The Ideal CO customer
Dec 22, 2003 | 5:40 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA LT Gold; BA Silver; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,103
Imstil4travle said,
"Who cares if they don't want you...or your business? I mean seriously...why does this bother so many people? Who gives a flying fack if THEY want YOU/ME ?"
No, choosing an airline for most of your business is NOT like choosing a mate. I don't care if Gordo loves me or not. But, I spend a few thousand dollars on flights every year (and make decisions for other family members) and I'm going to go with the airline that gives me the most bang for the buck. I look at the whole package- seat pitch, reward travel, chance at Elite status/perks given my likely flight patterns- and CO comes up short compared to the alternatives. Period.
"Who cares if they don't want you...or your business? I mean seriously...why does this bother so many people? Who gives a flying fack if THEY want YOU/ME ?"
No, choosing an airline for most of your business is NOT like choosing a mate. I don't care if Gordo loves me or not. But, I spend a few thousand dollars on flights every year (and make decisions for other family members) and I'm going to go with the airline that gives me the most bang for the buck. I look at the whole package- seat pitch, reward travel, chance at Elite status/perks given my likely flight patterns- and CO comes up short compared to the alternatives. Period.
Dec 22, 2003 | 6:10 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SAN and before that...EWR....AA EXP (3MM)..HH LIFETIME DIAMOND..AVIS PREFERRED PLUS
Posts: 678
That's a very valid argument....I wholeheartedly agree. The point was...it just seems like some people are insulted or something....who cares if CO wants your business or not ??? I don't know how many times that I've read on here "CO doesn't want me anymore" or...."they don't appreciate my business" or even "they want to get rid of us riff-raff flyers".
We all need to make the best choices for US!! Who gives a "fack" what they think/want.
If CO fits my travel patterns the best...so be it. If it doesn't...I take a look around and see what else is out there.
You can see by my profile on the left that I do a fair amount of time in aircraft seats...so luckily I have several status' from which to choose.
We all need to make the best choices for US!! Who gives a "fack" what they think/want.
If CO fits my travel patterns the best...so be it. If it doesn't...I take a look around and see what else is out there.
You can see by my profile on the left that I do a fair amount of time in aircraft seats...so luckily I have several status' from which to choose.
Dec 22, 2003 | 6:13 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 1,439
Ya know, if they really wanted to push people up in yield, maybe instead of giving away F seats to the ungrateful masses paying $200 for a 7-segment transcon, they should consider selling them for a price that is within reach.
In my ideal pricing, a non-stop transcon would go for $200-$500 in econ, depending on availability, and F would cost $800-1,000. I think at that price, they might actually be able to sell the seats, instead of offering them for $2,500 and giving them away. And it might change some of the entitlement mentality, as well!
And I realize that DL and others are moving away from it now, but I actually like the idea of earning upgrade points. Then it really makes it seem like a reward instead of an entitlement. But it's almost impossible to go back and make you "pay" for something that used to be given away for free - at least not without destroying what little bit of goodwill remains.
In my ideal pricing, a non-stop transcon would go for $200-$500 in econ, depending on availability, and F would cost $800-1,000. I think at that price, they might actually be able to sell the seats, instead of offering them for $2,500 and giving them away. And it might change some of the entitlement mentality, as well!
And I realize that DL and others are moving away from it now, but I actually like the idea of earning upgrade points. Then it really makes it seem like a reward instead of an entitlement. But it's almost impossible to go back and make you "pay" for something that used to be given away for free - at least not without destroying what little bit of goodwill remains.
Dec 22, 2003 | 6:32 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2001
Location: CLE
Programs: None yet
Posts: 364
Greetings,
I guess my feelings can change but for now compared to DL I find CO to be great for my purposes. Seriously it pains me to hear some of these horror stories but I've only encountered an 'Ice Queen' FA on one flight so far. I've been upgraded on el cheapo fares on 20 of 24 segments as a Silver and I know the reason why is because I fly IAH to SLC and not to EWR. (I did get upgraded both ways on my one and only IAH-LAS flight).
I guess each person needs to make an educated and informed decision based on what experiences and history you have had with an airline and what options you have. Speaking for myself I find that:
I am upgraded on very cheap fares at no extra cost.
I've had no problems with flight crews and only 1 Ice Queen to date.
When I've had to call CO reservations the agent was very helpful to me and helped me to avoid a day over in AMS so I could catch my KLM flight and informed me of what I needed to do to insure my luggage was checked through.
I've always been allowed to breeze into the security line and pre-board as designed.
The 3 times I've needed to use reward tickets I've had no problems getting what I wanted when I wanted it. (I know it's not a scientific sample and HNL or OGG was not included in it).
Compared to DL for example I use to have to pay a higher fare and then use points or miles or dollars to upgrade. When buying the higher fare there was no guarantee you would get your upgrade. Nothing like sitting in coach on a more expensive fare feeling stupid about it.
CO gives/gave more bonus miles per elite level at Silver anyway (50% vs 25%).
Living in Houston now of course means going with CO is more convenient for me.
Back to the bad experiences... I'm pretty bummed when I hear about them but as a Director in a transit field I can assure you that it is very difficult to get all front line employees to tow company line and policy. Usually managment can do this by setting the example and creating a good working environment but the Ice Queens of the world will work in all areas so expect the chill sooner or later.
DL did have great front line staff as a whole though. Still I like to read both the negative and the positive from this board because usually I can piece together the stories and come up with an idea of what is unpleasant in general and what is ok in general and make an educated decision regarding my travel choices.
That is what it is all about IMHO!
I guess my feelings can change but for now compared to DL I find CO to be great for my purposes. Seriously it pains me to hear some of these horror stories but I've only encountered an 'Ice Queen' FA on one flight so far. I've been upgraded on el cheapo fares on 20 of 24 segments as a Silver and I know the reason why is because I fly IAH to SLC and not to EWR. (I did get upgraded both ways on my one and only IAH-LAS flight).
I guess each person needs to make an educated and informed decision based on what experiences and history you have had with an airline and what options you have. Speaking for myself I find that:
I am upgraded on very cheap fares at no extra cost.
I've had no problems with flight crews and only 1 Ice Queen to date.
When I've had to call CO reservations the agent was very helpful to me and helped me to avoid a day over in AMS so I could catch my KLM flight and informed me of what I needed to do to insure my luggage was checked through.
I've always been allowed to breeze into the security line and pre-board as designed.
The 3 times I've needed to use reward tickets I've had no problems getting what I wanted when I wanted it. (I know it's not a scientific sample and HNL or OGG was not included in it).
Compared to DL for example I use to have to pay a higher fare and then use points or miles or dollars to upgrade. When buying the higher fare there was no guarantee you would get your upgrade. Nothing like sitting in coach on a more expensive fare feeling stupid about it.
CO gives/gave more bonus miles per elite level at Silver anyway (50% vs 25%).
Living in Houston now of course means going with CO is more convenient for me.
Back to the bad experiences... I'm pretty bummed when I hear about them but as a Director in a transit field I can assure you that it is very difficult to get all front line employees to tow company line and policy. Usually managment can do this by setting the example and creating a good working environment but the Ice Queens of the world will work in all areas so expect the chill sooner or later.
DL did have great front line staff as a whole though. Still I like to read both the negative and the positive from this board because usually I can piece together the stories and come up with an idea of what is unpleasant in general and what is ok in general and make an educated decision regarding my travel choices.
That is what it is all about IMHO!
Dec 22, 2003 | 7:35 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Kfar Saba, Israel
Posts: 4,172
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Jim Phillips:
Without the US govt bailout I have little doubt that CO would be bankrupt for the third time around.
A bailout that was funded of course by US taxpayers some of whom just happen to CO elites that get hosed whenever CO doesn't deliver what they promise in exchange for your revenue.</font>
Without the US govt bailout I have little doubt that CO would be bankrupt for the third time around.
A bailout that was funded of course by US taxpayers some of whom just happen to CO elites that get hosed whenever CO doesn't deliver what they promise in exchange for your revenue.</font>
Dec 22, 2003 | 9:17 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 326
My two cents.
Paulo's analysis is excellent. KGB presents an interesting take from the perspective of someone who has success with CO's policies from the perspective of a Silver traveling to a less traveled market.
BTW, KGB, I'm still behaving.
Paulo's analysis is excellent. KGB presents an interesting take from the perspective of someone who has success with CO's policies from the perspective of a Silver traveling to a less traveled market.
BTW, KGB, I'm still behaving.