NO IFE on domestic A/C

[Hot Nuts]

FYI

The new 321's will not have an IFE system installed; also, the company will be removing all the IFE systems off the domestic fleet. Only 757E 767 A330 will have video systems. Looking into adding a better system in 2009. Better start checking your demo pouches folks...no more video

 

[flybynite]

That seems like an incredible waste of resources. Why pull the video equipment only to replace it at a later date?

I'd leave the exiting system in until I was ready to replace them.

Not to mention the fact, we'd be flying the 321 across the country without a inflight entertainment system.

What bozo came up with that brilliant idea?

 

[Art at ISP]

Probably the bozo who thinks they will save fuel because the systems weigh too much.

Again-penny wise and pound foolish. Spend a dollar save a dime.

 

[Singleflyer]

US is not the only airline that is taking delivery of new aircraft without IFE even though current models in the fleet have them.

The newest 737-800 & -900 in the CO fleet have no IFE. The FAs stated that early next year that a "new" system with many options will be instaleed.

It is a long flight ANC-SEA-EWR without an IFE, and I usually don't care but I can't read or work for that long.

 

[Art at ISP]

Yes, Singleflyer, you are correct.

HOWEVER there's a big difference between taking delivery of new aircraft without IFE while waiting for a new system and actively REMOVING existing systems for no good reason.

It wastes manpower, money, and just cheapens the overall product that much more.

Also I think it's safe to bet that whatever CO chooses for a new IFE system will run rings around anything US decides to try--but that's a story for another thread altogether.

My BEST to you all......

 

[Singleflyer]

Art,

I did not understand they were taking IFE out of existing aircraft. This now sounds like NW of 5 years ago removing the IFE on all domestic aircraft, and ANC-DTW-BOS is a long flight. Actually that was one of the reasons I booked on CO, they had IFE and NW did not. However on the other three eastbound flights I saw 'Alvin and the Chipmonkes' every week, and once was more than enough. So with the new system I won't have that problem.

I also agree what ever, if ever, US adds a new system it will be the most basic (cheapest) system available.

 

[LCC_#1]

If I'm not mistaken, NWA did the same thing years ago on their AB planes. Considering I sell about 8 headsets a t/c trip, no great loss. I like the Alaska Airlines way of providing movies. They rent portable IFE's and have very nice headsets. Passngers return them at the end and must have the nice headsets back on return or they are charged for taking the headset. One less headache with a company that loathes it's passengers anyway. At least I won't have to show that stupid boarding advertisement video or the level off that piisses everyone off.

 

[US Oringinal]

Once again--another example of the Tempe "Brain Trust" in action. :angry: They continue to show us, decision after decision, that they have no idea of how to run an airline nor do they care abouut customer service or accomadation. They will actually spend good $$ on hair-brained, reactionary, "cost saving" ideas that end up costing more money to correct. The 30-something year olds in the Sandcastle crank out these ideas in order to justify their existence--and our management, without investigation, without thought or, without consulting its frontline employees initiates these, ideas and plans. The result is angry, alienated customers and employees who bear the brunt of these stupid ideas.......
Until the "decision-makers" in Tempe HQ are actually held accountable for bad decsions, they will continue in earnest and we will solidify our position as the most disliked airline in existence. :down:

(Again, for the Sandfleas investigators, these are just my opinions--insubordination check just performed on the above)

 

[FlightChic]

Taking the IFE off of all domestic flights is the dumbest thing ever! Boy, the 7dirty7 is looking really good right now. At least that airplane still has closets and a place for your stuff. So what are people supposed to do when they go on a 5-6 hour flt? It's better to keep pax occupied because when they get bored, they start trouble, drink more since there's nothing else to do, or bug us and complain about no IFE. That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! I'm so over this place. :down:

 

[Travels2mch]

It's better to keep pax occupied because when they get bored, they start trouble, drink more since there's nothing else to do,

That's the plan......let the bored customers drink more-water, pop, coffee, liquor, beer and wine (if you can call it that) and increase revenue. I'm surprised it's taken this long for those nitwits in tempe to figure that out.

 

[Dog Wonder]

Blame it on The Galley Show.

As long as Debbie, Cindy, and Floyd keep providing entertainment, the company doesn't need to.

 

[jimntx]

The lead will recite poetry over the PA, and the rest of the crew will do interpretative dances in the aisles to an audio tape of the Federal Air Regulations. Don't worry. It'll be fine. Tempe did a survey.

 

[US1YFARE]

I would think more people would be willing to pay for headsets than $2 for a coke.

Are they hoping the coke sales will offset the lost revenue from headset sales?

I think SS is right--lots less work for you CSD's.

 

[bigbusboy]

The supposed reason for this move is to reduce weight and save fuel.

The weight of the video systems on a/c is modest at best. It won't make much of a difference. But heck, I guess every pound counts these days. The savings they are targeting are the costs to maintain the systems and the fees paid to the vendors to supply the programing, headsets and printing of the programing in the magazine, etc. This is no big deal. Most people these days have their own IPods, DVD players, video games, laptops. And yes, there are a few people left who even bring a book. It's an amazing piece of technology. On your next flight take a look at how many are actually watching the movie and how many are using their own technology of choice. There might be another reason why vidoes are being dumped domestically.

Now if we can just get these Tempe sand lizards off this stupid idea of selling sodas, we might be on to something.

 

[FlightChic]

IFE being removed is OK by me just so long as Tempe is consistent in their logice and not continuing the customer unfriendly pattern displayed lately.

They are definitely consistent in not being customer friendly. I think it's like some frat party drinking game to them. Let's see how much we can piss off the pax. OK, you won this round - two chugs for you! OK, I just won this last round - two chugs for me. Wow! They really love their beer! Or maybe it's a game of truth or dare gone awry. Maybe they get bonus $$ for pissing off a certain number of pax. Who knows. They sure are good at it though.

Well, in the grand scheme of things, it may not be such a big deal, even if I don't agree with them removing the IFE system. I mean, my last flight to the West coast, we sold two headsets going over and one headset on the return flight. We usually don't sell very many. Most people do bring their own entertainment, but still...we will have pax complain about no IFE.

I tell you, they are raping and pillaging this airline. It is so embarrassing!