The demise of UA Connection software
Jul 11, 2001, 9:10 am
#196
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Posts: 36,028
Now that the new FT is up and running, maybe if several more of us added to the thread in
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum97/HTML/000435.html
we can get Randy's attention on this matter
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum97/HTML/000435.html
we can get Randy's attention on this matter
Jul 11, 2001, 5:56 pm
#197
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Medford, OR
Programs: UA1K/3MM, AA & DL 1MM, *wood Plat, Hertz Pres.
Posts: 588
I just got a letter (snail mail) from Scott Praven with the usual so sorry comments. It was not a form letter, but it also didn't address my concerns. I have to give Praven points in not sending a form letter and also
for even writing. For the last two weeks all I have only gotten back e-mails from "assistants". Yuck!
He offered that I could join an "advisory group of customers to help us stay on track as it relates to future web development."
OK, what's you guess is this a an effort to placate the 1K's or is this a serious offer?
I guess I'm asking, will they listen to anyting I, or others, say?
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UA1K, m/m AA/DL,
Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat., Starwood Gld.
for even writing. For the last two weeks all I have only gotten back e-mails from "assistants". Yuck!
He offered that I could join an "advisory group of customers to help us stay on track as it relates to future web development."
OK, what's you guess is this a an effort to placate the 1K's or is this a serious offer?
I guess I'm asking, will they listen to anyting I, or others, say?
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UA1K, m/m AA/DL,
Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat., Starwood Gld.
Jul 11, 2001, 7:46 pm
#198
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA/IAD -- UA 1K MM
Posts: 47
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UA1kMFR:
I just got a letter (snail mail) from Scott Praven with the usual so sorry comments. It was not a form letter, but it also didn't address my concerns. I have to give Praven points in not sending a form letter and also for even writing. For the last two weeks all I have only gotten back e-mails from "assistants". Yuck!
He offered that I could join an "advisory group of customers to help us stay on track as it relates to future web development."
OK, what's you guess is this a an effort to placate the 1K's or is this a serious offer?
I guess I'm asking, will they listen to anyting I, or others, say?
</font>
I just got a letter (snail mail) from Scott Praven with the usual so sorry comments. It was not a form letter, but it also didn't address my concerns. I have to give Praven points in not sending a form letter and also for even writing. For the last two weeks all I have only gotten back e-mails from "assistants". Yuck!
He offered that I could join an "advisory group of customers to help us stay on track as it relates to future web development."
OK, what's you guess is this a an effort to placate the 1K's or is this a serious offer?
I guess I'm asking, will they listen to anyting I, or others, say?
</font>
Meanwhile, I've also received several more infuriatingly mindless canned messages from "Kathy" and her friends, one of which completely misrepresented my opposition to UA's decision. Nothing at all to indicate that they've budged even an inch. BUT KEEP UP THE PRESSURE UNTIL THE VERY LAST MINUTE, FOLKS - IT'S THE ONLY CHANCE WE'VE GOT.
[This message has been edited by Airdog (edited 07-11-2001).]
Jul 12, 2001, 7:42 pm
#199
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Reno, Nevada
Programs: AA EXP, UA 2MM, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 494
Despite all of the form letters I'm getting back from UA in response to my concerns about the loss of United Connection, united.com still won't do what I want. I found a $245 fare RNO-ORD-RNO without a Saturday night stay. I wanted three segments in each direction. I booked it on United Connection to be sure the fare did not disappear. Then I called 1K to request a confirmed upgrade. Two of the legs were not available, so I was waitlisted for those upgrades. The problem is, after July 20, I won't be able to see this itinerary on line, so I will have to keep calling 1K to see if the upgrades cleared. When I tried to book the same itinerary on united.com, there was no way. First, it only offered two-segment options in each direction. Second, when I tried to book the trip leg by leg, it wouldn't accept the three return legs because there wasn't 60 minutes between any of them. I hope Randy's lack of response to our pleas for help in his forum means that he's working feverishly behind the scenes to preserve United Connection and doesn't want to tip his hand before negotiation are complete.
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Biggest Little 1K (in The Biggest Little City) In The World
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Biggest Little 1K (in The Biggest Little City) In The World
Jul 13, 2001, 8:29 am
#200
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Programs: United, Hilton
Posts: 691
So, any chance UA will reverse itself in the last week of UA Connection availability? I think it's looking bleak!
Jul 13, 2001, 8:35 am
#201
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Chicago, IL (ORD)
Programs: AA Gold, UA Premier Exec, Starwood Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,100
Well, I and another UA person in the AA chat last night tried to ask Randy if he'd intervene on this during the after-AA chat session. It seemed to me he was ignoring the question (I asked it a couple times), which does not bode well. 
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Regards,
- Anna
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Regards,
- Anna
Jul 13, 2001, 10:31 am
#202
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Posts: 5
GET BUSY! WRITE LETTERS!
If we raise enough havoc as 1Ks, they might just delay the horrible decision to nuke UConnection. UAL.com is a pathetic way to try and look at itineraires and seats. Write two letters today!
Graham Atkinson
Senior Vice President, Marketing
United Airlines
P.O. Box 66100
Chicago, IL 60666
James Goodwin
Chief Executive Officer
United Airlines
P.O. Box 60666
Chicago, IL 60666
If we raise enough havoc as 1Ks, they might just delay the horrible decision to nuke UConnection. UAL.com is a pathetic way to try and look at itineraires and seats. Write two letters today!
Graham Atkinson
Senior Vice President, Marketing
United Airlines
P.O. Box 66100
Chicago, IL 60666
James Goodwin
Chief Executive Officer
United Airlines
P.O. Box 60666
Chicago, IL 60666
Jul 13, 2001, 10:39 am
#203
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Posts: 5
GET BUSY! WRITE LETTERS!
If we raise enough havoc as 1Ks, they might just delay the horrible decision to nuke UConnection. UAL.com is a pathetic way to try and look at itineraires and seats. Write two letters today!
Graham Atkinson
Senior Vice President, Marketing
United Airlines
P.O. Box 66100
Chicago, IL 60666
James Goodwin
Chief Executive Officer
United Airlines
P.O. Box 60666
Chicago, IL 60666
If we raise enough havoc as 1Ks, they might just delay the horrible decision to nuke UConnection. UAL.com is a pathetic way to try and look at itineraires and seats. Write two letters today!
Graham Atkinson
Senior Vice President, Marketing
United Airlines
P.O. Box 66100
Chicago, IL 60666
James Goodwin
Chief Executive Officer
United Airlines
P.O. Box 60666
Chicago, IL 60666
Jul 13, 2001, 11:48 am
#204
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
Posts: 19,523
Seems funny to me that United would see the benefit of having it's Timetable stored as software on your computer, yet not see the benefit of having an all inclusive booking engine, Mileage Plus system, news updates, etc. on right on your PC as well.
I mean, United's Electronic System Timetable is a PC stored application that just uses a web connection to update. Right? And they just recently released that!
IMHO, United Connection Software was and is years ahead of it's time, and is still where the future should be.
The web and web loaded Java applications are just too slow loading for complex functions and programs.
I would recommend United keep United Connection, and improve and expand upon it (including upgrades, Mileage Plus, and even incorporate the Electronic Timetable into it).
Dump the expensive dail-up network and just offer connection through the customer's ISP.
I mean, United's Electronic System Timetable is a PC stored application that just uses a web connection to update. Right? And they just recently released that!
IMHO, United Connection Software was and is years ahead of it's time, and is still where the future should be.
The web and web loaded Java applications are just too slow loading for complex functions and programs.
I would recommend United keep United Connection, and improve and expand upon it (including upgrades, Mileage Plus, and even incorporate the Electronic Timetable into it).
Dump the expensive dail-up network and just offer connection through the customer's ISP.
Jul 13, 2001, 11:52 am
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Welcome back premex!
Jul 13, 2001, 12:53 pm
#206
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Rochester, NY USA
Programs: Hilton - Diamond, IHG - Platinum
Posts: 1,424
Yes, WELCOME BACK PremEx!
Jul 13, 2001, 1:47 pm
#207
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Madison NJ; Watopia
Posts: 3,161
The timetable is maintained and supported by an outside vendor (it's the same software used by CO and AA). I understand that Connection *was* supported internally by UA.
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Who is John Galt?
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Who is John Galt?
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Jul 13, 2001, 5:07 pm
#208
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
I happened to notice on another posting that PremEx made a surprise appearance, and wondered if anyone else noticed.
Welcome back - I hope you stay a while.
Greg
Welcome back - I hope you stay a while.
Greg
Jul 13, 2001, 5:47 pm
#209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SFO 1K:
I am preparing a 5 minute video showing the difference and will FEDEX copies to all UA officers and board members I can locate.</font>
I am preparing a 5 minute video showing the difference and will FEDEX copies to all UA officers and board members I can locate.</font>
Jul 13, 2001, 10:55 pm
#210
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Minnesota, USA
Posts: 846
Just logged in to my favorite travel booking software (UACNXN). When I tried to pull up a couple of itineraries, it bombed out and told me to call customer support. Hope that's not a sign they're pulling the plug early!!!
I love the video idea.
Where is Randy when we need him??????????
I love the video idea.
Where is Randy when we need him??????????