Originally Posted by ByrdluvsAWACO (Post 20598848)

I can only hope that when/if VX goes under, AA grabs some of the assets like the LAX T3 gates, any JFK slots and most of SFO T2.

Originally Posted by eponymous_coward (Post 20601240)

I actually wouldn't hope for that, since AA is pretty mind-numbingly mediocre in my experience, and I don't have any particular use or vested interest in having them running the universe, the same way an EXP does- whereas I actually fly VX and would like them to stick around (even if I am skeptical after years of "we're )( this close to making a profit someday").

:D

Originally Posted by eponymous_coward (Post 20601240)

I actually wouldn't hope for that, since AA is pretty mind-numbingly mediocre in my experience, and I don't have any particular use or vested interest in having them running the universe, the same way an EXP does- whereas I actually fly VX and would like them to stick around (even if I am skeptical after years of "we're )( this close to making a profit someday").

:D

Originally Posted by ByrdluvsAWACO (Post 20605103)

they have a network that's actually usable beyond SFO-JFK and a product that focuses on more than just hipsters.

Originally Posted by ByrdluvsAWACO (Post 20605103)

T3 in LAX (if AA expands as some suspect) will allow AA to offer more connections/frequencies to local & intl pax. Neither UA, WN, or DL or can effectively use T3.

Originally Posted by eponymous_coward (Post 20606956)

AA's network isn't particularly usable where I live (SEA), unless I fly a lot of AS (which I do anyway), or love connecting at ORD/DFW.



You speak as if you've never taken the T3->T4 shuttle, or flown out of T3.

I have (as an AS elite and VX passenger). T3 is a dump (VX's side is slightly nicer, but still, T3 is a dump). Go ask some AS folks if they'd like to go back from T6. Cooling your heels for 30+ minutes for shuttles for your connection (or walking outside and reclearing TSA) is a bad passenger experience. There's no doubt in my mind that once the AA-US merger is done in 2015-2016 or so, they'll be trying as hard as they can to consolidate operations under one roof. So I place no value on a T3 presence for AA, unless they tear the sucker down and figure out a way to connect T4, Bradley and T3. There's plans for this, kind of, but they are hideously expensive.

Also- you seriously think DL or B6 wouldn't find those assets useful? I'm sure B6 would love to dump LGB for LAX and is plenty popular with "hipsters", as you put it, and DL is in just as good a position to pressure UA (if not better).

Oh, and neither of them will be hip-deep in the middle of a merger that your .sig seems to be ridiculing...

Originally Posted by AA_EXP09 (Post 20608847)

FFP complements the weakness in network, though.
I will go out of my way to fly AA (and can save money because of it, too)
If US ruins the airline then I might consider crediting to AV.

Originally Posted by eponymous_coward (Post 20608887)

I consider FFPs ancillary to the plane getting me there conveniently. This would explain why I'm happy to fly WN and VX when it suits my needs, as opposed to doing contorted routings for mileage, status and just so I can eat a calorie-laden, blast-chilled meal that I could get better in a diner for $10-15. I'm willing to snap up a good deal if the arbitrage is there in an FFP scenario, but in the end I am more interested in where the hurtling metal tube is going.

Originally Posted by AA_EXP09 (Post 20608908)

Makes sense for domestic but international lounges tend to have edible, good tasting food.
Some of them even have high quality booze.

Originally Posted by scotflyer1 (Post 20609378)

VX amateur carrier. Have booking next moth. They changed all flts with no advice to pax. That will not get goodwill nor fiture bookings. Today so easy to malign bad carrier via internet...

Originally Posted by eponymous_coward (Post 20609274)

Sure, but why stay in an airport more than you have to when there's a ton of good food out there?

HKG surely has nice lounges, but give me a choice between dim sum in the UA/TG/SQ/CX lounges and Tim Ho Wan, I think I pick Tim Ho Wan (have actually tried dim sum breakfast both ways). And I live somewhere where great cocktails are easy to come by.

Granted, Dom and caviar have snob appeal, to be sure, and I like the LH FCL/FCT myself, but in the end the food and drink you get in the F cabin can be replicated better on the ground, and lounges rarely have truly outstanding food.

Originally Posted by Doc Savage (Post 20610584)

Ok, here ya go:

VX picks up the slack when US management ruins AA and COdbaUA continues to suck, making VX the new "legacy carrier" of choice.

I've taken VX a couple of times and like their service.