Comments on: The State of Denver International (Trip Report)

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:24:49 +0000

I used to fly United a lot and I always found their service to be hit or miss. I can say I always had more good than bad among flight attendants. With Customer Service agents, I noticed a wide divide among large/small stations. I usually got service that was a shade below openly hostile in hub cities (they seem particularly hateful in Chicago) and sparkling at smaller stations (ANC, SEA, FLL, PDX).

As far as liking management, United’s employees haven’t really liked anyone since Patterson.

By: MeanMeosh

MeanMeosh — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:07:10 +0000

I have to concur – I’ve always been impressed with DIA’s ops in bad weather. I’ve never had a meaningful snow delay in DEN, either departing or arriving, and this despite some pretty brutal conditions (last time I flew in, we had 1/2 mile visibility and low CIGS in snow and fog, and we were still at the gate just 5 minutes late). Departing, the only significant delay I had during snow wasn’t the airport’s fault, but due to bad weather and a ground stop at DFW that caused us to be held on the ramp for awhile. Contrast this to a place like ORD – where you’d figure they should be able to handle a good snow – where a couple of inches wreaks havoc on half the country.

By: James

James — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:44:39 +0000

Agree about delays. I flew out Friday afternoon to LGA. I missed the 4:24 757 flight because the storm picked up at 3 when I left work, and was slow with many accidents on 225 and pena.

I kept checking flight status (friend was driving) and was suprised to see it with an on time departure- in heavy
blowing snow.

I got on the 5:50 flight which also pushed back on time. We had a half hour delay due to runway configs for weather- but yeah not bad ops at all. I really expected cancellations. – and had channel 9 too and a half full flight probably due to others missing it like I did my original one.

By: CF

CF — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:24:59 +0000

This is an interesting question. I’ve long wondered what impact tips would have on customer service, but it hasn’t exactly helped a ton with food. You’re effectively expected to give a tip at a restaurant, so if it gets to that point onboard, it won’t help the problem.

Besides, flight attendants like to remind everyone that they are there as safety professionals. I think they might take it as an affront. Any flight attendants out there want to comment?

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 06:35:25 +0000

Sounds like a decent trip but you just reminded me of a typical UA experience and how much I love not flying UA anymore. At least UA elites have access to Star Alliance bennies on CO now.

Your report also reminds me of a study I just read in which levels of service and employee motivation were compared in dining establishments where tips were the norm versus those that add service charges as a flat percentage of the bill.

What percentage would you tip your most recent UA flight attendants, reservations, ticket counter, and gate staff?

By: David SFeastbay

David SFeastbay — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:08:29 +0000

That’s good to know Brett, thanks for letting us know.

By: CF

CF — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:47:21 +0000

Nope, they scrapped the baggage system entirely. In fact, at the luncheon, the centerpieces were wheels from the baggage system because that’s the best use they have for them now!

By: CF

CF — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:46:09 +0000

I absolutely loved the mobile boarding pass. When you check in, they actually send it via email, not text message. So there was no cost for me.

By: CF

CF — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:45:18 +0000

I think it’s not a fear of the passengers but rather a fear of management. Relations between management and union have been pretty awful for quite a long time, so they probably think that if they do something wrong, management will find a way to use it against them.

By: jordan

jordan — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:31:53 +0000

I fly out off Denver alot, and Im about to commit a ton of money to UA for future travels! I like the airline; yes they are hit and miss, but so is Virgin Atlantic and many other European and US carriers! Ill say this! If a flight attendant spoke to me that way, i would give her the dirtiest look and say “thank you stewardess” They hate that more than anything! hahah!

I find the UA check in staff in the LAX Premium Terminal (ughh its so dingy, and yet they have the nerve to call it that!) so friendly, security is rude as always..and the LAX gate staff are the worst!! Then again, they are rude at ORD, MIA, PHL and every other airport!! inc Denver!

CF, with your Assoc Premier card, you can use any Fast Track/Premium line at any airport that has it…even if you’re not flying UA! ;)

Denver today: 1 foot of snow, after 70 degrees yesterday! This is why I love LA!