The LOW CLASS in LCC Strikes Again

[JS]

Speaking of Dopes, why not enlighten the folks here why we haven't been graced with your wit and wisdom for the last 120 day or so?

Because I have a job and a life outside of work.

 

[OldGuyinPA]

USY1FARE..

Illogical ...you've got to be kidding. I just love to give the preferred a reciept ( for you precious expense account ) and see that they're in First for 4 legs and we're getting less than $20.00 per leg base fare.

If your going to sit in First ..pay for it. I feel sorry for the poor schmuck who has a center seat and paid 20x what our preferred paid.

 

[LCC_#1]

Tempe wants to get to know the FF's a bit better? What the hell does that mean?

Ok, AWA was around since 1983..US Airways for over 50. If the powers that be haven't figured out the answer to your question by now, we're in deep :censored: ..I mean dookie! :disguise:

 

[US1YFARE]

If your going to sit in First ..pay for it.

I do and I pay too much. I've had gate agents say to me, no lie...OMG, you paid for the entire plane. Oh gee, thanks for pointing that out.

 

[tadjr]

Apparently, based on rumors, Envoy service is on the downward slide which is not surprising. I hope it is not as bad as it was in the Fall, 2003.

Dont believe all the rumors you hear. I wish people would ask questions and check out some things before they all jump on the rumor mill. Just took Envoy last week (made it just barely both ways). It is better than it had been and I didnt notice anything else missing since the last time I flew it. Unless they have some major plans they havent implemented yet, I didnt notice any slide in service in the last year or so.
Predeparture drink choice - champagne, oj or mamosa
Amenity kit (not out of the basket anymore)- not leather , but it hasnt been that way since 2001 or so.
Papers and magazines offered off the cart.
Nuts and drink after takeoff.
Appetizer, plated entree, dessert and cheese plate, 2nd meal - fruit/croissant breakfast to Europe, pizza/salad from Europe with the pantry open to snacks and drinks during flight.
About the only difference I noticed was no salad and as far as I remember that hasnt been offered since around 2001/2002 either.

 

[PITbull]

Just when you thought things were going to get better--after their many empty promises to their pax--they have started selling meals to FC and Y pax on flights to Florida. This may extend to flights beyond PHL-Florida, but that is the only experience I have. I was told by the US1 desk that FC meals would be for purchase and I responded that would be an all time low. Well, the US1 liason was correct...they are selling meals to FC pax.

STOP SELLING FC FARES WHEN YOU DON'T OFFER A FC PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Simply astonishing... :down: Hopefully, its rumor.

 

[lostplanetairman]

I flew PHL-FLL and return the other day. On both flights the snack was sold everywhere. I was in coach, but I could see into first class and witnessed it.

On the flight from PHL, we sat on the taxiway for a long time and were very late. I was very thirsty and annoyed. I was in the exit row and, at the last minute, the FA moved a person of giant size (both tall and wide) into the middle seat. I was trying to work because I had to deliver a major address upon landing and he kept knocking my papers to the floor as he was taking up half of my seat. I gave the FA sitting in her seat facing me the look, and she just thought it was amusing. There were other empty seats open with leg room. Gosh, they always seem to pick on women! It used to happen all the time when I'd travel with my son--they'd stick every UM next to me to be the baby sitter!

So we finally took off. The FA got up and went about her business. Did we get service? You bet. We got the BA credit card offer! Up and down the isle they went. Even if you would ignore them they interrupted you to make their pitch. Ok, that finally ended.

Then, did we get service? You bet. We got the snack packs! They went throughout the entire cabin--First Class and Coach.

Then, did we get service? Finally--1 1/2 hours into the flight (which was delayed by 45 minutes). They only did one service. If you asked for water and coffee (which I did) you were denied the second option. We landed and had to wait awhile (ten minutes by my watch) for a jetway to appear. I rushed to work and delivered my address. It was very stressful, but I perservered.

On the return, we were delayed boarding because a non-rev and buddy pass interrupted boarding by asking for special favors and both GA's had to explain that they didn't have the "paperwork" there at the gate and that the person would have to go back to the ticket counter. This took 20 minutes because the buddy pass person refused to believe she had to go to the ticket counter--it was between the zone 2 and zone 3 boarding. I used to be a non-rev when DH worked for US Airways, and I could not imagine approaching the GA while boarding was in process. But these inappropriately clad folks did (they do still have standards that would at least prohibit hot pants and tube tops, right? Or is that now considered appropriate attire?). We finally boarded. We took off and we were served drinks first! Then they offered the snack pack. They offered the credit cards 1/2 way into the flight. The FA making the announcements kept calling the company US Air.

We were very late arriving and I missed my train.

The only time I ever flew SWA was a few months ago from PHL to MHT--guess what? On the one hour full flight they made two drink services!

I think Piney has a point. Going forward, I will be flying out of ACY! Oh, and you might get two drinks! And I won't have to worry about missing my train! And I'll be home earlier!

HRDiva

 

[LCC_#1]

I flew PHL-FLL and return the other day. On both flights the snack was sold everywhere. I was in coach, but I could see into first class and witnessed it.

On the flight from PHL, we sat on the taxiway for a long time and were very late. I was very thirsty and annoyed. I was in the exit row and, at the last minute, the FA moved a person of giant size (both tall and wide) into the middle seat. I was trying to work because I had to deliver a major address upon landing and he kept knocking my papers to the floor as he was taking up half of my seat. I gave the FA sitting in her seat facing me the look, and she just thought it was amusing. There were other empty seats open with leg room. Gosh, they always seem to pick on women! It used to happen all the time when I'd travel with my son--they'd stick every UM next to me to be the baby sitter!

So we finally took off. The FA got up and went about her business. Did we get service? You bet. We got the BA credit card offer! Up and down the isle they went. Even if you would ignore them they interrupted you to make their pitch. Ok, that finally ended.

Then, did we get service? You bet. We got the snack packs! They went throughout the entire cabin--First Class and Coach.

Then, did we get service? Finally--1 1/2 hours into the flight (which was delayed by 45 minutes). They only did one service. If you asked for water and coffee (which I did) you were denied the second option. We landed and had to wait awhile (ten minutes by my watch) for a jetway to appear. I rushed to work and delivered my address. It was very stressful, but I perservered.

On the return, we were delayed boarding because a non-rev and buddy pass interrupted boarding by asking for special favors and both GA's had to explain that they didn't have the "paperwork" there at the gate and that the person would have to go back to the ticket counter. This took 20 minutes because the buddy pass person refused to believe she had to go to the ticket counter--it was between the zone 2 and zone 3 boarding. I used to be a non-rev when DH worked for US Airways, and I could not imagine approaching the GA while boarding was in process. But these inappropriately clad folks did (they do still have standards that would at least prohibit hot pants and tube tops, right? Or is that now considered appropriate attire?). We finally boarded. We took off and we were served drinks first! Then they offered the snack pack. They offered the credit cards 1/2 way into the flight. The FA making the announcements kept calling the company US Air.

We were very late arriving and I missed my train.

The only time I ever flew SWA was a few months ago from PHL to MHT--guess what? On the one hour full flight they made two drink services!

I think Piney has a point. Going forward, I will be flying out of ACY! Oh, and you might get two drinks! And I won't have to worry about missing my train! And I'll be home earlier!

HRDiva

:boring:

So your flight was delayed 45 minutes on the runway out of PHL. I'm sure ATC just let SWA fly out without a delay. Oh, and was that 1.5 hours into the flt INCLUDING the 45 minutes on the ground? Probably, which means the f/a's waited 30 minutes to serve your sorry assss the one bev service that are required to do and which SWA...whom I have flown on same distances...did the same way. That means 15 minutes to climb and 15 minutes to set up.
Friend, you are full of shhiit. Now everyone punch holes thru the story and how bad my attitude is. Your story has more holes than a Greenwhich Village restroom.

NEXT EXAGGERATION!!

 

[lostplanetairman]

First of all your post wasted bandwith by quoting my post too!

No, it was 1 1/2 hours into the flight after the 45 minute delay. Sorry. It was POOR service! We didn't have to have the sales pitches first! That the return flight crew didn't do it that way means that it is not standard operating procedure.

That's ok--with attitudes like the one you display, it's no wonder that those of us who pay the salaries are fed up!

No exaggeration--just my AMEX diverted next time and forever if I can help it!

HRDiva

 

[UPNAWAY]

This is geared more to the frontline employees not the customers. I understand customers wanting a first rate expierence. My question to the employees is do you want to offer a superior product or do you want to make money? Do not anwser both becuase no US carrier does that, so that business model doesn't work. USAIR had something like 2 profitable years in 20??? They key is to be like SWA in structure then find the few things you can do to differentate yourselves that don't break the bank. The idea that someday we will get back to the glory days or be like foreign carriers is only a pipe dream.

 

[SpinDoc]

This is geared more to the frontline employees not the customers. I understand customers wanting a first rate expierence. My question to the employees is do you want to offer a superior product or do you want to make money?

There is a way US can do both. Of course, it would require thinking outside of the box for the marketing folks, so I doubt we would ever see it.

First, if it is costing a mere $5 to provide BOB meals in coach, then figure out a way to offer this to the customer at the time of ticket purchase, and then add it to the cost of the ticket. When the customer checks in, either at the kiosk or the ticket counter, a meal ticket will be printed along with the ETKT/BP which the customer can then hand to the F/A when the meals are being distributed.

This helps US and the customer by allowing US to plan for a specific number of BOB meals to be boarded, and prevents waste. Market the hell out of the idea as a differentiating reason to fly on US. It's not that difficult to come up with a sub-system in the reservations mask.

For F/C passengers, if BOB is being offered in coach, the mere $5 cost should GUARANTEE them a BOB meal. After all, they either paid for a F/C ticket, or they earned the seat through loyalty or other means. I can't believe US management is quibbling over FIVE freaking dollars anyway.
Sheet..........

 

[UPNAWAY]

First, if it is costing a mere $5 to provide BOB meals in coach, then figure out a way to offer this to the customer at the time of ticket purchase, and then add it to the cost of the ticket. When the customer checks in, either at the kiosk or the ticket counter, a meal ticket will be printed along with the ETKT/BP which the customer can then hand to the F/A when the meals are being distributed.

I think that is a great idea, I don't think marketing would complain but I bet it is more of an IT issue..

It would be interesting though if you had a lot of ala-cart. I do know on my car rentals, when you have some of the options of upgrade, extra ins, gas, GPS etc. I have after making my initial booking stripped some of that down becuase my $49 dollar a day rate ended up over $100.

 

[Dog Wonder]

They key is to be like SWA in structure then find the few things you can do to differentate yourselves that don't break the bank. The idea that someday we will get back to the glory days or be like foreign carriers is only a pipe dream.

This whole thread is how we differentiate ourselves from every other airline in one way or another by treating our best customers with disdain, both onboard and on a public message board.

Providing excellent service to our First Class customers won't break the bank. Running our best customers off will.

 

[US1YFARE]

That's ok--with attitudes like the one you display, it's no wonder that those of us who pay the salaries are fed up!

Honestly, you have it wrong. He really cares about the customers and the success of US.

My question to the employees is do you want to offer a superior product or do you want to make money? Do not anwser both becuase no US carrier does that, so that business model doesn't work.

UA is making money...they do it and they do it well.

:boring:

Your story has more holes than a Greenwhich Village restroom.

Or the old restroom near terminal D in PHL

 

[BoeingBoy]

My question to the employees is do you want to offer a superior product or do you want to make money? Do not anwser both becuase no US carrier does that, so that business model doesn't work.

UA is making money...they do it and they do it well.

An interesting quandry. East is a high cost, high yield carrier - topping the list in both non-fuel CASM and yield. West is a mid-pack cost, low yield carrier - middle of the list in non-fuel CASM and next to bottom in yield (Note that DL hasn't reported yet).

Can LCC's apparent business model - attempting to achieve the West's costs while maintaining most of East's yields - succeed in the long term without at least matching the service levels of the better legacy carriers?

Jim