I am planning to switch next year. I am increasingly disappointed with Continental's stodginess. The carrier has lost its edge. DL has expanded aggressively overseas; I am impressed. DL also offers elite status for life--that's important to me. Finally, I have flown DL a few times recently and am increasingly impressed. IMO, when it comes to the airline to watch, DL has taken the lead away from Continental.

There's a slight grass-is-greener quality to these comments. DL regulars often talk of their love for PC's with free wi-fi, "superb" staff and mo-better snacks.

I might think IAH's E-Concourse PC is the overall best lounge, period. But the new DL CRC in Atlanta's C-Concourse has a hipper decor. And, uh, free dial-up.

I also think equipment dictates the Y experience as much as amenities today's airlines seem to inconsistently offer. I've had vile meals on DL, some tasty fare on CO, and vice versa. Best steak I ever ate at 35,000 feet was out of Guadalajara on china service with real silverware on a DL run. Next trip, same equipment and fare class, we got cold turkey wraps and no video of any kind. I like DL's IFE in Y very much - that is, the product available only on ex-Song 757's.

My preference depends on livery and even tail number being compared. Even in the same city pairs, nothing is a given on board.

I too love Continental's product, but the reduced EQM for mileage earned toward NW Worldperks have made me book away from Continental.

I do get a bit tired of the constant mooing about 50% EQM. Please remember that DL is the home of the 0% EQP's which is why I do not fly them.

I don't give a rat's a** whether it makes sense for CO's bottom line to give fewer EQMs for cheap fares. The fact of the matter is that this thread is about whether it makes sense for the consumer to switch their FF program. CO does not operate in a vacuum and the DL and NW programs might be deemed as roughly equivalent by some (even if not by others), and things like 50% EQMs should go into the calculus of determining which program to consider.

I am amazed how quickly people on this board are willing to forgive every example of CO cheapness or inflexibility, because CO "is profitable" or it "makes business sense." I mean, why exactly should I care? Isn't it clear by now that airlines don't really go out of business? And that FF programs have become such a profit center that they aren't going anywhere, even in mergers and bankruptcy? CO doesn't have to offer full EQMs or lifetime elite status or whatever, but these are negatives for the consumer, no matter how you slice it. Besides, do you honestly think that the real key to CO's long-term success is whether it gives 50% EQMs?

Yes, I flew DL Y from ATL to SFO a few weeks ago. Leather seats, satellite TV, free snack service. It made me seek out more DL Y flights.

Flew DL Y CPH-ATL and it was one of the best TATL Y experiences I have had (aside from anytime you get a whole row). Good IFE. Bright, clean 767. Decent food. Decent wine/beer with lunch. Plenty of beverage runs. Hot towels. Very friendly and professional service - they brought me an extra ice cream, with a smile. Decent room and a comfortable seat. Did I mention it wasn't a 757?

The wife reported a similar experience in NW TATL Y recently. Booked our next Y trip home on NW, expressly to get the A330, which is vastly superior in Y to anything CO flies over the pond, with its AVOD, power ports, 2-somes, and extra legroom. I will definitely take a NW or DL TATL Y flight over the CO sardine can, anytime.

I am really beginning to believe in the "new" DL. They may not pull it off, but I feel that they are at least aspiring to a product, which is significantly better than much of what else is on the market. At best, CO strives to be "least worst", or so it seems to me. I think you would be crazy to not hope that DL succeeds and, if they do, consider flying them much more.

Yeah, it's not like CO is a business or anything.

The LAX CRC is definitely one of the nicer ones in the system. They have Corona ^ and even have showers.

Having said that, I will agree that in general I do prefer a PC (or even more a BR) over a CRC. The PC in ATL is always very crowded, and many suspect that is due to CRC members wanting to use the Internet there! Last year there was talk that free wireless Internet was in the works, but there has been nothing but silence since then...

David

Yes. But it isn't up to me to ensure they make a profit. And as long as they are the only US ST airline giving 50% EQM, then I don't think it unreasonable to question whether many might not be better served with DL or NW.

Just an interesting note re: the mileage, etc.: I'm getting better mileage accrual rates by staying elite with Delta, even though I'm flying CO 3-4 times more than I am DL.. I'm earning more miles on their partner for flying them then if I just used my Onepass acount.. pretty wierd to me...

CO isn't the only US ST airline with 50% EQM's. If you fly below a U basis code on CO metal, you will get only 50% WorldPerks EQM's.

By the way, starting in June, NW will punish your WP banked miles severely for flying on cheap Air France tickets.

Yes, but CO is the only one that hits you harder than the airline you are flying, i.e. a NW ticket can earn 100% on NW and will still only be 50% on CO.

I am sure that CO will hit you for AF cheapies two. They already give nothing for KL's cheapest.