Most of these carriers are subsidized by their home governments in some way – Emirates, Singapore, Malaysian, Air India, etc. Easy to run a “high service” airline when you don’t have to worry about the bottom line.

And service standards in foreign countries can be higher because they don’t have unions and/or onerous labor laws to deal with. SQ for example – the FA’s get one five-year contract and then they’re out. Find a husband or move into management, the only two choices. And most of the foreign carriers pay a pittance compared to the inflated union contracts in the US.

Look at Japan Airlines, flying in an Asian market with all of these issues stacked against it – now bankrupt.

UA should have granted you a “challenge match”, but I’m quite sure due to the pending merger with CO everything has been disrupted.

Also, I never expected UA to grant me advance status – although they have done this in the past, you should know. I simply provided them with the business opportunity. Thanks for your comment, and I’ll get back to putting in the miles on Virgin.

You’re anger at United is misdirected. All the airlines have similar and worse problems. Flying SFO to DC, you don’t have many choices if your time is worth anything. Expecting a return to the 1950’s is a ludicrous expectation.

You’re begging for in-flight video (on some tiny, unwatchable screen) shows just what an ignorant jerk you are. Get an iPad. Meals? Even when they were plentiful, they were never good. It isn’t a restaurant, or a movie theater. It’s transportation.

I would bet everyone will have in-flight internet access shortly – as you know even UA is offering it on PS flights, as a test. Get all the in-flight entertainment junk off the planes and let people get their own, personal experience.

Expecting UA to give you 1K status based on your plans to fly at 1K level “sometime in the future” is just typical of Republigoon greed. Put in the miles like everyone else, sport.

Having recently flown United and even worse, American, I can attest that domestic business air travel (read: economy) is a torturous and miserable experience. Where do these airline employees take their customer service training, Fry’s?

How did American might permit this situation to degenerate into the cesspool that is domestic US air service today?

I just read your post and can sympathize with your experience! It would be great to chat if you wouldn’t mind. I manage the loyalty program at Virgin America and would be happy to discuss your situation. Please feel free to contact me with any available time.

Best wishes,

Brett