The "What I Learned at CO DO III" Thread
 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we're faced with the excellent opportunity of being able to ask the execs direct questions that we often hash out ourselves here I think we should post back reports from the various sessions, Q/A's, etc.

That said I suggest that folks post here what they learned from the various panels, the questions asked and the answers given for so those who could not make it can see what went on.

That CO dos are wicked awesome ;) I've met WN, US, and CHQ folks so far :)

Wirelessly posted (Treo 650: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D060; Blazer/4.5) 16;320x320)

Ok, I'l bite. (As you can see I, unlike the OP did not bring my laptop.)

The 787 due to economics will probably require 9 across in economy, and it's likely CO will not be the only one to come to that conclusion.

No unedited movies even with AVOD, even in the BF cabin, unless your screen cannot be seen by your neighbor. 3M privacy filter anyone.

CO will be going back to Australia... eventually. Do not hold your breath.

Point to point travel is not competitive enough to make it worth trying in the US domestic market.

CO strives for consistency in its product so it is less likely that we may see an E+ product on a limited segment of its fleet (ie the long-haul fleet) or implementation across the entire fleet as they're not sure they can make the math work in terms of ticket prices.

Larry was taller than anybody. :eek:

He stands out. (literally...)

becareful of those WN folks...they bite :D

A few other things from President Jeff Smisek at poolside:

1. Asia will definitely a main focus after the 787 arrives in significant numbers, starting around 2010. Basically EWR to a bunch of places they already have in mind.

2. The lobbying of Washington to allow sterile transit has gone absolutely nowhere.

I asked this second question because at the last DO, JS says IAH Terminal E was built with sterile transit facility (and arriving passengers can see the room), and if TSA allows its use, they would start IAH-MAD in a heartbeat. So, I wonder if there was any progress. JS said they told TSA, how about if we had armed guards watching the passengers the whole time from plane to plane? TSA said "No".

Thanks, Washington! :mad:

3. I mentioned the DOT 20071Q report that CO has the lowest transcon fare. His first response is to not read much into those figures. Second, he joked that he'll immediately tell his guys to raise fares, as requested by us FTers. :D Seriously, he said that transcon is highly competitive, and I believe he also said they're "doing okay".

EWR has one as well, in the upper area of the C3 concourse.

Not too hard though.... :P

I learned that the 777 can fly inverted! :D

suzanneaustin
Honorary Continental Captain

Does anyone know why sterile transit has historically been disallowed? The post 9/11 catch-all justification for every government regulation--terrorism and security--would seem to NOT be the driving factor since sterile transit was disallowed before 9/11.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D052; Blazer/4.5) 16;320x320)

listening to a opsc employee on the bus from the bunker explain the ins and outs of booking reward travel... Just have to ask her about when the Air Kenya stuff will be available.

I learned that frequent flyers whine too much about weather delays...fuel stops...and what else...elll has some nice hot guests ;)

Could someone please ask/suggest allowing credit card usage in the PCs to purchase premium wines. It's a bit silly that you can present your CO Visa to get a discount, but can't actually use it to pay...

You can use it! I use my CO MasterCard in the IAH clubs pretty often to buy premium wines, and I just have the regular card, not the expensive one that comes with the PC membership.

I learned what its like to meet with an executive team who actually appreciates its customers and does not think they are the enemy....

I learned that I can land a 737-800 safely.

I learned that they will consider coming back to ISP in line with the CLE expansion.

I learned that I can be REAL happy at CO.