No more local & now no more papers in UC?
Jun 5, 2018, 9:54 pm
#46
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,904
It is amazing the variety some foreign carriers offer in their lounges and even in business class on short haul flights within Europe or Asia. Quiet impressive.
My vote goes for local, NYT, WSJ, USA Today and FT. These are mostly paid membership clubs. The ones in Europe and Asia and not even paid - they are status and fare based.
I too be UA got a real deal on them.
My vote goes for local, NYT, WSJ, USA Today and FT. These are mostly paid membership clubs. The ones in Europe and Asia and not even paid - they are status and fare based.
I too be UA got a real deal on them.
Jun 6, 2018, 1:04 am
#47
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
And while (as I stated before) I wish my carbon footprint was better from my flying (but I'm glad planes are getting more efficient) - that doesn't mean you give up on making the environment better - I won't give up on hybrid or electric cars, solar, recycling, and getting rid of paper newsprint.
Jun 6, 2018, 3:24 am
#48
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA Million Miler
Posts: 1,359
From a selfish point of view, my most preferred newspaper is WSJ though I generally like to look at the local paper as well. So I do think this enhancement is sad. Reading a print newspaper is a different experience than reading online. I bet that the % of people who read a newspaper linearly (page A1 to the end) online is virtually zero. Given a similar phenomenon in hotels (similar development in Marriott in the past year or two), I'm not surprised.
I imagine that the environment is not the motivation for the decision though a bonus PR benefit -- versus reduced cost and a bit of logistical simplification.
I imagine that the environment is not the motivation for the decision though a bonus PR benefit -- versus reduced cost and a bit of logistical simplification.
Jun 6, 2018, 6:10 am
#49
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago: ORD, MDW
Programs: United Million Mile Flyer, Hilton Silver, Marriott Gold, DL, AA WN
Posts: 514
I can certainly live without a newspaper while traveling - whether it is good for the environment or it helps United save a little money.
However, added to the ever-growing list of cut backs on the ground and in the air, it is something to be concerned about..
However, added to the ever-growing list of cut backs on the ground and in the air, it is something to be concerned about..
Jun 6, 2018, 7:27 am
#51
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DCA, IAD (not BWI if I can help it)
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, status-free on AA, AS, B6, DL, WN, Amtrak, etc.
Posts: 1,481
As a journalist, this makes me sad--although not nearly as sad as the decline in local journalism across the U.S. I look forward to grabbing a copy of the local paper on my way out of the UC to learn some of the stories behind the scenery I just visited, and reading on an app isn't the same (especially right after takeoff, when I'm stuck with using my phone). Whereas I never read the trade pubs that continue to clutter the rest of the reading racks after the papers, Hemispheres and Rhapsody; I have to think they pay for that placement.
FWIW, SAN and LAX had the Union-Tribune and the LAT on Friday. I'll see what DCA's like on Monday.
FWIW, SAN and LAX had the Union-Tribune and the LAT on Friday. I'll see what DCA's like on Monday.
Jun 6, 2018, 8:09 am
#52
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
Wait, people take the papers away with them? I always assumed that they should stay in the club for everyone to enjoy. What about magazines like the Economist, would you take those away also?
While I think that's it poor form for UA to remove things that people are using in the clubs, I also think its not their place to provide in-flight reading material. That should be on the flyer, not on the club.
While I think that's it poor form for UA to remove things that people are using in the clubs, I also think its not their place to provide in-flight reading material. That should be on the flyer, not on the club.
Jun 6, 2018, 8:12 am
#53
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
If the free newspapers were costing United a lot of money then presumably there was a large demand for them. If the demand was low, as suggested it should be, the expense presumably shouldn't be too great.
Jun 6, 2018, 8:18 am
#54
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
Perspective this week
This week my buddy from work and I did a same
day turn ORD-DTW. Morning; United Club ORD T2. Paper plates and plastic forks and knives, no hot food other than oatmeal and toast. Fancy coffee machine Inop. No local papers, just WSJ
Fast forward to DTW before return: no UC but Senator’s lounge thanks to Lufthansa.
Top shelf liquor free, beer wine lots of choices
turkey/ham/veggie wraps
fruit salad/veggie salad
gourmet coffees, latte, etc
lots of newspapers and reading material
you see where this is going? Yup. UC is sucking big time.
day turn ORD-DTW. Morning; United Club ORD T2. Paper plates and plastic forks and knives, no hot food other than oatmeal and toast. Fancy coffee machine Inop. No local papers, just WSJ
Fast forward to DTW before return: no UC but Senator’s lounge thanks to Lufthansa.
Top shelf liquor free, beer wine lots of choices
turkey/ham/veggie wraps
fruit salad/veggie salad
gourmet coffees, latte, etc
lots of newspapers and reading material
you see where this is going? Yup. UC is sucking big time.
Jun 6, 2018, 8:27 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,462
This week my buddy from work and I did a same
day turn ORD-DTW. Morning; United Club ORD T2. Paper plates and plastic forks and knives, no hot food other than oatmeal and toast. Fancy coffee machine Inop. No local papers, just WSJ
Fast forward to DTW before return: no UC but Senator’s lounge thanks to Lufthansa.
Top shelf liquor free, beer wine lots of choices
turkey/ham/veggie wraps
fruit salad/veggie salad
gourmet coffees, latte, etc
lots of newspapers and reading material
you see where this is going? Yup. UC is sucking big time.
day turn ORD-DTW. Morning; United Club ORD T2. Paper plates and plastic forks and knives, no hot food other than oatmeal and toast. Fancy coffee machine Inop. No local papers, just WSJ
Fast forward to DTW before return: no UC but Senator’s lounge thanks to Lufthansa.
Top shelf liquor free, beer wine lots of choices
turkey/ham/veggie wraps
fruit salad/veggie salad
gourmet coffees, latte, etc
lots of newspapers and reading material
you see where this is going? Yup. UC is sucking big time.
Jun 6, 2018, 10:40 am
#56
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
Really? First off, I don't think the legendary ua1flyer or myself was "complaining" - we simply stated printed newspapers aren't good for the environment. They aren't. I can't believe that would be in dispute.
And while (as I stated before) I wish my carbon footprint was better from my flying (but I'm glad planes are getting more efficient) - that doesn't mean you give up on making the environment better - I won't give up on hybrid or electric cars, solar, recycling, and getting rid of paper newsprint.
And while (as I stated before) I wish my carbon footprint was better from my flying (but I'm glad planes are getting more efficient) - that doesn't mean you give up on making the environment better - I won't give up on hybrid or electric cars, solar, recycling, and getting rid of paper newsprint.
Neither is flying good for the environment. No amount of hybrid/electric cars, recycling is going to compensate for the massive footprint of air travel. Facts can be troublesome, you know.
One round-trip flight from New York to Europe or to San Francisco creates a warming effect equivalent to 2 or 3 tons of carbon dioxide per person. The average American generates about 19 tons of carbon dioxide a year; the average European, 10.
Jun 6, 2018, 10:49 am
#57
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
And while (as I stated before) I wish my carbon footprint was better from my flying (but I'm glad planes are getting more efficient) - that doesn't mean you give up on making the environment better - I won't give up on hybrid or electric cars, solar, recycling, and getting rid of paper newsprint.
Saying there's an environmental benefit to removal of papers is just greenwashing.
Jun 6, 2018, 1:24 pm
#58
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Carolina
Programs: UA LT Gold, American Kettle, Hertz #1 Presidents Circle, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 927
Ditto on that, when I get soda at the club, its generally 2 glasses, one without ice. That way I don't have to come back for a while.
Jun 6, 2018, 1:30 pm
#59
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
Sent an email to [email protected] and GS customer service expressing my displeasure.
I for one still enjoy reading the local paper.
I for one still enjoy reading the local paper.
Jun 6, 2018, 1:53 pm
#60
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
But I'll help: ua1flyer - A "Real" Up-In-The-Air GS