Does US need Mary Kay or a scalpel?

[wings396]

PIT was dismembered by America West Airlines to destroy the last vestige of former USAirways east culture, and along with it a strong work ethic and powerful union attitude.

Guess what? I didn't work.

That is not correct. The destruction of the PIT Hub began a few years prior to HP coming into the picture. The slow pull-down of PIT was already underway prior to 9/11, and was put into high-gear soon after. The RJ's started to appear replacing Mainline flying a little bit at a time until they became the majority. If you remember the locals in PIT were concerned about the long term plans US had when they entered merger talks with UA for the first time. The politicians were coming out of the woodwork in an attempt to get UA to promise that they would keep the PIT operation intact following a merger. As far as the 'east culture", what about PHL, CLT, and so on?

 

[Dog Wonder]

I wish America West would have done that. Then we would not have the OCC in this crappy city.

According to Forbes magazine the most livable city in the country, again.

 

[tadjr]

This CP posted an update on Flyertalk: He wrote a complaint letter to Customer Relations. They replied with the typical spin about the Choice Seats program being a benefit to elites...........and gave him a $50 ETUV for the inconvenience. He said that had they just given him the aisle seat when they re-booked him, he would not have had any reason to complain.

Now US is going to have to sell 10 Choice Seats to make up for one instance of not bending a rule which makes no sense in the first place........and the customer is still angry.

I wish I had whatever these guys are smoking sometimes. It must be bright and pretty in lala land cause its sure raining XXXX over here where I am thanks to them.
The Choice Seats are a benefit to Elites, until all the Choice V seats are taken then the Choice T seats become just like any other seat for purchase and a liability on the map for Preferreds. When the program first started I didnt think it was going to be a big issue, but it is. Not only can the T seats not be given to Elites, there are now more seats blocked on the plane total for day of dept that we cant use for families or assist customers. All you need is that one non purchase seat hanging on the map and the T seats arent going anywhere until dept time. I agree with the general premise of Choice Seats (although Economy Plus would be a real value for purchase not the fake one Choice Seats are), but once again I'm afraid Tempe isnt going to get a clue until after another couple thousand Preferreds have departed.
Seriously, does anyone have a brain cell in their head out there? You're giving away a $50 voucher because of a stupid $5 seat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :blink: Please explain the math behind that equation to me. I aint got no MBA, but some common sense might work. Ya think?

 

[malikie]

According to Forbes magazine the most livable city in the country, again.

Obviously by a reporter who does not live in pitt. I lived in many cities and pitt by far is the worst.

 

[phasersonstun2]

Obviously by a reporter who does not live in pitt. I lived in many cities and pitt by far is the worst.

Oh you of the great travel guide... which is the best city to live in?

Please relate it to the future of LCC, good or bad.

 

[DrBeth]

Seriously, does anyone have a brain cell in their head out there? You're giving away a $50 voucher because of a stupid $5 seat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :blink: Please explain the math behind that equation to me. I aint got no MBA, but some common sense might work. Ya think?

And by this very act of "stepping over dollars to pick up pennies," US probably just lost a high-revenue, loyal customer that was worth way more than the $5 seat and the $50 voucher. It's very sad.

I am flying US on my last domestic Y award May 21-26. It is my first time on a US plane since July 2009. I put in my CO Gold Elite number in hopes that the experience will be slightly better than US Dirt Preferred, although I don't get to choose "choice" seats. We'll see how it goes.

 

[OTslave]

LCC needs a makeover.

Well after June 12, they may be able to pick up Spirit and the FLL operation for a dime or 2.
They'd be able to get Terminal 4, all international gates, then they could try FLL (round 2).
Because as PamAnn says "we only make the same mistake once, or twice or three times"
You can't beat the experience.

Let's face it, we've run out of focus cities. So we need something else to focus on.

 

[700UW]

US all ready tried FLL and failed.

 

[DrBeth]

Let's face it, we've run out of focus cities. So we need something else to focus on.

How about employees, labor issues, and customers? :huh:

 

[ChockJockey]

US has so much unfinished business after five years of "merging" so where to start might prove overwhelming to many in charge..

Can anyone outline for me the outstanding merger issues not dependent on the pilot and FA labor situations? Just curious.

 

[john john]

Can anyone outline for me the outstanding merger issues not dependent on the pilot and FA labor situations? Just curious.

Another merger

 

[Dog Wonder]

Can anyone outline for me the outstanding merger issues not dependent on the pilot and FA labor situations? Just curious.

What else do you need?

 

[ChockJockey]

What else do you need?

What else is there? If pilot and FA integration are the only checkpoints outstanding then how is it accurate to fault Doug et al. for not completing the HP/US merger if these have stalled on internal union issues?

I'm not defending them, I just want to know more. I sense a disconnect when the pilots are holding a collective gun to the head of the airline yet posters here are quick to chirp about how it's management's fault for not completing the merger. :unsure:

 

[Travelpro72]

Well let's see. The union JNC continually tries to negotiate a non-concessionary contract yet they keep trying to play hard ball. We can do this forever. 2012 is inching closer day by day. Get real at the negotiating table and the f/a contract will get done. So I'd say management has a HUGE hand in that. Well that and though everything seems merged to customers those in charge have lightyears to go before understanding the airline business. 🙄

 

[ChockJockey]

Well let's see. The union JNC continually tries to negotiate a non-concessionary contract yet they keep trying to play hard ball. We can do this forever. 2012 is inching closer day by day. Get real at the negotiating table and the f/a contract will get done. So I'd say management has a HUGE hand in that. Well that and though everything seems merged to customers those in charge have lightyears to go before understanding the airline business. 🙄

Forgive my ignorance in the matter, but which is the biggest obstacle in getting a new FA contract: that management hasn't been able to produce satisfactory proposals or that most FA's won't go for one until the pilot issue is resolved and they have a contract?

If pilot seniority integrations and shenaniganism is what's holding them up how is management supposed to facilitate a resolution to it, and do they even have the standing to considering the problem is an internal union affair?

Besides the impasses in pilot and FA integrations and everything that is depending on them, what, specifically, has management not done that it needs to do that indicates the merger is unfinished?

The relative business acumen or incompetence in reputation and performance of management are unrelated to the argument as to whether or not US Airways senior management the carries majority of the responsibility for failing to merge the airline.