Announcements at Earnings?

[PHLfa88]

Uhhhh....what in the HELL are you talking about???

LOL

Not sure where that came from....

BUT, if you think the food you serve in "Envoy" is "pretty damn good," then.....well, that leaves me wondering what you would think of CO or UA....

I DO Know What the HELL I'm Talking About! I'm Not Saying We Have The Best Service- But The Food Is Pretty Damn Good! Do You Eat From A Troff? :huh: 99% Of The Time When I Pick Up The Trays The Plate Is Just About LICKED CLEAN! So Unless Our Pax's Have Not Had A Damn Thing TO Eat All Day They Must Like The Food! And If Our Service Sux's So Much Than Why Are Our Envoy Class Cabins Fool With PAYING Pax's!!

 

[pilot]

Since the merger the LCC International operation has sunk to lows not imagined. The teenagers and party boys in Tempe don't have a freakin clue how to do it right. But then, the ONLY thing they are concerned with is the money they make today and the hell with retaining the customers tomorrow.

If anyone on this board thinks for one second this outfit can fly to China and succeed they are either truly ignorant of what is going on or just plain stupid. I see this airline withering away unless another merger with a serious airline takes place and the folks in charge are the ones who run the serious airline.

This airline, along with Doogie and his merry men, is just a sick joke. And I speak from well over 30 years of experience of knowing what an airline is and what one isn't.

pilot

 

[vantheman63]

I DO Know What the HELL I'm Talking About! I'm Not Saying We Have The Best Service- But The Food Is Pretty Damn Good! Do You Eat From A Troff? :huh: 99% Of The Time When I Pick Up The Trays The Plate Is Just About LICKED CLEAN! So Unless Our Pax's Have Not Had A Damn Thing TO Eat All Day They Must Like The Food! And If Our Service Sux's So Much Than Why Are Our Envoy Class Cabins Fool With PAYING Pax's!!

Again I ask...."what in the hell are you talking about?"

When did I suggest Envoy food was "slop?"

And, in all your infinite wisdom, let me ask you this and let me have your best thoughts on this:

"If US service doesn't "sux" and the cabins are "fool" with paying pax, then why have, why are Envoy cabins being shrunk?"

Why? If US is having no trouble filling the Envoy cabins with paying pax, why make them smaller? Wouldn't the wise thing be to EXPAND the Envoy cabins???

Remember, by FAR, the most important, lucrative revenue that gets on an airplane sits in F or Biz class. The average fare T/A in Envoy is around $3,000.....coach is probably $1,200. Which passenger would you rather have on your aircraft?

Same question for US Transon service.....if US domestic transcon service was so wonderful and the F cabins are full of paying pax, why did A321 cabins shrink from 26 to 16 pax? Why did A320 cabins shrink from 16 to 12? If the service is so wonderful that high yield pax are clamoring to buy it, why wouldn't the B752 fleet be upgraded from an industry low embarrassing 8 seats to and industry average 24?

I never said the food served was "slop." But since you've hurled the insults at me and, more or less, insinuated I'm a pig, then I'll hit you right back and suggest that you are clueless.

And as I've said now, probably 5 times already in 3 days...."the more I discuss this stuff on these boards, the clearer picture I get with just how messed up US is not only in operations, but in corporate culture."

Just amazing....how one can jump from "we're full with paying pax" when EVERYTHING The Sand Castle is doing points in a completely opposite direction.

 

[GoldenRam94]

SLOP? I Happen To Think The Food We Serve In Envoy Class Is Pretty Damn Good! SLOP Is Something An Animal (PIG) Eats Out Of A Troff! So Your Saying Your An Animal? Err ( ) Fill In The Blanks! :blink:

Looks like some of the Kettle's Kin Folk moved away from there and got a J O B flying for US Airways !!!!!! Woo Doggy!

 

[Travelpro72]

MOST of your Usairways employees speaking from a flight attendant, do NOT feel or think the way PHLfa88 does. I HATE working with people like them who usually HATE the passenger and create the us against them environment. I appreciate my customers of all fares and don't understand for the life of me why some stay. I'd have hit the road with tires burnin' LONG ago. Thanks for staying though.

 

[autofixer]

Interesting. When I was at the CLT training center last month, the Flight Crew Training Instructors said that their employee group had already bid and been awarded A340 ground instructor slots and already had their class dates to learn the airplane.

Why are pilot logistics impossible? The route award was out of PHL. Last time I checked, there are lots of USAirways pilots based there who are very capable of operating the airplanes. If the company wants to staff the cockpit, I suggest they open bids at the appropriate time and see if they get any takers. My guess, they will. The west pilots have made it clear that none of them wants to come east of the Mississippi, so what's the problem?

It is NEW flying and has to be split 50/50 according to the TA. How's that going to work out? I am only passing along what the check airman said. I know they do not have that great of a track record in being in the know. By the way, this guy was number 500 something and he will sell out for the right price. I told him, "My seniority was not for sell" and then our conversation was over.

 

[deltawatch]

Earnings Preview: US Airways
Tuesday October 23, 12:41 pm ET

Analysts Expect US Airways' 3rd-Quarter Results to Benefit From Capacity Cuts, Strong Demand


NEW YORK-- US Airways Group Inc. reports earnings for the fiscal third quarter on Thursday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.
OVERVIEW: Airlines have come under criticism for their handling of passenger delays, as the sector has tried to squeeze more fliers into overcrowded planes and more planes onto overcrowded runways.

Although capacity issues are partially responsible for delays, Wall Street has urged airlines to trim capacity and pass higher fuel costs onto the customer through fare increases. Oil prices have risen more than 30 percent over the past 52 weeks.

US Airways cut capacity by 2.4 percent last quarter and is considering a fare increase. It expects to reduce capacity by another 4 percent in the fourth quarter.

BY THE NUMBERS: Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect US Airways to report earnings of $1.75 per share and revenue of $3.05 billion, on average. A year earlier, US Airways posted a loss of $78 million, or 88 cents per share, due to higher fuel prices and a decline in passenger traffic.

ANALYST TAKE: US Airways is an analyst favorite because of its better-than-expected traffic in recent months, its capacity cuts and limited exposure to low-cost competition. Of 11 analysts who cover US Airways, nine rate it a "Strong Buy" or "Buy," and two a "Hold."

Goldman Sachs lifted its rating to "Buy" from "Neutral" on Oct. 9, saying the carrier will grab passengers who defect from low-cost competitor Southwest Airlines, which plans fare hikes and capacity cuts on shared routes.

US Airways is in "pretty good shape" when it comes to competing with low-cost carriers, according to Calyon Securities analyst Ray Neidl. "US Airways was fairly low cost to begin with," he said in an interview, but noted that Southwest's fares are still lower.

Neidl raised US Airways earnings estimates through 2008, citing its third-quarter traffic results and an outlook for continued demand.

WHAT'S AHEAD: US Airways has been struggling with labor agreements, which may prove costly. A contingent of US Airways pilots walked out of contract negotiations in August, saying they want pay raises immediately and not after settling other benefits. A deal has yet to be reached.

The outlook for high fuel prices and slowed consumer spending will also affect future performance.

STOCK PERFORMANCE: US Airways shares fell 13.3 percent over the third quarter and has dropped 51 percent year-to-date, to close at $26.50 on Monday. By comparison, the Amex Airline Index fell 11.9 percent over the quarter and has dropped 21 percent so far this year.

 

[Pacemaker]

US Airways is in "pretty good shape" when it comes to competing with low-cost carriers, according to Calyon Securities analyst Ray Neidl. "US Airways was fairly low cost to begin with," he said in an interview, but noted that Southwest's fares are still lower.


Uh, excuse me?

Put down the crack pipe Ray.

 

[Elevation]

It is NEW flying and has to be split 50/50 according to the TA. How's that going to work out? I am only passing along what the check airman said. I know they do not have that great of a track record in being in the know. By the way, this guy was number 500 something and he will sell out for the right price. I told him, "My seniority was not for sell" and then our conversation was over.

It will work out like the ATA 757's, remember those planes for new flyiing? The MEC won't be able to come to an agreement it will go to an arbitrator and the company will decide which pilot group contract the A340's will fly under.

 

[PHLfa88]

Again I ask...."what in the hell are you talking about?"

When did I suggest Envoy food was "slop?"

And, in all your infinite wisdom, let me ask you this and let me have your best thoughts on this:

"If US service doesn't "sux" and the cabins are "fool" with paying pax, then why have, why are Envoy cabins being shrunk?"

Why? If US is having no trouble filling the Envoy cabins with paying pax, why make them smaller? Wouldn't the wise thing be to EXPAND the Envoy cabins???

Remember, by FAR, the most important, lucrative revenue that gets on an airplane sits in F or Biz class. The average fare T/A in Envoy is around $3,000.....coach is probably $1,200. Which passenger would you rather have on your aircraft?

Same question for US Transon service.....if US domestic transcon service was so wonderful and the F cabins are full of paying pax, why did A321 cabins shrink from 26 to 16 pax? Why did A320 cabins shrink from 16 to 12? If the service is so wonderful that high yield pax are clamoring to buy it, why wouldn't the B752 fleet be upgraded from an industry low embarrassing 8 seats to and industry average 24?

I never said the food served was "slop." But since you've hurled the insults at me and, more or less, insinuated I'm a pig, then I'll hit you right back and suggest that you are clueless.

And as I've said now, probably 5 times already in 3 days...."the more I discuss this stuff on these boards, the clearer picture I get with just how messed up US is not only in operations, but in corporate culture."

Just amazing....how one can jump from "we're full with paying pax" when EVERYTHING The Sand Castle is doing points in a completely opposite direction.

Do You Actually Fly US in Envoy ? And Better Yet...Pay Full Fare?

 

[PHLfa88]

MOST of your Usairways employees speaking from a flight attendant, do NOT feel or think the way PHLfa88 does. I HATE working with people like them who usually HATE the passenger and create the us against them environment. I appreciate my customers of all fares and don't understand for the life of me why some stay. I'd have hit the road with tires burnin' LONG ago. Thanks for staying though.

First of All TRAVEL: You Do NOT Know How I Feel Nor Think! You Are One TO Talk! I Have Read Some Of YOur Posts, Not All Are Pleasant To Read> Second< I Do Like Our Pax's, And I Am An Excellent F/A! I Have NEVER..EVER..Had A Problem With Any Of My Colleagues And I Have An Excellent Repor With My Pax's...Have Never...Ever Had A Bad Letter..Only Good Ones(Though They Don't Come Very Often Anymore, People Would Pefer To Complian Than Write A Complimentary Letter These Days) Just Last Month, I Had A Pax In Envoy Class Buy Me A Bottle Of Grey Goose From Duty Free To Show His Appreaciation For The Excellent Service I Do... So..B4 You Shoot Your Mouth Off About Me Know The Person First!! Now..I Was Only Giving My 2 Cents Worth About Our Food in Envoy Class Nothing More..Nothing Less!! <_< <_<

 

[vantheman63]

Do You Actually Fly US in Envoy ? And Better Yet...Pay Full Fare?

What a coincidence you ask....I bought 12 "Full Fare Envoy" tickets this year...and they are the last Envoy tickets this soon to be former CP will buy again...until the brlliant rocket scientists that occupy the management offices kindly vacate the premises or finally admit their plan to rip people off has failed and they need to add value to the product they are serving up

If you think your "Envoy" service is worth anything CLOSE to the competition, it is YOU, not I, that needs to get on an airplane and go fly somewhere.

You should really check your condescending, arrogant attitude it at the door....or go join the others at The Sand Castle, where arrogance is the rule of the day. The arrogance you spit out doesn't look good on you...it makes you look like you aren't one of the brighter bulbs on the tree...and I'm sure your hi-flying, perfect, flawless behind doesn't really want that.

August 24, 2007

Mr. Douglas Parker
US Airways President & CEO
111 West Rio Salado Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85281

Dear Mr. Parker –

Perhaps never, during the “downward spiral†that US Airways has taken, has this quote in the May “About US Q&A†been more apparent:

“we have said before that we're willing to take a hit on one front to make strides on another, namely first class flyer perception vs. an increase in revenue..â€
-- About US, Q&A, May 2007 – “Fleetâ€

On August 8, 2007, I boarded US Airways flight 742 with family, clients, and friends for a trip to BCN where we caught a Royal Caribbean Cruise to see several cities in the Mediterranean. Each of us were sitting in “Envoy,†12 of us in all. Embarrassingly enough, my most important client, his wife and 3 children along with 3 of their friends were eager to fly US on my recommendation.

What a HUGE mistake, I wish dearly I could “do over.â€

Amongst the many observations were these:

• Filthy, disgusting, dilapidated, un-kept, Envoy cabin
• Outdated, old, amenities
• Faulty equipment which did not work
• Pieces of the flooring coming apart
• On board apologies from flight crew for a lavatory that did not work and was blocked off
• On board apologies from the flight crew for video equipment that did not work
• Average, at very best food and wine, NO ONE in my party, on the starboard side of the aircraft got their choice of meal. NO ONE, 7 for 7.

(Pictured Documentation Attached, MANY More Pictures Available)

I was very disappointed by the fact my wife’s “In Flight Entertainment System,†in addition to needing a glove because it was so filthy and coated with grime, didn’t work. It’s a treat for her to travel with me and she rarely raises a fuss, but she was disturbed enough that she suggested we find another airline for this type of travel. I peered over at my client’s best friend and snapped a picture of how disgusting his IFE screen was. My foot rest did not work. The list goes on.

When we arrived in BCN, our family, clients and friends all commented on how disappointing and downright disgusting this aircraft was, a complete embarrassment for me to suggest we fly US Airways. The topic came up multiple times and I’m reasonably certain US Airways will hear from a number of these people.

There were only three bright spots: ONE, the “Envoy Lounge†in PHL is very nice, TWO, our F/A “Alfred†made the best of a very clearly awful situation and did a nice job with what tools he had and THREE, our flight and luggage did arrive on time.

Our return was â€marginally†better. The IFE system was still substandard, reminding me of traveling in the ‘80’s. My client’s daughter (Seat 4A) had to deal with a seat that was broken with a missing tray table cover in the arm rest and could therefore not “put her elbows up.†The airplane was slightly cleaner, the IFEs were filthy and disgusting to the touch.

I’ve been a very, very loyal US Airways customer since March of 1988. I was, perhaps, as excited as anyone to learn the news of the merger with America West. After watching the “America West way†being integrated into US Airways and stripping every last ounce of dignity of a once proud airline, I wonder if almost any other option would have been better for US Airways.

The pricing of tickets on US Airways is so silly, it’s almost comical. I gave up actually paying for “premium products†as of April 1, 2007. (This Envoy ticket, regrettably, was purchased in March 2007) All US Airways competition has equal or lower pricing for premium products….refundable. US Airways continues to insult the intelligence of the business traveler by offering non-refundable fares that are, in many cases, HIGHER then the competition’s refundable fares.

The premium product is poor, significantly poorer then the competition. Frankly, NO ONE has as poor service as US. NO ONE.
And, the coach service is more cramped and uncomfortable then ever. Removal of First Class seats in the domestic fleet and newly added coach seats makes for a service I prefer not to purchase.

Coat closets are gone, should be fun in January in the Northeast where I live. Overhead bin space is full of equipment, not space for business travelers….why would someone actually want to purchase the “premium†product?

When talking to various US Airways employees, asking them “why is this happening?†they point the finger at Tempe and the new management, arguing, “passengers don’t want to pay for the service and the space.â€

Besides the fact that this is flawed thinking and strategy, blaming your customers for US Airways’ inability to sell a product seems shortsighted to me: WHY ON EARTH WOULD A BUSINESS TRAVLER LIKE MYSELF WANT TO ACTUALLY PURCHASE A SUBSTANDARD PRODUCT LIKE THIS? NON-REFUNDABLE? AND HOW ARE THE OTHER CARRIERS DOING IT? PROFITABLY?

I’ve also been called on the phone by people in the Tempe Executive Offices and told, “we know we have work to do, we’re trying,†yet, US Airways had ZERO problem taking my hard earned money for Envoy Tickets (and before that, a number of First Class tickets) and NOT delivering a respectable product. Meanwhile, the company makes money and the management team scores monster bonuses….because, when all else fails, refer back to “The New US Airways Golden Rule #1,†“we have said before that we're willing to take a hit on one front to make strides on another, namely first class flyer perception vs. an increase in revenue..â€

And US Airways wants to be awarded service to China? I dare suggest that’s laughable.

Fortunately for me, I can and will get off the crazy carousel and move on.

I do not want a voucher. I do not want additional Frequent Flyer miles. The only potential remedy for this completely unacceptable situation is for US Airways to do the right thing and “stand behind their product†by offering a partial refund to my credit card. Anything short of that is not acceptable. Printing a letter and sending vouchers saying “we’re sorry….again†is a waist of paper and time. The LAST thing I want is to get on a US Airways flight again, any time soon…..since the company clearly can not and will not put it’s money where it’s mouth is and stand behind its product.

I won’t make the statement “I’ll never fly US Airways again†because there are times when I must and, unfortunately for me, it’s the only way to get from Point A to Point B. However, there was a time, when I was a loyal and proud customer of this company. No longer. Now I use US only when necessary and only when “the price is right,†that means, when it’s dirt cheap. Doesn’t seem like a sustainable situation for either of us now, does it?

Too bad, so sad.

VanTheMan63
Chairman’s Preferred XXXXXX

cc: Ben Mutzabaugh – USA Today
Christopher Elliot – www.elliot.org
Department Of Transportation – United States Of America
Joe Brancatelli – www.joesentme.com
FFOCUS (www.ffocus.org)
US Airways AFA MEC (PHL)
Flyer Talk (www.flyertalk.com)
US Airways ALPA MEC

And the WONDERFUL response by US???

Mr. VanTheMan63
XXXXXXXXX
A Town In RI

Dear Mr. VanTheMan63:

Thank you for contacting the Executive Office of Customer Relations at US Airways. We appreciate and welcome all inquiries, concerns, and compliments, as your feedback is important to us.

Please accept my apology for the disappointing appearance of the aircraft. Our customers deserve a pleasurable experience each and every time they fly with us, and I am sorry this trip did not meet your expectations.

Your comments regarding the condition of the aircraft are important and have been forwarded to management. The intent here, of course, is to use your feedback as a training tool for our employees and a means of making positive changes in our maintenance and contracted cleaning crew.

We expect all our flight attendants to assist our customers with courtesy and professionalism. What a delight to know that Alfred met that expectation. Your letter will be shared with our Inflight manager, and a copy will be placed in Alfred's permanent file.

Few people take the time to write a complimentary letter or let us know about some positive aspect of our service; therefore, your letter is very important to us. In addition, our employees are always thrilled to know their efforts were appreciated and the care they extended made a difference.

US Airways did fulfill its contract to provide on time transportation round trip. Therefore; we are unable to offer a partial ticket refund.

Mr.VanTheMan63, again, thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We are confident your next trip will be more satisfying and hope to see you back onboard another US Airways flight, enjoying the level of service we know we can provide.

Sincerely,



Carol Young
Executive Liaison
Office of the Chairman


2192558A

 

[vantheman63]

MOST of your Usairways employees speaking from a flight attendant, do NOT feel or think the way PHLfa88 does. I HATE working with people like them who usually HATE the passenger and create the us against them environment. I appreciate my customers of all fares and don't understand for the life of me why some stay. I'd have hit the road with tires burnin' LONG ago. Thanks for staying though.

It is indeed sad that individuals like PHLfa88 believe they are omnipotent and sad they get brainwashed and believe what they hear from their rock star management team, "passengers won't pay for (insert name of premium service here).

I spend well over $40,000 for my own, personal travel each year....not counting what I spend on family and employees. Surely, there are even higher spending customers at US.....but my money isn't "chopped liver."

As I've said, time and time again....I thought it was only Sand Castle mentality that had the PHLfa88 attitude....I'm now seeing it ALL THROUGH this company. More things start making more sense.....

 

[Travelpro72]

PHLfa88 you are one of the nastiest posters on here. Though I may have a Debbie Downer attitude about how this company operates you are usually most unpleasant about ANYTHING or ANYONE. That Atlanta commute is a killer. Is it finally getting to you? Hmmmmm NEXT....

 

[US1YFARE]

How can they say with a straight face "we're trying"????? They are so lame.They don't try at all. CO is flying 737-300's that look brand new and US's fleet is disgraceful and their treatment of VFF's is the same. I am so glad to see letters like this posted because it reinforces my decision to leave. CO gets it on all levels. It must be me and maybe my complicated tickets, but CO went out of their way to help me resolve some issues when they could've said, too bad so sad. They appreciate high fares. They appreciate loyalty. AA's inflight service is just as good if not better sometimes as CO but CO has figured it out from the the time you make the call to book until you pick up your bag. Another thing, CO priority tagged bags mean something whereas at US it means nada. They've lost bags for me with those tags. What are they "trying" to do---figure out how to run an airline??? These idiots put this all on themselves. The know-it-alls dismantled the best parts of US and are now floundering trying to put the pieces together again. Well even all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put humpty back together again.