Highliner2 From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 692 posts, RR: 1 Posted (11 years 1 week 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 1084 times:
Okay, so everyone seems to be saying that the United Shuttle brand is dead and gone for good, but will UA really do better with 'mainline' flights in the west? And what of the talk of going to a one-class config.? Isn't that what Shuttle was? Any thoughts out there?
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 1, posted (11 years 1 week 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 1027 times:
I think you will see United build up there western hubs after they finish building up ORD.
United Shuttle was basically United Airlines, except with lower fares and high frequency. The 737s used for United Shuttle are almost the same as the ones used by regular United. The seat configurations were very close. There were First and Economy classes, although the number of seats was slightly different.
The key difference were the galleys which were smaller I believe.
I don't think we will see United Shuttle coming back. United will fill the void that Shuttle left over the next couple years.
I don't think UA will be going one-class. I could possibly see the removal of First Class on long-haul aircraft, but nothing to domestic aircraft.
I think you will see an LAX buildup again, and increased Asia service from SFO. You will also see increased domestic service from there DEN hub, and in the near future you will see more routes along the East coast from DEN.
Before 9/11, UA's goal was to turn Denver into a East-West connecting hub. It already is an East-West hub, but it is missing out when it comes to service from the East coast. You'll see new cities served by UA such as PIT, CLT, and other cities not served by UA from DEN.
United's western presence will grow. Just wait a few years.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
ILUV767 From United States of America, joined May 2000, 3141 posts, RR: 8 Reply 2, posted (11 years 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 987 times:
United Shuttle, when it came out as Shuttle by United was a low fare compeditor to Southwest. It turned into a feeder for the hubs and was re-branded United Shuttle.
Operatationally, United Shuttle was a disaster. Many people have vowed never to fly United again because of United Shuttle. Its gone now, and United's ontime performance has never been better. Look at SFO, flights to LAX leave ontime and arrive early! This never happened during the fun filled days of shuttle.
The Shuttle planes feature beverage only galleys with no carts. The funny thing is that as United starts to standardize the service, meal service in boxes is begining on those planes. What fun it must be for the flight attendants.
While United mainline flights have taken over several of the Shuttle routes, United Express has gorwn as well. In the future, I think that we will see an increase growth in United Express on the CRJ flying to places like MFR, RNO, EUG, BUR, ONT and so on. This would free up planes to really focus on the trunk routes along the western corridor into SAN, LAX, SFO, PDX and SEA. If you pay attention, that is already happening.
As the Shuttle planes get distributed around the system, United is placing nicer planes along the west coast that feature Economy Plus. You see these (A319s, A320s and 757s) on on flights to all of the city pairs that I listed as trunk routes. Those are the bread and butter routes out west, with some exceptions due to monopolies (MFR, BUR...).
So, operationally United is doing better with a mix of mainline and Express. Passengers seem to be happy with the changes, although with the elimination of some old 737 routes FF flyers are upset.
By dumping Shuttle, United is now opearting what makes sence where it makes sence so that they can maximize their revenues on the west coast. That is why LAX-PHX has gone to the CRJ.
Kwbl From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 438 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (11 years 1 week 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 928 times:
I agree with ILUV767 though I hope if the CRJs come north they do not totally replace mainline service to EUG and MFR but rather supplement those current routes. I would like to see more point to point service on United Express (EUG to RNO or LAX etc...). United should be able to maintain it's strong presence out here.
Flashmeister From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 2863 posts, RR: 7 Reply 4, posted (11 years 1 week 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 884 times:
EUG-LAX is really needed. I grew up in EUG, and every time we had to go to Southern California, we'd have some not-so-terrific connections in SFO. That needs to improve.
EUG-DEN also needs to go back to at least 1x/day mainline... CRJs and 146s are OK, but I remember when EUG-DEN was filling 3x727 per day!! What are the loads like EUG-DEN?
Kwbl From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 438 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (11 years 1 week 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 879 times:
Horizon is flying EUG-LAX 2x daily with the CRJ-700. I do remember UA flying to DEN multiple times daily and now it's down to 2 CRJs. I am not sure what the loads are like but the only competition US has in Eug for east-west routes is America West Express through PHX.
Ual777contrail From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (11 years 1 week 4 days ago) and read 833 times:
i asked this queston today to a few guys and this is what i got,
i asked if UNITED SHUTTLE was every going to come back?as i looked across the gate area at a shuttle painted 737. the one that has the white top and blue belly.
i was told they wont be doing shuttle again due to the pilot contract. shuttle was a program that was used to fill planes at cheap prices,the pilots got paid a little less than there counterparts on mainline service.so since the contract has already come out and they coulnt settle the shuttle contract they scrapped it.
if you feel that i am wrong let me know,this is the info i was given. i have heard this once before by a pilto but she didnt know all the details.
Airworthy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (11 years 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 735 times:
SJC>SFO,
I work for a certain United regional affiliate. After discussing with management, it is very uncertain that the CR7 will be involved in any future fleet plan.
That's why I said mainline might start operating large RJs/small jets.
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