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Just another reason that I'm not sorry to be dropping from 1K to GM this year. Time to burn all my miles.
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Originally Posted by channa
(Post 10227779)
I wouldn't go so far as to say "clearly there is C." This is an internal memo, not intended for public consumption.
So as far as the internal audience is concerned (staff/FAs/etc.), there is a C cabin (it's a 3-class plane after all). The point to the internal audience is that whomever is sitting in that C cabin is to be served BOB food (details forthcoming as to if/how to charge). As far as how the Cabin Formerly Known as United Business®will be sold is not clear. I think it's "clearly" one of two things:
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UA, Can I assume 1K, elites and GS will be protected from the TATL BOB fees - as they are from 1st/2nd Baggage charges?
If not, I will be taking a long close look at who I fly TATL with.... |
• Staffing will be adjusted to FAA minimums.
Is this for domestic and TATL? How much does that change the staffing on each A/C type? |
Originally Posted by as219
(Post 10227544)
The memo repeatedly mentions UB or "United Business," so clearly there "is" C.
But you know, the more I read the relevant part of the memo, the more confusing (badly written?) it is. To recap: First off, as I said, clearly there "is" C: "combined BOB service will be offered in United Business® (UB)" and "Customers in UB will receive..." But what comes next is ambiguous -- on the one hand, "there's combined BOB in UB and UE" but then UB gets "complimentary beverages and BOB offering". One reading of this is that BOB service is provided to both UB and UE but that it -- and alcoholic beverages --are free to UB. The other reading of "Customers in UB will receive complimentary beverages and BOB offering" would be that C = Y: people sitting in UB get "complimentary beverages" (i.e., the same non-alcoholic drinks UE gets) and "BOB offering" (i.e., they get offered but is not complimentary). I think this latter reading has to be wrong: why say on the one hand that Y and C get "combined BOB service," then in the next point say the same thing again? My conclusion: C will get the same things Y gets, but it will be free. Where's the fun in that? :p I still think (hope?) they are following the AA idea of selling F as F, Y/C as Y and putting elites in C. That would make this memo suck a bit less. |
Not bothered by this at all. Plane food is awful anyway - going to eat before, sleep on the flight, eat when I land.
In the rare event that I get hungry on the 6 hour flight to Europe, I'll spend a few bucks if required. Heck, I'm probably on holiday! Cheapest meal of the trip ;) Give me the new United Business class seats on all 777 / 767 international flights and I'll be happy. |
Assuming this is true, the rate of "enhancements" coming out of United lately is staggering. Yes, fuel is expensive, and the days of the ridiculously cheap trips (such as what are so often publicized on flyertalk) have to come to an end, but some of these latest changes are sure to drive away even the most lucrative customers.
For example, my company's travel policy allows "Business Class" travel overseas. Since UA is our preferred carrier, our travel agency always suggests DEN-(SFO/LAX)-Asia or DEN-(IAD/ORD)-Europe flights as the default offering. These are not cheap tickets - even with the corporate discount, they're usually in the $6 - 9K range. 95+% of the employees here take the suggested routing, and UA has banked millions of dollars as a result. (I happen to be a different bird, since I request LH to Europe, or SQ/NH to Asia, which is why I'm not GS.) With these changes, and with the Ted-style snack boxes being thrown down on the tray table for the domestic C segments, I think a lot more of my coworkers will be joining me in seeking out alternative options. UA seems to view all of their customers as blindly loyal cattle, but even a Global Services member will jump ship after their meal experience becomes "Enjoy your cardboard box, Mr. So-and-So. We know you have choices, so thank you for flying United." :td: |
Originally Posted by bikenski
(Post 10227949)
Yes, fuel is expensive, and the days of the ridiculously cheap trips (such as what are so often publicized on flyertalk) have to come to an end ...
UA mileage runners: I highly recommend routing IAD-IAH-DEN on the new A319 service as a way to maximize mileage (and get two meals). Way to block out a completely unreasonable routing, UA. |
Originally Posted by RichLond
(Post 10226990)
Assuming this is true.. It appears UA will be cutting the number of FAs on the domestic 3 class 777 runs to 6 per:
Staffing will be adjusted to FAA minimums. For that to work there cannot be dedicated C class FA's. In other words, while we are on a 3 class cabin, the FAs will be separated into 2 teams. Two serving F and the other 4 serving C and Y. I assume this also means the elimination of glassware etc in C. Also fat chance of getting a refill. rich |
Originally Posted by rch4u
(Post 10227977)
I just booked two IAD-SNA round-trips in L routed through numerous cities, netting over 6,500 EQM each ($258 r/t). Flights were wide open, and all of my upgrades cleared, including SFO-IAD on a new-configuration 767.
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I wonder if I (GS) will get first choice of BOB? :eek:
This is pathetic. :td: Sell it as 2-cabin just like AA does on their 3-cabin configurations. Take no upgrades and let elites sit there on a first-come/first served basis. Standard Y service - no free food or booze - only a much better seat. Fine with me. Any upgrade would be to the F cabin. Oh wait - that might eliminate non-revs sitting in F. UA won't go for it then. |
Originally Posted by iluv2fly
(Post 10228020)
... I wonder if I (GS) will get first choice of BOB? :eek: ...
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Wondering how that will go over with LH, as many flights are operated as LH codeshares and LH is booking pax on them.
Same issue down the road with CO codeshares. |
Originally Posted by iluv2fly
(Post 10228020)
I wonder if I (GS) will get first choice of BOB? :eek:
This is pathetic. :td: Sell it as 2-cabin just like AA does on their 3-cabin configurations. Take no upgrades and let elites sit there on a first-come/first served basis. Standard Y service - no free food or booze - only a much better seat. Fine with me. Any upgrade would be to the F cabin. Oh wait - that might eliminate non-revs sitting in F. UA won't go for it then. |
Stupid, self-defeating and indicative, to my mind, not so much of UA's desperation, but of UA's inability to make a single smart business move.
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