Kinglobjaw's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘us airways’

If you look into the Delta Shuttle operation, you’ll realize US Airways is king in the shuttle market.

First, Delta decided to add First Class to lure more passengers. Then they added WiFi internet. Didn’t really help. A few months later, Delta downsized the fleet, from the maddog (MD-88) to the Delta Connection outsourced EMB-170 cutting seats by almost half. That move doesn’t seem to help either, now does it?

Currently, Delta is offering 3,000 miles for each segment instead of the usual 500. US Airways hasn’t matched yet, but do they really have to?

The fact of the matter is US Airways rules the shuttle market. They are far more convenient, offer a better product and a much more reliable service. Since Delta is merging with Northwest to become the world’s largest airline, I doubt it will drop the shuttle operation entirely, but DC to New York La Guardia seems to be Delta’s weakest of the three shuttle routes. They’d be foolish to downgrade the aircraft further as they’d loose any remaining premium traffic, but I see them reducing flights. To be fair, Northwest was never a big player in Boston, DC and New York, so they can’t bring in that many loyal customers to the new Delta.

Me? I’m just glad US Airways has a solid shuttle operation I can rely on. Including weekends! And those twelve First Class seats on every flight? They’re icing on the cake!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Not all companies have a generous “Above & Beyond” program like US Airways, but no matter the method, praising and rewarding employees that strive to do well is a must! Sure this post isn’t exactly airline related, but some companies  actually  turn “sour” at the thought of receiving a letter filled with complements about one of their employees. That said, it’s really nice to see a company actually go above and beyond to recognize an employee. Allow me to set the post so you’ll understand what I’m trying to say.

Right before Mother’s day this year I was purchasing a gift for my Mom at Bloomingdales. I was also purchasing new cologne and sunglasses for myself. The clerk was one of the nicest I’ve shopped with in years. I decided on a gift card for Mom, she even packaged it to look nice. I told her my intentions of buying something for myself and she suggested the Bloomingdales charge card in a manner that made me want to sign up. Funny part is- I never wanted to apply for that card until that day. In the end I walked away with a hefty discount and soon enough my Mom was using my card to make purchases for herself at Bloomingdales.

You probably won’t believe this, but afterward the lady gave me her business card with a telephone number and told me to call her in advance when I want to come by to shop again. She wanted to assist me with my future purchases by being there in person. She told me she was also there if I had any problems with the current products I use that I bought from Bloomingdales. That’s nice to hear! Not just smiles and friendly attitude during the purchase, but even after when something goes wrong. That was all said and done after giving me tons of extra samples and goodies.

Fast forward a week later. Along with the usual mail advertisements I got a form asking me to rate Bloomingdales service. I’ve never gotten such a thing from any other store, so I decided to fill it out and commend the lady clerk I shopped with. She was excellent.

Here’s an email I received from the store manager today:

Dear Mark

Thank you for taking the time to share your comments on your recent shopping experience in our North Michigan store. As the Store Manager, I rely heavily on feedback from my customers. I believe it is my most effective tool in creating the best possible shopping experience for you.

“M” of the Cosmetics department is a true asset to our team and always makes serving her customers an engaging and positive event. I will personally forward your comments to “M” and plan to recognize her in a letter of commendation, which I plan to present at our next storewide meeting to celebrate her success. Our priority is to provide our customers with a courteous, professional interaction, and clearly Ms. “M” did just that. Exceeding our customers’ expectations is a high priority. I am always so pleased to hear when we have succeeded!

I realize you have many shopping options and trust you know that we will continue to offer the kind of service that makes North Michigan your favorite!

Sincerely,

“Store Manager” (I replaced real names to keep anonymity)

Isn’t it an indication that the company really cares? For me, that’s part of the experience! It’s a complete 180 degrees from the joke called “Macy’s” where employees are generally disgusting and the employers are even worse! My Macy’s comments are limited to Chicago stores- at least for now!

Have  a nice clicK life,

-Mark

I was able to hold my US Airways flights for my trip to Phoenix & Los Angeles. Those are the “positioning” flights for my African journey in July! I’ve decided to stop in Phoenix for a few days to enjoy the 120+ F temps in Scottsdale. I have to say, the outbound is a little bland in terms of creativity.

I’m on the 5:15AM nonstop from Chicago to Phoenix. It’s a very convenient flight and gives you the whole day in Phoenix, but it’s just unbearable. I have to get to Prescott, AZ by 10AM as I have an appointment there, but I detest that morning flight! The good thing- upgrades, they’re so easy on that flight!

A few days in Phoenix, then on to L.A. Again, another boring nonstop flight. Still I shouldn’t complain- there’s always Southwest to complain about. I’m taking the nonstop flight, because it’s the responsible thing to do. I really can’t afford to miss my Frankfurt connection on Lufthansa.

Saving the best for last… Return is interesting. I was able to find a ‘U’ fare through a very odd connecting city on my way from L.A. back to Chicago- Raleigh-Durham! Can you believe it? I’m flying Los Angeles-Phoenix-Raleigh/Durham-Charlotte-Chicago! Triple connect! The first two return legs are West flights, followed by two mainline East flights. I haven’t been to the Raleigh airport yet, but fortunately I hear there is a nice club there. Better check it out now before US Airways switches terminals and and finds itself Clubless. My other option is to fly L.A-Phoenix-Washington-Philly to Chicago, but mixing DC and Philly in one day is too much to handle- especially on a Republic E-170 with summer weather delays.

I have to ticket this over the phone as I’m using an old US Airways Air Check Plus (E-TUV) voucher, but a recent US Airways memo now waives fees for all voucher related ticketing both over the phone and the ticket office locations. By ticket office I mean airport counters and the Company Store ticketing location at the US Airways Headquarters in Tempe, AZ.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Right now, US Airways is offering bonus Dividend Miles for those who make a donation to RIF (Reading is Fun). I think it’s admirable that US Airways has partnered with such a notable organization to promote the love & respect for books to younger passengers!

For details on donating & bonus miles you can visit this web page. You can earn up to 5,000 DM miles with a $250 donation.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Just got an email from US Airways Club- internet is now free at all US Airways Clubs systemwide. I see it will still be provided by TMobile, so I’m guessing it will be like at the United and AA lounge locations- a day access card. More information found here.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Beginning this week, US Airways and Qatar Airways will begin codesharing on certain flights. The respective “Airways’ will only codeshare on international services between Europe and their local gateways.

For details, please visit http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/2009/05/us-airwaysqatar-codeshare-begins-this.html.

It’s a shame they are not codesharing beyond Philly and Doha. I would like to see a US code on a Doha-Maldives flight and a QR code on a Chicago-Philly flight!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Can you believe that the very first Charlotte to Rio de Janeiro service appears to offer only 6 more Envoy seats for sale. This would indicate that within just two days of starting to sell tickets for the flight, twelve seats have been already “grabbed”. One is definitely there as a pilot crew rest, so who are the other eleven? Ocean’s Eleven?

Who could it be? Kinglobjaw’s minions? Maybe! No, haha! Parker’s entourage? Could be! Samba Dancers? I don’t know. Fishy!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

US Airways just posted on their website the date of the new Charlotte to Rio de Janeiro flights. Southbound services beings on December 2, 2009 while the northbound services beings the day after, December 3, 2009.

The information is now available on USAirways.com, however the flights haven’t been loaded into the reservation system.

I’ll be on the inaugural flight. It’s just a matter of securing Envoy seats which I’m focused on.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Delta’s 4X a day Philly to Boston service ends on August 18, 2009 and personally I believe it was inevitable from the get go! Funny thing is, even AirTran held onto the route for a longer period of time than “Premier Global Airline”. Haha- I just had to say that!

With AirFrance soon putting the “cork on the wine bottle” on the Philly to Paris route, Delta takes over with a 757. I don’t see that lasting either…

About time Delta rolls back to their domestic ops and moves back to the domestic terminal at Philly. Enough trying to “Premier Global Airline” in Philly, Delta! Philly already has US Airways.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

At approximately 7:50PM local Philadelphia time, a US Airways Boeing 757 should begin boarding. The flight? A nonstop service to Oslo, Norway. US Airways press release here.
As with all the other US Airways transatlanic B757 services, there are 12 Envoy seats upfront and 164 in the back. Duration of the flight is approximately 8:00 hours and Great Circle Mapper tells us all it’s 3776 miles.

Philly to Oslo, Norway- 3776 miles, 8 hours in-flight on a US Airways B757

This is the third of four new transatlantic services US Airways launched since April:

• Charlotte, NC to Paris commenced April 21, 2009
• Philadelphia to Birmingham, UK commenced May 12, 2009
• Philadelphia to Oslo, Norway begins this evening

That leaves us Philadelphia to Tel Aviv which commences on July 2, 2009.

One last interesting tidbit. The flight (US788)  from Philly to Oslo is the continuation of the inbound flight from Ft. Lauderdale. That segment is operated with a B734.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark