Legacy UAL Crew Stopped a Defection to Delta
Apr 29, 2013, 5:46 am
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Connecticut
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 60
Interesting Discussion
Interesting discussion, I'm glad posters are actually citing their experiences and providing details. As for some of the questions to my original post as to why I fly UAL, well here they are: 1) I'm basically a captive to United and Lufthansa due to corporate contracts and they actually do fly where I have to go (formerly Pac Rim and Australasia, now Persian Gulf and North Africa). 2) Delta is the next best option for me due corporate contracts 3) For all the rah rah rah about Qatar and Etihad...yes, you get what you pay for in service and thats part of the problem, as its impossible to explain the cost premium to the bean counters. 4) Safety is also a consideration vs ET and QR. I personnally would rather have the 20000 hour veteran Captain up front than a low time ab initio neophyte local. (Yeah, I know there are exceptions, including a lot of Brit expats flying in the ME, but the trend is going the other way due to cost).
Oh and BTW, I'm pretty much in complete agreement with MitchMU and his viewpoint in this thread.
Oh and BTW, I'm pretty much in complete agreement with MitchMU and his viewpoint in this thread.
Apr 29, 2013, 6:19 am
#47
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: US CP ; LH FTL ; *G
Posts: 1,630
Even if there are some great s-ua or s-co crews, it still 100% insane, out of your mind, etc to pay UA or any us based carried when you can fly QR, TK, etc in premium cabins. No matter how nice UA crew is, there is just no class in UA service - it does not feel premium.
And the food sucks big time too. On all my UA flights this year the food was just horrible. On the other hand, I quite enjoyed TK economy meals on a few short European flights last month and will absolutely prefer them over UA business food. I never through I would ever compare C meal on a 9 hour flight with Y meal on a 3 hour flight and prefer Y....
And the food sucks big time too. On all my UA flights this year the food was just horrible. On the other hand, I quite enjoyed TK economy meals on a few short European flights last month and will absolutely prefer them over UA business food. I never through I would ever compare C meal on a 9 hour flight with Y meal on a 3 hour flight and prefer Y....
Apr 29, 2013, 7:49 am
#48
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
+1. I've never flown TK's long haul 77W & in all fairness I've heard it's very nice but I have flown TK numerous times between DXB - IST & every flight was worse then the last. The catering sucked, the older seats were a joke & the crew was very surly. There are other choices between DXB-IST (EK & SQ) but the timings never worked for me so I was stuck w TK. That was up to a year ago - now I take an EK flight even if the timing is horrible. (I'm not sure if SQ still flys this route. When they did it was only 2-3 times a week
Apr 29, 2013, 8:22 am
#49
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
+1. I've never flown TK's long haul 77W & in all fairness I've heard it's very nice but I have flown TK numerous times between DXB - IST & every flight was worse then the last. The catering sucked, the older seats were a joke & the crew was very surly. There are other choices between DXB-IST (EK & SQ) but the timings never worked for me so I was stuck w TK. That was up to a year ago - now I take an EK flight even if the timing is horrible. (I'm not sure if SQ still flys this route. When they did it was only 2-3 times a week
Apr 29, 2013, 8:26 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,166
Food is amazing, though I thought liquor selection was a bit weak. And crew can be hit or miss (where have I heard that before...)
Apr 29, 2013, 8:39 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,596
Apr 29, 2013, 10:26 am
#52
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,017
There are bad apples on both crews. There are just more apples that don't care about service on the sCO side based on my experience. YMMV.
Case in point: On a recent flight, the assisting FA was addressing passengers as "Beef or Chicken?". No name, no greetings, and lukewarm nuts were served with the meal. She also tapped on my armrest and used "tray" command so she can place the meal tray with the nuts. She eventually warmed up later in the flight, but I doubt the level of service and attitude was meeting expectation.*
*Unless, of course, you set your bar way low.
Case in point: On a recent flight, the assisting FA was addressing passengers as "Beef or Chicken?". No name, no greetings, and lukewarm nuts were served with the meal. She also tapped on my armrest and used "tray" command so she can place the meal tray with the nuts. She eventually warmed up later in the flight, but I doubt the level of service and attitude was meeting expectation.*
*Unless, of course, you set your bar way low.
Apr 29, 2013, 10:34 am
#53
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
There are bad apples on both crews. There are just more apples that don't care about service on the sCO side based on my experience. YMMV.
Case in point: On a recent flight, the assisting FA was addressing passengers as "Beef or Chicken?". No name, no greetings, and lukewarm nuts were served with the meal. She also tapped on my armrest and used "tray" command so she can place the meal tray with the nuts. She eventually warmed up later in the flight, but I doubt the level of service and attitude was meeting expectation.*
*Unless, of course, you set your bar way low.
Case in point: On a recent flight, the assisting FA was addressing passengers as "Beef or Chicken?". No name, no greetings, and lukewarm nuts were served with the meal. She also tapped on my armrest and used "tray" command so she can place the meal tray with the nuts. She eventually warmed up later in the flight, but I doubt the level of service and attitude was meeting expectation.*
*Unless, of course, you set your bar way low.
Apr 29, 2013, 11:14 am
#54
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
It's amazing how different people's experiences can be. I have had nothing but great experiences with the UA crews out of EWR since the merger. I was quite happy to be able to fly non-stop from the NY area to places other than IAD, ORD, SFO, LAX and DEN, despite having to drive about 45 minutes further to get to EWR (I live on Long Island).
I cannot think of one domestic or international crew onboard or gate agent or ground staff at EWR that has provided anything other than good and in many instances great service.
It really is true that YMMV
I cannot think of one domestic or international crew onboard or gate agent or ground staff at EWR that has provided anything other than good and in many instances great service.
It really is true that YMMV
Apr 29, 2013, 11:41 am
#55
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,941
Exactly ... looks like the OP was looking to justify staying with UA and tends to exaggerate even the smallest positive things as the second coming of Christ 
Apr 29, 2013, 11:41 am
#56
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
I come from the PMCO side and I generally prefer the PMCO crews. I have had good and bad experiences with both groups though that is for sure but it is relatively easy to determine a crew's linage based on the different airplane types each airline brought to the merger.
My biggest PMUA pet peeve used to be not being offered a cocktail in domestic F before takeoff
but with that little issue taken care of ^ I am willing to roll the dice either way... 
SunLover
Apr 29, 2013, 11:52 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 217
Typical Merger sorts of issues
I had hoped for the UA/CO merger for a while, FF focused on both onepass and MP, lots of time on both.
UA and CO had very different service cultures and as part of the integration those will take time to shake out. I've had great and totally miserable experiences with both, as most here probably have had as well.
The crazy variation in service on both xUA and xCO is an industry problem and not just a merger or UA/CO problem.
Its partially why I'm obsessive about sending feedback and filling in surveys with really specific feedback on anything good or bad.
UA and CO had very different service cultures and as part of the integration those will take time to shake out. I've had great and totally miserable experiences with both, as most here probably have had as well.
The crazy variation in service on both xUA and xCO is an industry problem and not just a merger or UA/CO problem.
Its partially why I'm obsessive about sending feedback and filling in surveys with really specific feedback on anything good or bad.
Apr 29, 2013, 1:02 pm
#58
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Midwest
Programs: UA 1K, UA 1MM
Posts: 118
I'm flying out on an ex-United and back on a ex-Cont plane to/from California this week, so I'll pay extra attention.
Don't usually get to ride up front since most of my flights are on 50 seaters, for me the worst ride in United Domestic First (any crew) is way better than my best flight on an E-145. In about 5 or so rides on Ex-Cont. Domestic First 737s since the merger, the one thing that distinguishes them from the Ex-United equipment for me is the seat - the Cont. seat just feels "short" like there isn't enough support for my thighs, would be interested to know if the continental seat bottom really is shorter or it is just an illusion.
Good/Bad/Indifferent crew - no detectable pattern for me, very good and very bad are out there but then again, I have only been through EWR maybe twice in the last three years.
Don't usually get to ride up front since most of my flights are on 50 seaters, for me the worst ride in United Domestic First (any crew) is way better than my best flight on an E-145. In about 5 or so rides on Ex-Cont. Domestic First 737s since the merger, the one thing that distinguishes them from the Ex-United equipment for me is the seat - the Cont. seat just feels "short" like there isn't enough support for my thighs, would be interested to know if the continental seat bottom really is shorter or it is just an illusion.
Good/Bad/Indifferent crew - no detectable pattern for me, very good and very bad are out there but then again, I have only been through EWR maybe twice in the last three years.
Apr 29, 2013, 2:17 pm
#59
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: United 1k ; SW A+ Preferred; Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 634
Like so many UA 1K's, he reminds me of the old Woody Allen joke: "“Two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of 'em says, "Boy, the food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know; and such small portions."
Apr 29, 2013, 2:20 pm
#60
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,187
Let us live in the present, there is only one airline -- viz. UA.
Well, then again, there are others too - at least eleven in the US alone: AA, AS, B6, DL, F9, GA, HA, NK, SY, VX, WN.