The Assimiliation begins: A319 / A320 Reconfigs

[SKY HIGH]

If a passenger in first class has no room to place their carry on bag, use the "gate valet" tag and the bag will be brought up to the a/c on arrival. Its much better than baggage claim and this is reserved for first class passenger use only.

sky high states: GATE VALET ON ARRIVAL?
Ever "block in" at PHL, and look out the window for baggage handlers? 25 MINUTES LATER, they're still NOT THERE?
Secondly, Opps, the bag went to baggage claim by mistake.

......I know that America West was around for only 20 years, but some of these decisions sound like AMATEURS are making them.


ONLY STATING OPINIONS.

 

[US1YFARE]

......I know that America West was around for only 20 years, but some of these decisions sound like AMATEURS are making them.
ONLY STATING OPINIONS.

THey have no clue. They ARE amateurs. This business was destined to turn around and fares were destined to go up...US's success is based on the route stucture of the East side...just look at the numbers and where they generate the revenue, yet they are treating the East customer like the red headed step child.

I just keep in mind that these are the same people who think going to Canada and Mexico makes them an international airline...heck, some of their employees think you need a passport to go to Hawaii.

 

[iheartairbus]

THey have no clue. They ARE amateurs. This business was destined to turn around and fares were destined to go up...US's success is based on the route stucture of the East side...just look at the numbers and where they generate the revenue, yet they are treating the East customer like the red headed step child.

I just keep in mind that these are the same people who think going to Canada and Mexico makes them an international airline...heck, some of their employees think you need a passport to go to Hawaii.

HAHAHa... USFARE to funny and to think I just worked w/ a new f/a going phx-den and she told me she was worried her passport wouldn't get here in time to pick up a honolulu... YIKES!!!

 

[PHX-F/A]

Just flew on a hanful of US-East flights on A319 and A320 metal.

I must say, I really thought the original layout in the US East A319s was very comfortable... I'm 6'1 and a bigger guy, and I could have a nice experience in Y.

Well, I was very surprised to get on my first A319 and notice an extra row at the exit (9BC/DE i think). Sat down and noticed the lack of legroom that once existed.

Another passenger had mentioned it seems a bit tighter in space.

Then, I got F on an A319 on my next flight --- and I noticed something was different, unless I've just been spoiled on United's A319/A320s. (did they push up the seats any?)

Mentioned the reconfig's to the FA's and they said that the A320's are total nightmares, echoing the comments on FlyerTalk about how there is no more space in the overhead for F passengers's carry-ons, and the only net gain was a row of coach. They said there is absolutely NO room for coats, and one FA said that over 1/2 of the F cabin pax ended up holding them or putting them under their seats...

*sigh*

Welcome to the "new" USAirways...

Welcome to the world of HP.

 

[iheartairbus]

Welcome to the world of HP.

A west airbus pilot once told me on a trip, HP stands not for Happy People... but Horrible Product... guess it's nearly true, I'm sure it will be all coach before long(

 

[Travelpro72]

The whole business of taking out the closet is insane. I'm fine with them adding coach seats to a degree but a carrier that has a pretty large market in the northeast without a closet is nuts. Does Alaska airlines have closets on their planes since they fly to Alaska? I mean really. Then you throw all the equipment in the overhead? It is a true sign that management does NOT care about the customer. How they find it ok for business people to throw their expensive suit jackets in the overhead compartment with bags when there is no space is beyond me. As for the hooks on the wall, is it fair to the passengers in that seat that they now can't recline due to a ton of coats hanging off the wall like an overstuffed coatrack at aunt edna's? Tacky and NO CLASS.. truly turning into an LCC alright "LOW CLASS CARRIER".

 

[iheartairbus]

As for the hooks on the wall, is it fair to the passengers in that seat that they now can't recline due to a ton of coats hanging off the wall like an overstuffed coatrack at aunt edna's? Tacky and NO CLASS.. truly turning into an LCC alright "LOW CLASS CARRIER".

LOL!!! Ok, it must be pretty bad when I'm working a flt. from phx-sfo somewhere not cold and poor people in row 3 can't even recline because of all the light/small fall coats... I can only imagine how terrible a shuttle run might be w/ wool coats and ms.shavutiziemama's furs... yikes!! Do you think tempe would listen to you guys like they did the first TERRIBLE cart pack-out roll out?? probably to late since it's almost completed. Travelpro is the 321 conversion started yet and if so is it bad like the 320 for you guys??

 

[PHX-F/A]

THey have no clue. They ARE amateurs. This business was destined to turn around and fares were destined to go up...US's success is based on the route stucture of the East side...just look at the numbers and where they generate the revenue, yet they are treating the East customer like the red headed step child.

I just keep in mind that these are the same people who think going to Canada and Mexico makes them an international airline...heck, some of their employees think you need a passport to go to Hawaii.

:down: We have some dumb people, but that was harsh!

 

[PHX-F/A]

For the record, US West has always had the cabin configuration and always flown to the east on a regular basis. Flight Attendants have dealt with the coat problem for many years, but only during the cold weather months. We survive just fine without the closet..yes it would be wonderful to have, but they took them out many years ago and we adjusted. I think the equipment situation on the east a/c is a bit more challenging and although i know there is a problem, I'm not certain of the specifics. Here are some solutions for the FA:

Larger, bulkier coats, leather, can be in the overhead bin, folded up nicely. Suitcoats should be saved for the hooks.

If a passenger in first class has no room to place their carry on bag, use the "gate valet" tag and the bag will be

Let's be realistic. On a HP 319/320, the first class overhead baggage often extends past the bulkhead, and fills the bin over row 4. Why? Because the people if F/C are the least likely to check anything. There is little to no room in the bin in the winter for their coats.

Bulkhead hooks: People always hang coats on the hook nearest the aisle, making it very difficult to use the outboard hook. And don't forget the pax in row three will be reclining against them.

HP used to have a closet where 1AB are today. That is the only change there has been in the capacity. Coach has always held 138. When we had the closet, First had 10 people. I cannot see how 2 extra first class seats made economic sense. At the time there were less than 80 AB aircraft in the fleet.

 

[USCREW]

HAHAHa... USFARE to funny and to think I just worked w/ a new f/a going phx-den and she told me she was worried her passport wouldn't get here in time to pick up a honolulu... YIKES!!!

I have a question for West F/As. Do you guys NOT carry your passports at all times? Because we are required to carry ours regardless of where we are flying to/from since it is part of P/P and also because of possible diversions. If you let your passport expire inadvertantly, you are removed from the active list. It is also a part of our briefing as part of the must-haves...ID, manual, passport, etc...Does not matter if you are only going to Paris, Texas.

 

[Travelpro72]

Travelpro is the 321 conversion started yet and if so is it bad like the 320 for you guys??
[/quote]
As far as I know the 321 has not been touched yet. I'm sure it will be bad when the closet up front goes and the closet at the 2R door as well. The closet at the 2R door is where the crew stands their bags up on the floor to keep the overhead space free. Keep in mind on the 321 that the exit row overheads are non existent practically. They house the tanks for the slides. Another disaster brewing I'm sure. Lets home they keep the closets.

 

[beachboy]

Keep in mind the "C" F/A jumpseat is attached onto the valet closet at 2R which is being removed. So, not sure how the jumpseat will fit into the picture since a bulkhead can't hold up the weight. If it will just be sitting there in a sea of passengers? Should be interesting to see.

 

[USstew23]

For the record, US West has always had the cabin configuration and always flown to the east on a regular basis. Flight Attendants have dealt with the coat problem for many years, but only during the cold weather months. We survive just fine without the closet..yes it would be wonderful to have, but they took them out many years ago and we adjusted. I think the equipment situation on the east a/c is a bit more challenging and although i know there is a problem, I'm not certain of the specifics. Here are some solutions for the FA:

Larger, bulkier coats, leather, can be in the overhead bin, folded up nicely. Suitcoats should be saved for the hooks.

If a passenger in first class has no room to place their carry on bag, use the "gate valet" tag and the bag will be brought up to the a/c on arrival. Its much better than baggage claim and this is reserved for first class passenger use only.

I know this may sound ridiculous to some, but like i said..this is not new to the industry.

Thanks for the 23 years of experience, I guess in our 70+ years we have learned absolutely nothing and should conform to just being Tacky!!

THey have no clue. They ARE amateurs.
I just keep in mind that these are the same people who think going to Canada and Mexico makes them an international airline...heck, some of their employees think you need a passport to go to Hawaii.

You are absolutely correct. NO CLUE!!!!

 

[PHX PHLyer]

I am not trying to justify the decision to take out the closets, but I was looking at the configurations of other airlines, and most planes that other airlines are flying on the same types of routes as the US A320s do not have closets.

AirTran - None on either the 717 or 73G

Alaska - Only plane with a closet is the 739 behind first class. No 734, 737, 738, MD80

American - No closet on MD80s or TWA 757s. Yes on 738 and orginal AA 757s

Continental - No 733, 735, 73G, 738, 739, 753. Only BizFirst 757

Delta - No 738, no on new upgraded 757, no MD88, NO SHUTTLE!. Yes on 763 domestic and MD90

Frontier - No A318 or A319

jetBlue - No A320 or E190

Midwest - No on 717, MD80 premium, or MD80 saver

Northwest - No A319, A320. Yes on DC9-30, DC9-40, DC9-50, 752, and 753

Spirit - No A319, A321

United - No A319, TED A320, No 1 version of 733, no 1 version of 735. Yes A320 (regular), yes both 752 (regular and PS), yes on 1 version of 733, yes on 1 version of 735

United and Northwest seem to be the only carrier that have a relatively large amount of planes with closets. But even United doesn't have them on their A319s, their Ted A320s and some of their 737s do not have them..And they fly a large amount of routes in cold temperatures like DEN, IAD, and ORD.

Northwest does not have any closets on their A320 series aircraft, the largest type in their fleet, even with MSP and DTW megahubs.

American only has them on 738s (which mostly all fly from Miami) and AA 757s. The MD80, by far the largest fleet type does not have them.

Continental basically does not have closets on any domestic plane. And they fly from CLE and EWR

Delta is really lacking with their fleet. No closets on the shuttle. Basically the only domestic plane they have them on is the MD90 which flies almost exclusively out of SLC and Delta has a very small number of that fleet type. The domestic 763s do have closets, but these have begun to be slowly phased out of Delta's fleet, like when they recently sold some to Hawaiian.

While I don't think that US should take out the closets, its not like they are going to be losing much ground to their competitors. It's not a standard to have closets, even with top-tier carriers like CO who have hubs in frigid weather cities.

If you want to b*tch about taking away first class seats, yeah that stinks, go ahead. If you want to b*tch about audio and emergency equipment in the first class storage bins, thats fine too. But the closet issue doesn't seem to be that big of a deal.

 

[US1YFARE]

Some of those you mention don't have FC. However, the main point to remember is that while other carriers are more competitive with their FC, US continues to degrade the product. i'd take UA's or AA's FC product any day over US---and have. UA got about $6K of my biz this year because of their FC. Maybe I've been lucky, but I have never had to squish my coat or suit jacket in an overhead bin on UA.