Gutted over loss of GFL
Jul 9, 2018, 12:47 pm
#46
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One wonders what happened to those customers? I can't imagine them flying United out of EWR. Not that EWR is a bad airport ( it is), crowded ( it is), the small intimate operation at JFK made it ideal for shuttling back and forth between New York and LA, which I did in those days.
There's really no other ground experience as intimate/exclusive as what UA once offered out of JFK. AA and DL have special services available, but it's in the context of larger hub operations. UA similarly has its Global Reception at EWR and I've seen celebrities like James Corden being shuttled to/from LAX flights in golf carts, but it's in Terminal C with thousands of other UA travelers, dozens of flights, etc.
It's also true that with smaller, cheaper jets (the super midsize category) having transcontinental range, more A-list celebrities fly private on transcons than 15-20 years ago.
Jul 9, 2018, 1:43 pm
#47
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There's really no other ground experience as intimate/exclusive as what UA once offered out of JFK. AA and DL have special services available, but it's in the context of larger hub operations. UA similarly has its Global Reception at EWR and I've seen celebrities like James Corden being shuttled to/from LAX flights in golf carts, but it's in Terminal C with thousands of other UA travelers, dozens of flights, etc.
It's also true that with smaller, cheaper jets (the super midsize category) having transcontinental range, more A-list celebrities fly private on transcons than 15-20 years ago.
It's also true that with smaller, cheaper jets (the super midsize category) having transcontinental range, more A-list celebrities fly private on transcons than 15-20 years ago.
https://theprivatesuite.com/the-experience/
Jul 9, 2018, 1:48 pm
#48
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There is an elite ground experience at LAX that has integrated service with UA:
https://theprivatesuite.com/the-experience/
Jul 9, 2018, 3:29 pm
#49
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Speaking for myself, I moved to AA and DL, though I prefer AA on this route. No longer blindly loyal to UA, though I used to be. From the Rising Era, Ted and merger, I quit when UA dropped JFK ps. I also don't live in the US anymore.
But I remember United "Rising" . Its a different world, UA had to adapt to survive, so the loss of the GFL is part of that evolution.
Last edited by OpenSky; Jul 10, 2018 at 8:37 am
Jul 9, 2018, 10:15 pm
#50
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... I lost count of how many I celebs I saw, though I won't even forget an encounter I had with Jonathan Rhys Meyers ( from Mattchpoint, the Tudors). 10 years ago, 2007 I think.
It was early in the morning too. His entourage and him occupied the entire JFK FCL.
Lets just say he was escorted out of the building, and not allowed on the plane. I think he sought help for his drinking problem back then and has since recovered. ....
It was early in the morning too. His entourage and him occupied the entire JFK FCL.
Lets just say he was escorted out of the building, and not allowed on the plane. I think he sought help for his drinking problem back then and has since recovered. ....
Jonathan Rhys Meyers Detained By Cops After Tirade On American Airlines | TMZ.com
Since as is usual with the " celeb " sighting posts, I had to google the name and this incident from today popped up. Let's hope someday before it is too late, he gets his life under control.
Back to the GFL closures, it odd UA did not repeat the SFO experience and convert the GFL to a "premium cabin long haul" lounge, poor man's Polaris lounge. Maybe the SFO experience had too many issues.
Jul 10, 2018, 4:56 am
#51
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Wholeheartedly agree! Or turn it into a "premium lounge" like they did at SFO until the Polaris Lounge, maybe opens, next year.
Jul 10, 2018, 10:12 am
#52
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The last F flight I flew was IAD-DXB, and continued on to DOH, back when that operated This was the smisek era. The only difference was
1) the soup course
2) The IFL lounge, which was quiet
3 class F is from an era back when J had recliners, I will agree. I remember whole heartedly when it was a big deal, and private, back then the 744 was first introduced to UA. 1990s.
1) the soup course
2) The IFL lounge, which was quiet
3 class F is from an era back when J had recliners, I will agree. I remember whole heartedly when it was a big deal, and private, back then the 744 was first introduced to UA. 1990s.
Jul 10, 2018, 11:30 am
#53
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The last F flight I flew was IAD-DXB, and continued on to DOH, back when that operated This was the smisek era. The only difference was
1) the soup course
2) The IFL lounge, which was quiet
3 class F is from an era back when J had recliners, I will agree. I remember whole heartedly when it was a big deal, and private, back then the 744 was first introduced to UA. 1990s.
1) the soup course
2) The IFL lounge, which was quiet
3 class F is from an era back when J had recliners, I will agree. I remember whole heartedly when it was a big deal, and private, back then the 744 was first introduced to UA. 1990s.
3) the massively larger seat that is far far better than the new Polaris seat
4) not having food slung at you from a cart with 59 other pax
Jul 10, 2018, 4:40 pm
#54
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Looks like there is still an issue
Jonathan Rhys Meyers Detained By Cops After Tirade On American Airlines TMZ.com
Since as is usual with the " celeb " sighting posts, I had to google the name and this incident from today popped up. Let's hope someday before it is too late, he gets his life under control.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers Detained By Cops After Tirade On American Airlines TMZ.com
Since as is usual with the " celeb " sighting posts, I had to google the name and this incident from today popped up. Let's hope someday before it is too late, he gets his life under control.
I wonder if he is still drinking Vodka. I have never seen someone get so mad when the Vodka ran out. I had one screwdriver, then he proceeded to yell at the lounge dragons and everyone else. 10 years ago, but I remember it vividly. I then went to hide behind the Westin sleep area at the JFK GFL ( remember those) , because I was afraid he was getting violent.
Yes, UA ran out of liquor at the GFL lounge. It always happened at JFK, especially when the flight had people ( aka talent) who got back on the wagon, needed a few drinks for the road.
The sushi at the GFL always looked questionable too. Memories….
Jul 10, 2018, 7:09 pm
#55
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Looks like there is still an issue
Jonathan Rhys Meyers Detained By Cops After Tirade On American Airlines TMZ.com
Since as is usual with the " celeb " sighting posts, I had to google the name and this incident from today popped up. Let's hope someday before it is too late, he gets his life under control.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers Detained By Cops After Tirade On American Airlines TMZ.com
Since as is usual with the " celeb " sighting posts, I had to google the name and this incident from today popped up. Let's hope someday before it is too late, he gets his life under control.
Jul 11, 2018, 4:34 pm
#56
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To use the term properly "I'm gutted by England's loss to Croatia"
The GFL is no big loss. Never ran out of alcohol in SF in fact the staff immediately brought out another bottle of gin as soon as I handed them the empty one. Maybe it's a New York thing.
The GFL is no big loss. Never ran out of alcohol in SF in fact the staff immediately brought out another bottle of gin as soon as I handed them the empty one. Maybe it's a New York thing.
Aug 29, 2018, 8:04 am
#57
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You get to dictate my emotions? I passed by the door to the GFL the other day at IAD. I thought about the many years of memories, it still made me sad. Such a haven and reminder of a different era in travel.
Aug 29, 2018, 8:51 am
#58
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Aug 29, 2018, 2:13 pm
#59
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Aug 29, 2018, 2:32 pm
#60
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Now having experienced all four of the Polaris lounges in service, as far as I'm concerned, you can keep the "proper" GFLs! More "exclusive" isn't better; better is better. The food and drinks are of higher-quality (though one can make a reasonable argument in favor of self-pour booze), the service more attentive and amenities exceed any GFL from any time period that I've ever experienced. I've haven't seen a PL approach even 80% of capacity, either, and the serene, quiet atmosphere is pretty consistent across the system.
In fact, the personal assistance I very recently received from an agent at the IAH PL during an IRROPS situation was impeccable. I can't imagine anyone doing much better than she did.
The PL is the most significant product improvement United has ever made, in my view.
I would wager those lamenting the loss of the GFL haven't yet had the opportunity to try the PL. Comparing apples-to-apples, the PL is in another world... though it might have a hard time competing with romantic, nostalgic recollections of bygone eras.
In fact, the personal assistance I very recently received from an agent at the IAH PL during an IRROPS situation was impeccable. I can't imagine anyone doing much better than she did.
The PL is the most significant product improvement United has ever made, in my view.
I would wager those lamenting the loss of the GFL haven't yet had the opportunity to try the PL. Comparing apples-to-apples, the PL is in another world... though it might have a hard time competing with romantic, nostalgic recollections of bygone eras.