UA (ord) convert from ATA (mco)

[mkymouse4ever]

Well we hadn't flown UA in years and where very happy with the ATA planes and people we had gotten to know @ midway, chicago. BUT, we jumped in with both feet and did book united "TED". When ATA's trouble started last year, and glad we did as they would not of been flying during our trip.

UA 's plane's for TED where older models but small. seating 3 & 3. But only about 30 rows total. Boarding went very quickly! They offer on board free Tv shows, cockpit radio, & music channels. Service includes: beverages, then they offer lunches for $5.00, and returned through cabin offering lemonade, and again with bottled water. Leg room: going down we upgraded for $25.00 to "plus" seats leg room was enormous, in the regular seats it was almost equivilant to the exit row in ATA. I was thrilled.

ORD: UA has there own terminal, they almost completely use electronic check in. But they are available to "help". Then the united rep, takes your luggage for you and weights it, puts it on the belt traveling to TSA, you do not have to take it! You just go around and get in line for check in through TSA yourself. There terminal has serveral nice resturants, we ate at chili's. Many stores, and snack bars.

MCO: They have a smaller counter here and the line was huge. Everyone in line. I spotted next to the line a handful of electronic check in's. grabbed my sister and said come here. We are already trained! In minutes we where done! Love MCO !

Luggage: ATA in mco was always good but at mdw it was terrible. UA was good both ways. I liked that UA had the same type of turnstyle for the luggage as mco does. The luggage comes out lying flat, and goes around slowly. You can see you bag coming, and get ready for it. At midway, they kinda fly out and slam into the end and go around quickly. United got everyones luggage fairly quickly both times. BUT ATA is located to national rental car closer, we had to walk alot with our luggage from united.

So, I know I miss seeing ATA over our house constantly, And hope everyone is ok who worked there. But looks like we might be flying TED for a while now, and hopefully they won't have anymore problems.

Any questions? MKY

 

[Figment2]

Thanks, MKY! What were the fares like?

Cyn

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We paid $190.00 rt each. booked in fall for march 1. I based it on flight times I needed for work not prices thou. I could of gotten a little cheaper but we had to leave at certain times.

I'm pricing now for aug / sept and getting anywhere from 190. to 170.00 but not sure my dates exactly yet. Still waiting.

Would like to see united sign the magical express contract too. Not sure if we want to do it or rent a car, again as usual, but would be a nice option both ways.

MKY

 

[atigeg]

once you get your dates, you should check Southwest

install the "DING!" program

for August, I've snared $104 rt pp (MDW to MCO) via the DING program

We prefer to fly from Midway, and at that rate, who cares about assigned seats.

Tony

 

[mkymouse4ever]

what is DING?

I have never flown southwest, mostly cause I book my air so far in advance, southwest usually is not out. But the TV show does not really show it in a good light. (people & service wise). But maybe that makes better TV?

MKY

 

[inkkognito]

Ding is a program you download that alerts you to special Southwest fares. We've gotten MCO-MDW as low as $109 roundtrip via Ding.
Don't give too much credibility to the television show; I've seen them filming it at Midway, and a lot of it is "enhanced" (i.e. real situations, but everyone seems to be encouraged to ham it up for the cameras).
Barb