I Hate Hate Hate Hate Us Airway

[bavaria]

Ah, I was waiting for Safetymom to chime in, knowing that she flies US Airways even more than I fly United. I doubt that she would put in that much mileage, as well as be a moderator on the flyertalk US Airways forum if it were that bad on a regular basis.....

Again, different needs for different people; personally I cannot judge a airline/car rental company etc based on one disappointing experience.

To the OP, best of luck using your voucher - just educate yourself as to when/how it can be used, and hopefully you can reduce your frustration as a result.

 

[DebbieB]

Remember that was just the latest example - in general I find US Airways to provide poor service and a lot of attitude. From two broken planes in PHL/Charlotte 2003, Abandonment on late flights into newark (1983), refusal to allow use of any credit anywhere but at the airport(1998),lost bag as detailed (2005), Rerouting direct non-stops from PHL to PIT in three puddles jumps in PA (1994), Cancellation of flight from Logan to Toronto where the staff abandon the gate (1982). You are aware of the Xmas baggage snafu in 2004 as reported on the national news. need anymore? OVER 25 years worth. America West needs to trashout that entire organization and bury the name.

Just trying to let the travelers on this board how horrible they are. Until the last five years they had no competition in PHL. Now they do and I have not flown them since 2003 and that has been my only flight on them in the 21st century.

You are going back over 20 years to list problems? Gee, now that I think about it, I did have a problem in 1979 when I flew them the first time.

I am a silver elite with USAirways and can't think of any major problems I've had in the past year with probably 30 to 40 flights. I had one flight last year from PIT where I was supposed to connect in PHL that was long delayed because of a storm, they promptly rerouted me through CLT and I made it to JAX only 45 minutes late.

I think the major part of your problems is PHL. I think they made a big mistake downsizing the PIT hub and building up PHL. PHL seems to have nothing but problems and I avoid it for connections.

 

[bavaria]

I think the major part of your problems is PHL. I think they made a big mistake downsizing the PIT hub and building up PHL. PHL seems to have nothing but problems and I avoid it for connections.

I discovered the joys of PHL a few weeks ago; it took us almost 120 minutes from landing to departure from the terminal, a sorry state. I did hear on the local radio that PHL was voted worst major airport in the US but did manage to creep up a few slots this year due to improvements.

Try US Airways out of/into CLT - they seem to be inhaling major pixie dust there and the staff are all just a little too genuinely nice!

 

[DebbieB]

If I have to connect, I like CLT on the east coast and PHX on the west coast (the former America West main hub). Both airports are nice and easy to get around.

 

[beccasmom]

I've got to agree with this statement. In fact, USAirways recently asked for volunteers for bumping on our most recent trip and people were not really jumping at the offer - nor did we. The vouchers for USAirways must be used in one year and, in our experience, are exceptionally difficult to book, on a par w/Dividend Miles reservations. USAirways and SWA are the airlines we use most often, so I can't comment on other airlines' policies.

The vouchers USAirways give you work almost like FF miles. There are a certain number of seats alloted to each flight for voucher use, whether the voucher covers the whole cost of the flight or not. I won't take a voluntary bump from USAirways anymore becaue I have tried to use one of their vouchers and its impossible (and this was more than 6 months out).

 

[justplaingoofy]

UGH -

DH was bumped from a flight in April. He was given a transportation voucher that has a value of $200.00. But guess what, they never, never have any seats that can used with the voucher. Oh, that is unless you want to travel the third Sunday, of the next leap year, between 1:01 AM and 1:02 AM -and only if you can turn around and do the hokey pokey, while patting your head and rubbing your stomach!

All we want to do is travel RT Philadelphia to Providence from a Friday evening to a Sunday evening. Just him, not 400 people. It's not like Providence is a travel mecca (sorry Ocean Staters, what I mean is not every seat can possbly be filled.

Anyway, got that off my chest - for now (until the next time I try to use that stupid, useless voucher)

I realize this is not your first choice, however have you considered flying out of Boston? Maybe you'd have other options?

 

[cynic957]

You are going back over 20 years to list problems? Gee, now that I think about it, I did have a problem in 1979 when I flew them the first time.

I am a silver elite with USAirways and can't think of any major problems I've had in the past year with probably 30 to 40 flights. I had one flight last year from PIT where I was supposed to connect in PHL that was long delayed because of a storm, they promptly rerouted me through CLT and I made it to JAX only 45 minutes late.

I think the major part of your problems is PHL. I think they made a big mistake downsizing the PIT hub and building up PHL. PHL seems to have nothing but problems and I avoid it for connections.

uhhhh no ...i didn't have to back 20 years - just one. The women who told me they intentionaly left my daughters bags off a plane and failed to tell her was from Lakefield's office in Richmond. The Newark troubles were not PHL.

Perhaps if you read other experiences instead of beleiving that your experience trumps all........................ the purpose of twenty years experience is to back up my statement the the trouble with this airline runs deep and long and I am not basing my opinions on one bad experience or one good one. Clearily I did not mean to upset one of the "silver elite" - I am in true awe.

 

[abner1776]

Remember the old US Air motto.."If you have time to spare, fly US Air."

 

[DebbieB]

uhhhh no ...i didn't have to back 20 years - just one. The women who told me they intentionaly left my daughters bags off a plane and failed to tell her was from Lakefield's office in Richmond. The Newark troubles were not PHL.

Perhaps if you read other experiences instead of beleiving that your experience trumps all........................ the purpose of twenty years experience is to back up my statement the the trouble with this airline runs deep and long and I am not basing my opinions on one bad experience or one good one. Clearily I did not mean to upset one of the "silver elite" - I am in true awe.

I don't believe my experience trumps all. I'm just saying I fly them regularly and have not had major problems. If I had problems, I would say so, I don't owe anything to them. You said you wanted to let everyone know how horrible they are and listed your experiences. I'm just giving out my experiences. I don't think they are "wonderful", but I don't think they are "horrible". I fly USAir mainly because they have non-stops or easy connections where I need to go, that's the extent of my loyalty. I'm flying Delta tomorrow morning to Atlanta because they fly there non-stop and USAir doesn't. I fly Northwest regularly to MSP, my company's home office.

Why did they leave your daughter's bags off the plane? Was it a mistake or was it because the plane was overweight?

 

[Dizz42]

Gee...can I just jump in here and ask a stupid question? I don't fly unless I have to and what should you ask for if they bump you? I mean what is it called? A "cash voucher"? We will be flying in October but I don't have tickets yet. Well, actually we HAD tickets but I cancelled them. We were flying US Air and I accidently found out they had changed our flight and times. Besides changing from a non-stop to 1-stop, we would also be arriving at MCO 2 hours later in the evening. They never called or sent an email or anything. I was shocked but from the sound of this thread and others I've started reading, that is not unusual. I am now trying to educate and protect myself before purchasing tickets again. Incidentally, after an hour on the phone with US Air, they did finally agree to a full refund minus the insurance and I had to make the decision to cancel right then and there. It was not a good experience. Please help make me a smart traveller. We can fly out of Harrisburg, PA, Philadelphia, PA or Balitmore, MD. Thanks and I'm all ears.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

It's funny you should mention PHL. We fly out of PHL and had always used USAirways (often using FF miles) until 2 occasions in 04 and 06 we were going on cruises and our luggage didn't arrive with us. It's very stressful to get on a ship and sail away with a promise from them that the bags will be delivered to the ship so both times we waited at the airport until the bags arrived. I just didn't trust them. The 1st time they were bickering amongst themselves about how they would accomplish this since almost all of our plane didn't get their stuff either. Anyhoo, my mother joked to the curbside check in guy on the way home about it and he told us "the problem isn't all of USAirways, it's Philly. Don't worry, you'll get these bags." We always wondered why baggage nevers get "lost" on the way home, only when we need it for our trip.

 

[bicker]

after an hour on the phone with US Air, they did finally agree to a full refund minus the insurance and I had to make the decision to cancel right then and there.

Believe it or not, that's really all they're required to do. Before you board the first flight in your itinerary, they always have the option to offer that to you, and leave it at that. My personal advice beyond that: Be a conscientious customer. Check your reservation frequently. Be very courteous when things change an you need to update things. When things aren't acceptable, say that, just that way, "I'm sorry but that's not acceptable." Keep in mind, though, that this may be a fast way to get them to offer you a refund of the unused portion of your ticket, and then you'll have to fend for yourself from there.

 

[Brian Noble]

I won't take a voluntary bump from any airline. They almost all operate in the same manner.

Most airlines have two different kinds of vouchers: "free round trips", and "dollar credits". The former are effectively frequent flyer tickets, and on most airlines not useful at all. The latter are usually applicable to just about any fare, with the possible exception of a few deep-discounted promo fares.

It sounds like USAir may be the exception. I know NW allows me to use my "dollar credit" vouchers for just about anything---and, they allow me to "keep the change" (in the form of a residual voucher) if the ticket I buy is less expensive than the voucher.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I've seen far more "I hate Delta" threads in recent years than "I hate US Airways" threads, even adjusted for the relative sizes of the airlines.)

I'm guessing this is due to Song's merge into Delta, which has caused many flight changes over the past few months.

Again, different needs for different people; personally I cannot judge a airline/car rental company etc based on one disappointing experience.

This would be excellent advice for anyone to follow.

 

[cynic957]

I don't believe my experience trumps all. I'm just saying I fly them regularly and have not had major problems. If I had problems, I would say so, I don't owe anything to them. You said you wanted to let everyone know how horrible they are and listed your experiences. I'm just giving out my experiences. I don't think they are "wonderful", but I don't think they are "horrible". I fly USAir mainly because they have non-stops or easy connections where I need to go, that's the extent of my loyalty. I'm flying Delta tomorrow morning to Atlanta because they fly there non-stop and USAir doesn't. I fly Northwest regularly to MSP, my company's home office.

Why did they leave your daughter's bags off the plane? Was it a mistake or was it because the plane was overweight?

to answer your question they told me they left the bags off due to weight considerations. They could not explain why she was not told that at the orther end - just that her bags were missing. So either the baggage bpeople were right - in which case the CEO's office are boldfaced liars or the CEO office is right which means that the airline operations people don't care to be honest, and are rude and obnoxious - take your pick. I don't have any problems it's USAirway's with the problems.

Maybe America West can fix 'em but I won't hold my breath... Worst airline in the country bar none.

Nuff Said

 

[bicker]

Yes, I agree. Concluding that "someone had to be lying" -- "boldfaced lying" at that -- is just mean-spirited, and without merit. Information about displaced baggage is generally not updated until there is staff available to update the records. Airline travel has become low-cost mass-transit. We don't pay nearly enough for the kind of service some passengers clearly want to expect.

 

[safetymom]

I am a very frequent flyer and I also keep informed so I can deal with any surprises that may arise on my trip. Trust me I have had many adventures with the airlines but nothing that would stop me from flying a certain airline.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I think this thread is done...

 

[seashoreCM]

If you are a volunteer fanatic (like to score bumps) like I do, then you should learn about the rules that go with each kind of compensation (round trip voucher, dollars off voucher, etc.) in advance (can be just before the flight in question if time permits). Then you choose when you want to volunteer and/or counteroffer for a different kind of voucher before actually volunteering. I also make my volunteering subject to receiving the higher compensation that others are offered if the airline needs to up the ante.