Note from the pilot!
 

Had a very positive experience flying United this week. Since I live in CLT, most all my flying is on US. You UA people have no idea how good you have it in comparison.

As *G flying to HKG, we used the RCC in ORD and SFO. Especially in ORD, the agents in the club were exceptionally helpful in trying to get us seats together on the SFO-HKG flight and looking at other possible options (through NRT, etc.) Though on separate PNRs, and on a fully booked flight, they were finally able to get us together. Probably not such an amazing feat, but the patience and perserverence and knowledge and helpfulness of the agents was incredible.

Then, on the ORD-SFO flight, I switched seats with what turned out to be a 1k member. About 1/2 way through the flight, a FA handed me a business card, with a handwritten note on the back. It was the pilot's business card, with a note thanking the 1K for his business. After figuring out I was not the intended recepient, I handed it to the 1k member. We both were very impressed. What a nice touch. Another nice thing was being able to hear the cockpit communicate with ground control. Very neat.

Then, in SFO, I had an awesome bloody mary, with celery, lime, pepper and extra worcestershire sauce. Nice!

About the only complaint I had was the duct tape holding down the carpet seams in the SFO RCC (other than that it seemed well taken care of) and a battle-ax of a GA bossing everyone around at the gate SFO-HKG (though with all of the elites demanding their "rightful" upgrade, she dealt with them probably as best she could)

The SFO-HKG flight arrived early, food was airplane food, FAs were humorful (as opposed to humorless).

With such a pleasant experience, you'd think I'd fly UA next time to HKG. Well, probably not. I was able to retain our E+ seats as *G by repeately calling to get us back in after seat sweeps. Compared to the misery in E-, that was nice, and the main reason I booked UA. Next trip, however, will probably look at another airline that has power outlets and/or avod in economy. The old-school projection movie screen seemed archaic, and the music seemed to repeat itself every 1-2 hours.

By the way, one of the "secret" power outlets mentioned in other threads is about a foot off of the ground, forward of the exit door in front of 35 ABC. Never needed to use it, though.

glad to hear you had a good experience on ua. the notes from the pilots are a rare, but very very much appreciated touch.

Thats just wrong... I have never been in an RCC and have considered joining many times but havent done it. If United can't take care of their "premium" lounges at least as well as we all take care of our own homes, why should I pay for the "privilege"??!

I had a terrible experience in the ATL RCC once, and I wrote a letter - never heard anything back. The RCC was hot, exposed wiring, the bathroom was a disaster area....terrible.

Most of the other RCCs I've been to have been nice though.

Matt

How were you able to keep getting the E+ seats back as *G 's are not entitled to E+ anymore unless they pay extra for it? Just curious.

Actually, SFO RCC is one of the best (if not THE best) RCC in the entire system, and many FTers will agree with me. I don't really see how a little duct tape can ruin such a wonderful lounge.

Let me get this straight: 1)You've never been in an RCC, but 2)You're willing to draw a conclusion on how UA "maintains" its lounges on the basis of the upthread post??
:rolleyes:
FWIW: I don't have an RCC membership anymore either, although I did have one for many years.

Best, Dave

I have received a few notes from the pilot over the years and found it a very nice touch. In general United does a good job of keeping me happy.

I've also recieved the ocassional note on a trans pacific flight.. Most RCC's are ok.. Cross over where there is a Singair lounge and you will see what you're missing.

If booked (ticketed?) before the announcement date you officially got to keep it.

once seated in 1A from xNRT/SFO. preflight, pilot came downstairs and introduced himself to each pax in the F cabin, and handed out his card. then he asked us about our connections and let us know we were scheduled to arrive about 14 minutes early, and evaluated our chances of making earlier connections via standby.

I have received quite a few notes this year on both international and domestic flights and have had the captain come and talk(prior to the flight) to the passengers in F and in C twice this month alone. I believe this must be a conscious effort to improve relations with the frequent flyer...in the past 20 years I probably received 2-3 note in total! It is definitely a no-cost PR method...and effective as well!!

I absolutely love notes from the pilots! Such a nice gesture, IMO.

The best one I have received was back last November, with a paragraph writte on the back! Very nice! ^

A note, or better yet visit, from the pilot is one of the easiest things an airline can do for good PR. It is a wonder that more airlines don't ask pilots to consider it.

I have only been to ATL twice and both times in the ATL RCC I was treated like royalty. Sorry to hear you had an unsatisfactory visit - I was surprised with the level of service ATL gets from UAL that there was even a RCC there at all.