Yesterday, I had the pleasure of having one of the new US Airways Board of Directors onboard my flight from ORD to CLT. After landing early (from PHL...I know amazing), a coworker and I hoped off the airplane to grab a gyro from the airport. (btw, big recommendation..EXCELLENT!!) I walked past an older man that had an America West ID on. He was from Cooperate so of course I wanted to know who he was.
Sorry, but the gyro came first, but upon return I introduced myself to him and asked him if he would like to come down to the airplane with us. My shmoozing juices were flowing for info. He introduced himself as Herb Baum, one of the BOD members. I found it interesting that he had a company id, but whatever, I never met a BOD of any company. To find out, Herb is on the BOD on 5 company boards, including the company he was pres and ceo of, DIAL, and Pepsi, for which we all got in a good chuckle.
As Herb spoke with us, I asked many questions and of course gave my opinions. (Like THAT was ever in doubt
) He told me that the board sees that we must take care of the FC section of the aircraft as our service is not good compared to others and HE reminded me of how we have tauted our product as the only lcc WITH f/c. Changes must be made.
I told him that our FF's are unhappy with the cheapening of the f/c product and that it wasn't the cheapening of the product that was as bad as the price, which is the same as a more lavish product at other carriers. He agree 100% that from a consumer stand point, he understood why customers were bolting on transcons. I told him that I was tired of seeing us give our highend business travelers to UA, who is aggressively inticing them away. He got it!! AND He agreed.
I told him to PLEASE let DP know that none of us really mind being a lcc, but that we seem to be coming across as a "cheap ass carrier" and that there WAS a difference. Again, he agreed.
Herb was very sincere and shared how he was on the BOD of AWA and that he loved this company. He has been impressed with kindness of the East f/a's for which he was warned were sometimes grumpy. We on the East have naturally proven him wrong. He sees where we need to change and is excited about the remaking of what is now the new US Airways. In otherwords, he likes us...he really likes us.
Yes, Herb sat in f/c, but not on the company's dollar but on the dollar of another. He was one of only two customers NOT US1's on that flight. Of course, I will brag and say I did a wonderful job and everyone left pleased, as well as Herb.
In 19 years of flying, I have NEVER, EVER even SEEN a US Airways BOD member, must less one that CARED or SPOKE to the little guy. I walked away from that flight truly feeling as if there was at LEAST one BOD member that has his eyes set on the complete success of US Airways. With all his millions and power, Herb had no reason to BS me or tell me what I wanted to hear. He was sincere, honest, and personable. He spoke highly of DP and the entire management team. He acknowledged that there were the issues of labor intergration, which is normal and the operational intergration challenges, but he believes in US and if the others feel like Herb, we DO have alot to be excited about.
I know, high oil prices, labor issues, SWA, on and on...But I just want to say that at this juncture of my life, I HAVE to work. I have no rich relatives. I have no trust fund, and to be honest...no great talents that will raise me to the level of making millions. I just can't imagine 22 years of just getting by and just giving as little as possible and being bitter because of this or that.
I am going to brag and YES, pat myself on the back. It was a great pleasure to represent US Airways with a high quality of service DESPITE plastic and no food. But if respect, professionalism, manners, and kindness...as well as a handshake and a thank you..is all it takes to please the 10 US Airways US1's and a BOD (no I did what I would always do) AND be given praise for a job well done..., than life is good. No, I'm not a kool-aid drinker, but like I said, I HAVE to work. I would challenge every person to do the simple things I listed above and feel the difference. NO LIE!! It will raise you to a different level professionally AND personally. That, and with people like Herb, restores my confidence in this industry AND US Airways.
Well, that's just my feelings.
Sorry, but the gyro came first, but upon return I introduced myself to him and asked him if he would like to come down to the airplane with us. My shmoozing juices were flowing for info. He introduced himself as Herb Baum, one of the BOD members. I found it interesting that he had a company id, but whatever, I never met a BOD of any company. To find out, Herb is on the BOD on 5 company boards, including the company he was pres and ceo of, DIAL, and Pepsi, for which we all got in a good chuckle.
As Herb spoke with us, I asked many questions and of course gave my opinions. (Like THAT was ever in doubt
) He told me that the board sees that we must take care of the FC section of the aircraft as our service is not good compared to others and HE reminded me of how we have tauted our product as the only lcc WITH f/c. Changes must be made.I told him that our FF's are unhappy with the cheapening of the f/c product and that it wasn't the cheapening of the product that was as bad as the price, which is the same as a more lavish product at other carriers. He agree 100% that from a consumer stand point, he understood why customers were bolting on transcons. I told him that I was tired of seeing us give our highend business travelers to UA, who is aggressively inticing them away. He got it!! AND He agreed.
I told him to PLEASE let DP know that none of us really mind being a lcc, but that we seem to be coming across as a "cheap ass carrier" and that there WAS a difference. Again, he agreed.
Herb was very sincere and shared how he was on the BOD of AWA and that he loved this company. He has been impressed with kindness of the East f/a's for which he was warned were sometimes grumpy. We on the East have naturally proven him wrong. He sees where we need to change and is excited about the remaking of what is now the new US Airways. In otherwords, he likes us...he really likes us.
Yes, Herb sat in f/c, but not on the company's dollar but on the dollar of another. He was one of only two customers NOT US1's on that flight. Of course, I will brag and say I did a wonderful job and everyone left pleased, as well as Herb.
In 19 years of flying, I have NEVER, EVER even SEEN a US Airways BOD member, must less one that CARED or SPOKE to the little guy. I walked away from that flight truly feeling as if there was at LEAST one BOD member that has his eyes set on the complete success of US Airways. With all his millions and power, Herb had no reason to BS me or tell me what I wanted to hear. He was sincere, honest, and personable. He spoke highly of DP and the entire management team. He acknowledged that there were the issues of labor intergration, which is normal and the operational intergration challenges, but he believes in US and if the others feel like Herb, we DO have alot to be excited about.
I know, high oil prices, labor issues, SWA, on and on...But I just want to say that at this juncture of my life, I HAVE to work. I have no rich relatives. I have no trust fund, and to be honest...no great talents that will raise me to the level of making millions. I just can't imagine 22 years of just getting by and just giving as little as possible and being bitter because of this or that.
I am going to brag and YES, pat myself on the back. It was a great pleasure to represent US Airways with a high quality of service DESPITE plastic and no food. But if respect, professionalism, manners, and kindness...as well as a handshake and a thank you..is all it takes to please the 10 US Airways US1's and a BOD (no I did what I would always do) AND be given praise for a job well done..., than life is good. No, I'm not a kool-aid drinker, but like I said, I HAVE to work. I would challenge every person to do the simple things I listed above and feel the difference. NO LIE!! It will raise you to a different level professionally AND personally. That, and with people like Herb, restores my confidence in this industry AND US Airways.
Well, that's just my feelings.
