Remaining Vestiges of Continental After the Merger With United
Jul 1, 2014, 1:42 pm
#301
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Delta Silver. Former AA gold. UA MP and DL Plat AMEX cardholder
Posts: 1,254
I am a FF who loved pmCO and who had no disdain pmUA. But, I must say all the UA-is-ruined-by-CO virtriol is quite frustrating. I don't mind either sUA or sCO crews, but I'm frustrated as all by certain pmUA loyalists on FlyerTalk and their one-track complaining.
No true CO loyalists believe that SMI/J was a Continental person; it doesn't matter he was employed there. He was brought in to destroy the airline in favor of business gains, he did so by merging with UA in the process he brought UA down too.
I'm sick and tired of being told things like "Continental [has been] forc[ed] down everyone's throat." There are plenty of policies from UA that have survived, policies which, IMO, are inferior to jettisoned pmCO policies. But, that's the point: SMI/J has tossed out good parts from both and retained bad parts from each. And he has brought in some new bad bits which never existed in either.
What's really wrong has nothing to do with the dismissal of the Tulip logo, the ending of non-expiring miles, increases in award prices, changes in upgrade policies, the ending of domestic coach food (which wouldn't, IMO, have happened without Jeff and his mis-imagined and mis-managed merger), or even his awful mug being shown to frustrated travelers. What's really wrong is that Jeff never had a vision of an airline which was anything more than a mere business which happens to fly. He invests in aircraft but not in people, either employees or customers.
But of all that is wrong, what really makes me cringe is not IRROPS, MP changes, increasing fares, hub closing, discontinued services or a disheartened group of employees. What makes me cringe is when I sit next to a pmUA loyalist whose slamming of everything Continental is so intense it makes me feel not welcome as a fellow passenger. This is something I've never been made to feel by any sUA employee.
Can't we stop all this hate? Either fly the new United - an airline not as good as either pmUA or pmCO - or jump ship. But please stop whining. AA/US, AS, B6, DL, VX, & WN/FL would be happy to sell tickets to anyone who hates Jeff and the business he has created.
No true CO loyalists believe that SMI/J was a Continental person; it doesn't matter he was employed there. He was brought in to destroy the airline in favor of business gains, he did so by merging with UA in the process he brought UA down too.
I'm sick and tired of being told things like "Continental [has been] forc[ed] down everyone's throat." There are plenty of policies from UA that have survived, policies which, IMO, are inferior to jettisoned pmCO policies. But, that's the point: SMI/J has tossed out good parts from both and retained bad parts from each. And he has brought in some new bad bits which never existed in either.
What's really wrong has nothing to do with the dismissal of the Tulip logo, the ending of non-expiring miles, increases in award prices, changes in upgrade policies, the ending of domestic coach food (which wouldn't, IMO, have happened without Jeff and his mis-imagined and mis-managed merger), or even his awful mug being shown to frustrated travelers. What's really wrong is that Jeff never had a vision of an airline which was anything more than a mere business which happens to fly. He invests in aircraft but not in people, either employees or customers.
But of all that is wrong, what really makes me cringe is not IRROPS, MP changes, increasing fares, hub closing, discontinued services or a disheartened group of employees. What makes me cringe is when I sit next to a pmUA loyalist whose slamming of everything Continental is so intense it makes me feel not welcome as a fellow passenger. This is something I've never been made to feel by any sUA employee.
Can't we stop all this hate? Either fly the new United - an airline not as good as either pmUA or pmCO - or jump ship. But please stop whining. AA/US, AS, B6, DL, VX, & WN/FL would be happy to sell tickets to anyone who hates Jeff and the business he has created.
So none of the things that were inferior to CO affect you, but a PMUA employee slamming CO is (which, BTW is well documented the other way around especially with Jeff slamming sUA work rules) does? Your solution is just suck it up? With that mindset, you might as well WORK for United at this point.
Trust me, I grew up in NJ and I saw how the other half lives (CO) well before the merger. When s*** hit the fan, it really hit the fan. The IRROPS stories on these forums don't lie.
Jul 1, 2014, 2:06 pm
#302
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: DAL
Programs: UA 1K AA EXP
Posts: 632
I am a FF who loved pmCO and who had no disdain for pmUA. But, I must say all the UA-is-ruined-by-CO virtriol is quite frustrating. I don't mind either sUA or sCO crews, but I'm frustrated as all by certain pmUA loyalists on FlyerTalk and their one-track complaining.
No true CO loyalists believe that SMI/J was a Continental person; it doesn't matter he was employed there. He was brought in to destroy the airline in favor of business gains, he did so by merging with UA in the process he brought UA down too.
I'm sick and tired of being told things like "Continental [has been] forc[ed] down everyone's throat." There are plenty of policies from UA that have survived, policies which, IMO, are inferior to jettisoned pmCO policies. But, that's the point: SMI/J has tossed out good parts from both and retained bad parts from each. And he has brought in some new bad bits which never existed in either.
What's really wrong has nothing to do with the dismissal of the Tulip logo, the ending of non-expiring miles, increases in award prices, changes in upgrade policies, the ending of domestic coach food (which wouldn't, IMO, have happened without Jeff and his mis-imagined and mis-managed merger), or even his awful mug being shown to frustrated travelers. What's really wrong is that Jeff never had a vision of an airline which was anything more than a mere business which happens to fly. He invests in aircraft but not in people, either employees or customers.
But of all that is wrong, what really makes me cringe is not IRROPS, MP changes, increasing fares, hub closing, discontinued services or a disheartened group of employees. What makes me cringe is when I sit next to a pmUA loyalist whose slamming of everything Continental is so intense it makes me feel not welcome as a fellow passenger. This is something I've never been made to feel by any sUA employee.
Can't we stop all this hate? Either fly the new United - an airline not as good as either pmUA or pmCO - or jump ship. But please stop whining. AA/US, AS, B6, DL, VX, & WN/FL would be happy to sell tickets to anyone who hates Jeff and the business he has created.
No true CO loyalists believe that SMI/J was a Continental person; it doesn't matter he was employed there. He was brought in to destroy the airline in favor of business gains, he did so by merging with UA in the process he brought UA down too.
I'm sick and tired of being told things like "Continental [has been] forc[ed] down everyone's throat." There are plenty of policies from UA that have survived, policies which, IMO, are inferior to jettisoned pmCO policies. But, that's the point: SMI/J has tossed out good parts from both and retained bad parts from each. And he has brought in some new bad bits which never existed in either.
What's really wrong has nothing to do with the dismissal of the Tulip logo, the ending of non-expiring miles, increases in award prices, changes in upgrade policies, the ending of domestic coach food (which wouldn't, IMO, have happened without Jeff and his mis-imagined and mis-managed merger), or even his awful mug being shown to frustrated travelers. What's really wrong is that Jeff never had a vision of an airline which was anything more than a mere business which happens to fly. He invests in aircraft but not in people, either employees or customers.
But of all that is wrong, what really makes me cringe is not IRROPS, MP changes, increasing fares, hub closing, discontinued services or a disheartened group of employees. What makes me cringe is when I sit next to a pmUA loyalist whose slamming of everything Continental is so intense it makes me feel not welcome as a fellow passenger. This is something I've never been made to feel by any sUA employee.
Can't we stop all this hate? Either fly the new United - an airline not as good as either pmUA or pmCO - or jump ship. But please stop whining. AA/US, AS, B6, DL, VX, & WN/FL would be happy to sell tickets to anyone who hates Jeff and the business he has created.
Jul 1, 2014, 2:25 pm
#303
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, GE/Nexus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 266
I am a FF who loved pmCO and who had no disdain pmUA. But, I must say all the UA-is-ruined-by-CO virtriol is quite frustrating. I don't mind either sUA or sCO crews, but I'm frustrated as all by certain pmUA loyalists on FlyerTalk and their one-track complaining.
No true CO loyalists believe that SMI/J was a Continental person; it doesn't matter he was employed there. He was brought in to destroy the airline in favor of business gains, he did so by merging with UA in the process he brought UA down too.
I'm sick and tired of being told things like "Continental [has been shoved] down everyone's throat." There are plenty of policies from UA that have survived, policies which, IMO, are inferior to jettisoned pmCO policies. But, that's the point: SMI/J has tossed out good parts from both and retained bad parts. And he has brought in some new bad bits which never existed in either.
What's wrong has nothing to do with the dismissal of the Tulip logo, the ending of non-expiring miles, increases in award prices, changes in upgrade policies, the ending of domestic coach food (which wouldn't not, IMO, have happened without Jeff and his mus-imagined and mis-managed merger), or even his awful mug being shown to frustrated travelers. What's really wrong is that Jeff never had a vision of an airline which was anything more than a mere business which happens to fly. He invests in aircraft but not in people, either employees or customers.
But of all that is wrong, what really makes me cringe is not IRROPS, MP changes, increasing fares, hub closing, discontinued services or a disheartened group of employees. What makes me cringe is when I sit next to a pmUA loyalist who slamming of everything Continental is so intense it makes me feel not welcome as a fellow passenger.
Can't we stop all this hate? Either fly the new United - an airline not as good as either pmUA or pmCO - or jump ship. AA/US, AS, B6, DL, VX, & WN/FL would be happy to sell tickets to anyone who hates Jeff and the business he has created.
No true CO loyalists believe that SMI/J was a Continental person; it doesn't matter he was employed there. He was brought in to destroy the airline in favor of business gains, he did so by merging with UA in the process he brought UA down too.
I'm sick and tired of being told things like "Continental [has been shoved] down everyone's throat." There are plenty of policies from UA that have survived, policies which, IMO, are inferior to jettisoned pmCO policies. But, that's the point: SMI/J has tossed out good parts from both and retained bad parts. And he has brought in some new bad bits which never existed in either.
What's wrong has nothing to do with the dismissal of the Tulip logo, the ending of non-expiring miles, increases in award prices, changes in upgrade policies, the ending of domestic coach food (which wouldn't not, IMO, have happened without Jeff and his mus-imagined and mis-managed merger), or even his awful mug being shown to frustrated travelers. What's really wrong is that Jeff never had a vision of an airline which was anything more than a mere business which happens to fly. He invests in aircraft but not in people, either employees or customers.
But of all that is wrong, what really makes me cringe is not IRROPS, MP changes, increasing fares, hub closing, discontinued services or a disheartened group of employees. What makes me cringe is when I sit next to a pmUA loyalist who slamming of everything Continental is so intense it makes me feel not welcome as a fellow passenger.
Can't we stop all this hate? Either fly the new United - an airline not as good as either pmUA or pmCO - or jump ship. AA/US, AS, B6, DL, VX, & WN/FL would be happy to sell tickets to anyone who hates Jeff and the business he has created.
SMI/J was in the process of bringing pmCO down before the merger, and continued the process with the merged UA. And, pmUA/pmCO divide is apparently actively encouraged by current management - divide et impera! - and that may end up being their most pernicious and long-lasting legacy... still surprised it works.
The failures of 2014 UA have little to do with pmCO or pmUA, and everything to do with a management team in over its head.
Jul 1, 2014, 3:50 pm
#304
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: northeast coast of Florida
Programs: UA 1K - 2MM, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Platinum Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,422
I am a FF who loved pmCO and who had no disdain for pmUA. But, I must say all the UA-is-ruined-by-CO virtriol is quite frustrating. I don't mind either sUA or sCO crews, but I'm frustrated as all by certain pmUA loyalists on FlyerTalk and their one-track complaining.
No true CO loyalists believe that SMI/J was a Continental person; it doesn't matter he was employed there. He was brought in to destroy the airline in favor of business gains, he did so by merging with UA in the process he brought UA down too.
I'm sick and tired of being told things like "Continental [has been] forc[ed] down everyone's throat." There are plenty of policies from UA that have survived, policies which, IMO, are inferior to jettisoned pmCO policies. But, that's the point: SMI/J has tossed out good parts from both and retained bad parts from each. And he has brought in some new bad bits which never existed in either.
What's really wrong has nothing to do with the dismissal of the Tulip logo, the ending of non-expiring miles, increases in award prices, changes in upgrade policies, the ending of domestic coach food (which wouldn't, IMO, have happened without Jeff and his mis-imagined and mis-managed merger), or even his awful mug being shown to frustrated travelers. What's really wrong is that Jeff never had a vision of an airline which was anything more than a mere business which happens to fly. He invests in aircraft but not in people, either employees or customers.
But of all that is wrong, what really makes me cringe is not IRROPS, MP changes, increasing fares, hub closing, discontinued services or a disheartened group of employees. What makes me cringe is when I sit next to a pmUA loyalist whose slamming of everything Continental is so intense it makes me feel not welcome as a fellow passenger. This is something I've never been made to feel by any sUA employee.
Can't we stop all this hate? Either fly the new United - an airline not as good as either pmUA or pmCO - or jump ship. But please stop whining. AA/US, AS, B6, DL, VX, & WN/FL would be happy to sell tickets to anyone who hates Jeff and the business he has created.
No true CO loyalists believe that SMI/J was a Continental person; it doesn't matter he was employed there. He was brought in to destroy the airline in favor of business gains, he did so by merging with UA in the process he brought UA down too.
I'm sick and tired of being told things like "Continental [has been] forc[ed] down everyone's throat." There are plenty of policies from UA that have survived, policies which, IMO, are inferior to jettisoned pmCO policies. But, that's the point: SMI/J has tossed out good parts from both and retained bad parts from each. And he has brought in some new bad bits which never existed in either.
What's really wrong has nothing to do with the dismissal of the Tulip logo, the ending of non-expiring miles, increases in award prices, changes in upgrade policies, the ending of domestic coach food (which wouldn't, IMO, have happened without Jeff and his mis-imagined and mis-managed merger), or even his awful mug being shown to frustrated travelers. What's really wrong is that Jeff never had a vision of an airline which was anything more than a mere business which happens to fly. He invests in aircraft but not in people, either employees or customers.
But of all that is wrong, what really makes me cringe is not IRROPS, MP changes, increasing fares, hub closing, discontinued services or a disheartened group of employees. What makes me cringe is when I sit next to a pmUA loyalist whose slamming of everything Continental is so intense it makes me feel not welcome as a fellow passenger. This is something I've never been made to feel by any sUA employee.
Can't we stop all this hate? Either fly the new United - an airline not as good as either pmUA or pmCO - or jump ship. But please stop whining. AA/US, AS, B6, DL, VX, & WN/FL would be happy to sell tickets to anyone who hates Jeff and the business he has created.
Jul 1, 2014, 4:33 pm
#305
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, GE/Nexus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 266
All this is fine and good but there is one policy that I have just noticed that really has my goat. When you check your "United" frequent flyer number what does it start with? Just take a look at that and reply. I'll tell you what mine starts with then to possibly prove my point.
, mine (fairly old, pmCO) starts with AE, while my wife's (very recent, UA) starts with PV. Do not blame the messenger!
Jul 1, 2014, 4:40 pm
#306
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: northeast coast of Florida
Programs: UA 1K - 2MM, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Platinum Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,422
My point is look at a receipt or more specifically itinerary. How does your Onepass/Mileage Plus number show up exactly? Does your ff number start as AE or is there anything in front of that? Maybe this is nothing or this one item may reveal precisely what Smisek and his team are trying to do. By the way, my pmCO Onepass number starts with GL, which is circa July 1989. However ........
Last edited by RobotDoctor; Jul 1, 2014 at 4:59 pm
Jul 1, 2014, 6:33 pm
#307
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, GE/Nexus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 266
LOL, of course not!
My point is look at a receipt or more specifically itinerary. How does your Onepass/Mileage Plus number show up exactly? Does your ff number start as AE or is there anything in front of that? Maybe this is nothing or this one item may reveal precisely what Smisek and his team are trying to do. By the way, my pmCO Onepass number starts with GL, which is circa July 1989. However ........
My point is look at a receipt or more specifically itinerary. How does your Onepass/Mileage Plus number show up exactly? Does your ff number start as AE or is there anything in front of that? Maybe this is nothing or this one item may reveal precisely what Smisek and his team are trying to do. By the way, my pmCO Onepass number starts with GL, which is circa July 1989. However ........
)Do you see something different?
Jul 1, 2014, 7:11 pm
#308
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: northeast coast of Florida
Programs: UA 1K - 2MM, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Platinum Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,422
Thanks for the clarification!!!
Jul 1, 2014, 8:10 pm
#309
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
LOL, of course not!
My point is look at a receipt or more specifically itinerary. How does your Onepass/Mileage Plus number show up exactly? Does your ff number start as AE or is there anything in front of that? Maybe this is nothing or this one item may reveal precisely what Smisek and his team are trying to do. By the way, my pmCO Onepass number starts with GL, which is circa July 1989. However ........
My point is look at a receipt or more specifically itinerary. How does your Onepass/Mileage Plus number show up exactly? Does your ff number start as AE or is there anything in front of that? Maybe this is nothing or this one item may reveal precisely what Smisek and his team are trying to do. By the way, my pmCO Onepass number starts with GL, which is circa July 1989. However ........
Jul 1, 2014, 10:02 pm
#310
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: northeast coast of Florida
Programs: UA 1K - 2MM, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Platinum Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,422
Jul 1, 2014, 10:27 pm
#312
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: BDL/NYC/BOS
Programs: UA/*A Gold, Global Entry, Marriott Plat, Hilton+IHG Gold, Hertz PC, DL
Posts: 1,752
i think the UA is there in that case simply to note that you're crediting your miles for that reservation to UA (and not to another *A carrier). my FF number was pmCO and i have UA-JHXXXXX on my itineraries.
Jul 2, 2014, 12:49 pm
#313
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Federal Way, WA
Programs: Mileage Plus 2P, Marriott Silver, many others
Posts: 1,305
I am a FF who loved pmCO and who had no disdain for pmUA. But, I must say all the UA-is-ruined-by-CO virtriol is quite frustrating. I don't mind either sUA or sCO crews, but I'm frustrated as all by certain pmUA loyalists on FlyerTalk and their one-track complaining.
No true CO loyalists believe that SMI/J was a Continental person; it doesn't matter he was employed there. He was brought in to destroy the airline in favor of business gains, he did so by merging with UA in the process he brought UA down too.
I'm sick and tired of being told things like "Continental [has been] forc[ed] down everyone's throat." There are plenty of policies from UA that have survived, policies which, IMO, are inferior to jettisoned pmCO policies. But, that's the point: SMI/J has tossed out good parts from both and retained bad parts from each. And he has brought in some new bad bits which never existed in either.
What's really wrong has nothing to do with the dismissal of the Tulip logo, the ending of non-expiring miles, increases in award prices, changes in upgrade policies, the ending of domestic coach food (which wouldn't, IMO, have happened without Jeff and his mis-imagined and mis-managed merger), or even his awful mug being shown to frustrated travelers. What's really wrong is that Jeff never had a vision of an airline which was anything more than a mere business which happens to fly. He invests in aircraft but not in people, either employees or customers.
But of all that is wrong, what really makes me cringe is not IRROPS, MP changes, increasing fares, hub closing, discontinued services or a disheartened group of employees. What makes me cringe is when I sit next to a pmUA loyalist whose slamming of everything Continental is so intense it makes me feel not welcome as a fellow passenger. This is something I've never been made to feel by any sUA employee.
Can't we stop all this hate? Either fly the new United - an airline not as good as either pmUA or pmCO - or jump ship. But please stop whining. AA/US, AS, B6, DL, VX, & WN/FL would be happy to sell tickets to anyone who hates Jeff and the business he has created.
No true CO loyalists believe that SMI/J was a Continental person; it doesn't matter he was employed there. He was brought in to destroy the airline in favor of business gains, he did so by merging with UA in the process he brought UA down too.
I'm sick and tired of being told things like "Continental [has been] forc[ed] down everyone's throat." There are plenty of policies from UA that have survived, policies which, IMO, are inferior to jettisoned pmCO policies. But, that's the point: SMI/J has tossed out good parts from both and retained bad parts from each. And he has brought in some new bad bits which never existed in either.
What's really wrong has nothing to do with the dismissal of the Tulip logo, the ending of non-expiring miles, increases in award prices, changes in upgrade policies, the ending of domestic coach food (which wouldn't, IMO, have happened without Jeff and his mis-imagined and mis-managed merger), or even his awful mug being shown to frustrated travelers. What's really wrong is that Jeff never had a vision of an airline which was anything more than a mere business which happens to fly. He invests in aircraft but not in people, either employees or customers.
But of all that is wrong, what really makes me cringe is not IRROPS, MP changes, increasing fares, hub closing, discontinued services or a disheartened group of employees. What makes me cringe is when I sit next to a pmUA loyalist whose slamming of everything Continental is so intense it makes me feel not welcome as a fellow passenger. This is something I've never been made to feel by any sUA employee.
Can't we stop all this hate? Either fly the new United - an airline not as good as either pmUA or pmCO - or jump ship. But please stop whining. AA/US, AS, B6, DL, VX, & WN/FL would be happy to sell tickets to anyone who hates Jeff and the business he has created.
To me -- connected with UA since 1966 but now loyal to no one but myself -- the most visible issues do happen to be pmCO-generated. Having worked in IT at United, I knew from the start that going with SHARES would be a monumental blunder. I realize that Jeff was well on his way to undoing everything Gordon Bethune had accomplished, and as a result he makes a big, fat target for everything. True, some former UA policies should have been discarded, as well, but from an outsider's view the biggest mistakes have been in favor of former CO.
I haven't flown this airline now for 2 or 3 years, but I did find it interesting (euphemism for "appalling") that over 18 months into the merger they were still using Continental Airlines napkins and beverage cups. That was certainly no way to build a new brand, simply a way to avoid the cost of disposing of everything (by then every branded service item, at least, should have been replaced -- I can understand airplanes not yet being repainted and other large items).
I go along with your plea to end the hate and sniping -- the new airline is what it is, and it's not going to go back to what either of them was before (if I had my way, it would still be like the 60s and 70s when United and Continental were both being run by actual airline people -- a rant for another time). And that goes for both the FT members and the employees!
Jul 2, 2014, 2:29 pm
#315
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,187
All this to do about FF numbers.
Shall we not go back to celebrating/remembering the remaining vestiges of CO? Legacies are important; we shouldn't put them down.
I just saw - and I won't say at which airport for fear it might be eliminated - an old chair with a "Property of Trans World Airlines" on it. It made me smile similarly to seeing the ever decreasing number of Continental signs. If only I could spot something which still said "Capital" on it.