Apr 23, 16, 1:38 pm
Last edit by: paranoiatx
Captain Denny's Retirement flight roll call. Please list your handle, cabin, and when you will be arriving in SEA, where we will arrange a dinner on 5/30.
Pat89339 - F - arriving 5/30
legalalien - F - arriving 5/31 (I can guest 2 into UC at either SEA or ORD)
Jubileesmom-F-arriving 5/30 ( I also can guest 2 into UC. )
Whiskarina - F - arriving 5/30
wxguy - F - arriving 5/30 via Capt Denny's second to last flight
FlyerBeek - F - arriving 5/29
JeepGuyDE - F - arriving 5/29 (need guesting into UC)
jmd001 - F - arriving 5/30 (would appreciate guesting into UC)
texasex95 - Y - arriving 5/31 (hopefully 5/30 if I can change my flight)
alanro - F - arriving 5/30 (I can also guest 2 into UC)
mendicantmonk - Y - arriving 5/30 (need guesting into UC)
SFO 1K - F - arriving 5/30 (I can guest 2 into UC)
wtigerFF - F - arriving 5/30 UA 635 (I can guest 2 into UC)
YRKInsider - F - arriving 5/30 UA 635 (can guest 2 into UC)
N1120A - F - Arriving 5/31 UA635 (Probably need guesting into UC)
CleUnited - Y - Arriving 5/30 (hopefully)
cawhite - F -arriving 5/30 UA635
paranoiatx - F - arriving 5/28 (can guest 2 into UC and/or 1 into CL)
Pat89339 - F - arriving 5/30
legalalien - F - arriving 5/31 (I can guest 2 into UC at either SEA or ORD)
Jubileesmom-F-arriving 5/30 ( I also can guest 2 into UC. )
Whiskarina - F - arriving 5/30
wxguy - F - arriving 5/30 via Capt Denny's second to last flight
FlyerBeek - F - arriving 5/29
JeepGuyDE - F - arriving 5/29 (need guesting into UC)
jmd001 - F - arriving 5/30 (would appreciate guesting into UC)
texasex95 - Y - arriving 5/31 (hopefully 5/30 if I can change my flight)
alanro - F - arriving 5/30 (I can also guest 2 into UC)
mendicantmonk - Y - arriving 5/30 (need guesting into UC)
SFO 1K - F - arriving 5/30 (I can guest 2 into UC)
wtigerFF - F - arriving 5/30 UA 635 (I can guest 2 into UC)
YRKInsider - F - arriving 5/30 UA 635 (can guest 2 into UC)
N1120A - F - Arriving 5/31 UA635 (Probably need guesting into UC)
CleUnited - Y - Arriving 5/30 (hopefully)
cawhite - F -arriving 5/30 UA635
paranoiatx - F - arriving 5/28 (can guest 2 into UC and/or 1 into CL)
UAL's Captain Denny Flanagan (In-Flight Experiences, Sightings, Schedule, etc.)
Sep 17, 07, 8:36 am
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,996
So here is the picture of Captain Flanagan being exposed to FlyerTalk.
While I was taking a shower on Friday afternoon Captain Flanagan went to Starbucks with a few FT'ers, and I remember being told that he referred us as the Trekkies of the flying world. Someone please correct me if I am wrong or give the exact phrase he used, but I found that pretty darn funny!
Capt. Denny seemed genuinely interested in FlyerTalk and was in awe with the size and scope of what I described to him; the size of the community, the popularity of the UA Forum, and the thread dedicated to him. I explained to him that if there was a way to know a flight he was going to be flying in advance, I predicted it would be full of FTers who would travel on that flight for no other reason than to fly with him.
Someone please correct me if I am wrong or give the exact phrase he used, but I found that pretty darn funny!
Sep 17, 07, 3:53 pm
#93
Join Date: May 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Plat, UA *Gold, Marriott PLT, Hyatt mid-tier whose stupid name I cannot ever recall
Posts: 1,409
He is very aware that pilots aren't there just to haul people around, but are an integral part of the customer-facing team and that even small, easy touches by the pilots can make a significant difference in the passenger's experience before, during, and even after a flight. A lot of these little niceties are just that - little - and yet they can turn a bad flight into a good one. Capt. Flanagan said that every passenger deserves to get where they're going in a safe and enjoyable manner; he knows that they're not just passengers, they're people, and he clearly wants every pilot to share this outlook.
"My philosophy is this; I don't care what airline you fly(and they really hate when I say this). Again, I don't care what airline you fly, or whether you travel by train or your own car, but everyone deserves a safe, comfortable travel experience."
How very zen. And cool.
I agree meeting Capt. Flanagan was one of the high points of the weekend. What a kind, classy guy.
Sep 17, 07, 4:34 pm
#94
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego Area
Programs: UA Gold MM, AA Gold MM, HH Gold, Marriott Plat (LT Gold), IHG Plat, WoH Discvst, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,823
Sep 17, 07, 5:46 pm
#95
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Princeton, NJ; Lviv Ukraine
Programs: UA 3.6MM, AF/KL Lifetime Plat, BA Gold, AA 1MM, IC Spire RA, Kimpton IC, Marriott Plat, et alia
Posts: 2,731
Hear, hear!
Although if ALL UA employees were like him ... things would be so much better, we'd all be happy, and what would happen to FT? We'd be reduced to whining about trivial things ...
Seriously, having been "touched" by Flanagan and a few other gentleman pilots, they should know that their efforts are well-intentioned, meaningful and appreciated.
Although if ALL UA employees were like him ... things would be so much better, we'd all be happy, and what would happen to FT? We'd be reduced to whining about trivial things ...
Seriously, having been "touched" by Flanagan and a few other gentleman pilots, they should know that their efforts are well-intentioned, meaningful and appreciated.
Sep 17, 07, 6:01 pm
#96
In memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Chicago, IL (ORD), Phoenix AZ (PHX)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Starwood Platinum, a nothing in several others
Posts: 5,176
Nov 8, 07, 10:10 pm
#97
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Near Chicago and Under the MDW and ORD Flight Paths, IL, USA
Programs: UA recovering Premier
Posts: 942
I Met Capt. Flanagan at MY Work Today!
We had a travel fair at work today. UA has a table set up and I'm over there snagging some new toys (a blinking luggage tag, some plane cards and wings, notepads, pens, and a TSA-approved UA bag for my "3-1-1" items). Very cool. So I'm chatting with the UA staff and see that they have copies of the WSJ article on Capt. Flanagan. I say to them, "This guy is a rock star!" They smile and say, "He's right over there, if you'd like to meet him." Sure enough, in UA uniform, there he is. So I walk over clutching the WSJ article and ask him if he would mind autographing it. He chuckles and signs it with, "Thanks for flying the friendly skies. Capt. Denny Flanagan". He then handed me one of the oft-described business cards and told me to contact him anytime if I had a comment about UA... I said he ought to be careful what he wishes for because I'm one of those FTers. He laughed and said, "You know that I call you guys 'Trekkies' of the airline industry." He asked if I was at the SFO event. I wasn't. He really enjoyed it.
We talk about FT for a bit and he mentions that he's tried to read the threads, but gets stuck with the whole password and login thing -- too many things to remember. We laugh. I compliment him on the model that he sets for the airline and hope to see more folks following his lead. He agrees. We chat a bit more about mileage runs with a couple of my company's travel people (they had no idea). I then took my leave.
So it looks like UA is bringing him around now as a goodwill ambassador to their key clients. Very nice move by UA to really recognize the great PR that this guy represents for them.
I later emailed him, thanking him for his time and suggesting that UA bring back the "Friendly Skies" campaigns, with him as the poster child -- if not for the traveling public, at least internally. I wished him smooth rides and favorable winds.
(I still can't believe that I walked up to this guy and had him autograph a WSJ article. I'm a 45 year old geek for certain now! But hey, to us, this guy is Michael Jordan.)
We talk about FT for a bit and he mentions that he's tried to read the threads, but gets stuck with the whole password and login thing -- too many things to remember. We laugh. I compliment him on the model that he sets for the airline and hope to see more folks following his lead. He agrees. We chat a bit more about mileage runs with a couple of my company's travel people (they had no idea). I then took my leave.
So it looks like UA is bringing him around now as a goodwill ambassador to their key clients. Very nice move by UA to really recognize the great PR that this guy represents for them.
I later emailed him, thanking him for his time and suggesting that UA bring back the "Friendly Skies" campaigns, with him as the poster child -- if not for the traveling public, at least internally. I wished him smooth rides and favorable winds.
(I still can't believe that I walked up to this guy and had him autograph a WSJ article. I'm a 45 year old geek for certain now! But hey, to us, this guy is Michael Jordan.)
Nov 8, 07, 10:28 pm
#98
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA*G, UA 1MM
Posts: 1,277
If you don't mind me asking, who do you work for? Must be a VERY key client to bring out Captain Flanagan!
Nov 8, 07, 10:44 pm
#99
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Near Chicago and Under the MDW and ORD Flight Paths, IL, USA
Programs: UA recovering Premier
Posts: 942
A very large (Fortune 100) company in suburban Chicago. Can't say more than that, but it narrows the field.
The company switched from AA this year and made UA very happy. (Also made me really happy when I went to work there.)
The company switched from AA this year and made UA very happy. (Also made me really happy when I went to work there.)
Nov 8, 07, 10:57 pm
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,996
What an AWESOME story!^ He really is even more amazing in real life, IMO, than he is on FT.
The trekkies line is absolutely classic. I remember him saying that the first time around at SFO... had a really good chuckle from that. Happy to hear he remember that event!
The trekkies line is absolutely classic. I remember him saying that the first time around at SFO... had a really good chuckle from that. Happy to hear he remember that event!
Dec 10, 07, 7:59 am
#103
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: NTTB
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,648
Had the honor of flying with Capt. Denny Flanagan last night PHL-ORD (Flight 563). Everything that has been mentioned about this guy is true. He handed out the 757 cards in the gate area. He signed several cards and later in flight announced that if your card was signed you will receive a bottle of wine. Additionally, he provided the opportunity for passengers to write comments about this flight or any other United flight and he would make sure the comments got back to the correct person.
I've heard alot about Capt. Denny, but flying with him at the helm is truly special.
I've heard alot about Capt. Denny, but flying with him at the helm is truly special.
Dec 10, 07, 8:01 am
#104
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,996
Excellent to hear, FightingIlliniUAL!^ He is just such an amazing guy, words can't do him justice.
For anyone that may fly with him in the future, just a hint: Go ask him if Channel 9 will be on. There may be a special prize for the first person that asks.
For anyone that may fly with him in the future, just a hint: Go ask him if Channel 9 will be on. There may be a special prize for the first person that asks.
Dec 10, 07, 8:13 am
#105
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: NTTB
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,648
Great tip! Unfortunately, I was literally the last one on the plane as I was originally booked on 519 (7:45pm). Had 563 not been delayed past 6:30, I would never had made it on.
