Remember when... [UA Nostalgia]?
Feb 19, 2015, 9:58 pm
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
Remember the mini (and some times micro-mini) skits the FAs used to wear?
Now, if you want an image that you'll never unforget, imagine UA's FAs today wearing micro-minis.
Now, if you want an image that you'll never unforget, imagine UA's FAs today wearing micro-minis.
Feb 19, 2015, 10:02 pm
#77
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
come on, can we not try to be positive for once on Flyeryalk? Geeze. 
And for what it's worth, the United First suite was a truly world class hard product back in 2000. CO, DL, and NW wouldn't have any flat bed product for another half a decade (not that their small networks could support F). That was a big deal and a real competitive distinction.
And for what it's worth, the United First suite was a truly world class hard product back in 2000. CO, DL, and NW wouldn't have any flat bed product for another half a decade (not that their small networks could support F). That was a big deal and a real competitive distinction.
But those were from before the mid 90s debacle of employee ownership that set up the failures of the 2000s.
The Dick Ferris years - those were true good old days UA. Grabbing the Pan Am routes, hospitality driven culture. That's something to remember.
Absent the strikes that color the 'good 'old days of every airline back then.
Feb 19, 2015, 10:06 pm
#78
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Osaka
Programs: United Mileage Plus Premier Executive
Posts: 581
Flying connoisseur class on 747s.
Taking 727s from LHR to continental Europe.
Wide bodies between ORD and DEN.
3 class aircraft from JFK to the west coast.
Flying the largest airline in the world.
Differentiated ticket colors based on class of service instead of the bland tickets the new UA uses today.
Connecting through Miami from South America.
Taking 727s from LHR to continental Europe.
Wide bodies between ORD and DEN.
3 class aircraft from JFK to the west coast.
Flying the largest airline in the world.
Differentiated ticket colors based on class of service instead of the bland tickets the new UA uses today.
Connecting through Miami from South America.
Feb 19, 2015, 10:10 pm
#79
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
I used to visit the one in Embarcadero 1 all the time to buy and upgrade tix to JFK and Europe. There would be four or five agents behind the counter, and it was still common to wait in line.
Feb 19, 2015, 10:27 pm
#80
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA(EXP)UA(1K/1MM) Marriott(PP,LifeTime Plat) Hertz(5*)
Posts: 449
Not just different color, but higher quality stock. Silver was good, but Gold was best
I used to visit the one in Embarcadero 1 all the time to buy and upgrade tix to JFK and Europe. There would be four or five agents behind the counter, and it was still common to wait in line.
I used to visit the one in Embarcadero 1 all the time to buy and upgrade tix to JFK and Europe. There would be four or five agents behind the counter, and it was still common to wait in line.
Yes the gold stock was so much better. I still have one from after they discontinued the gold stock flying out of Bkk and with colored tulip on it as well.
Feb 19, 2015, 10:28 pm
#81
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Not just different color, but higher quality stock. Silver was good, but Gold was best
I used to visit the one in Embarcadero 1 all the time to buy and upgrade tix to JFK and Europe. There would be four or five agents behind the counter, and it was still common to wait in line.
I used to visit the one in Embarcadero 1 all the time to buy and upgrade tix to JFK and Europe. There would be four or five agents behind the counter, and it was still common to wait in line.
And yeah, the tickets had nice paper stock - I have a huge pile of unused "gold" United First that they were throwing away during the integration...use them as spare note paper to write on.
Feb 19, 2015, 11:00 pm
#82
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Seat 11F on the 767-200. Flying narrowbodies from JFK to the West Coast still doesn't feel right.
Feb 19, 2015, 11:02 pm
#84
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,087
And .....
- the B747-SP's they acquired from PanAm
- the flight on Christmas Day when the Captain's wife and I were the only two passengers in the First Class cabin to SFO from LHR. And, the pilot asked if I minded his wife sitting at the back of the cabin
- Being able to take my packing case on that flight as carry on as I was the only F passenger!
- A picnic in the JFK First Class lounge with the Concierge team after there was a delay whilst they changed a windscreen on my SP to San Francisco
- 1K Rooms
- Free RCC membership for non-US elite members
- United calling me to rebook when the inaugural flight of the 777 was delayed
- the B747-SP's they acquired from PanAm
- the flight on Christmas Day when the Captain's wife and I were the only two passengers in the First Class cabin to SFO from LHR. And, the pilot asked if I minded his wife sitting at the back of the cabin
- Being able to take my packing case on that flight as carry on as I was the only F passenger!
- A picnic in the JFK First Class lounge with the Concierge team after there was a delay whilst they changed a windscreen on my SP to San Francisco
- 1K Rooms
- Free RCC membership for non-US elite members
- United calling me to rebook when the inaugural flight of the 777 was delayed
Feb 20, 2015, 3:35 am
#85
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
Remember when... [UA Nostalgia]?
As others have mentioned, my best memory is being able to walk into a city ticket office, talk to competent, professional staff, and walk out with an award ticket in hand. Australia, New Zealand in business class? Didn't matter - if you had the miles you got the ticket, with a minimum of effort.
Last edited by VivoPerLei; Feb 20, 2015 at 8:06 am
Feb 20, 2015, 7:25 am
#86
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago: ORD, MDW
Programs: United Million Mile Flyer, Hilton Silver, Marriott Gold, DL, AA WN
Posts: 514
I remember when United and other airlines has a ticket office in Honolulu in (among other places) the Ala Moana Shopping Center Sears. Those agents were always busy, they were like friends, and they knew what they were doing.
I remember going in a month before my flight just to get a good seat selection.
While I admit that I can do this online these days, when you need it, these days good help is hard to find.
I remember going in a month before my flight just to get a good seat selection.
While I admit that I can do this online these days, when you need it, these days good help is hard to find.
Royal Pacific Service!
Feb 20, 2015, 8:57 am
#88
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
Feb 20, 2015, 9:04 am
#89
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Feb 20, 2015, 9:43 am
#90
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 81
I remember when my wife and I got upgraded on a HNL-SFO red-eye in ~2007. I was a only a Premier Exec and had run out of upgrade certificates, she had no status and was flying on a MP award ticket (separate reservations). Still, they managed to figure out that we had the same name and had seats together, and upgraded us both. I could not believe my ears when they paged us. What are the chances now?