Flyua From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 300 posts, RR: 6 Posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 8354 times:
Just fresh back from the unveiling ceremony of United's new livery and marketing campaign at the SFO maintenance base. A few comments (and sorry-- I don't own a digital camera, so photos will have to come from another source):
As much as I dislike our new color scheme, I must say-- walking into the enormous hangar bay and seeing our freshly painted and cleaned B777 in the spotlights was really quite a sight! The blue underbelly was surprisingly bright, and actually seemed "uplifting." The tail, while looking rather dull in the first Internet photo, does have some depth and "soul." (Give it a chance once you see it for your own eyes!) Still, the cheatline stripes and the black UNITED just don't work for me. The black lettering especially seems out of place with the overall blue theme. However-- the brighter blue underside against the clean, white top really does announce that United is coming out from under its grey rock. Perhaps this new design will grown on me... and on others.
As for our new "United: It's Time to Fly" campaign, when our rather stiff V.P. of marketing read off the new slogan from his teleprompter, it hit the audience like a cold, dead fish. A few fellow employees around me muttered, "What about the friendly skies?" or "How about, it's time to fly the friendly skies again?" Of course, one old mechanic said, "United: It's time for a raise!" I saw no one nodding his head... until, that is, we got a glimpse of our first new TV commercials, set to air during the Academy Awards. They're animated, with few words, and "Rhapsody in Blue" plays stronger than ever. I think they're surprisingly good and actually moving-- something I haven't felt about our ad campaigns in a long time. At the commercial's conclusion, a few people around me looked at one another and smiled.... (Wow! We were smiling at each other!)
Final reaction: when the presentation ended, we were gathered together under the huge B777 engine for a group photo (some people actually fought with one another to be able to stand in the front line -- Ah! There's the old United spirit!), and then the hangar's huge front doors were opened to reveal a shiny new Ted plane, our B763 Star Alliance plane, and a new Air Wisconsin CRJ in the new colors. After a stormy start to the day, the sun had just broken through the clouds... a fine way to end the ceremony! For the next hour, all had their photo op needs satisfied, with no rope barriers holding us back from patting the new birds for good luck.
Wish you were there! Thanks for reading my novella....
Mike77 From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 203 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 8221 times:
Thanks for sharing that! I envy you for getting to see all those cool planes. Do you know when the new UA 777 will be departing? I wouldn't mind driving up to SFO to see it leave. I have a buddy who works at SFO, but he hasn't even heard anything about the new livery, so he is not a good source for info. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it.
Flyua From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 300 posts, RR: 6 Reply 5, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 7924 times:
Mike77: It's UA Flight 160 for tonight 2/18. Departs for ORD at 6 PM from Gate 84. (And it will be in LAX tomorrow PM). It will already be dark out, but get out there if you can! It will most likely be taking off from Rwys 1L or 1R, unless the weather turns nasty again. As for your United friend at SFO, shame on him for not being a geek and caring about paint jobs! Does he think he has a life outside of work?!
NWAFA: Check United's website tomorrow, perhaps. Also, try www.theunitedshop.com in the coming days for new-look United items. (And yes, much to my dismay, you're right: we ARE getting fresh flowers, linens, and hot towels back in int'l and domestic First! I just got word of this a few days ago. ...I never thought our frills would return -- especially while we're still under the "stewardship" of the judge!)
GoAround: Look for N775UA to show up at Heathrow soon! It will most certainly be making its appointed rounds across the pond. Cheers!
Ordgru777 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 13 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 7908 times:
Thanks for sharing that. As a fellow employee I'm always jealous that I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was in SFO yesterday (for about a minute and a half) but had no idea. And I was way off on the dates! I thought they would announce on the 19th or 20th in Chicago. It sounded great though!
I also hope someone in the crowd was taking pictures for the rest of us to enjoy.
As for where this plane (N775UA) is going to be... I've got it up through the 25th so I'll write date, flight number, origin, destination... here we go!
18feb 160 SFO-ORD
19feb 109 ORD-LAX
19feb 118 LAX-ORD
19feb 938 ORD-LHR
20feb 905 LHR-JFK
20feb 956 JFK-LHR
21feb 929 LHR-ORD
21feb 943 ORD-DEN
22feb 902 DEN-IAD
22feb 914 IAD-CDG
23feb 915 CDG-IAD
23feb 946 IAD-AMS
24feb 947 AMS-LAX (we don't fly AMS-LAX and this plane couldn't do it anyway, so I'll let you figure out where the stop is. I'm guessing IAD)
25feb 108 LAX-ORD
25feb 125 ORD-LAX
That's all they've got so far. This is not one of the IGW 777's so you'll only see it in the US and Europe.
Flyua From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 300 posts, RR: 6 Reply 8, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 7744 times:
Yes, Matt D, I was snapping away with my 1980s plastic Instamatic. There were plenty of media, United HQ P.R. reps (complete with some sort of satellite truck outside), and lots of UA mechanics with digital cameras. Photos will certainly appear soon!
Mikephotos From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 2923 posts, RR: 56 Reply 9, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 7667 times:
24feb 947 AMS-LAX (we don't fly AMS-LAX and this plane couldn't do it anyway, so I'll let you figure out where the stop is. I'm guessing IAD)
IAD is correct.
V*UA947/24FEB«
24FEB DPTR ARVL MEALS EQP ELPD ACCUM MILES SM
AMS IAD 1230P 305P LS/LS/LS 777 8.35 8.35 3852 N
IAD LAX 605P 826P D /D /D 777 5.21 16.56 2294 N
GreenArc From United States of America, joined May 2000, 78 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 7636 times:
Eight of the VCV shots are up on the UA intranet (SkyNet). For those with access, they're worth a look. They've even provided high resolution links for desktop use.
Flyua From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 300 posts, RR: 6 Reply 11, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 7540 times:
GreenArc, do you know if it's possible to download those photos onto airliners.net? Some of them are quite appealing... I wish I knew how to do that for our fellow readers.
Matt D From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 9502 posts, RR: 51 Reply 12, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 7375 times:
If you have access to the Intranet site where they are stored, copy them and e-mail them to me and I will post them on my own website and link them here.
GreenArc From United States of America, joined May 2000, 78 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 7219 times:
Flyua,
It's possible to download them, but I would be very careful about copying and/or reposting pictures from SkyNet. It is probably in breach of employee usage rules.
Ualisthebst From United States of America, joined May 2001, 79 posts, RR: 3 Reply 14, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 7188 times:
I will be on UA938 tomorrow night, and will update everyone with what happens...can't imagine it will be much different than any other flight on a 777.
-Ualisthebst
Roots From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 98 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 7026 times:
I just got back from my 1.5 hour lunch break and went out to SFO (fortunately my workplace is only 15 minutes south of SFO). I knew about the United ceremony today from this board and I knew that they'd have the 777 and United Express regional.
Guess what I saw when I got to the usual spotting location? N466AW, the United Express (Air Wisconsin) Bombardier jet in the new livery, was taxiing toward runway 1R for departure. I immediately pulled my camera out and fortunately was able to take some photos of it. I have uploaded one photo to my photo album:
http://www.pbase.com/image/26173181
Edit: I just submitted a large version to Airliners.net and emailed the screeners to give it a priority. Hopefully they'll accept it
As739x From United States of America, joined Apr 2003, 5834 posts, RR: 23 Reply 20, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 6545 times:
I just came back from Gate 84 and got a few so so picks. As the poster stated the paint job is much more alive. It looks really good. I will try and have the shot online tonight. I will watch it departure at 6p.
For the insider mumble while the VP soke, its ashame,but hope that spirt changes. Good luck United..
ASSFO
"Some pilots avoid storm cells and some play connect the dots!"
HNLFlyboy From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 321 posts, RR: 2 Reply 22, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 6431 times:
FlyUA, I am moved by your thread starter. I used to fly UA all the time, P2 for years and RCC member. Out of HNL there was little competition at the time. Your report makes me want to join the Friendly Skies again...especially to hear the return of Rhapsody in Blue. I just associate that tune with UA.
I will share this with you, it's my fondest memory of that song and its connection with UA. HNL-SFO, B742, morning departure, 3-class config (I was in F, this flight was the continuation of the SYD-HNL-SFO run). I remember the being in that big sleeper seat and looking out my window during pushback. The tow unhooked and I saw the driver come into view on the tarmac. I heard the engines start to go, and saw the ramp rat, put up his arms with the batons, wave us out and then salute the F/O. All I could hear was, "da da dum, da da da dum....dum" and we were under our own power and off. Proud to be United!
I look forward to my next trip in the Friendly Skies!
FoxBravo From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 2810 posts, RR: 5 Reply 23, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 6309 times:
Something about that CRJ photo looks fake. I don't mean to offend, it could just be the lighting, etc.--it was just the impression that struck me when I looked at it.
In any event, I like the new colors--big improvement.
Roots From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 98 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (9 years 4 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 6264 times:
FoxBravo, there's nothing fake about the photo. Have you seen the 1200x800 version on my album? (URL in my post above). I know the quality is not that good... the background was blurry and lots of haziness (sp?) in the air. I just edited in Photoshop quickly so I could post it and here at work my monitor is pretty crappy. I took several shots and I'll work on them tonight at home.
25 As739x: Its just from the engine. Thats a real pic Fox. They were all her! ASSFO
26 DTW757: Something about that CRJ photo looks fake. I don't mean to offend, it could just be the lighting, etc.--it was just the impression that struck me when
27 Airways6max: United should have used red and orange pinstripes instead of shades of blue to separate the blue bottom of the fuselage from the white top. In additio
28 Flyua: Yes, FoxBravo and DTW757, that's the real thing! Unlike the old livery with the big red, orange, and blue stripes, the new livery's logos on the aircr
29 AAJAXFlyer: I found some from what appears to be the in-flight photo shoot of the B777 while looking at recently updated pbase photo albums: http://www.pbase.com/
30 Flyua: Thank you, AAJAXFlyer! The last four photos on that link are indeed the in-flight photos that are now in our intranet service. Thank you for the heads
31 Sdate747: I have to say, I am really excited for United. I have loved this airline for a long time and I hope the best for them with this new rebranding. The CR
32 N751PR: Here's a couple photos from Yahoo! News: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/040218/480/cojd10802182349 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm
33 Thaigold: United said it won't take planes out of service to paint them but expects 72 planes to be painted with the new look by the end of 2004. How long will
34 UniTED: The 747s will probably be beginnig to be painted in March and April, so just keep your fingers crossed, Thaigold! Chris
35 UA744Flagship: Frank ol' buddy! Great to see you back here! Awesome that you got to be at the gala! I too am quite underwhelmed by the new tagline. We'll see how its
36 FoxBravo: Again, I'm not saying it IS fake, just that it LOOKS fake, for whatever reason. Actually, I think I've put my finger on it: the reason the pictures lo
37 Aviasian: FlyUA : Many thanks for your report, the pride and sentiments have not been lost across the huge ocean between SFO and BKK. I am certain that the new
38 TonyBurr: Excellent report FLYUA, thanks! They have the pics of the 777, Regional, TED and Star Alliance on the 1K website.
39 Flyua: Dear Tony, I'm glad to see you are still a 1K with us, after all our company's been going through. I hope you're being treated well! I always look for
40 UniTED: Aviasain, thank you for the kind words about UA. we all hope they succeed! Chris
41 TonyBurr: Hi Frank The 1K card for 2004 arrived today! 800,000 miles + on UA. My next confrimed trip ( at this time) SFO-SYD is July 28th., seat 3 J. That is my
42 Ramprat74: How long will it take before all planes are re-painted? It will probably take four to five years.
43 LImamura: I cannot wait to see the new advertisement for UA. I am so glad that UA finally got things together enough to realize that "Rhapsody in Blue" is essen
44 Jc5280: The repainting could take 7-8 years...not 4 or 5. I posted the below in another topic but wanted to repeat it here.... United is back, and coming back
45 BoingGoingGone: You won't be back until the red stops bleeding through the white paint. "Back?" Not even close man. Stealing pax? They weren't stolen, they just walke
46 ERJ135: I think the new livery is quite innoffensive and will work well for the next 15-20 years. I would have liked to see the Express rebranded as "UNI" ano
47 Ordgru777: Just back from ORD to see the plane come in. A friend of mine was the purser. I thought it comical they had a mechanical and were delayed after this t
48 MxCtrlr: Sorry, but I think its a bland, unimaginative livery, to go with all the other bland, unimaginative liveries out there today! Jc5280, We have TED plan
50 DTW757: Here is a link to UA concerning the new livery and ad campaign. Looking forward to seeing those new commercials. http://www.united.com/press/detail/0,
51 Airmale: Terrible new scheme it looks a bit like the defunct French carrier Air Inter's 1980's livery, the only good thing is the tail, seems like UA really wa
52 TonyBurr: Thanks for the link to the UA website. I find myself wondering why they do not have a pic of the new livery on the annoucement??? That is puzzling???
53 EA CO AS: When Tague talks about "product that customers deserve", that is quite a statement. There is no "product" so is he saying that we are getting what we
54 DIA: I just came across this story and in-flight 777 picture. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4303741/
55 DB777: Here's two shots of the B777 at LAX yesterday, by Roy Lock: http://www.pbase.com/image/26206782 http://www.pbase.com/image/26206785
56 Motorhussy: Elegant... in an underwhelming kind of way. MH
57 Caetravlr: My favorite shot of the livery is the overhead shot on one of the Yahoo links pasted earlier. The 777 is such an amazing machine, it is the perfect me
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