Since leaving US Airways through the voluntary furlough program (flight attendant) I have always felt a strong sense of loyalty to the airline. I have friends (and a partner) who still work there, so when I joined my new company and began traveling extensively, I always steered myself towards US Airways. While things weren’t always perfect, I stuck with it – knowing the struggles the front line is going through. I’ve since reached Gold – and nearing Platinum. However, lately each flight seems to be getting less acceptable.
So, recently when my company switched travel booking practices, Delta became a preferred airline. There was some hesitation on my part on booking there, since change doesn’t come easy for me. My thoughts are the devil you know may be better than the devil you don’t!
As soon as I booked the flight, I contacted the Delta Sky Miles team, and asked if they would match my US Airways preferred status. They asked that I simply fax my latest statement/DM card. Within a week or so, I checked my Delta Sky Miles account to see that I had indeed be placed in the Gold Medallion status! A few days later a welcome kit arrived not only with a card (the only thing that US Airways gives anymore) but two luggage tags (I found it cool they have a bar code – just in case my bags get separated – they know exactly who’s they are) and four coupons for beer/wine/headsets/etc – should I not be upgraded to first class.
My trip began and ended on Delta Connection. The first amenity that impressed me was that I was upgraded to First Class - - - on an express flight. The 12 first class seats are comparable to the first class seats on any US Airways 737/A319-20-21. Pre-departure beverages were served to every passenger – there were even closets where the F/A were happy to hang my coat. Once the boarding door was close, the F/A greeted the first class cabin in a sincere “I’m very glad to have each of you onboard today. My name is XXX, and you are my guests today. I’ll be treating you as if you were in my own home – and please don’t hesitate to ask if I can do anything to make you more comfortable”.
Once in the air, beverages were again delivered. I almost dropped my glass when she handed it to me - - - because it was an actual glass! Again - - - on an express flight! When the snack basket came around, I was surprised to see that it consisted of fresh fruit and a wide variety of both healthy and not-so-healthy options. In coach, the flight attendants offered passengers a CHOICE of peanuts, pretzels or cookies.
I fully expected this to be an anomaly, and that the next three segments on the trip would be what I have come to believe is the standard inflight experience. However, the remaining 3 segments on this trip were almost exact repeats of what I noted above.
The part that actually made me sad when I arrived back home is that I know that US Airways has the front-line folks that can match and or beat anything I just experienced on Delta. I think back to when Wolf (although not all that labor friendly) was trying to make US Airways the “Carrier of Choice”. We had the tools to do what we needed. Heck, A330 First Class was amazing, and even domestic First Class could hold its own.!
I’ll miss my friends at US Airways – but I’ll probably be on Delta for a while. Hopefully Doug, Scot, Hector and crew can help the employees out and give them the basics before its too late.
So, recently when my company switched travel booking practices, Delta became a preferred airline. There was some hesitation on my part on booking there, since change doesn’t come easy for me. My thoughts are the devil you know may be better than the devil you don’t!
As soon as I booked the flight, I contacted the Delta Sky Miles team, and asked if they would match my US Airways preferred status. They asked that I simply fax my latest statement/DM card. Within a week or so, I checked my Delta Sky Miles account to see that I had indeed be placed in the Gold Medallion status! A few days later a welcome kit arrived not only with a card (the only thing that US Airways gives anymore) but two luggage tags (I found it cool they have a bar code – just in case my bags get separated – they know exactly who’s they are) and four coupons for beer/wine/headsets/etc – should I not be upgraded to first class.
My trip began and ended on Delta Connection. The first amenity that impressed me was that I was upgraded to First Class - - - on an express flight. The 12 first class seats are comparable to the first class seats on any US Airways 737/A319-20-21. Pre-departure beverages were served to every passenger – there were even closets where the F/A were happy to hang my coat. Once the boarding door was close, the F/A greeted the first class cabin in a sincere “I’m very glad to have each of you onboard today. My name is XXX, and you are my guests today. I’ll be treating you as if you were in my own home – and please don’t hesitate to ask if I can do anything to make you more comfortable”.
Once in the air, beverages were again delivered. I almost dropped my glass when she handed it to me - - - because it was an actual glass! Again - - - on an express flight! When the snack basket came around, I was surprised to see that it consisted of fresh fruit and a wide variety of both healthy and not-so-healthy options. In coach, the flight attendants offered passengers a CHOICE of peanuts, pretzels or cookies.
I fully expected this to be an anomaly, and that the next three segments on the trip would be what I have come to believe is the standard inflight experience. However, the remaining 3 segments on this trip were almost exact repeats of what I noted above.
The part that actually made me sad when I arrived back home is that I know that US Airways has the front-line folks that can match and or beat anything I just experienced on Delta. I think back to when Wolf (although not all that labor friendly) was trying to make US Airways the “Carrier of Choice”. We had the tools to do what we needed. Heck, A330 First Class was amazing, and even domestic First Class could hold its own.!
I’ll miss my friends at US Airways – but I’ll probably be on Delta for a while. Hopefully Doug, Scot, Hector and crew can help the employees out and give them the basics before its too late.
