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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
 Posted - 05/12/2005 : 04:28:58 AM
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Since my June trip to Maui is on United Airmiles...well I'm a little concerned that their viablility is suspect.
Should I (we) be looking for backup travel?
Perhaps something on Aloha off the West Coast? --If not too prohibitive. $!
Or maybe an outrigger.
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chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 04:54:55 AM
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| Same sentiment - I'm flying on them to Hawaii next Wednesday. They're already in Chapter 11 and have given up the pension mess. They are the second largest airline - I can't imagine that they'll just go away. Let's all lobby for Southwest to begin service to Hawaii. Aloha and Hawaiian are being pushed by smaller airlines on interisland flights. Everybody benefits through competition - I am, after all, a practicing economist; but also a skeptic - go figure |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 07:36:53 AM
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Our local newspaper said the followeing today:
- if you haven't yet booked, consider alternate carriers for the next few months
- if you have, when strikes happen, other carriers frequently try to honor the striken airlines tickets, sometimes charging a small fee.
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 08:20:16 AM
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I'll weigh in.....
United is probably an okay bet through early July. (read probably and okay). They are not going to go 'tango uniform' as an airline for the next 6 months at least. The lunatic fringe is with the pension release, the various trade unions are going to be taking a hard look at their obligations towards the airline. A major strike (flight attendants, mechanics) will scuttle the airline. The unions are well aware of that, and don't want to 'unemploy their own'.
On one hand, this puts United in a very advantageous position, they've just dumped billions in debt. It also is going to be a huge carrot to the other troubled airlines who WILL demand the same.
If United keeps its unions together, they have a chance to re-structure their business, adopt leaner lines, dump their huge inventory of aircraft types....and generally adopt an aggressive Southwest/JetBlue type business structure....and prosper.
(guitars are swell! Especially Koa ones!)
(Obligatory guitar reference for thread)
I seriously doubt that will happen. It is a market driven economy for airlines. Jet fuel is costing United about $4.65 a gallon.
Fill up a B-767 with 120,000 lbs of jet fuel, fill its 230 seats at an average of $240.00 each way........and the airlines is bleeding money. In fact, for the 4 majors, it is well over 7 figures a day, for EACH of them 365 days a year in the red.
So......my point....United will most likely be safe to keep your tickets on for a couple of months. I would expect mediocre service at best. These folks, many very long time employees (the newer ones were weeded out in the numerous layoffs) just saw their retirements take a 60% hit....at best. One figure I saw was a 35 year senior mechanic...pension of about 2680.00 a month. They will be getting $820.00 a month now. They hope.
The airline industry as we know it is not changing, it is gone. It is being artificially kept running for economic reasons. It is going to change drastically in the near future.
That said...I flew United my last trip to Hawaii. They were very happy to supply me a padded box to fit around my guitar case. ('cause it was so going in cargo) I like those folks. They're just people like us trying to do the job they have.
Now....for their senior mgmt.............they need to be hung out to dry. |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 05:23:17 AM
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As long as they keep that awesome cuisine!
Plus offer good ol' airplane coffee, a good screw-top wine, AND I get to go to Hawaii...well, I'll suffer through.
Hey, I'm amazed that they can cook as well as me at 39,000 feet. |
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Pulelehua
Akahai
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 12:07:53 PM
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Speaking of cuisine, I just learned that United will no longer serve complimentary meals from the West Coast to Hawaii. My source says sandwiches can be purchased for $10 or passengers may bring their own food on board. Guess they figured out they're in the transportation rather than the hospitality sector...  |
Pulelehua |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 1:03:20 PM
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Yeah,
I travel way too much. I might be mistaken slightly....but....I don't think there are any US flagged airlines that serve complimentary meals, even on trans-continental flights. They've all gone to bring your own, or buy onboard.
Kinda related, in a weird sorta way
www.airlinemeals.net
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my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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Larry Goldstein
Lokahi
267 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 1:15:32 PM
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Pillows are no longer standard on board items either. If you have a weak back as I do, consider bringing your own inflatable back support.
Larry |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 4:22:35 PM
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Yes... and I hear that next season it will be:
BYOBC (Bring you own bottle and chair) ! !
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 8:17:07 PM
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I've found that if I wear a Nun outfit, I can get away with alot, if I don't call attention to myself...
and there's room for a Mickeys, and they also let me bring on a guitar with no case--if I sing.
Of course my music degree is in folk music,
And I graduated...
Magna Kum Ba Ya
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 06:16:19 AM
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| Gordon...errr, uhhh, Sally, yer crackin' me up over here. |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 07:35:18 AM
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quote:
Magna Kum Ba Ya
Don't you mean:
"Magnum Kum Ba Ya"
(if one "came by me" it would not survive long, and do not even consider what would happen if a Jeroboam or a Methuselah or even a Nebuchadnezzar came by!!)
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 05/15/2005 08:25:27 AM |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 09:48:08 AM
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Lawrence,
So you know, Jeroboam is resting comfortably in a cool dark place, tending to the 98 Foppiano Petit Sirah inside.
You and Cynthia simply must be here for the uhh, debutant' party later this summer.
/s/
Cmdr (at least it wasn't ME running around that parking lot singing 50's tunes as loud as I could) Piffle :) |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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catheglass
Lokahi
USA
312 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2005 : 8:34:45 PM
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Ahhh, Piffle!
Mahalo for your in-the-know analysis of the United situation. Usually I fly Aloha, but couldn't get a good ticket price, so this year it's United........auwe. My sympathy is great for the employees, they are certainly getting it in the pocketbook, what is their management thinking? Not about them!
But as a passenger, my nerves are a bit ruffled. Sure wish we were going to the same camp this year! I'll wave......
<perk> What's this about a party??
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cathe |
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 8:31:17 PM
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Ya know, jus wen I tink I gwan where da busses don run,
you guys come aboard and show me, I still sittin in da statiion.
All aboard....
...my gyro?
Sally
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 9:06:57 PM
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Ah, I always fly United, mainly because my poor brother-in-law who worked his whole career for United as a welder/mechanic, and is now incapacitated in a wheelchair, totally dependent on my sister who is also handicapped, was counting on his pension to provide for his family. Grumble, grumble! But at least when they were mobile they got to fly around the world. I will still support United until such time that it becomes virtually impossible. Tried to fly ATA once or twice but was very uncomfortable in cattle class....
Julie |
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