Does this explain the spliting of EQM and segments in you acct?
I hope this is not the case doing this will send me to other carriers for my transcoms. I dont understand the reasoning here.
Loyal customers being "rewarded" by dropping the EQM 50% does NOT build loyalty.
Why even "earn" miles is you get nailed for trying to use them.

Does your policy require the use of Expedia.com, or can you call in and speak to an agent? My company's implementation of Amex's crappy system permits me to select a 'connection city' to force my flights through a certain point. By choosing IAH, I am almost guaranteed to get all CO choices, and they all fall within policy. I'm not sure if your Expedia page offers that feature...but have a look. Perhaps you can try building the flights point-to-point - like aaa-IAH-bbb-IAH-aaa and see if that works.

Outside of that, I just call the 800 number, speak to an agent and tell the agent to book me on specific flights, ticketed in a specific class of service - which is now V or higher to guarantee my EQMs. The V fare tacks an extra $75-100 on the ticket, but I cut back on other expenses to make up the difference and I can still do the whole trip well under my budget allowance.

It's a pain, but I don't have any other choice.

I think this whole 50% EQM thing is another good reason to come up with a 'no-charge-fare upgrade' policy, to allow someone to up their fare to a higher class without penalty, on the same exact flights as originally booked. That way, those who want to 'up' themselves into paid F or pay the difference between sub-V and V+ can do so.

Sorry for the confusion. I have clarified the post above. It's hard to type everything down when folks talk so quickly, and I was just giving myself notes in some cases to flesh out later, though I missed that one in the edits.

S.

I learned that management REALLY knows that EWR is a problem in regard to Customer Service.

I learned that they now have a "mystery shopper" at EWR that is reporting back on issues that many of us face frequently in regard to customer service.

I learned that maybe, just maybe, I may be on equipment other than ERJs out of EWR.

I learned that Larry looks younger in person than on his announcements on the flts.

I learned that the System Operations Center at HQ is a REALLY cool place.

I learned that the NEW SOUP being introduced in F and BF is an excellent mushroom soup.

I learned that FTers are a fun, nice, group of people.

I learned the amount of cigars that Cigarman has all over the world.....

I learned that my guest was a really bad poker player.

I had a great time. Thanks to all who made it possible.
Cheers

We are "strongly encouraged" to use the online booking tool - but we DO have the option to select a connecting hub. Though to go PIT-IAH-ORF adds a lot of travel time I'll try that and see what happens...

Houston resident here... Surprisingly uninterested in Continental until recently... I've held status for years but based on segments and I've always used US Airways for my travel out east because CO's scheduling never worked to central PA.

I'm a recent full-time convert to CO as of May and I've been very pleased.

As for what I learned: I learned that Continental truly seems to care about their customers...or at least they say they do and really act like it...I say that only because I'm coming out of an airline that was full of a bunch of liars at the top and was in the middle of an outright assault against their top-tier frequent fliers (quite openly). The Do did a lot to put in cement that the airline is well-organized, has a great team built, and can get me where I'm going and can handle irregular operations like a champ.

I liked hearing Mr. Kellner speak of US Airways exiting Pittsburgh and how this was a major catalyst for their expansion in Cleveland. Finally, someone acknowledged the viability of that region and it's totally contrary to what US CEO Doug Parker has been saying. The truth is that Continental, from Cleveland, and Southwest's point-to-point service is a better alternative to US Airways ever-declining direct service out of Pitt. It's sad, but it's very true.

It was a great time and I look forward to flying with Continental going forward and to finally putting the issue of whether or not to continue to "Fly with US" to rest!

Thanks!

They know "Newark has a lot of challenges." and are working to address it (what ever that means). This includes issues with employees for whom direct contact with passengers in the airline business may not be their best choice of a career.

No more additional destinations are currently planned for EWR Terminal A.

Some FT's are making the word "considered" to mean "definite"

CO has a very extensive system in place for handling "baggage irregularities" Only US airline to do so much to get your possessions back to you. Lost baggage, left-on board tracking is or about to be available on CO.com so you don't have to wait on hold at busy times (noon and 5PM Eastern). Great bunch of people.

FA trainers enjoy performing the smoke filled cabin evacuation drill including playing the passenger who won�t jump onto the slide.

According to Jeff they still pay a substantial fee to the travel agency as a whole, I am not sure if this is weekly monthly or yearly but they do get paid. ...I still don't have to like it since I to have to use my Corporate travel system as well.

CO rewards those that are loyal and have the ability to be loyal. The $15k "you" contribute to CO isn't really your contribution; through your own admission, Expedia is contributing that $15k by blindly booking your flights on CO....just like they're blindly booking your travel on other carriers that offer the best fare.

I don't think this type of buying behavior should be rewarded anymore than it already is (through EQM's). But if you were personally driving the decision to book on CO all the time, I see how that behavior should be rewarded.

If CO gave all non-continental.com booked tickets 0 EQM's, I bet you'd still spend $15k on CO every year. While it's easy to say that's a slap in the face from CO, I think the "slap" is deserved to your employer who's limiting your choices (regardless of how fiscally responsible they are.)

Though to go PIT-IAH-ORF adds a lot of travel time

How about the "other" hub? Would PIT-CLE-ORF work?

Perhaps I should clarify: I DO have a choice of carriers - I DON'T have a choice of fares - I must book the lowest available. That said, I do make the decision to fly a connection on CO, rather than direct on US/WN. Thus, if I'm not going to be able to maintain status by making a conscious decision to fly CO whenever possible, then I will direct "my" $15K (or the 15K that I spend on behalf of my employer) to a carrier who awards full EQM/EQS regardless of fare. In fact, being based in PIT, I end up going out of my way to fly CO.

As to who deserves the slap, I couldn't agree with you more. But arguing corporate travel is an up-hill battle that I won't win.

Yes, it would. I tried the "work around" and I'm still forced to choose the cheapest fares available from a variety of carriers. I appreciate the feedback from everyone, and would love to make CO my full time airline (from US), but I just don't think it's going to be feasible given my current financial constraints.

In a direct conversation with LK poolside Friday night, EFD is still a no go(as per our conversations at DO 1 and DO2). The expense of establishing a facility is just too great at this time although he fully acknowleged that they have many loyal customers from south of Houston.

They had great cooperation with the city of Houston in implimenting terminal E creation but working out EFD at the time with the city was an expense that CO would have had to go alone.

Does any FTer have contacts with the city of Houston to see if the winds have changed with the newest mayor and city council??

smokey

That FT's overwhelmingly don't want cell phone use allowed during flight, even with a 3 minute limit. It was funny though when Jeff asked if we'd pay more for not allowing cell phone use on board and a whole lot of hands went back up.