Update: Drastic Changes at US Airways Announced

[T-Bird76]

Not to mention Buddy Passes and Parent travel doubled in price. They didn't even tell us until the day it happened - June 12th.. Means instead of it costing a friend anywhere from $150 to $200 to go to Europe. It will now cost $500 - To fly STANDBY! It will be cheaper for me to buy a ZED for my parents then to have them fly my own company. Pathetic.

Whilst these passes and parent travel have doubled in price, are they still cheaper than any other alternative? If so, then its still a benefit, isn't it?

-a fellow nonrevver

Well the question comes into play do you spend 300 to 500 dollars less to fly as a nonrev and deal with the risks assoicated with that or shell out the extra money and "enjoy" the "benefits" of a nomal passenger?

[mirrodie]

Nonrevving is always a risk. However, In this day and age, employees can see in their everyday that everything has gone up and as such so would non-revving fees. That is income the company needs or its their jobs.

Its a card shuffle. I've gotten coach or bounced off of flights that it looked like we were shoe-ins for. And on other flights where my sources told me not to even bother, F class international all the way.

[Matt Molnar]

Nonrevving is always a risk. However, In this day and age, employees can see in their everyday that everything has gone up and as such so would non-revving fees. That is income the company needs or its their jobs.

Considering all the crap their employees have to put up with...wage cuts, dealing with angry customers pissed off about ridiculous new fees and rules, the risk of getting laid off at any moment...maybe it would be nice to hand over seats that would otherwise remain empty for a reasonable cost.

[LGA777]

quote]
Considering all the crap their employees have to put up with...wage cuts, dealing with angry customers pissed off about ridiculous new fees and rules, the risk of getting laid off at any moment...maybe it would be nice to hand over seats that would otherwise remain empty for a reasonable cost.[/quote]

This sounds all good except this is what US and most other carriers have been doing for years. It is not unusual for one of our LGA-CLT flights that aren't full of revenue passengers to have 20-25 even 30 non-revs. Probably half to two thirds are buddy passes. Adding this many extra people to a flight does increase the fuel burn slightly, multiple by hundreds of flights per day multiplied by 365 days a year and this is why the fee's where raised, I don't like it but I can understand. At least we still have them.

LGA777

[mirrodie]

This sounds all good except this is what US and most other carriers have been doing for years. It is not unusual for one of our LGA-CLT flights that aren't full of revenue passengers to have 20-25 even 30 non-revs. Probably half to two thirds are buddy passes. Adding this many extra people to a flight does increase the fuel burn slightly, multiple by hundreds of flights per day multiplied by 365 days a year and this is why the fee's where raised, I don't like it but I can understand.


At least we still have them.

LGA777

Exactly. At least they are still there. Even in our office, where we have provides services and goods, of course our employees are able to get things at a fee, usually at or above cost to a degree.

I don't think its unreasonable for the beneficiaries of non-rev rights, seeing the economy they are in, to have them cover their costs.

Which goes back to my original statement, "Whilst these passes and parent travel have doubled in price, are they still cheaper than any other alternative? If so, then its still a benefit, isn't it?" IF the benefit is still cheaper than buying, then its still a perk, just more expensive than last time. But the issue Tom raises of flying standby is no different.

[Art at ISP]

While some of the changes mirror other carriers, I still maintain the current price model is broken and needs to be changed. Price according to what it really costs, plus a markup. The age of $99 fares is over. Good riddance.

That said, the elimination of bonus miles for elite members of DM is the straw that breaks the camel's back to most FF's. They have constantly attacked their most loyal customers, and this move makes even less financial sense than the elimination of the 500 mile minimum. It is a slap in the face of everyone who stayed loyal during 2 BK and a botched merger.

With all due respect and apologies to the fine front line employees of US, FFOCUS is taking a stand now and advocating that our members take US up on their suggestion that we leave and move on.

Ironically, I am due to take my first US trip in 13 months on Wednesday--LGA-CLT and back--and only because some Japanese colleagues have booked US and I need to fly with them...

Ron maybe I will see you if we get to LGA early enough.

This management team needs to encourage their loyal customers to stay, not entice them to leave.

Stupid is as stupid does.