Let's face it: channa is a real lightning rod and I think he both enjoys and craves the reaction he gets with his never ending trashing of all things CO. I don't think he will ever change.

However, what will change is the "new UA" as I think that many of the good things that CO does will be incorporated into the merged entity. I hope this includes the Direct TV system being added to the current UA aircraft.

And I also hope that many of the good things that UA does will be kept as well. For example, it would be nice to be able to listen to the flight deck-ATC transmissions (Ch. 9 on UA aircraft) on the current CO airplanes.

Make no mistake: I believe the CO influence on the "new UA" will be pervasive and for the better.

Pervasive? For sure. Better? The jury is still out on that. Much criticism from both the CO and UA flyers.

IIRC, DirecTV paid for the installation of the units -- so it doesn't surprise me at all that the 'functionality' access is limited for the FAs - clearly this was agreed upon by both CO & DirecTV! While I am not versed in all the details,-- I believe that DirecTV wouldn't even exist on CO, if they (DirecTV) themselves didn't specify the terms under which they would operate this venture. In any case, I believe that the FAs/crew have very few 'tools' available to them -- when there is a problem w/DirecTV on any given flt.

Please note use of the word "hope" in my post. I truly mean that after having flown both CO and UA for many, many years.

There is the opportunity here for both carriers to combine into a truly great airline and I hope this indeed happens.

You clearly stated the influence of CO was going to be pervasive and better. The better part is what has yet to be proven.

And still you post over and over on a Continental message board.

Absolutely. Although CO is no longer able to earn as much of my business as they once did, the thing with the loyalty program is that even a former customer may have a vested interest in the program -- either by way of mileage balance, or by way of lifetime status.

Even moreso with the merger, I need to be aware of potential negative changes CO may bring to UA.

If we want to take the "best of both worlds," we should strive to get the DTV setup that CO has, with UA's policy of free IFE.

Keep dreaming, buy F, fly another airline, or hope for the upgrade. That's the only way for free IFE.

A reasonable compromise would be to offer UA's Zune-branded audio programming (with Channel 9) on a complimentary basis along with LiveTV for the $6 fee CO currently charges. I don't think free DTV is an option given CO's arrangement with LiveTV.

Let's face it, main screen video programming is rarely compelling, and for those of us who fly more than a few times a month, seeing the same episodes of The Office or Everybody Hates Chris over and over again is stale. In the past with CO, and now with UA, I forego the main screen programming at least 90% of the time, even when it doesn't cost me anything. However, the inverse is true for the times I find myself in Y on CO on a DTV-equipped 737.

I share your sentiment regarding the paid mixers in F, but in this instance, I'd rather have high-quality entertainment available for a nominal fee than the only offering being some subpar, virtually unwatchable selection for free. Plus, the in-seat power is a nice perk.

I am disappointed that CO has not explored any more creative pricing models for the LiveTV product, or, in the alternative, that the system is incapable of it.

I don't think free DTV is an unreasonable request. Many airlines do it -- DL and B6 for example, and F9 does it for their Elites.


I think a bulk arrangement can be (re)negotiated. There are many examples of companies (and airlines) getting into bad deals and working something out later to get out of them.

T-Mobile is a perfect example. They had a stranglehold on many of the airline clubs who jumped into it early and signed long-term deals with the attitude that they didn't want to bother with Internet access, just send it out and let T-Mo deal with it. Then when CO did their own and was able to offer it for free (quickly matched by NWA), then the others were at a disadvantage. UA followed with access in the system for its members and now hands out cards for non members (presumably bought at a bulk rate), DL has a bulk arrangement for logons, AA does it, and so on, all with T-Mo.

Perhaps when UA looks at the TV numbers, they'll see a way to package and better monetize the DTV offering. DL's approach, for example, is to have free TV and basic movies, but charge a modest fee for premium movies (which are free in F). Or AC's approach with AVOD is that it has ads when you start a show.

Yep....and that's why I used the word "believe" in my post. This was a statement of my opinion after flying both CO and UA for many years and also based on my experience working either for or with four different airlines during my career in aviation.

I also think that Mr. Tilton believes this as well which is why his number one choice with regard to merger partner was CO.

If I were dealing with an airplane, I think having just this simple panel is increased functionality for an airline operation: simplicity for the people manning the system.

Yes, for me as a geek, nerd, FT'er, engineer and several other qualifications it's a dumbed down interface, but not everybody likes or is able to navigate through several layers of touchscreen interfaces.

For most companies it's easier to deliver the latter (highly technical interface with all the bells and whistles and less intuitive) whilst offering the former (highly simplistic interface without all the bells and whistles and very intuitive) later on, despite the reversed simplicity... Welcome to the tech-world I'd say...

That's just pathetic, and it reflects on CO's anti-customer, anti-employee empowerment attitude that has brought CO down again. That's not "working together".

Personally, I'm glad they put in the DTV, even with the dumb arrangement they used; not for the DTV but for the laptop power which to me IS a value-add.

Please name something Smisek has done thus far that has been for the better.