Oscar becomes Exec Chairman, Kirby becomes CEO on 20 May 2020
Dec 5, 2019, 10:43 am
#47
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
I’m an Oscar fan too. I’d forgotten about the coffee; it’s clearly a miracle. Mr Kirby needs to pick a Bond villain as president, if he’s also to be part of the pantheon. For all the criticisms, the new CEO isn’t that bad. If he patched things up with employees (think loaves and fishes!) and rebooted morale that would be a good move.
Oscar mentioned making United the world class airline or words to that effect. I love that ambition. I’d love to see the new CEO map out a plan to get there.
Oscar mentioned making United the world class airline or words to that effect. I love that ambition. I’d love to see the new CEO map out a plan to get there.
Dec 5, 2019, 10:45 am
#48
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: UA GS ,QF Plat
Posts: 686
Completely agree with you, loyalty programs will not gain any strength again until the economy is in such a state that plumbers return your phone calls and realtors have to work to sell houses.
Dec 5, 2019, 11:10 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
Dec 5, 2019, 11:18 am
#50
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Shared Troll
Programs: The Marina. Comic Relief. UA 1K and 1MM. MacBook Pro.
Posts: 1,913
Frank Lorenzo is still with us, and meets the bill.
Dec 5, 2019, 11:36 am
#51
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
I submit that with Kirby already inside, we're already seeing Mileage Plus changes rolling out, so that they're in the rear view mirror by the time he accedes. At least as far as planned ones (that the competition doesn't spring).
Dec 5, 2019, 11:40 am
#52
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 55
Well, it's done. That small regional low-cost airline from out west now controls the 2 of the 3 largest airlines in the world, with something of like 10% of worldwide route miles. Astonishing. And people say there's no competition in airlines!
Dec 5, 2019, 11:49 am
#53
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
My son who was well on his way to GS but this year move to another Star alliance, in his words “ any carrier is better than UA” He is on his second year as 1k doing 10-12 business class trips to Far East out of SFO and now discovering the difference sampling Eastern based carriers, FA, service, food, sadly UA lounge still out of SFO.
He sent this timely photo last night, maybe timed to Kirby’s promotion, LOL
He sent this timely photo last night, maybe timed to Kirby’s promotion, LOL
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 5, 2019 at 3:25 pm Reason: Removed comments on moderation FT Rule 18
Dec 5, 2019, 12:21 pm
#56
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 747
Is someone starting the #IvebeenKirbied thread?
Dec 5, 2019, 12:29 pm
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Whelp, that’s the end of UA being halfway decent. One need look no further than to AA to see what USAir management does to an airline.
Dec 5, 2019, 12:30 pm
#58
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: MSP
Programs: SkyMiles, Global Entry, Non-Rev
Posts: 101
I’m sorry UA employees and frequent fliers, this is very bad news. “Air Kirby” is going to be rough for everyone.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 5, 2019 at 3:29 pm Reason: Discuss the issue, not the poster(s)
Dec 5, 2019, 12:43 pm
#59
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 223
The sky is falling, as usual. I agree with the sentiment that very little will change in the near term.
A lot of folks keep on saying they will switch to other programs or airlines, but I have yet to see any evidence of that actually occurring.
A lot of folks keep on saying they will switch to other programs or airlines, but I have yet to see any evidence of that actually occurring.
Dec 5, 2019, 1:01 pm
#60
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
So CNBC types were crediting Kirby this morning for turning UA around since coming on board in 2015.
They credit him for all the operational moves which supposedly improved the financial performance of the airline.
One anecdote was that flying out of Chicago for years, the cabin staff would always emphasize their Continental roots years after the merger. Oscar supposedly ended that.
They credit him for all the operational moves which supposedly improved the financial performance of the airline.
One anecdote was that flying out of Chicago for years, the cabin staff would always emphasize their Continental roots years after the merger. Oscar supposedly ended that.