Wow! Serious suckage at RCC in C at IAD

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Feb 19, 2011, 11:18 pm

#31

dsquared37

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Quote:

Originally Posted by NickB

IAD is a UA hub. You'd need to compare it with the lounges at carriers in their hubs: SQ in SIN, BA in LHR, VS in LHR, TG in BKK, NZ in AKL, CX in HKG, etc..., in which case the comparison would be pretty poor for UA.

.....

BKK and SIN are not necessarily great choices in a comparison for a handful of reasons, but mostly because of the limited (or no) domestic flights. And TG's domestic lounge doesn't even have alcohol.

Feb 20, 2011, 12:04 am

#32

youreadyfreddie

Join Date: Oct 2006

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rjque

On the plus side, the vermin are classy.

Ha!

The last time I was in there, the two women working behind the bar were so sullen and unpleasant I commented to myself that I should frequent the club more often because when compared to the two of them, I light up the room with wit and charm. And so does everyone else!

Feb 20, 2011, 1:04 am

#33

VivoPerLei

Join Date: Aug 2005

Posts: 3,438

I also had a paid membership in th '90s and don't recall ever seeing a 'sumptuous affair'. There's a marketing idea though - private escorts and maybe a champagne room in every RCC

Feb 20, 2011, 1:14 am

#34

Alex G

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: San Diego, CA

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Arrivals service / International Concierge

RCC clubs also second as Business Class lounges for United.
I believe you're confusing the RCC with the International First Class Lounge.
The IFC is still definitely what you say. The RCC has never been that .... nor has it ever pretended to be.
Pretty standard in comparison even vs. SQ. They have 3 separate lounges, so to make an accurate comparison, keep apples to apples.

Feb 20, 2011, 2:22 am

#35

Passmethesickbag

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Shareholder

Because UA would go broke maintaining such standards even just for its international customers. Expectations by most RCC visitors are minimal and their reference points minimal. You get what you pay for and most C fliers on UA are upgrades from coach unlike those flying on SK and LH, etc. And remember free booze and wifi only just started with the merger. We in Canada have had these perks in the Maple Leaf Lounges forever. Salads and soups were introduced a few years ago and hot items just this year. But we Canadians do expect more such perks and services, like newspapers in J on domestic flights!

Nonetheless, my jaw dropped when visiting the Envoy lounge at PHL. US, not generally viewed as a classy outfit, simply sweeps the floor with UA's offering at their international gateways.

Feb 20, 2011, 6:59 am

#36

sapguy

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Quote:

Originally Posted by lancebanyon

I also had a paid membership in th '90s and don't recall ever seeing a 'sumptuous affair'. There's a marketing idea though - private escorts and maybe a champagne room in every RCC

And you want the RCC matrons on those poles? Perish the thought

Feb 20, 2011, 8:01 am

#37

VivoPerLei

Join Date: Aug 2005

Posts: 3,438

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapguy

And you want the RCC matrons on those poles? Perish the thought

ROFL

Seriously, instead of always aiming for minimally acceptable, wouldn't it be nice if UA offered something catered just one day a week in one hub RCC for a few hours? Not talking about a diplomatic reception, but let's say every Friday from 5-8pm they offer a range of free drinks and some nice finger foods, canapes, etc., maybe even sushi.

Couldn't possibly be that disastrous to the bottom line, could it?

Feb 20, 2011, 8:19 am

#38

PTahCha

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Weren't the "escorts" also referred to as the carnation people? IIRC, they were there for international first class passengers, not just RCC members.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancebanyon

They do everyday at certain RCCs, but you have to at NRT or HKG to enjoy them.

Feb 20, 2011, 8:20 am

#39

hoopics

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: Arlington, VA

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Quote:

Originally Posted by lancebanyon

Because then people would kvetch on forums like this about how it should be available on Thursdays and Sundays, too, or that it didn't open until 5:10 and they had a 5:05 departure and missed it, or that the sushi rolls had too much rice and not enough tuna. No, the reason we can't have nice things is that folks will perpetually demand more, so why bother with anything above minimally acceptable? It has increasingly become the new American way, not just at UAL but in our culture generally.

Feb 20, 2011, 8:33 am

#40

l etoile

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Quote:

Originally Posted by PTahCha

Weren't the "escorts" also referred to as the carnation people? IIRC, they were there for international first class passengers, not just RCC members.

Yes, I can't remember how long ago it last was (7-8 years?), but I recall being escorted by red coats from arriving UA intl F flights to my domestic connections, post customs/immigration. Nothing to do with RCC or intl lounges.

It wasn't that long ago that intl F lounge hosts would offer to escort you to the gate.

Feb 20, 2011, 8:38 am

#41

VivoPerLei

Join Date: Aug 2005

Posts: 3,438

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoopics

Wow, that's a pretty harsh indictment. I would prefer to think (or hope maybe) that most of the people who post here are passionate about UA and would just like to a little bit of reciprocity on the part of the airline for their dedication over the years. I have fond memories of my years flying with UA and would imagine that others do also.

I can see your point, but I would equate that to somebody who's in a bad marriage and says "no matter what I do you gripe, so from now on I'm going to do nothing". When you get to that point it's time to evaluate your life choices.

Feb 20, 2011, 8:57 am

#42

Bear96

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Quote:

Originally Posted by hoopics

This.

Look at the huge (and still growing) thread about free beer and wine starting at the RCCs.

(But why do all IAD RCCs have to be in a gloomy basement?)

Feb 20, 2011, 9:26 am

#43

SFO777

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Shareholder

But we Canadians do expect more such perks and services, like newspapers in J on domestic flights!

Not to mention a J cabin full of AC employees.

Feb 20, 2011, 9:48 am

#44

entropy

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Quote:

But we Canadians do expect more such perks and services, like newspapers in J on domestic flights!

You Canadiens also pay far more $$$ for your airfare on average(not to mention airport taxes which are obscene). I agree the MLL's tend to be much better than American carriers' lounges.