rest of the way to SAN on UA when the CP line dropped the ball. US also gave me miles for that and because we lost our upgrades for the original CLT-SAN flight we were on.
- My now seemingly annual MR to ANC. Always been a fun trip. I've seen Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Sarah Palin, and Ben Stein on these runs. Also met some FTers in my travels.
- 100% upgrade rate as a CP - yet always feeling like my patronage meant something even as a lower elite. US bent over backwards for me several times - even when I wasn't a CP.
- Trial Preferred. US made it very easy for me to ditch UA - plus I had all the benefits of *A when needed (mostly TPAC).
- Always US based CS whenever calling in. They always picked up quickly and solved my problems.
- Flying US to see the ladies I was dating. I had 2 long distance relationships over the years. One of them became Mrs. Super, the other one almost did.
- The soup in the US club.
- Flying US to go to my first FT Do in NYC (thanks BJ).
- Flying over Heinz Field during a diversion to PIT. It was cool as my son got to see where the Steelers play, and he was excited about that.
Oh, the memories.
- My first flight ever was on the old USAir. Flight 1949 PIT-LAX in 1990. I was 13, and we were going to my aunt's wedding in LA. I remembered always seeing the planes flying in the sky and my parents going on plane trips, and wanting to fly myself. I even dreamed what it would be like. February of 1990, that dream came true. Outbound was on a 727 in the "aluminum" livery, return on a 737 in an older livery. I remember service was quite good even in Y. No movies on the outbound, but we had a full dinner, multiple drink and snack services, and even was served an ice cream treat. The way back, we had chicken kiev for dinner, and a movie was shown. Life used to be good flying - even in Y.
- I flew home from a church mission in 1998, with my final leg being a USAir Express puddle jumper from PIT-JST. Talk about a loud and bumpy plane ride. I could talk to the pilot as he was right in front of me. There was a lady I knew from church returning on that same flight with a baby she was adopting. She told me I should get off the plane carrying the baby, and tell my family and friends it was mine. I didn't - I wish I did now. That would have been hilarious.
- The old Greater Pitt was my first airport experience as a pax. I always thought it was an amazing place as a kid. It's a shame there isn't much info (diagrams, pics, etc) around for it.
- The new PIT. Still a great airport. I've taken many flights out of there. It's a shame to see it a shell of its former self. I'd love to see it become a hub again for someone.
- Taking my son and my mom to Disney World, with US upgrading all 3 of us on the way back.
- Having US be the only airline ever to have my bags be the very first off on the conveyor - and also the very last - both of which were tagged priority.
- US losing my bags twice on the same flight in 2 weeks due to late connections. The baggage agents remembered me from the previous week.
- US fighting with UA to get our bags back after our European honeymoon. UA didn't recheck the bags properly after landing in ORD. US brought us home on the last two segments. My wife was upset as it was her bag that was lost, as well as one of our bags full of souvenirs.
- US forcing me, my wife, and my stepson on to an oversold flight (CLT-LAX) to get us to the west coast when our crew didn't bother to show up. They got us there about 12 hours earlier than expected. Additionally, the angels at the US club at LAX also got us the rest of the way to SAN on UA when the CP line dropped the ball. US also gave me miles for that and because we lost our upgrades for the original CLT-SAN flight we were on.
- My now seemingly annual MR to ANC. Always been a fun trip. I've seen Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Sarah Palin, and Ben Stein on these runs. Also met some FTers in my travels.
- 100% upgrade rate as a CP - yet always feeling like my patronage meant something even as a lower elite. US bent over backwards for me several times - even when I wasn't a CP.
- Trial Preferred. US made it very easy for me to ditch UA - plus I had all the benefits of *A when needed (mostly TPAC).
- Always US based CS whenever calling in. They always picked up quickly and solved my problems.
- Flying US to see the ladies I was dating. I had 2 long distance relationships over the years. One of them became Mrs. Super, the other one almost did.
- The soup in the US club.
- Flying US to go to my first FT Do in NYC (thanks BJ).
- Flying over Heinz Field during a diversion to PIT. It was cool as my son got to see where the Steelers play, and he was excited about that.
Oh, the memories.
Last edited by Superguy; Oct 20, 2015 at 7:40 am
Aug 12, 2016, 7:59 pm
#115
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hawaii, USA
Posts: 40
US Airways Plane Spotted in Hawaii
I flew over from Oahu to the big island on Island Air last week (July 31st), and upon landing at Kona I saw a US Airways plane there and thought that I had gone back in time! Our aircraft parked adjacent to the former US Airways jet and when I got out I snapped a photo as it brought back some memories for sure. I thought I would share the photo with you all as I am not sure how many US Airways livery are still left to be painted. The tail number is N910AW.
Aug 12, 2016, 8:07 pm
#116
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
N910AW US Airways Boeing 757-2G7(WL), c/n 24523 first flew 4 Nov 1989, biuilt as line number 256 for HP / America West and delivered 29 Nov 1989. It's old enough to vote... and it's been C14/Y176 since the beginning. (Various sources.)
Nice shot. Looming out of the past, facing its own sunset.
Original progress report and chart from Brian Sumers, 25 June 2015:
Nice shot. Looming out of the past, facing its own sunset.
Original progress report and chart from Brian Sumers, 25 June 2015:
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 12, 2016 at 8:16 pm
Aug 12, 2016, 8:24 pm
#117
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hawaii, USA
Posts: 40
Oh wow, I had no idea there were still that many planes left to paint! I live on one of the routes the aircraft take during the approach to the HNL airport and I don't see any more that come in here to our island that are still painted in US Airways markings. I would imagine its not all that uncommon still to see one at one of its former hubs like PHX.
Aug 13, 2016, 3:45 am
#119
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
There are still a number of 321s & E190s in the US livery. I assume there was a pause in repainting over the busier summer months. Aren't the LUS 757s still in the US livery to be retired by year end?
Aug 13, 2016, 6:53 am
#120
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PHL-adjacent
Programs: AA Executive Platinum (but always US in my heart), HH Diamond
Posts: 3,346
I flew to ACC back in July 2006. With a mere 10k miles, I was able to UG into Envoy for the PHL-FRA and FRA-PHL portions of my trip. What a bargain!
I also miss the Envoy lounge in PHL (always felt so cool getting the wave to use that side of the club!) and the amazing staff at the LAS club...Kim P., Ginny, and a few others...I think of them every time I go through LAS.
I also miss the Envoy lounge in PHL (always felt so cool getting the wave to use that side of the club!) and the amazing staff at the LAS club...Kim P., Ginny, and a few others...I think of them every time I go through LAS.