CLE-LAX Major timetable changes?
 

My major trips throughout the year are CLE-LAX / LAX-CLE. I had some Sunday tickets booked from LAX-CLE on 1/6/13 and as of this weekend all of the direct day flights are gone and they want me to agree to the 11pm red-eye. There has always been at least 2 direct day flights from LAX-CLE that I can remember. Especially around the holiday season.

Anyone heard of major timetable changes between CLE-LAX? What gives?

(Really not liking what United has done to Cleveland and Continental. I miss the good old days.)

Remember when UA stopped CLE as a hub? Fortunately, CO moved in and saved the day. Now UA is doing it again. UA is alslo reducing service at LAX but not to the same extent as CLE.

Not only where there two direct flights, they were nonstop direct flights to boot.

Do not agree to the schedule change online. The system prefers to reschedule using the same routing. A phone call will easily get you moved to connecting service via IAH,DEN,ORD,IAD,or SFO.

Yep..sigh. I meant nonstop by the way when I said direct. I know they will reschedule the same routing for free with a connecting flight but the whole reason I pay a premium for United is for the nonstop! I travel with my kids a lot and we find that one straight nonstop shot is far better than splitting it up. Just my experience anyway -- other families my find a stop is better for them.

Since you are travelling with kids, the easiest place to connect on the 6th would be PIT.
LAX-PIT UA458 940A-517P
PIT-CLE UA4810 707P-802P

Alternatively, look at PHX
LAX-PHX UA6526 750A-1009A
PHX-CLE UA1297 1215P-603P

Yes, you would have some regional equipment, but both are very easy places to do online UA connections. PIT has very few pax since US dehubbed it; there is also a Mr. Rodgers display.

The PHX option is nice as you would have a PMCO crew and plane, which IMHO are nicer than the PMUA.

Thanks for the tips! My kids would love to see a Mr. Rogers display!

I might just have to do that.

Beware - the PIT to CLE flights are operated on non-jet equipment (Dash 8's). Just a heads up.

Checking other dates in January, the nonstop LAX - CLE seems to vanish completely. This is definitely bad news, IMHO.

Good point. I don't think my kids have even taken a small propeller plane before. I also hate taking them--especially in the winter when the weather is bad. I'm thinking the best bet is out of PHX for the connection. Chance of delay is reduced.

I'm going to wait a little while longer before I change the tickets and agree to any changes to the itinerary. I just have a hard time believing that there won't be a singe nonstop day flight from LAX-CLE on the Sunday after new years. I've never run across that in over 7 years.

The deal which allowed UA-CO to merege only required UA to maintain CLE as a hub for 2 years (from the merger, not SOC). That's over and now CLE steps back to a regional facility with most access through various other hubs.

Don't wait too long on reroutes. There were likely a bunch of other displaced pax and those who call first will get the better deals.

Don't read closing the CLE into this. The long range schedules are completely screwed up almost across the board. I am 100% certain CLE-LAX will have multiple dailies in the DEC/JAN timeframe, but I don't understand why a dummy schedule with A319s or 737s isn't loaded as a placeholder.

Perhaps they are just saying they are no longer interested in advance purchase business?

So my fears are starting to play out. United really messed us up here in CLE. I hope another airline steps in and provides some nonstops between LAX-CLE.

Good news is I checked some flights around March-April (when we travel back and forth a lot) and it seems there are more nonstops but given what I'm seeing in January I'm not holding my breath.

Unless you live far west of Cleveland, I would just drive to PIT and take the nonstop.

^
Have done this on occasion for a cheaper flight. Really not a bad drive at all for the east side. Probably faster than the connection when you factor in the waiting around.

I'll take a Dash 8 over an ERJ-145 for short flights.

Why?

So I emailed United about it and I'm not so sure you are right. Here is what they said: