Thoughts & Experiences from the Mile High City
I am just amazed that United allowed this to escalate to the level where it did. In hot weather they are usually pushing cold air through the plane while at the gate and tarmac. I am surprised it was not cooler.
But when they realized it was that hot, that they did not do something for the child or the other passengers. It is just not acceptable.
I received the following email today from United about United and Continental linking their networks and services, including their frequent flyer programs. This is the first of probably a series of combinations, mergers, or cooperations that will occur in this market.
I still won’t fly either airline unless I have to because the service is so bad, especially charging for the first checked bag. Good luck, you’ll need it.
As a valued Mileage Plus member, we wanted you to be among the first to hear that Continental and United today announced plans to cooperate globally, linking our networks and services worldwide to deliver new benefits to you. In addition, Continental plans to join United in the Star Alliance®, the most comprehensive airline alliance in the world.
Once implemented, this new partnership, will easily enable you to take advantage of the resources of both airlines to enhance your overall travel experience, and receive more value from your Mileage Plus membership.
First and foremost, this partnership will include new frequent flier reciprocity that will enable you to earn miles when flying on either airline and redeem awards on both carriers. Travel on either carrier will count toward earning elite status. Similarly, members of either airline’s airport lounge program will have access to both Continental’s Presidents Club network and United’s Red Carpet Club® lounges.
Second, together with Continental, we will be able to offer you a more comprehensive domestic route network and together with our Star Alliance partners, greater choice of service throughout the entire world.
Starting in the U.S., you are going to see United and Continental develop extensive code-sharing that will facilitate travel whenever your itinerary involves both carriers. We will be able to provide you with a coordinated process for reservations/ticketing, check-in, flight connections and baggage transfer.
Internationally, Continental and United will establish joint ventures that will allow us to cooperate with each other and with other Star Alliance airlines throughout the world. These joint ventures will enable us to provide you with highly competitive flight schedules, fares and service to more destinations than we do today.
In short, once regulatory approval is obtained, this new partnership between United and Continental will expand your choice of flights and destinations, and improve your ability to earn both miles and elite status in Mileage Plus. Together we will offer you more value whenever you fly. We expect to bring you the benefits of our cooperation starting some time in 2009, and until then, we will keep you informed about our progress.
We appreciate you and your business, and we look forward to seeing you on your next flight.
Sincerely,
Robert Sahadevan
Vice President – Mileage Plus
I have rarely flown American Airlines and I will probably never, ever fly them again.
Today American Airlines announced that they are going to be charging $15 for the first checked bag. United Airlines announced that it is “seriously studying” charging for the first bag.
That is ridiculous. I was upset when United said they were going to charge for the second checked bag, but now for the first one?
The airlines are struggling with a business plan that is getting hammered with competition and soaring fuel prices. So they are cutting services, flights, and charging more for different things.
This is only going to alienate the flying public. I think this bodes well for airlines like Frontier who still treat their passengers well.
I switched a couple years ago to flying Frontier Airlines over United for personal flights and only fly United or another carrier when work says I have to. I don’t need frills, but I want to be respected and treated fairly. I am getting that on Frontier, not on the other airlines.
Frontier is stuggling a little bit, but I think they will come out of this mess a stronger airline that will survive into the future.
I am not so sure about American, United, Continental, and others. Charging for the first bag is just plain stupid and makes bad business sense.
It is going to make boarding a flight harder, people are going to be carrying more on board, and it is just going to be a mess.
And if they are charging for the first and second bag. They better not lose it. If someone is paying for it, it better be waiting when they get to the luggage carousel. They are paying for a service, the airline better deliver!
I have previously given United Airlines a hard time for their serviceand most of it is deserved. The flight attendants on my flight to Salt
Lake City this morning were gruff with all the passengers.
But when they do something good I want to recognize them also. I am
flying on United Flight 526 from Salt Lake City back to Denver and there
were two soldiers on our flight. There were some open seats in first
class and the flight crew moved them there.
The flight crew was also really nice and helpful. I really enjoyed
flying with them back to Denver.
Good job United!
Please fly Frontier Airlines.
This airline provides great service, to great locations, and it is a pleasant airline to fly. I enjoy them over any other airline that flies in-and-out of Denver.
I will do whatever I can to fly them. For example, I had a conference in Maryland and instead of flying into BWI, I fly into Washington National. I just did not want to fly United.
For those of you who don’t know, Frontier recently declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Their credit card processor wanted to keep a larger percentage of money from credit card purchases that people used for advance reservations.
This would have significantly reduced their liquidity to operate in the coming months. So to protect that liquidity, they declared Chapter 11 to reorganize.
As mentioned earlier, I fly Frontier Airlines a lot. There is a lot of competition in Denver from United and Southwest. But those airlines’ service does not add up to the friendly service I get at Frontier Airlines. It is quite an experience and having TV on flights is a plus.
Fly Frontier Airlines and help out this hometown, homegrown, and pleasant airline.
Well that does it, I won’t be flying United Airlines for personal travel anymore. If they are going to charge my $25 for a second bag, then they don’t deserve my business.
In an article in the Denver Post, United Airlines says that it costs more for them to handle a second bag so they need to charge for it. They need to charge $25 for a second bag? That is ridiculous.
Since they are going to be charging that much for a second bag, I don’t need to fly them. There are many different airlines that I can fly out of Denver International Airport that won’t charge me additional money for a second bag, that I can take them.
United, You just lost a customer that has flown over 200,000 miles on your airline. Get a clue and stop milking your consumers because you were negotiated bad contracts and can’t afford to compete in todays market even after getting concessions from your employees.
Personally I like Frontier Airlines. They are treating their consumers well and provide a lot of destinations for where I want to travel to. If you are looking for an alternative to United Airlines, fly on Frontier.
Mile High Soapbox 