Fall 2008 Catering Changes at UA
Aug 19, 2008, 9:15 am
#91
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
Posts: 3,685
This is a foolish decision on United's part.
Does United want to race to the bottom with US?
Does United want to race to the bottom with US?
Aug 19, 2008, 9:15 am
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,572
The problem is that United doesn't really know which customers it will miss and which ones it needs to retain. Many employees just automatically assume all pax are not profitable for United and thus treat all pax with equal disdain.
Back to the OP - the memo is incredibly confusing, but it could be read to mean that PS C is downgrading from a choice of hot meals to complimentary BOB. That's pretty stunning for a product that costs upwards of $4,000. Even if it's not BOB, I've paid nearly $3,000 for C in a three class plane SFO-IAD. which will now offer a choice of a snack box or cold wrap/salad. Amazing.
Back to the OP - the memo is incredibly confusing, but it could be read to mean that PS C is downgrading from a choice of hot meals to complimentary BOB. That's pretty stunning for a product that costs upwards of $4,000. Even if it's not BOB, I've paid nearly $3,000 for C in a three class plane SFO-IAD. which will now offer a choice of a snack box or cold wrap/salad. Amazing.
Aug 19, 2008, 9:17 am
#93
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SOW
Programs: UA GS 5 MM, Delta 1.6MM & Hilton Diamond, Avis Chairman, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 768
Well I can say that if this is true, this GS will never buy another domestic Z or QUP fare, never!
If I can not get my special meal (which they already don't load a larger % of the time), I will either just spend the money other AA or CO or just burn all of the CR1s and 500 milers I have.
If this pans out to be true, I will be wring a letter to the GS staff and also recommending to my boss (who signs all corporate travel contracts for us) that we finally drop UA.
I know that last year my company spent over $15 mil on air travel with a large percentage going to UA. I know it will not cause UA to change, but at least it is finally changing my airline spending habits.
If I can not get my special meal (which they already don't load a larger % of the time), I will either just spend the money other AA or CO or just burn all of the CR1s and 500 milers I have.
If this pans out to be true, I will be wring a letter to the GS staff and also recommending to my boss (who signs all corporate travel contracts for us) that we finally drop UA.
I know that last year my company spent over $15 mil on air travel with a large percentage going to UA. I know it will not cause UA to change, but at least it is finally changing my airline spending habits.
Aug 19, 2008, 9:21 am
#94
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: QR: Gold; Marriott: Amb; UA: 1K; Taj: Silv
Posts: 254
Offering Two-Class Service on North America Three-Class Airplanes
• United First® service remains the same.
• A combined BOB service will be offered in United Business® (UB) and
United Economy® (UE).
•Customers in UB will receive complimentary beverages and BOB offering.
• United First® service remains the same.
• A combined BOB service will be offered in United Business® (UB) and
United Economy® (UE).
•Customers in UB will receive complimentary beverages and BOB offering.
Also, complimentary beverages worries me. Does that refer to alcoholic drinks being complimentary, or all beverages? Because the next logical step from that sentence is to assume that UE will be charged for all beverages.
Aug 19, 2008, 9:21 am
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
What if they're doing like AA and selling C and Y as Y, and you'd get the C seat for free? In that case, I'm fine with BOB in the business cabin (sold as United Economy). Then if you want to upgrade, you can upgrade to F.
If this is what they're doing, this could be a win.
Clearly this items needs a lot more clarification as to how it's going to play out.
Aug 19, 2008, 9:22 am
#96
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA 2MM, Bonvoy LT Plt, Mets fan
Posts: 5,073
PS C vs AA J
FWIW, the PS C soft product has been ahead of its competition -- AA's J product -- for a very long time.
It's been a year since I've flown PS in C, but the AA J meal service is as follows:
Bkfst: Choice of (a) omelet, meat hash & potatos, or (b) fruit & cereal, both served with bagel/biscuit, juice & coffee/tea. Fresh-baked cookie & chocolate before landing.
Lunch: Choice of (a) meat entree on a salad, or (b) chicken entree on a salad, served on a tray with a green salad and rolls (all at once; served from cart). Dessert is choice of (i) fruit & cheese plate, or (ii) pre-made ice cream sundae. Cookie/chocolate before landing.
Dinner: Salad & appetizer served from a cart, with rolls. Choice of (a) beef entree or (b) pasta entree, hand-delivered from the galley after salad. Dessert is choice of (i) fruit & cheese plate, or (ii) custom-made ice cream sundae. Cookie/chocolate before landing.
Redeye to JFK: Beverage service only.
So, even with these cuts, PS C still equals AA J.
It's been a year since I've flown PS in C, but the AA J meal service is as follows:
Bkfst: Choice of (a) omelet, meat hash & potatos, or (b) fruit & cereal, both served with bagel/biscuit, juice & coffee/tea. Fresh-baked cookie & chocolate before landing.
Lunch: Choice of (a) meat entree on a salad, or (b) chicken entree on a salad, served on a tray with a green salad and rolls (all at once; served from cart). Dessert is choice of (i) fruit & cheese plate, or (ii) pre-made ice cream sundae. Cookie/chocolate before landing.
Dinner: Salad & appetizer served from a cart, with rolls. Choice of (a) beef entree or (b) pasta entree, hand-delivered from the galley after salad. Dessert is choice of (i) fruit & cheese plate, or (ii) custom-made ice cream sundae. Cookie/chocolate before landing.
Redeye to JFK: Beverage service only.
So, even with these cuts, PS C still equals AA J.
Aug 19, 2008, 9:22 am
#97
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Too many
Programs: Lots
Posts: 5,761
Another great example of UA's continuing war on its customers and revenue base. Those that still haven't jumped ship should hopefully see the light now.
Aug 19, 2008, 9:23 am
#98
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tucson, AZ
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, National EE
Posts: 253
BUT what happens when 25,000 of us decide to leave then?Maybe I'm wrong, but I strongly suspect that a little loyalty from the mid-tier flyers is worth a whole lot more $$ to UA than a lot of loyalty from the top-tier flyers.
Aug 19, 2008, 9:26 am
#99
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: UA 1K 1MM / AA PP, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 949
Folks,
We do not mean to cause additional controversy, but if you wish to cause change at United in the light of these idiotic decisions, there is a group of employees who will stand with you, and that is the pilots.
The pilots are committed to the removal of Glenn Tilton as the head of this airline, and his replacement with someone who actually understands the airline business. We cannot accomplish this alone.
We need to emphasize to you.. this is not a union vs. management issue.. this is a survival issue. Whether you are generally pro-union or pro-management, if you are pro-United, we need you to help us now.
The details are at GlennTilton.com, and there is a lot more coming in the next few weeks. But we need you onboard, please, as our partners in change.
Again, we do not wish to be the source of controversy, but we want to advise you that you do have options, and if you choose to stand up with us, we will effect positive change together.
[email protected]
We do not mean to cause additional controversy, but if you wish to cause change at United in the light of these idiotic decisions, there is a group of employees who will stand with you, and that is the pilots.
The pilots are committed to the removal of Glenn Tilton as the head of this airline, and his replacement with someone who actually understands the airline business. We cannot accomplish this alone.
We need to emphasize to you.. this is not a union vs. management issue.. this is a survival issue. Whether you are generally pro-union or pro-management, if you are pro-United, we need you to help us now.
The details are at GlennTilton.com, and there is a lot more coming in the next few weeks. But we need you onboard, please, as our partners in change.
Again, we do not wish to be the source of controversy, but we want to advise you that you do have options, and if you choose to stand up with us, we will effect positive change together.
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Tilton, I have been a Premier Executive frequent flier for years. Recently, I have seen United's service going down the tubes mainly due to cost cutting. I am now ready to walk away from United completely after the most recent service cuts, including the removal of snack service on morning p.s. business/first class and the announcement of buy-on-board replacing complementary hot meals on trans-atlantic flights. Your race to the bottom of the airline industry will not save the company. In fact, it is persuading frequent fliers like myself to book elsewhere. The thousands of dollars I spend each year on United will now go to your competitors unless these changes are revoked.
In addition, I do not believe your 'leadership' has done United any good after leaving bankruptcy. Please resign and let someone interested in saving United take the helm. You obviously don't know how to do it yourself.
One more frequent flier you're losing,
Clarkcc1
Aug 19, 2008, 9:27 am
#100
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
The value of upgrades (be it miles, or e500s) just dropped significantly for me if all they buy my on a IAD-LAX transcon is a bigger seat. The E+ seat is really big enough. Those of us who fly mostly or entirely domestic, and aren't located in NY just got the shaft. FWIW, my trips are about an even mix of business & leisure, but most of the miles come from business (transcon & Hawaii). I use miles to upgrade these flights more reliably than e500s.
I would gladly take the former without food over the latter with. Heck, I'd rather have the former without food than 2-class F with food.
Aug 19, 2008, 9:27 am
#101
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: QR: Gold; Marriott: Amb; UA: 1K; Taj: Silv
Posts: 254
I'd like to remain on topic as well, so let me simply offer this: We have the ability, working together, to cause the removal of Glenn Tilton. We have the power to tell United's Board of Directors what kind of airline experienced leader we want. We cannot make that appointment ourselves.
Today's decision is a symptom of a sickness that pervades United. We want it removed before it kills the patient. If you believe that the status quo is better than a future without Glenn Tilton, we totally understand your decision to stay on the sidelines.
Aug 19, 2008, 9:28 am
#102
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ANP
Programs: UA 1k, Marriott Plat, HH gold, Avis/Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,408
It's a cleaver ploy to get rid of a hub. I mean, I used to fly through IAD to take 947/946 to LA. Not any more.
Sometimes, I'd fly to IAD to take flights to Europe.
Not any more, I'll fly to ORD.
Sure, I may still fly UA, but I won't book 3 class transcons (and ua will see the demand slip, then get rid of them due to customer demands), and likewise will see demand drop out of IAD and reduce the flights there as well.
Next year, we'll see a whole slew of reduction of domestic capacity cuts into/out of IAD because of this. Then, the international reductions. Then no more IAD (except from ORD/JFK/DEN/SFO and LAX).
Sad, but going to happen.
What really gets my goat is I've already bought and upgraded flights on 3 class transcons just to get a good seat and meal, and now I would have picked a 757 just to get a good meal.
But, of course, since I bought a ticket, I can't change without penality. But they can change food service.
Not fair.
Billy
Sometimes, I'd fly to IAD to take flights to Europe.
Not any more, I'll fly to ORD.
Sure, I may still fly UA, but I won't book 3 class transcons (and ua will see the demand slip, then get rid of them due to customer demands), and likewise will see demand drop out of IAD and reduce the flights there as well.
Next year, we'll see a whole slew of reduction of domestic capacity cuts into/out of IAD because of this. Then, the international reductions. Then no more IAD (except from ORD/JFK/DEN/SFO and LAX).
Sad, but going to happen.
What really gets my goat is I've already bought and upgraded flights on 3 class transcons just to get a good seat and meal, and now I would have picked a 757 just to get a good meal.
But, of course, since I bought a ticket, I can't change without penality. But they can change food service.
Not fair.
Billy
Aug 19, 2008, 9:28 am
#103
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
A handful of drink chits says they will not be selling domestic C for the price of Y...
Aug 19, 2008, 9:29 am
#104
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Slightly to the left of center
Posts: 3,475
It really looks like UA is running out of options they can charge for.
The only thing they don't seem to be charging for is getting water from those faucets, connected to those old tanks, on the big birds.
The only thing they don't seem to be charging for is getting water from those faucets, connected to those old tanks, on the big birds.
Aug 19, 2008, 9:30 am
#105
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tucson, AZ
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, National EE
Posts: 253
Why? It says they're "Offering Two-Class Service on North America Three-Class Airplanes."
What if they're doing like AA and selling C and Y as Y, and you'd get the C seat for free? In that case, I'm fine with BOB in the business cabin (sold as United Economy). Then if you want to upgrade, you can upgrade to F.
What if they're doing like AA and selling C and Y as Y, and you'd get the C seat for free? In that case, I'm fine with BOB in the business cabin (sold as United Economy). Then if you want to upgrade, you can upgrade to F.
Clearly this items needs a lot more clarification as to how it's going to play out.