TRI-CLT-IAH on US Airways 6 Feb 2009

US 4124 TRI-CLT 6:15 pm-7:11 pm Dash 8-300 Seat 11C Exit
TRI is such a wonderful airport to fly from. I arrived about an hour before departure to reprint my boarding pass. I was the only person at the counter and the agent offered to print it for me instead of me using the kiosk. The employees at TRI are so nice, too—that is what I miss the most about flying US Airways. I proceeded to security where I was again, the only person, so I passed through very quickly. I spent about 20 minutes in the TRI Business Center, then went to my gate and gate-tagged my bag. We boarded about 15-20 minutes before departure. The plane was about two-thirds full. We closed the door at 6:08 pm and were airborne at 6:15 pm. The flight attendant offered beverages for sale and only one person purchased a bottle of water. The flight was only 29 minutes, so we landed 25 minutes early at 6:46 pm. I had to walk from gate E32A to B14, just about as far as you can walk in CLT!

US 1761 CLT-IAH 7:55 pm-9:45 pm 737-400 Seat 2C First Class
Even with my early arrival, I barely had time for my requisite, pre-flight “pit stop.” (LOL) When I arrived at the gate, they started boarding my flight five minutes early. The plane was full and at the end of the boarding process, some rolling suitcases had to be brought forward and checked at the gate because there was no space. There was no pre-departure drink offered, but the flight attendants did have a closet in which to hang the coats and they did offer to hang them. We pushed back at 7:50 pm and were airborne by 8:04 pm with an announced flight time of two hours 10 minutes, which meant I should arrive about 30 minutes early.

Shortly after passing through 10,000 feet, the flight attendant served a full beverage and snack basket service. I know this is probably not significant in some respects, but since US Airways does not offer much anymore in the way of first class product, I thought I should note two things: the snack basket only had three choices: Biscoffs, granola bars, and Fiesta Snack mix (no Sun Chips!) And I ordered a Bud Light and when I wanted a second one, they were out (!) and my only choices were Budweiser and Heineken. I see this as a very simple example of how US Airways has become a shell of its former self.

This is not the US Airways I loved for many years; it is a facsimile of itself in many ways. Except for its route and network, its spoke and hub operation, I would not even call US Airways a legacy carrier, because the legacy is gone and what is left is a mere fragment of the identity it used to have in the world of commercial aviation. This saddens me so, because the employees are still some of the best in the business, but they have been stripped of the wonderful product they used to offer. I mean, I am in first class on a two-hour flight and all I receive are a larger seat, couple of beverages, and some junk food? It amazes me that people would pay the fare difference between coach and first for so little. Of course, I received a complimentary upgrade from coach, so I am happy I did not buy this class of service and I suppose I should lower my expectations since it was complimentary.

However, coach is an even less appealing product. On a two-hour flight, one has the option of purchasing drinks, but no snacks whatsoever. Let’s face it—if US Airways elects to sell drinks in coach for additional revenue, why aren’t snacks sold as well? Better yet, if à la carte is the business model of choice, why doesn’t the airline offer the extras for purchase during the booking process to speed up and streamline airport and in-flight operations? Furthermore, why doesn’t the airline just raise their ticket prices by $10 and include drinks and snacks, or raise prices by $25 and include one piece of checked luggage, too? I guess I will never understand the reasons for or reasoning behind this airline’s current, customer unfriendly, inefficient mode of operation.

The rest of the flight was very quiet because there is no in-flight entertainment. We landed 30 minutes early at 9:15 pm. I suppose if all you want is bare bones, on-time transportation, then US Airways is the carrier for you. But if you want a little more, try another carrier.