OP
Light Years
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- Aug 27, 2002
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- #46
So, pretty much like I thought, same division, just one less layer of mgmt which does make sense. I guess the foolish Express brand will remain even though the certificate, call sign, manuals, employees, service levels, onboard food and beverage programs, flight numbers, boarding passes, crew announcements, web site designation, cabin comfort, baggage policies, and terminal location minus PHL are all the the US Airways product rather than the US Airways Express product used on the RJs and props. I guess it makes sense to someone in Crystal City who has likely never flown the airline or has any familiarity at all with the idea of marketing and brand definition.
That said, I don't think they would be kooky enough to cram a first class cabin onto the most uncomfortable RJ they have (the CRJ) while not putting one on the larger EJets. The domestic short haul first class product is already an embarrassment, I can only imagine what they'd try to pass off for first on a CRJ. It would also make the Express brand even more inconsistant, which is increasingly frustrating to the customer.
The E170 was scheduled to do some US Airways Shuttle flying starting in March. More inconsistency! Shuttle was all coach but with generous legroom and amenities, then they said nah, it's just regular mainline 737s which they bragged about having a first class cabin (equal to the former Shuttle coach product). Now they say just kidding, here's the 170, which ironically is closest to the original Shuttle product everyone liked, mixed in with mainline, dual class Airbuses and 73s. They need to make up thier mind what they want to offer and who they want to be.
The 170 Shuttle flights were loaded and even in crew pairings but are now being pulled. One thing I heard was that the AFA objected, cllaiming that all Shuttle flying is supposed to be done by mainline as per the agreement after the Shuttle was merged. Again, since the 170 technically IS mainline, who knows if they would even have an argument.
I often wonder how great US Airways would be if it defined it's products, worked to unite rather than divide it's company, and stopped doing everything in it's power to make things as complicated and confusing as possible for it's customers and employees.
That said, I don't think they would be kooky enough to cram a first class cabin onto the most uncomfortable RJ they have (the CRJ) while not putting one on the larger EJets. The domestic short haul first class product is already an embarrassment, I can only imagine what they'd try to pass off for first on a CRJ. It would also make the Express brand even more inconsistant, which is increasingly frustrating to the customer.
The E170 was scheduled to do some US Airways Shuttle flying starting in March. More inconsistency! Shuttle was all coach but with generous legroom and amenities, then they said nah, it's just regular mainline 737s which they bragged about having a first class cabin (equal to the former Shuttle coach product). Now they say just kidding, here's the 170, which ironically is closest to the original Shuttle product everyone liked, mixed in with mainline, dual class Airbuses and 73s. They need to make up thier mind what they want to offer and who they want to be.
The 170 Shuttle flights were loaded and even in crew pairings but are now being pulled. One thing I heard was that the AFA objected, cllaiming that all Shuttle flying is supposed to be done by mainline as per the agreement after the Shuttle was merged. Again, since the 170 technically IS mainline, who knows if they would even have an argument.
I often wonder how great US Airways would be if it defined it's products, worked to unite rather than divide it's company, and stopped doing everything in it's power to make things as complicated and confusing as possible for it's customers and employees.
