Union chief to United, "Let's talk."

It's not me, it's you. In not so many words, Union chief and pilot, Mark Bathurst, delivered his assessment of UA's current state of business. Read the Chicago Tribune article for more details.

In a direct quote from the article, of a quote from his letter, Bathurst says: "United, is not in a good place." But despite its troubles, he said, company officials appear content to let UAL remain stuck in a "fog of mediocrity.""

I'm not really sure what all of this would have to do with re-opening contract negotiations though. Do the pilots want to give back more money so UA can buy more planes, or invest in more onboard/airport amenities? I doubt that. Though I would agree to a certain extent that it seems UA is getting stale. Many things have been made internally of the push to increase customer service/experience, but the work, and the ability to change employees attitudes, is slow at best. Can you collectively bargain for a smile and a friendly attitude? The constant us-vs-them mentality of management-vs-unions continues.

One of the final quotes in the article, (not the one about demanding a new management; that might cut this blog short), is this: "United, Bathurst told Tilton, has "reached a crossroads. You can either take bold, dramatic steps now to reverse the decline or stand by and watch things continue to deteriorate.""

I'd echo this sentiment with a classic quote from a fellow Chicagoan: "Make no small plans; for they lack the magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble and logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing." ~ Daniel Hudson Burnham (1846-1912); Architect and Planner of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Blocked at Wacker

Apologies for the long delay in posts and for the cheeky nature of my last post. UA has instituted new web policies and is now blocking blog sites and the like. Thus, I've been unable to post while between projects at the office. Surprisingly enough, access to FlyerTalk was not blocked. Much news has reached the press since my last post and I'll try to capture some of that soon. Until then, I'll post this now, before I'm blocked again by the IT-folks.

"...and she dances on the sand."

After drunk-dialing our ex-girlfriend for over a month, she's finally decided to take us back. That's right...UA will start non-stop service from Dulles to Rio in October. It's a hard habit to break, wait, that's Chicago not Duran, Duran...anyway, it's seasonal service. So it's only a matter of time before we start ignoring her again and playing poker with our college buddies. We'll also be adding a new non-stop from LAX to Hong Kong, in case Chris Tucker needs to fly over and fight some crime.

How will your time fly? New AA Biz seat.

Yes, yes, yes...this is supposed to be a United blog, but it's also pertinent to know what our chief rival is up to. As many who might be reading this know, most of the major US carriers, United included, are updating their premium cabins. Take a look at what AA has to offer and when UA is ready to announce more news, you'll have something to compare us to. But like the Wizard of Oz might say, "Pay no attention to the International airlines." The US carriers are playing catch up. I included the photo to the right because at first glance it looks like they're showing a laptop circa 1994...but in fact, it's their new entertainment unit. Take the tour at howwillyourtimefly.com. The Flash is snazzy, but the "Play" section about the seat is really lame. Should I sit in a "theatre" to watch a movie, at a "concert" to listen to music, or on the "toilet" to read the paper. Ok, so that last one isn't in the tour, but that would be news...an airline updating the WC.

"Just drive in and get a Coke, 'f yer thirsty."

Coke is it. After a 5-year partnership with Pepsi, United will switch back to Coke on May 1, 2007. Expect some lag time before all flights are stocked with Coke products. You'll also get: Diet Coke, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Seagram's Ginger Ale, Tonic, Seltzer Water and Spring Water. No Coke in the Red Carpet Clubs, yet. Those contracts are separate from the onboard contracts, but the RCC's should be making the switch later this year when the contract with Pepsi is up.



"...anything you know. Cokes..."
Libby Mae Brown (Parker Posey) explains her day-to-day life at the Dairy Queen in Blaine, Missouri, from Waiting for Guffman.

Orient Express of the Skies

Unfortunately, I'm not talking about United. I stumbled across this story on one of my favorite blogs: thecoolhunter.net. Check out this new First Class Cabin offering from Jet Airways. Imagine your own private cabin with table seating for two. Sign me up! Once again, it looks like the US airlines are two steps behind our international competitors. {Sigh.}

Here's a link to Jet Airways website where you can find a Flash tour of the new cabin.

Freddie Awards: Industry Impact Award

Last night, Thursday, April 26, United received an Industry Impact Award at the 19th annual Freddie Awards. The award went for the launch of the Mileage Plus Choices program...not to be confused with Elite Choice. Choices was introduced in 2006 as a new MP Visa cardholder benefit and to quell the rising tide of Capital One and its imitators. From the Freddie's website: "It's an innovative program that allows members to shop for airfares online as they normally would, but when it comes time to pay for the ticket, they can use their 'Choices' miles at the prevailing rate instead of cash. Randy [Peterson] tells the audience, 'I actually think this is one of the best things to come along in a long time.'"

Kudos to the team for receiving some recognition...only wish that Mileage Plus might someday be able to win a Freddie without this caveat: "Industry Impact Awards, also known as the "Randys”, are determined by editorial decision rather than by ballot."