Nov 26, 2013, 1:48 pm
Last edit by: mre5765
Please use this template:
1) What did you like most about fkaUA or fkaCO?
2) What changes have had the greatest negative impact on you?
3) What remains about the current UA that makes it hard for you to leave?
4) What airlines are you considering switching to? Or kayaking?
5) What benefits / improvements do you expect on your new airline?
6) What aspects of the new airline make it hard for you to switch to them?
1) What did you like most about fkaUA or fkaCO?
2) What changes have had the greatest negative impact on you?
3) What remains about the current UA that makes it hard for you to leave?
4) What airlines are you considering switching to? Or kayaking?
5) What benefits / improvements do you expect on your new airline?
6) What aspects of the new airline make it hard for you to switch to them?
How many are REALLY leaving UA?
Oct 30, 2012, 2:57 pm
#1516
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Southern California, GVA, SIN, LHR, BRU, CDG
Programs: UA LT GS 4.12MM (4.08MM BIS), AA EXP 1.86MM ,DL DM 1.1MM, HH LT Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,182
Really well stated! And I think this represents the worst problem for UA - it is the death of a thousand cuts. They haven't done any one thing that has alienated me and I don't particularly hate them. But the sum of what they have done and their corporate attitude toward customers makes me just not care much at this point. I've been a GS since that program started and even in years where I might have been a bit short otherwise I would make explicit effort to be in a position to requalify for it (e.g., purchasing a personal trip in first rather than cheap plus upgrade). This year I just don't much care - and that is the sad thing. They took a good (and valuable) customer and turned him into a transactional customer. In the long run that won't be good business no matter what Smisek thinks because while you can always fill a plane with seats sold cheaply you can't always attract the same number of folks willing to purchase your premium cabin. So you need to keep those and fill the plane with the cheaper purchases. I suspect (with no hard data so please all the CO appologists don't attack me for this) that part of the PRASM numbers are reflecting this fact to at least some degree. (And note - nowhere in this did I say I wanted more upgrades or other freebies - I buy mostly premium tickets, tend to give RPUs to family, and primarily want real service from front line employees enabled with tools and flexibility to meet reasonable service demands.)
Oct 30, 2012, 3:07 pm
#1517
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tulsa, OK
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,264
Yes, DL flies most RJ with F and provide F service while COdbaUA has most EMB-145 and CRJ-200 flying on routes more than 1000 miles.
We have never had Q400 at MCI. Due to the merge, we have Q400 here now...
If COdbaUA love to use those barbie jets, then, we should discuss.
I am also glad that people have better EUA chance with those barbie jets.
Should we only focus on the greatest B787? Seriously?
We have never had Q400 at MCI. Due to the merge, we have Q400 here now...
If COdbaUA love to use those barbie jets, then, we should discuss.
I am also glad that people have better EUA chance with those barbie jets.
Should we only focus on the greatest B787? Seriously?
The move away from mainline was one of the bigger drivers in me leaving UA.
I'd rather fly Mainline to Newark with a connection than take a 3hr+ ERJ non stop.
Oct 30, 2012, 3:21 pm
#1518
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,685
I've now got DL offering all mainline (with WiFi) to ATL. I like the direction they've gone with trying to make it a mostly mainline airline. It seems Delta's truly the carrier that's "united against outsourcing"
It's give and take though. DL has awful rewards redemption and terrible alliance partners. UA lacks domestic upgrades for elites, and has turned every upgrade into a battlefield one. So pick your poison.
Oct 30, 2012, 3:52 pm
#1519
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,773
Pre Merger, we had (1) 737 daily to Houston, (1) A320 daily to Denver and various RJ and ERJ flights. Post merger, we lost the 737, the 320 converted to a 737 and the ERJ flights were replaced by Q400's.
The move away from mainline was one of the bigger drivers in me leaving UA.
I'd rather fly Mainline to Newark with a connection than take a 3hr+ ERJ non stop.
The move away from mainline was one of the bigger drivers in me leaving UA.
I'd rather fly Mainline to Newark with a connection than take a 3hr+ ERJ non stop.
If they wanted to use RJ, it was mostly ExPlus which was either EMB170 or CRJ 700.
After the merge, CO brought endless EMB145 and CRJ200.
Moreover, many places that you wouldn't see Q400 before, now, you have to ride them.
Lack of F cabin on those barbie jets does indeed improve the EUA chance---
since all elites are equal ...in Y.
If I want domestic upgrade, I will go for DL.
If I want international upgrade, I will go for AA.
I only buy COdbaUA when their fare is dirt cheap (like how they treat elites) now.
Oct 30, 2012, 4:11 pm
#1520
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
I just bought another ticket from MCI to NYC on DL.
DL and COdbaUA both offer non-stop flights, MCI-JFK on DL with CRJ700 while MCI-EWR on COdbaUA with ETOPS EMB-145.
I would like to pay the same fare to have chance to be upgraded on DL and leave the "EUA space" on EMB-145 for my beloved United flyers.
Before, I would buy the ticket on United due to the loyalty.
Now my choices are so flexible.
DL and COdbaUA both offer non-stop flights, MCI-JFK on DL with CRJ700 while MCI-EWR on COdbaUA with ETOPS EMB-145.
I would like to pay the same fare to have chance to be upgraded on DL and leave the "EUA space" on EMB-145 for my beloved United flyers.
Before, I would buy the ticket on United due to the loyalty.
Now my choices are so flexible.
Nice to fly AA to DFW, for example, which is all mainline. Sadly, none of the UA routes from MCI are all mainline these days
Oct 30, 2012, 4:18 pm
#1521
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
Pre Merger, we had (1) 737 daily to Houston, (1) A320 daily to Denver and various RJ and ERJ flights. Post merger, we lost the 737, the 320 converted to a 737 and the ERJ flights were replaced by Q400's.
The move away from mainline was one of the bigger drivers in me leaving UA.
I'd rather fly Mainline to Newark with a connection than take a 3hr+ ERJ non stop.
The move away from mainline was one of the bigger drivers in me leaving UA.
I'd rather fly Mainline to Newark with a connection than take a 3hr+ ERJ non stop.
The RJs guzzle fuel per seat.
The 2 airlines merging should have filled more mainline jets at a slightly lower frequency to keep all the previous passengers flying.
I know they have focused on capacity cuts
Has UA/CO focused on frequency and number of flights vs larger jets everywhere?
I am a hub captive and fly IAD for Intl routes and DCA for domestic, so am bound to *A for now.
Last edited by ffI; Oct 30, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Oct 30, 2012, 4:24 pm
#1522
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,187
I have no problem with any of the regional jets, for that matter even the props are fine with me. But three times last week, I ended up on sUA A320s rather than sCO 73Xs. One word: awful. In each case, cabins were excessively warm. FAs took no action and weren't even sympathetic. One dismissed me simply saying that the tempature was what it normally is on an A320 and then wouldn't provide additional ice water. I try to book around sUA equipment but given schedule changes it hardly helps.
Oct 30, 2012, 4:37 pm
#1523
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
I have no problem with any of the regional jets, for that matter even the props are fine with me. But three times last week, I ended up on sUA A320s rather than sCO 73Xs. One word: awful. In each case, cabins were excessively warm. FAs took no action and weren't even sympathetic. One dismissed me simply saying that the tempature was what it normally is on an A320 and then wouldn't provide additional ice water. I try to book around sUA equipment but given schedule changes it hardly helps.
Oct 30, 2012, 7:04 pm
#1525
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Programs: Bonvoy LTT, Hyatt Exp, AA 1MM, UA Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 970
Done with UA (for this year, at least)
The past two years, including this one, I've hit 1k on segments. Sitting at 124 segments right now, but had only one UA flight the rest of the year and just cancelled it due to a schedule change. I'm currently requalifying as DL Gold, on segments as well; should have that done by the end of Nov.
Between the move from ERJ's to Dash 200's out of CLE, to empty seats at takeoff in FC, to the overall apathy of most UA employees I've interacted with in person over the past year, I'm just not enjoying my travels on UA. I let one RPU expire at the end of Oct, and will lose all 6 at the end of this year.
I did re-up on my Chase card to get UA Club access, but I'm having second thoughts on that as well. Compared to the DL clubs, they just aren't nice.
Not sure what I'm going to do next year at this point, as I really don't like the skypeso redemption options, either.
Between the move from ERJ's to Dash 200's out of CLE, to empty seats at takeoff in FC, to the overall apathy of most UA employees I've interacted with in person over the past year, I'm just not enjoying my travels on UA. I let one RPU expire at the end of Oct, and will lose all 6 at the end of this year.
I did re-up on my Chase card to get UA Club access, but I'm having second thoughts on that as well. Compared to the DL clubs, they just aren't nice.
Not sure what I'm going to do next year at this point, as I really don't like the skypeso redemption options, either.
Oct 30, 2012, 7:07 pm
#1526
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,773
I have no problem with any of the regional jets, for that matter even the props are fine with me. But three times last week, I ended up on sUA A320s rather than sCO 73Xs. One word: awful. In each case, cabins were excessively warm. FAs took no action and weren't even sympathetic. One dismissed me simply saying that the tempature was what it normally is on an A320 and then wouldn't provide additional ice water. I try to book around sUA equipment but given schedule changes it hardly helps.
The temperature is changeable if the crews are willing to do it.
If the crews don't run the ice water, you can always go to the galley and ask for more.
The A320s is wider and the E+ legroom is the best in UA's fleets no matter before merge or after merge.
While the temperature can be changed, the space can't.
While you can ask for more water, the space won't be wider even you ask.
I don't know how many people will choose CRJ200/EMB145 rather than A320.
Oct 30, 2012, 7:39 pm
#1527
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Now MFE... formerly SEA and DCA
Programs: Now UA free!, AA Ex Plat, AS MVP, Marriott Titanium for life
Posts: 664
Oct 30, 2012, 8:15 pm
#1528
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Izamal, Yucatan
Programs: Previously 5 year AS Gold 75, UA MM Lifetime Gold
Posts: 787
There are many of us who are not happy the historically 738/9 routes that have been replaced with 319/320. It's just not worth repeatedly posting about....
Oct 30, 2012, 8:16 pm
#1529
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1KMM, HH-Diamond, Marriott-Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 458
I have no problem with any of the regional jets, for that matter even the props are fine with me. But three times last week, I ended up on sUA A320s rather than sCO 73Xs. One word: awful. In each case, cabins were excessively warm. FAs took no action and weren't even sympathetic. One dismissed me simply saying that the tempature was what it normally is on an A320 and then wouldn't provide additional ice water. I try to book around sUA equipment but given schedule changes it hardly helps.
Who in their right mind would ever prefer an RJ, or a Wright Bros plane over a mainline jet, no matter what the type? Wow! Takes all kinds.
Oct 30, 2012, 8:28 pm
#1530
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
I have no problem with any of the regional jets, for that matter even the props are fine with me. But three times last week, I ended up on sUA A320s rather than sCO 73Xs. One word: awful. In each case, cabins were excessively warm. FAs took no action and weren't even sympathetic. One dismissed me simply saying that the tempature was what it normally is on an A320 and then wouldn't provide additional ice water. I try to book around sUA equipment but given schedule changes it hardly helps.