Have to say, it’s a beautiful color and design, even without the tulip. Original content from Crankyflier.

http://crankyflier.com/2010/12/23/united-gets-into-the-retro-colors-game-airplane-porn/

Let’s face it. The holidays are here and the number of out of office replies I’m seeing keep rising. So let’s finish out this week with something light. How about some airplane porn?

United is an airline that has had some of the best, historical color schemes (aka liveries) on its airplanes. Because of that, it’s always been frustrated that the airline was never willing to paint an airplane in the colors of yesteryear. (I suppose the gray colors that still adorn many of the airplanes can be considered retro by now.) But that’s finally changing. And this little beauty is going to be gracing the skies sometime soon. (Actually, it’s probably going to be on an Airbus, but you get the idea.)

United actually put this to a vote and got huge turnout. This livery, better known as the Stars and Bars, captured a full third of all votes. And it’s going to look fantastic, but to be honest, my preference would have been for another. That’s right, I’m partial to the livery that introduced the United tulip, the one that dominated my childhood. You probably know it as the impossible mix of blue, red, and orange – colors that do not come together in nature. But every time I see a picture of a DC-10 in those colors, it instantly makes me think it’s time to go to Hawai’i. But hey, I love the Stars and Bars as well so it’s all good.

I’m heading out for the holidays today, hoping that the water in our house dries up. (That’s what happens when you get half your annual rainfall in one week.) Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate. See you back here next week.

Here is a link to my flight memory – http://my.flightmemory.com/astriker

Here is a map of places flown -

The proposal seems like the CO color scheme, with the word “United” on the side. Will be sad to see the current scheme fade out, since it is still being phased in. As a die hard fan of United, I might be a bit more attached, but lack luster. Will Rhapsody in Blue stay around?

A quick jump over to United.com, one can see the merger information posted, along with a 777 in the new scheme. The colors are blah, it resembles what the movie “Airplane” described well, a big Tylenol. With Glenn Tilton leading the current United, I must admit, not surprised. The new slogal, “Let’s Fly Together”, is that just for the merger, or is that replacing “It’s time to Fly”?!?!? UGH-LY job….

“Your network just got better…. your planes are going to get UGH-lier”

Conversations:

Flyertalk.com thread about the topic!

Wall Street Journal - “UAL’s talks with USAir were ultimately successful, UAL went home with CAL.”

Faster Check-in: Access dedicated check-in areas at the airport to help you move through the process faster.

I arrived at ATL at noon for a 13:55 departure to Narita, with excitement to experience the new Sky Priority since the rumors from Deltalina’s twitter back in April. Having checked in online, I was unsure where to go for web drop off. I hunted down a DL person in front of Sky Priority area (by the stand alone kiosks) and asked where I go. They verified I was in Business Elite and a Platinum, and directed me to the kiosk. Having already checked in, I arrived at the kiosk, went through the check-in process again, and was unsure where to drop off my bag. While checking in, another DL agent stopped me and asked why i was checking in at the Sky Priority area. i explained that the other DL employee checked, and I am flying BE and am Platinum. he asked for my boarding pass and ID. In confusion, the other agent came over and explained she already checked me. Not feeling quite like a priority to Delta at this point. After checking in and told to go to web drop off at Sky Priority, in a puzzled attempt, I look to determine where to deliver my bags. None of the LCD screens note bag check-in or drop off, and not wanting to cutoff others in the line, I returned back looking for an employee asking where to go. I was again advised to go to the web drop off, which none of the screens showed. I was told to wait in line behind another person.

This is my favorite part of my check in experience of my bags, the agent said nothing to me, until I asked “how are you today” while she scanned my information. Her response was ” I cannot wait to go home“. I thanked her for her job, and departed, with that being the only statement she made to me. Business Elite/Plat with Delta, going overseas, and excellent example of customer service…. Best in Class!

Accelerated Security: Walk through expedited security lines at select airports so you can get on your way as soon as possible.

In select airports, which includes Atlanta, and for our passengers departing out of the South Gates, this is the same line that was for 1st, Medallion, but has a new sign that says Sky Priority. No worries on anyone checking, the frequent traveler line had the normal family with kids, and the Sky Priority line had people with no status in economy. Luckily ATL is usually quick to get through, minus the TSA’s resentment for mobile boarding passes. Same product, new branded name…. Best in Class .

Highest Boarding Priority: Board in Zone 1, so you can enter first to secure the best overhead bins or take your seat at your leisure—the choice is yours.

Out of all of the new “enhancements” this one had me most concerned. In a 744, going overseas, the number of Elite Plus will be a great amount. The line was incredibly long, with the Diamond Medallion that flies monthly in Business Elite at $7k a ticket, boarding with the Gold Medallion that received it as a gift from another person, or through a mixture of credit card promos and some flying. Yes they have gold, but which customer truly is higher revenue and worth more to Delta? The gate agent had us line up single file, which one could see the incredible length of the line, boarding Business Elite along with the rest deteriorated the previous product, under the new branded name… Best in Class .

Expedited Baggage Service: Have your bags delivered first to the carousel so you can head home or to your next meeting with no delay.

The keyword with Expedited Baggage Service to the carousel, they don’t mention which carousel. i arrived at DTW, the flight 0630 was listed on the carousel where I waited and many bags came off with the priority tags. Only after 20 minutes of waiting, and asking a few DL employees, I noticed my bag was on the carousel to the left, that had no flight info denoted. It just arrived on top the belt. I would like to think this was a one off, but not quite, I arrived at Atlanta, and yet again, I waited at a carousel with my flight info, bag arrived somewhere else… Best in Class

Exclusive Reservations Line: Access an elite team of personal representatives, available 24/7 when you call the number on the back of your Medallion credentials.¹

The exclusive reservation line seems to only apply to revenue tickets, if you are calling regarding mileage award tickets, you will get a person most likely with no understanding of the policy. While delayed in DTW, I called the phone number to cancel out an award ticket ot CDG due to a change of plans. I asked them to reissue the miles, and advised that I have not used 1 of my 2 redeposits this year. I was told the fee remains $50 and how did I want to pay for it. I explained that with my status, that I was given 2 free. She advised that I was incorrect and would need to check with her supervisor. She asked to place me on hold for “4 to 5 minutes”. When she returned, I was told that I was correct and that they would redeposit them. As a 1K with United Airlines, I must say, the 1K line was AMAZING, it was one number to call for everything you could ever need assistance. The best part is that they would connect you to other departments (example Mileage Plus) and wait on the line with you until they were sure things were okay. Often, I found it to be a lifesaver, and they did award tickets through their 1K/GS line. My phone experience with Delta and the Exclusive Reservation line is an example of … Best in Class .

Living in Atlanta, International options are few and far between compared to ORD where fares were much lower. I give Delta kudos to their pilots for great tours of the cockpits while on my flights and for the most part, friendly in flight crew.

Delta has a long way to go to meet their commitment of being … Best in Class .The addition of Diamond, in lieu of raising Platinum to similar levels of competitors, online Award Calendar that does not work for low awards, and now Sky Priority, the distance for them to improve is even further. Not often I give United enough credit, great job on the Red Carpet Lane for 1st/Business/GS/1K.

Hopefully with enough feedback from frequent fliers Delta will further enhance their program taking into account the goal for competitive benchmarking on the above items.

Another article highlighting similar – Delta New Sky Priority is Much Ado about Little

(Posted while flying using GoGo on Delta) I understand the economy is tough but enough is enough, quit with surcharges and just raise the price!?!? Everyone around me, when I travel all says the same thing, CHARGE MORE but in the fare.

Surcharges are a peeve of mine, Baggage surcharge okay, but coming from Revenue Management in Hotels, when we have high demand, we raise rates, reduce discounts, to yield out the best mix of sales. While in theory this is increasing the overall ticket price, I find it a slap in the face when airlines hide them in Surcharge. An example would be air fare alerts for Europe, $455+ RT, you add in the tax and surcharges and that is now a $900 ticket! I researched several travel options for my trip next week and this was a constant “oh wait, have to add in all the fees”.

The comment that consumers need to get used to surcharges just leaves me feeling no sympathy for such a poorly ran business and optimization model.

“Parsons said consumers should expect higher prices next year, whether they’re called fares or surcharges. ”

Airines are believed to have pioneered Yield Management, now known as Revenue Management but the most recent tactics are anti-customer, and are in no ways taking anything to a new level.

All too often I hear “I fly SWA more, it’s just easier and just as good”, unfortunately ATL is locked by AirTran for discount and Delta for legacy carrier.

When I think “Legacy”, as?a Pilot (Capt Chamberlain of United, 777 fleet, Flight 3 to ORD from KOA in June 2005) told me, “because you passengers are not willing to pay enough for your tickets, the legacy carriers have had to take cuts. Look at your f/a, look at the mechanic, they all took paycuts because of you”. When I think back to that statement, “Legacy” means old, and should be left to ride off into the sunset.

United announced flight 737 will run as the last 737 (737-322), the tail number is believed to be N331UA (pictured above). According to airfleets.net, N331UA was put into service on 7/26/1988, LN:1590, Serial: 24192. The only other 737 flying that day will be N329UA doing ORD-SFO. N329UA was put into service on 6/12/1988 (737-322) with LN: 1574. The flight is believed to be scheduled to?be under the command of the chief pilot of the 737 of N331UA on her last leg. Flight 737 will begin in IAD, travel to ORD-DEN-SFO, hitting almost all of UA hubs.

N329UA has not been repainted in the new color scheme. What an unusually long flight on a 737, ORD-SFO, I don’t think I have ever done that routing on that equipment. United has been operating the 737 for decades and this will end another era of fleets for the airline. Back in better times, UA was the launch customer for B727-200, B737-200, B767-200, B727-100,?DC-10 (shared w/AA), ?B777-222. The planes have been stored?at few airports, most notably?Goodyear and?Victorville airport, for their dry weather conditions. One or two were noted as going to other airports, possibly sold/released or destroyed.

Had I not been traveling for work that week, I would have gladly booked a ticket to be a part of the retirement of?a work horse for UAL.?With Ted?dead, the airbus has come into a much greater light for UAL, with only the 757 being the?only Boeing narrow body operated by the airline.? The wide-body fleet remains completely Boeing equipment at this time.

Where have the?retired 737 gone? You can google Victorville? or Goodyear and?see many of them in photos sitting in the dry conditions. Hopefully these birds will fly once again. One or two were destroyed, some already resold / released.

In an attempt to book a ticket today, the UA site appears to have the ability to search on the left, but when you click search, it empties it out, and back to scratch. Notice the middle ad area empty, and the login to MileagePlus on the left missing. I tried google chrome and internet explorer.

I have to wonder in an organization that charges per voice call, how much efficiency do they lose with these screw ups. In the age where online presence is a high distribution factor for any company attempting to be lucrative in the travel sector, this would seem to have a high cost. Uniteds Website has contactly been called .bomb by fellow travelers, and with this hiccup, while I had intent to book this morning exemplifies that.