I believe the management at US Airways is spending way too much time and money on code shares, alliances, etc. Do many customers really care about this--I doubt it! Mangagement needs to concentrate on providing good value in travel and the customers will come.
Wrong Priorities
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Umm, let's put it this way: I spend approx. $50k a year on US, and I MOST CERTAINLY do care about codeshares, alliances and partnerships! The UA codeshare has generated more of my business for both carriers, and I anticipate the LH codeshare doing the same. For example, when I'm flying intra west coast now, I always choose UA without question; previously, I may have booked on Alaska. For a US customer flying to NRT or HNL, instead of choosing NW or DL or AA, s/he will probably now choose UA. For a UA customer flying to SJU, AUA or BGI, instead of choosing AA, s/he will probably now choose US.
As a passenger, my vote is to continue deepening the codeshares and alliances. From US's perspective, I would like to see deep and thorough codeshares with UA, LH, AC, Mexicana and Varig, for starters.
Also, let's not forget the codeshares do open up additional flying opportunities. Are they opportunities every employee may like? Perhaps not. But, no way US would fly Sat/Sun service to EGE without the codeshare options M-F. I still anticipate US adding selective west coast long haul service to markets such as YVR and PDX. Daily? Probably not. Year round? Probably not. But with the codeshares, US can fly additional routes on peak travel days and let the codeshare pick up traffic on other days. This is a terrific opportunity to better use valuable assets, generates additional revenue for all carriers involved and potentially steals traffic away from competitors.
As a passenger, my vote is to continue deepening the codeshares and alliances. From US's perspective, I would like to see deep and thorough codeshares with UA, LH, AC, Mexicana and Varig, for starters.
Also, let's not forget the codeshares do open up additional flying opportunities. Are they opportunities every employee may like? Perhaps not. But, no way US would fly Sat/Sun service to EGE without the codeshare options M-F. I still anticipate US adding selective west coast long haul service to markets such as YVR and PDX. Daily? Probably not. Year round? Probably not. But with the codeshares, US can fly additional routes on peak travel days and let the codeshare pick up traffic on other days. This is a terrific opportunity to better use valuable assets, generates additional revenue for all carriers involved and potentially steals traffic away from competitors.
ITRADE
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US4ME, you ignorant ****.US4ME said:
For the 17th time, if you want a concrete example of how code shares benefit US, click here:
/index.php...t=0&#entry66173
It doesn't take much effort to reveal the fact that passengers who would have taken other airlines to various destinations, are taking US and US because of the pairing.
One more thing: I want management to invest as much as possible into streamlining the process of codesharing.
For example, I want the kiosks to work no matter who is operating the flights. If the first flight on a specific day's itinerary is booked as US but operated by UA, I want to be able to use either kiosk or either airline's web check-in. Also, if I happen to stand in the wrong check-in line (not realizing a flight is a codeshare), I don't want to be told I need to go wait yet again in another check-in line. Granted, as a frequent passenger, I probably won't make this mistake, but your average passenger who flies once or twice a year probably will.
I want airport signage to be crystal clear, for both regular passengers and elite customers. For example, when I checked-in at SFO to take a UA flight SFO-PDX, it was totally unclear which check-in line I was allowed to use as a US1. Also, in airports where one of the two carriers does not operate (e.g., PDX), some signage is needed for customers who buy a US ticket but are obviously flying UA, and vice versa.
I want upgrades I buy on UA to be electronic, and I would like to be able to queue myself up in advance. I don't need it to clear in advance (unless UA really wants to upgrade me), but it would be nice to have the upgrade queued. It would also be a nice touch if UA granted me some comp upgrades once a year and vice versa. Maybe a set of four included with each year's elite packets. Not asking for a free ride on UA when I don't fly them much, but it would be a nice touch nonetheless.
I want airport facilities to be coordinated. SEA is a good example of this with the recent move of US to the UA terminal.
Anyway, there are plenty more areas where investments should be made. My point is if UA-US-LH-etc. do this right, it can be a great benefit to all carriers.
Also, while we're on the topic, I also want US itself to invest as much as possible into streamlining my travel. I love the kiosks and web check-in. From my standpoint, really anything US can do to make sure the kiosk and web site function flawlessly and do everything I need them to do is a major plus. From simple things like changing a seat at the airport after using web check-in to more complicated things like flying standby on an earlier flight, it's all a matter of programming. Prime example: I book a regular weekday Shuttle ticket for, say, 5 p.m. I get to the airport at 3:30 and have time to make the 4 p.m. I want the kiosk to offer me the option of the 4 p.m. flight if the rules for my ticket allow. If the rules don't allow, I want to know the fare difference (taking into account any discount codes, goldfile numbers, etc. in the reservation). For more ideas, ride Amtrak one day and try their kiosks out!
For example, I want the kiosks to work no matter who is operating the flights. If the first flight on a specific day's itinerary is booked as US but operated by UA, I want to be able to use either kiosk or either airline's web check-in. Also, if I happen to stand in the wrong check-in line (not realizing a flight is a codeshare), I don't want to be told I need to go wait yet again in another check-in line. Granted, as a frequent passenger, I probably won't make this mistake, but your average passenger who flies once or twice a year probably will.
I want airport signage to be crystal clear, for both regular passengers and elite customers. For example, when I checked-in at SFO to take a UA flight SFO-PDX, it was totally unclear which check-in line I was allowed to use as a US1. Also, in airports where one of the two carriers does not operate (e.g., PDX), some signage is needed for customers who buy a US ticket but are obviously flying UA, and vice versa.
I want upgrades I buy on UA to be electronic, and I would like to be able to queue myself up in advance. I don't need it to clear in advance (unless UA really wants to upgrade me), but it would be nice to have the upgrade queued. It would also be a nice touch if UA granted me some comp upgrades once a year and vice versa. Maybe a set of four included with each year's elite packets. Not asking for a free ride on UA when I don't fly them much, but it would be a nice touch nonetheless.
I want airport facilities to be coordinated. SEA is a good example of this with the recent move of US to the UA terminal.
Anyway, there are plenty more areas where investments should be made. My point is if UA-US-LH-etc. do this right, it can be a great benefit to all carriers.
Also, while we're on the topic, I also want US itself to invest as much as possible into streamlining my travel. I love the kiosks and web check-in. From my standpoint, really anything US can do to make sure the kiosk and web site function flawlessly and do everything I need them to do is a major plus. From simple things like changing a seat at the airport after using web check-in to more complicated things like flying standby on an earlier flight, it's all a matter of programming. Prime example: I book a regular weekday Shuttle ticket for, say, 5 p.m. I get to the airport at 3:30 and have time to make the 4 p.m. I want the kiosk to offer me the option of the 4 p.m. flight if the rules for my ticket allow. If the rules don't allow, I want to know the fare difference (taking into account any discount codes, goldfile numbers, etc. in the reservation). For more ideas, ride Amtrak one day and try their kiosks out!
robbedagain
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ITRADE: Does US benefit if a customer flies say from one city such as CLT to NRT with a connection at ORD onto UAL and then a JAL from LAX? I know that UAL is our codeshare but I was wondering if this would benefit US like it does UAL?
I havent worked the counter in a while so I havent had a chance to see it work, but you are supposed to be able to standby (if there are seats available to change to day of) or change your flight at the kiosk (based on your fare booked). It is supposed to advise the fare and you use your credit card to make the changes. Not sure if it takes into account gold files, etc, I think its just basic full fare tickets that can make changes, but I havent been able to play around with it either....
They are constantly upgrading the kiosk (although I will admit it needs a lot of upgrading), but you can now be rebooked there if your flight has canx and you havent checked in yet. Not sure why they wont let you change a webcheckin seat at the machine, but all you can do there is check bags in that case.
I've submitted some ideas and suggestions to the kiosk people and they seem responsive. If you want to send me some specific suggestions, I'd be happy to pass them on to the kiosk people to check out.
They are constantly upgrading the kiosk (although I will admit it needs a lot of upgrading), but you can now be rebooked there if your flight has canx and you havent checked in yet. Not sure why they wont let you change a webcheckin seat at the machine, but all you can do there is check bags in that case.
I've submitted some ideas and suggestions to the kiosk people and they seem responsive. If you want to send me some specific suggestions, I'd be happy to pass them on to the kiosk people to check out.
MarkMyWords
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USflyer and Tadjr
Thanks for the constructive ideas regarding Kiosks. Hopefully someone in CCY or RIDC are watching and follow through on some/all of your suggestions.
Gotta love someone who sees a problem and comes up with creative solutions instead of a constant barage of complaints and ridicule.
I know there are more enhancements planned for the kiosks, but not sure of the timelines or completion dates.
Thanks for the constructive ideas regarding Kiosks. Hopefully someone in CCY or RIDC are watching and follow through on some/all of your suggestions.
Gotta love someone who sees a problem and comes up with creative solutions instead of a constant barage of complaints and ridicule.
I know there are more enhancements planned for the kiosks, but not sure of the timelines or completion dates.
Light Years
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Certainly for our customers the Star/UA codeshares are great in making up for our rinky dink route structure. But what do you guys think of the Express "codeshares" that are replacing the real US Airways? As customers do you support US's use of Shuttle America and Mesa Airlines etc? Certainly if you were saving money by flying on RJs and puddle jumpers you wouldnt mind (a fare is a fare, and very few would pay a premium for aircraft type).
But seeing as the fares are still the same, do you mind the growth of these airlines under our guise while thousands of better trained, more experienced employees of US and its subsidiaries have lost or are losing thier jobs? I'm curious because we as employees are embarrassed to be represented by these carriers, and I'd like to know if our customers feel the same or if we are more sensitive to the poor service because we are being replaced.
But seeing as the fares are still the same, do you mind the growth of these airlines under our guise while thousands of better trained, more experienced employees of US and its subsidiaries have lost or are losing thier jobs? I'm curious because we as employees are embarrassed to be represented by these carriers, and I'd like to know if our customers feel the same or if we are more sensitive to the poor service because we are being replaced.
