United experiences

[plnegoofy]

For those of you currently employed by UAL, what is it like there. I understand it is not what it was, but how is it now...and what do you believe is comming in the future. I have always wanted to work for UAL and I just wanted to get some of your opinions before the hiring there starts up. Do you really see you management feeding you to the wolves and not really existing in how many ever years your limit is. Thanks for your imput...just dont want to step in quicksand

 

[BigShotXJTdrvr]

Overheard a United 57 FO on a hotel bus the other day talking to another regional captain, not sure what airline the other regional guy was. United guy says, "yeah, I think we're probably starting hiring again in the fall." United guy shakes his head a bit... "I don't know what it's like where you're at, but I just can't really tell you to come here."

 

[ualdriver]

For those of you currently employed by UAL, what is it like there. I understand it is not what it was, but how is it now...and what do you believe is comming in the future. I have always wanted to work for UAL and I just wanted to get some of your opinions before the hiring there starts up. Do you really see you management feeding you to the wolves and not really existing in how many ever years your limit is. Thanks for your imput...just dont want to step in quicksand

The people you fly with are great pilots and enjoyable people for the most part. I don't dread going to work. However, the airline itself is mediocre in a sea of mediocrity. There are better airlines to apply to, but if you get hired here it's not all that bad. What happens with mergers, pay, work rules, etc., is simply conjecture and probably will be no different than what could happen at any other legacy. We're supposed to start hiring 4 quarter-ish, barring the usual airline showstoppers. There are plenty of other UAL guys on here that can provide good info as well. Good luck with your decisions.

 

[Murphy]

It's a shame United doesn't have Big D's game plan. I would like to come over to The U but they don't appear to have any strategy.

 

[jonjuan]

Overheard a United 57 FO on a hotel bus the other day talking to another regional captain, not sure what airline the other regional guy was. United guy says, "yeah, I think we're probably starting hiring again in the fall." United guy shakes his head a bit... "I don't know what it's like where you're at, but I just can't really tell you to come here."

I heard something similar from a CAL F/O.

 

[Yuppyguppy]

It's like that system wide. UAL is not that bad...but we(the employees) are pissed at mgmt squandering the best route system and they have their head up their a$$es when it comes to direction and oh yeah all those bonuses. UAL is here to stay but mergers will be a reality in the future.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

It's like that system wide. UAL is not that bad...but we(the employees) are pissed at mgmt squandering the best route system and they have their head up their a$$es when it comes to direction and oh yeah all those bonuses. UAL is here to stay but mergers will be a reality in the future.

Just be careful and don't let the "pissed at management" get to you...thats when you'll see employees start taking it out on the passenger...I'll bet thats happening now to some degree.

Also one has to look at the game plan set by Goodwin/Creighton/Tilton. Wouldn't it be nice to have a company that doesn't change it's strategic direction everytime the curtains are changed in the Executive office?

When Tilton leaves ( and you know he will with $$$) then who will take over? What will the direction be then? More TED growth? Less TED? Park more planes? Get more planes? More growth to the regional partners?

BTW...have they ever broken out the numbers on TED for you guys? Thnk about it...if the numbers were good, doncha think that they would be tooting their horns?

All the luck to you guys

 

[Black Hawk]

Just be careful and don't let the "pissed at management" get to you...thats when you'll see employees start taking it out on the passenger...I'll bet thats happening now to some degree.

No disrespect meant to those that have been beaten up by management over the past few years but, as an occasional fare paying UAL passenger I notice it in their customer service.

 

[ualdriver]

Just be careful and don't let the "pissed at management" get to you...thats when you'll see employees start taking it out on the passenger...I'll bet thats happening now to some degree.

I bet that is happening to some degree at lots of airlines.

BTW...have they ever broken out the numbers on TED for you guys? Thnk about it...if the numbers were good, doncha think that they would be tooting their horns?

Yes. I have heard nothing but good about TED numbers. In fact, during our bankruptcy it was the only part of the company that seemed to be doing well.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Yes. I have heard nothing but good about TED numbers. In fact, during our bankruptcy it was the only part of the company that seemed to be doing well.

In the past we have seen the "airline within the airline" operations get touted by management.

Metro-jet, Cal-Lite, Shuttle by United, Song, Delta Express...all those pilots were told during recurrents/road shows that they were doing well....seems the company officers forgot to pass that information along to Wall Street...

 

[Draginass]

No disrespect meant to those that have been beaten up by management over the past few years but, as an occasional fare paying UAL passenger I notice it in their customer service.

You can complain to management, but most of them don't care. They get paid huge bucks no matter if the airline does well or fails. Tilton is going to walk away with tens of millions more regardless of what happens to UAL.

Senior management's job is to keep the host alive while they suck more blood out of it.

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

You can complain to management, but most of them don't care. They get paid huge bucks no matter if the airline does well or fails. Tilton is going to walk away with tens of millions more regardless of what happens to UAL.

Senior management's job is to keep the host alive while they suck more blood out of it.

Unfortunately, it is that way at a lot of places - not just UAL. It sucks the life out of you and you wind up just showing up for work and going through the motions. Then companies ask the rhetorical question (especially the HR hammerheads), "why don't employees care?"!!!!

 

[Yuppyguppy]

I have the answer UAL pilots...we need business education training!!!

 

[Black Hawk]

You can complain to management, but most of them don't care.

Most passengers don't complain out loud; they just choose another carrier next time.

 

[race#53]

Most passengers don't complain out loud; they just choose another carrier next time.

BlackHawk,
i have flown UAL 70 trips in the last 3 years and have yet to see
any employee with a bad attitude...i even tried to tip a really nice
agent for doing a great job by herself but she would not accept it.

 

[Andy]

BlackHawk,
i have flown UAL 70 trips in the last 3 years and have yet to see
any employee with a bad attitude...i even tried to tip a really nice
agent for doing a great job by herself but she would not accept it.

I'm currently a 1K with United. My biggest complaint is that the Red Carpet Club lounges are so full just about every time that I travel that it's almost as crowded as at the gate. On the plus side, there are free food and drinks.
I prefer the Lufthansa lounges when I'm in Germany; much nicer accomodations. And free booze in the lounges overseas. :^)

As far as customer service, it has improved dramatically over the last two years. Of course, I use the elite checkin counters and rarely fly in steerage (almost 100% success in upgrading) so I probably have a slightly different opinion of United's customer service compared to the gate lice.
I was in a bar in Denver a few months ago; it was after midnite and flights for the day were done. It had been a bad wx day across the country and there were plenty of stranded pax. One guy near me was saying that he had tried to get through to United customer service for a few hours without luck. I gave him the 1K reservations number and he got through immediately.

The only other airline that I travel on for business is American, and I fly on them very infrequently. I don't have status at American, so I'm always gate lice delegated to steerage. Yep, definitely not an enjoyable experience. But I bet that it I were an Executive Plat with American, I'd be singing their praises. But since I'm in the DC area, it only makes sense for me to fly United; I can get direct flights to Europe and (to a lesser extent) Asia out of IAD vice connecting through some other airline's hub.

Bottom line - United may very well suck for the infrequent pax, but they treat loyal frequent flyers very well. And I'm sure it's the same at every other airline.

Off topic - I'm a Marriott Plat; I almost always get the red carpet treatment at Marriotts. I used to be a Starwood Plat; I can't tell you how many times I have been upgraded to top floor suites at Westins. Unfortunately, my wife has gotten very spoiled by the red carpet treatment.
I'm also Avis Preferred (although switched recently to Hertz due to their tie-in with Marriott - currently Gold; will be 5 star very soon) and am treated great due to aiming my business at one rental car company. ... free upgrades, newspaper waiting for me, etc.

If you want to be treated great, aim all of your business at a single (or two) airline/hotel/rental car company.

 

[Black Hawk]

BlackHawk,
i have flown UAL 70 trips in the last 3 years and have yet to see
any employee with a bad attitude...i even tried to tip a really nice
agent for doing a great job by herself but she would not accept it.

I've also had some good experiences with many individuals in UAL customer service. All I mean to say is there is a certain mood when you fly UAL and deal with their system that's not as positive as some other places. It's not that way all the time but I notice the overall difference in culture between the airlines I use.

 

[dojetdriver]

I'm currently a 1K with United. My biggest complaint is that the Red Carpet Club lounges are so full just about every time that I travel that it's almost as crowded as at the gate. On the plus side, there are free food and drinks.
I prefer the Lufthansa lounges when I'm in Germany; much nicer accomodations. And free booze in the lounges overseas. :^)

I was in line the other day waiting too get an OMC pass for the commute home. A NetJets guy was in line ahead of me (in uniform), had his miles card out requesting an upgrade. No, he wasn't being a cocky jerk, just requesting the upgrade. Don't know his status, but he's been at NJ for 3 years so I would think he's probably got a plethora of miles on it. I couldn't believe the the indifferenece the agent showed him as well as how rude they were.