On Dec. 12, Randy hosted his monthly FlyerTalk Live! Chat. And the transcript has now been posted in the Live Chat area.

Randy was asked for his opinion on the EUA controversy here on the CO board, and this was what he said:

"CO upgrades. I'm actually not a big fan of these types of changes for a single reason......I fear that the Gold and Silver (or similar lower elite levels) will never see the light of an upgrade. With just so many avalaible, there was always a chance that the Platinum guys and gals wouldn't call to confirm or were traveling in the back with someone else. Now......there's only scraps left over. Sorry if i offend the Platinum, but on this one, I'm in the corner for the little guy....."

When Randy was then asked if he didn't think that the Platinums "deserved" the upgrades more because they fly more miles, he went on to state that:

"i fully understand the ramifications of what i said. There is a reality that not everyone who doesn't fly 50 times a year is not loyal and thus not deserving of being special. I know far more people that fly 26,000 miles a year and give 100% of their business to an airline than guys who fly 76,000 and give 100%.....as i said, tough to be politically correct on this but someone has to stand up for the little guy....after all, the Platinums get special accommodations on seats being available for award usage, etc."

Thank you, Randy!!! It's good to know that one of the "big guys" is in our corner!



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"An upgrade, an upgrade! My kingdom for an upgrade!"

I second that for sure!

UNLIMITED-FREE-NON-UPGRADES

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Viele Gr��e

Oliver

I second that for sure!

UNLIMITED-FREE-NON-UPGRADES

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Viele Gr��e

Oliver

I never realized how loyal I was until I read that comment. This year every flight I took was part of the Onepass family of carriers (51000+). Last year every flight except one was Onepass (25000+). I definately fall into that hardcore loyalty group. I know that all of my tixs were discounted economy fares which is not the type the Onepass wants. I also know that I not taken trips if a Onepass status carrier has not given me a "deal" on a route that I desired. I have really enjoyed my status on Onepass and if I don't get the perks that I once enjoyed who knows if I will be the customer that I have been. So far I have not felt passed over so I have nothing to complain about, but it sure sounds like many others have. I hope that Continental has other customers like me and works to keep those of us that fly not for business but the sake of adventure.

I flew 30K+ last year and 50K+ this year and all of my miles were with CO or a codeshare partner. Why? For the upgrades, period. I'm as loyal as they come, but if I can't get up front in the "big chair" then why should I go out of my way to fly on an airline that requires connections wherever I go, charges more and has fewer flights? Granted, I don't live in a hub city, but I still went the "extra mile" (pun intended) for the upgrades. Randy is right on.

You all understand that I am challenged for that comment by the Platinum folks. But, let me tell you something that makes it even all the more interesting - I am Infinite Platinum Elite. Yes, when OnePass had the infinite elite challenge I made whatever mileage runs I needed to make it work. Contrary to the lady who said that only the little people pay taxes, I remember what it was like to give 100% at the old Bronze level and the Silver level......

To clarify - this wasn't a shot at the Platinums, it was a statement about the reality of this change, not a comment of any class of OnePass members.

Randy, you show your class and morality by making that statement.

Too many in life adopt a selfish attitude of, "Yes I see others hurt by something, but as I'm not hurt, I'm not getting involved."

Thank you for speaking out. As I'm sure you know, I will shortly be organizing a website and campaign to do the same.

The EUA (at least in it's current implementation) hurts Continental's most loyal customers, and as such, will eventually hurt Continental...unless we stop it.

[This message has been edited by NJDavid (edited 12-16-2000).]

I know when I can associate myself with ideas expressed by both Randy and NJDavid at the same time, that all must be right with the world after all.

In other words -- It's A Small World After All.

I am a first-time Silver Elite who barely remembers life before EUA. So far I have been lucky enough to have upgraded pretty much every segment, but this morning I am facing ATL-EWR in 16E with ITN showing A0 F0 and the flight booked to 10/106 over 10/94.

I have been pro-EUA until now, but ITN was showing A3 F2 at 1155pm and the upgrade was mine for the asking under the old system. I don't mind being beaten out by even a "lazy Platinum" because after all, he is still a platinum and I am but a lowly silver, but when I get beaten out by the "lazy Silver", it annoys the hell out of me.

Most of my travel is for personal reasons or on business for my own startup company, so cost is a definite issue in my travel. 61 of my 78 segments this year are on CO/NW however - and that's pretty darn loyal for a customer living in ATL. I choose CO/NW primarily because of the superior Elite program perks for lower and mid-tier fliers, especially in comparison to DL. I will continue to fly them, but I am disturbed that they are beginning to follow DL's lead by taking perks away (which is what EUA is essentially doing in an indirect way) under the guise of enhancements.

Maybe I'm wrong though. Maybe I've subscribed to too many conspiracy theories. But the prospect of 2hrs in 16E doesn't help either....

[This message has been edited by B747-437B (edited 12-17-2000).]

Where are you finding that the flight is booked 10/106 over 10/94? I was not aware that ITN showed that info. I thought it was proprietary to the airlines.

Sheryl - I would guess B747-437B has a friend at CO maybe?

I have been occasionally successful at getting the booking totals and authorization totals for a flight I wanted to standby for, but usually they won't give that out, as that is the rule (unless you are an airline employee). Never hurts to ask.

As a third year Platinum, I do feel for those Silver and Golds missing out on upgrades. But I travel from EWR to ORD, MDW, CLT, OAK & ATL almost weekly and I've yet to have a full First Class cabin!! Perhaps it is the times I travel, but I am constantly amazed when we take off and I look around and see available seats!!

This EUA thing did not do any good to me at all, Even though i am about half and half when it comes to Upgrades, I got upgraded 2/3 when I called in to change my FF from NW to CO.

al

mauld:

Your trick is that although you fly out of a major CO hub, you fly to cities dominated by other airlines. I'm sure if you were flying EWR to IAH, especially on a Mon. A.M. or a Fri. P.M., you'd find a much more crowded FC cabin!

BTW, talk about empty FC seats! On a Copa flight from LIM to PTY two months ago, there were a grand total of 2 of us in FC, yet the Coach section was packed! Guess there aren't too many Inca Indians who are Elite!

They did allow an elderly Inca Indian lady, using a walker, to use the FC lavatory. If I had been Gold, instead of Silver, I would have insisted that she was my "companion" and they should upgrade her as such! I would have loved to see this woman's face as she experience FC on Copa, which incidentially was excellent!

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"An upgrade, an upgrade! My kingdom for an upgrade!"