As UA Insider has previously stated, there were issues with the system not working properly earlier this year. My experience, however, is that it seemed to be working properly for nearly all of my flights.

That being said, I was 45/51 on upgrades from coach to First on domestic mainline flights in 2011 as a CO Platinum. So even though lots of those upgrades were processed day of departure (which had not been the case pre-merger) the upgrade system appears to be working based on the data from my particular case. (Note that after matching to 1K and starting to use my MP Number for UA operated flights I was 0/2 on UA, but was upgraded on UA using my OP number a couple times prior to that.)

Now if we could just get the RJ's with no F replaced by aircraft that offered a First class option at all I think all of us Elites would be happier campers. I had FAR more RJ flights in coach than mainline flights in coach. About five times as many.

There will likely be no better summary quote ever about the current sad situation.
Thank you weero for crystalizing the problem and our serious concerns . Let's just hope that those at the wheel wake up before we go over the cliff.

"happy new year"?

Lurker :)

My $$ says you fly on Co vs UA, and at the end, I will post a link as to why you are flying on 50 seats all Y planes vs the people at ORD who fly on 66+ seat RJs mostly with E+ and F.

Do you think that it would pay for itself with people buying first (addl flight attendant required, more gas, more expensive plane) or do you think they would yield similar to an all coach plane with 66 Y seats?

On your arguement, you would also get E+ as well as the F cabin as all UA RJs with F are e+ equipment. I'm not argueing against it, but if the additional costs aren't covered consistantly with revenue to more than cover the addl costs, and demand for the addl 16 seats doesn't materialize, I can only see it being a wish. Until (and even after depending on what it reads) UA/CO pilots sign a new contract, there will be job protection issues and restrictions as well for mainline pilots with larger RJs that are in the contracts and ruled on in the pilots favor when UA/CO tried to skirt them by an arbitrator. http://www.cleveland.com/business/in..._continen.html

DL seems to think so. Their target is to put single-cabin RJs only on flights < 600 miles.

Yes, I too hope that management will have this addressed and bring the IT system to a working state which is both understandable for the public and believable for the elites.

Have two very long trips planned for mid and late next year. My contract pays for full fare coach. I cannot secure any flight combinations with NC>0 and hence would have to take the risk of both missing out on an ug on a 747 (=yikes!!!!) and blocking my precious SWUs for a long, long time.
The alternative is to fork up another 800 dollars from my own pocket and secure NH or AA business class with no risk whatsoever.

For some reason, I am not really willing to sweat it.

Without going off point too far, DL has different economics, different contracts, and different fortress hubs than UA has. The economics and contracts of 1 airline are seldom the same as another airline. WN makes it work by flying single cabin aircraft everywhere, and they get great reviews, but different clients, different contracts and different markets doesn't mean that DL and UA would do well by dropping all premium cabins and only flying Y configured 737 everywhere.

Sorry for growing the tangent. No more off topic replys on this tangent from me.

It's relevant to anyone that's jumped ship from CO/UA to DL, or anyone thinking about it. Customers are frustrated about the upgrade product offered on CO...so, they look at an airline like DL with a commitment to offer more F class RJs (with wifi no less) on routes the customer flies. I don't give a care about the hubs, the regional contracts, etc...I just want them to kiss my rear and put it in a big chair.

ToD Update
 

Per my experience last nite leaving ORD.....ToD also effects, virtually eliminates?, Companion Upgrades!

Sort of different but not really. Most americans dont live in fortress hubs and as we've been told a milllion times, "We have a choice of airlines." Delta is going for premium traffic who will pay a premium for a better on-board experience. Out of the big three, UA has the worst product and hoping that you will fly us because you have to or cant afford to pay a premium for Delta.

Which I think is a great way to build customer loyalty.

You are right that the PMCO scope clause does not allow CO to farm out RJ's larger than a 50-passenger capacity.

However, as a general rule, the CASM for the larger planes is actually lower than that of the smaller planes, because, for an equivalent capacity, there is a need for fewer planes, lower overall maintenance costs per available seat mile, the need for fewer pilots per available seat mile. Also, for an equivalent capacity, there is a need for fewer larger planes versus more smaller planes, which also reduces congestion.

Yes, it is true that any RJ with over 50 passengers requires a 2nd f/a, but this cost is very low, about $17/hr + benefits. For RJ's with 50-passenger capacity compared to RJ's with 66-passenger capacity, fleet-wide, the additional cost is only about $9/hour, or about $0.0027 per available seat mile.

The only reason PMCO doesn't have larger RJ's is the scope clause, not because there is an economic advantage.

I sent a message and never heard back on this. I can't wait to hear the excuse, ahem reason for this one

Don't know if this falls into this subject or not but here goes......

Rec'd an e-mail this morning for my flight (UA972 SFO-ORD, 1/7/12, 3 cabin 67)

U/g (UDU) is waitlisted
$65 buy-up to C
Flight is F4,C9,NF2,NC0 and showing 7 seats unassigned* in C and 5 in F
Declined the offer**


*I know the seat map is not a good indication ;) but does that mean based on UAInsider's post here that there are fewer elites on the w/l than there are seats available for sale which is why I rec'd the buy-up offer?

**it's a matter of principle with me when it comes to paying cash to upgrade when I'm already on the waitlist

What's your fare class?

Considering also the experience relayed by long-time FT member kokonutz here, IMHO it would be useful, to say the least, if UA Insider would report back and provide transparency.