Finally, my first post on USAviation, after a long period of lurking; and I'm sure many will wish it to be my last.
I flew Allegheny as a kid, and then grew up with US Air. I've flown expensive connections when WN nonstops were cheaper and easier. I've loved my FF benefits. I've defended this airline through everything from my first flight in 1969. I've done it because I've always believed that the airline employees' and management's first priority was to get me from point A to point B on time to the best of their ability, safely, and with a wish for future business.
Even when Rakesh Gangwal's brilliant idea of cost savings was to eliminate blankets on planes, I stayed. I made excuses when my boss and I paid over $1,500 apiece for tickets and were served box meals in first class on a transcon (LAS-CLT, 6/2002) when superior premium products were available elsewhere.
This weekend's actions showed me, however, that I can no longer count on US Airways to get me from point a to point b. In my opinion, it's a tertiary priority at best to some in the labor group. priority #1 is showing the world that management sucks. I truly feel for those who have lost wages. But the fact of the matter is, the airline has some of the highest costs in the industry. Bring down the costs, including labor, or the business goes bankrupt. Then, the point-a-to-point-b customer chooses another airline, and life goes on.
Moreover, if it's not management's problem, it must be the awful customer paying the $199 fares. As one who pays $850 RT for the 38 minute midweek flight to PIT from BWI every three weeks, but who can also fly for $150 transcon, I've never disagreed that your revenue management folks and their 31 fare classes are out to lunch. The fact is, it's a complicated industry. What's not complicated, though, is the point-a-to-point-b philosophy. People will simply get on an airline on whom they can rely to take them from point a to point b. I love my ff miles, but my father flew for years before any airline offered him more than a seat. I dare say I can do the same.
This weekend's actions were fare more devastating than the results demonstrated in a few news reports. They once-a-year "going to see Aunt Peg for Christmas" flier will now go on another airline. No big deal. The real problem is that US Airways is now losing the "point a to point b" confidence of some of its most dedicated customers. And it doesn't matter what the wages end up being, how much management screws labor, how much labor hates management. Without customer confidence, without people getting on the planes, it's all "pointless".
