UA Stinks!
Dec 21, 2018, 3:08 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: 42.1% in PDX , 49.9% in PVG & 8% in the air somewhere
Programs: Marriott Ambassador Elite, UA 1K, AS MVP GLD 75K, DL Pt
Posts: 1,086
I dunno. I fly UA TPAC between four and eight times a year. I haven't had one of these "terrible" UA crews in many years, though there are enough reports for me to accept there are a handful of them out there. Most of the time the service ranges from mediocre to pretty good. Sometimes it's exceptional. I've had two of those crews (exceptional) this year.
This year I've switched much of my TPAC flying to Asian carriers. I've had excellent service on BR, and also mediocre service. CI was mediocre. The service in KE F was not good at all. CX the crew was great, but the cabin was understaffed and meal service glacially slow. SQ was very good, but not perfect. I also have a bunch of intra-Asia segments on the Asian carriers. Overall, those service standards are definitely higher than UA domestic. But I had an awful crew on TG (HKG-BKK), balanced out by the best service I've ever experienced in SQ Suites (SIN-HKG).
The one categorical statement I can make is that the Asian carriers keep their lavs much cleaner
This year I've switched much of my TPAC flying to Asian carriers. I've had excellent service on BR, and also mediocre service. CI was mediocre. The service in KE F was not good at all. CX the crew was great, but the cabin was understaffed and meal service glacially slow. SQ was very good, but not perfect. I also have a bunch of intra-Asia segments on the Asian carriers. Overall, those service standards are definitely higher than UA domestic. But I had an awful crew on TG (HKG-BKK), balanced out by the best service I've ever experienced in SQ Suites (SIN-HKG).
The one categorical statement I can make is that the Asian carriers keep their lavs much cleaner
All in the name of protection of seniority and unions..... the American right
Dec 21, 2018, 3:28 pm
#32
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DSM, BKK or anywhere with an airport
Programs: UA 2P, HH Gold
Posts: 1,018
I am really pleased that my post has been taken as an air pollution thread. Sort of like bringing up politics at the holiday table. However, the real underlying issue is with the service and hard product on this Polaris flight. it was some of the worst I have seen, overall.
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That said, you bring up some real service issues that UA has consistently had problems with for years, and probably will for years to come. It's just life on the US3.
Out of curiosity, if I read one of your reply's correctly, you are/were an airline captain. Was it for a US or foreign carrier ?
Dec 21, 2018, 3:57 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: The World! Home Base = DCA/IAD
Programs: HHonors, Hyatt GP, Marriott, Varying Levels w/ UA /AF /DL /SQ /AA
Posts: 2,665
I have no idea why US carriers can't compete, but I'll say that yes, you have gotten spoiled flying non-US flag carriers. Many of us have. If I'm booking a revenue (meaning paid with money) I will always go with the foreign carrier, and never a US big three.
Dec 21, 2018, 5:03 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,457
And to talk about the OP, starting the whole thing about your fellow passenger just was too juicy to pass up for fellow FTers. All I can say, if you really are as "well traveled" as you say, have you really been ignorant or uneducated about the service on US carriers? It's not like 2018, service suddenly went down. Uneven service has been the norm for decades.
Dec 21, 2018, 6:28 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,900
Dec 21, 2018, 10:48 pm
#39
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA MP (1K, 1MM)
Posts: 268
I'm just shocked this thread didn't have any potty talk (literally, the lavs) up to this point!
I feel bad for that FA with the torn pantyhose, she must've had a worse flight earlier in her work day than the one the OP was on. I hope the FA attempted to brighten up the FA's day with a kind word or two.
I feel bad for that FA with the torn pantyhose, she must've had a worse flight earlier in her work day than the one the OP was on. I hope the FA attempted to brighten up the FA's day with a kind word or two.
Dec 22, 2018, 12:05 am
#40
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,969
Dec 22, 2018, 12:53 am
#41
Join Date: May 2016
Location: The Land of the Rising Yen
Posts: 28
Hello all;
I teach in Japan, actually in a university that students attend with the desire to become flight attendants. It is very competitive to get into what is called "the airline program", which includes both aspiring ground staff and FAs. For the latter, only the tall girls with good English and elegant manners are selected. If they can get hired by JAL, they are in heaven. ANA is also good, after that...
They generally don't stay on the job too long either. Motherhood/marriage call them and they mostly retire by their mid 30s. I am sure other Asian airlines are the same, hence the lack of older and grumpier flight attendants on Asian carriers. My point is that it is seen as a prestige job that attracts top candidates and is highly competitive. Not sure if the same can be said of North American/European airlines.
I teach in Japan, actually in a university that students attend with the desire to become flight attendants. It is very competitive to get into what is called "the airline program", which includes both aspiring ground staff and FAs. For the latter, only the tall girls with good English and elegant manners are selected. If they can get hired by JAL, they are in heaven. ANA is also good, after that...
They generally don't stay on the job too long either. Motherhood/marriage call them and they mostly retire by their mid 30s. I am sure other Asian airlines are the same, hence the lack of older and grumpier flight attendants on Asian carriers. My point is that it is seen as a prestige job that attracts top candidates and is highly competitive. Not sure if the same can be said of North American/European airlines.
Dec 22, 2018, 1:06 am
#42
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
The US carriers are practically printing money in profits - so, I'm not sure where the can't compete comment comes from.
I'd venture to say most carriers outside the US aren't exactly competing very well in terms of financial results.
I'd venture to say most carriers outside the US aren't exactly competing very well in terms of financial results.
Dec 22, 2018, 3:10 am
#43
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Rowley, MA / Edgartown, MA / Christiansted, St. Croix (USVI)
Programs: UA LT GS/4.96MM, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Platinum, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, Korea SeS, APEC
Posts: 579
Hello all;
I teach in Japan, actually in a university that students attend with the desire to become flight attendants. It is very competitive to get into what is called "the airline program", which includes both aspiring ground staff and FAs. For the latter, only the tall girls with good English and elegant manners are selected. If they can get hired by JAL, they are in heaven. ANA is also good, after that...
They generally don't stay on the job too long either. Motherhood/marriage call them and they mostly retire by their mid 30s. I am sure other Asian airlines are the same, hence the lack of older and grumpier flight attendants on Asian carriers. My point is that it is seen as a prestige job that attracts top candidates and is highly competitive. Not sure if the same can be said of North American/European airlines.
I teach in Japan, actually in a university that students attend with the desire to become flight attendants. It is very competitive to get into what is called "the airline program", which includes both aspiring ground staff and FAs. For the latter, only the tall girls with good English and elegant manners are selected. If they can get hired by JAL, they are in heaven. ANA is also good, after that...
They generally don't stay on the job too long either. Motherhood/marriage call them and they mostly retire by their mid 30s. I am sure other Asian airlines are the same, hence the lack of older and grumpier flight attendants on Asian carriers. My point is that it is seen as a prestige job that attracts top candidates and is highly competitive. Not sure if the same can be said of North American/European airlines.
Dec 22, 2018, 4:26 am
#44
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Rowley, MA / Edgartown, MA / Christiansted, St. Croix (USVI)
Programs: UA LT GS/4.96MM, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Platinum, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, Korea SeS, APEC
Posts: 579
Money isn’t the issue. The issue of competitiveness isn’t the numbers of United employees or their equipment, it’s western culture, various workplace restrictions and training. All deeply and culturally rooted so unlikely to change. Fortunately, as fellow Americans we understand, adapt and tolerate. That doesn’t mean we don’t see the difference in product and experience when we fly the Asian competition.
Dec 22, 2018, 6:54 am
#45
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle & Seoul.... and now, Maastricht....
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, NWA WorldPerks deserter, Alaska Airlines Something-er-Other...
Posts: 1,883
