NO IFE on domestic A/C

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> We're shelling out over 110 million a year in pissy $50 bonuses to everyone just to get the planes pushed on time. Which by the way is their damn job. They don't need a damn bonus to push the bloody planes.

I say lose the $50 bonus.....keep the IFE.

After taxes, that bonus would buy you and your significant other dinner at Grizzlebee’s. Speaking just for myself, I would rather have IFE as a tool onboard.

In re reading the article which quoted Travis I believe he also blamed the studios for this decision by saying they were raising the movie rental fees.

It’s the ‘ol Jet Stream Excuse; blame something that actually affects all airlines, unless of course the studios *only* raised the fees on US.

 

[SS255]

...unless of course the studios *only* raised the fees on US.

I doubt it. It's not good business practice, and might lead to bad karma.

 

[WCT]

I thought pulling off the video systems was just temporary, as they will replace all Airbus with video on demand system in late 09 or 10? Does anyone know? IF they are smart, they will replace the systems ASAP with the likes of CO and Jetblue. To response of HP fa, the hydration issues are good points. I find it funny there has been no communication whatsover about the change over to how we will sell these beverages, what will be provisioned, cart set ups, etc.?? Maybe another delay coming on Tempe's part?? :blink: :unsure:

 

[flybynite]

I thought it was temporary at first also until I realized their original statements were ambiguous. Whether or not it was intentional or they just don't know how to communicate clearly is another subject.

I just got another email from them stating that they will be keeping the IFE on the Hawaii flights.

I don't have a lot of faith in Tempe coming up with a program that makes any sense in the time alloted. It will be left to the line flight attendants to work out the kinks. As usual.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Do the Kettles know how to operate those IFE units? If not, may be smart to get rid of them.

 

[LGA777]

I've been pretty quiet on these boards as of late but this subject brought me out of hibernation. Just when I think I have seen it all this comes along. One of the larger more unwise knee-jerk reactions I have seen from Tempe so far. Here are a few random points I want to discuss.

I realize headset sales are very low and costs to show a movie are way up but the old adige is apparent here, if you make a Pizza so cheap as far as topping's an ingreediant's then knowbody wants to buy it.

The first of the two big winners here are Southwest. Folks who flew US on longer segments in part due to IFE and maybe never considered WN for a Transon or similar flight are probably giving them a second look, especially knowing they won't get nickeled and dimmed on WN.

The other winner are those who hate the level off video. I never thought it was that bad but I fly much less often than many on this board, customer and employee alike so perhaps I to would learn to hate it if seen so often. At least it will be gone on most flights.

I had not flown US in almost a year so on my recent 321 flight from CLT to LGA when the screens stayed down after the level off I was expecting to see the trivia thing (sorry it's name escapes me, getting old) but instead the new (for me) Travel Channel silent program was shown. From where I was sitting, and looking around the completely full mini cabin between F and the L2/R2 doors EVERYONE was watching this mildly entertaining program that at least kept my attention and it did not suck. The flight seemed to pass in half the time it normally does, and it was turned off just prior to landing.

Couldn't US just stop showing movies and develop other similar type programs where the provider assorbes most of the cost as it would benefit them? I am not talking infomercials but something along the line of destination guides or other similar products. Perhaps a TV network wants to hook viewers on a new show and they would pay US to air it to aquire new viewers?

Anyway since Tempe is known to monitor these boards here are my top two suggestions assuming this plan actually happens.

Purchase mini digi players like AS has for F class passengers on transcon and maybe longer Caribbean flights.

When you start removing the video and audio from the non ETOPS 757's it would probably be a good idea to NOT remove it from the 6 or 7 East Non etops 757's that are slated for ETOPS conversion. I would hope and presume someone in MTC planning already thought of that but maybe would be shot down by somebody higher up in a different dept in HDQ.

And finally a question for those in MTC who do this sort of work. I read somewhere that each aircraft could have its IFE removed in a single overnight check. I would think it would be much more involved and time consuming than that? Wouldn't each aircraft have to be re weighed? Just curious how simple it really is, and how long each aircraft would be out of revenue service, would a ferry flight to MCN or BFM be required? As what I read seemed very sugar coated and just to easy?

Regards

LGA777

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> The first of the two big winners here are Southwest. Folks who flew US on longer segments in part due to IFE and maybe never considered WN for a Transon or similar flight are probably giving them a second look, especially knowing they won't get nickeled and dimmed on WN.

Excellent point! That along with better seat pitch, Business Select that is actually worth something and conveniences in the gate area for business travelers.

 

[flybynite]

I think the system is far more useful than not.

And the system is sophisticated enough that should you choose, you could show movies in first and not in coach. So, if the coach pax don't use it, let the first class pax have it.

 

[US Oringinal]

Seriously, folks---the "powers that be" in the SandCastle are panicking ....they are making any knee-jerk decision that "on paper" seems to save money, cut expenses or raises revenue without considering any of the effects of their actions.

To say that they are in crisis mode is putting it mildly....

(It's all over the news today--putting less fuel on TransAtlantic flights and threatening pilots with discipline if they request more fuel !!!!!)


And to suggest ANYTHING that helps maintain any semblence of customer service--well they are not interested because THEY DO NOT CARE!!

For them it is about nothing but cutting costs and raising revenue...period Even if their ideas are money losers in the long run....and even if their ideas require "employee intimidation" (ie F/A's and pilots) in order to be enacted...

Sad but true :huh:

(to Tempe: once more, these are just my opinions ...no need to call me in for a meeting AGAIN)

 

[flybynite]

Yes, the company is in "crisis mode".

And there is nothing wrong with them trying to be proactive about getting through this but cannibalizing the fleet isn't the answer either.

Nickel and diming the passengers to death isn't the answer either. My passengers are telling me they hate the "a la carte"idea and just want to pay up front when they buy their ticket.

Rationalizing the fares across the board will sustain US in the long run. It is the most sensible thing to do anyway.

 

[SS255]

Couldn't US just stop showing movies and develop other similar type programs where the provider assorbes most of the cost as it would benefit them? I am not talking infomercials but something along the line of destination guides or other similar products. Perhaps a TV network wants to hook viewers on a new show and they would pay US to air it to aquire new viewers?

There are good opportunities for cross-promotions which US could do to either cover or subsidize the costs of providing IFE using the existing systems, until they can commit to and install new systems. Somebody at US just has to start thinking outside of the box.

Get one company per month to sponsor the IFE. Play an ad for that sponsor on the overhead monitors just before the trailer. And if Travis's $10M figure for fuel burn, program licensing and system maintenance is accurate, this would cost a company less that $1M per year if they do this once per year. It's a captive audience, and seems like it would be a drop in the bucket of your average Fortune 500's marketing budget to sponsor US's IFE for a month.

Removing the IFE systems and not replacing them is such a horrible solution that it should never have even entered into the vocabulary.

 

[phlus2]

Somebody at US just has to start thinking outside of the box.

Unfortunate for passengers and employees - but the competition has already beat US to "thinking outside of the box" as you say.

I took my first flight on SouthWest last week - PVD to PHL. (Used to be Chairman's on US)

Originally booked PHL-PVD round trip on US - but had to change the return. So my option was pay $150 change fee on US and any fare difference - or pay $69 for a ticket on SouthWest for my return flight and not use the US return portion of my ticket. Let's see - which one makes sense?

So - of course bought the ticket on SW - and ended up changing my return two more times - with no penalty of course - so now I would have paid US $450 in change fees - but only ended up paying SW $69.

Checked in online the night before my flight - was B13 - got an aisle seat in row 9 - plane was almost full but they didn't have to gate check any bags - imagine that! Boarded a 737 in 20 minutes with no problems - smooth as could be.

PVD - PHL - served a drink AND a choice of pretzels or peanuts in flight - and all within the first 20 mintues of flight time. Go figure - US only serves "drinks upon request" on that flight!

Never thought I'd see the day when I would CHOOSE to fly on SouthWest over US Airways - but that day has come since SW has figured out how to "think outside the box" as you say and give the customer what they want - AND still make money! What a concept.

 

[diamondcutter]

Edited by Moderator. Please do not quote whole posts when responding directly below that post. Please use the Add Reply buttons at the top and bottom of each page. Thanks.

We (US) are not southwest, will never be southwest!!! We have a totally different model. We fly different type aircraft. We have a totally different route structure. We are a mostly hub a spoke airline. We were not fortunate to have a big fuel hedge. how can you compare southwest to US. Sorry to see you go...but hey times are tough bud, fuel is not cheap.

 

[hp_fa]

Edited by Moderator. Ditto.

Fortunate has nothing to do with it. West management never really went for it and East management couldn't do it because of the BK's. Southwest's slow and steady approach has benefits.

 

[diamondcutter]

ok then sorry....they were smart enough.....