"Instead, there was an investor-relations-type press release that felt cold and indirect."

But I thought Smisek was gone.

You're describing APC

Just because you don't like the news source doesn't mean it's wrong. IMHO this was botched. Could have been presented in a much different and better way.

Honestly I think this concept will be successful. People love to complain publicly. But once this program gets traction it will be just fine and probably popular. Most of the time with BG5 there isn't overhead bin space left.

Rhapsodic Or Blue About United's Low Fares

"Consider how different United’s move is from its Atlanta-based competition at Delta Air Lines. Across the board, Delta’s customers are paying a 10 percent premium according to CEO, Ed Bastian who says pursuing the low cost carrier model isn’t such a good idea.

“The number one thing we’ve done that changed Delta the most, is deciding we are not going to compete as a commodity,” he told reporters this spring. “We’ll be a premium provider with a higher quality and better product and we’ll get paid for it.”"

The airline is aiming to close the gap to Delta by getting our turn times down (hence the no bag, quick board concept). We also will be able to sell the seat at a reduced price getting at least some revenue out of it as opposed to no revenue at all and the seat go empty. Seems to be a win-win to me.

Isn't a big chunk of that gap related to landing fees Delta pays in Atlanta?

Especially for the non-revs who already are having a hard time getting on our overstuffed aircraft.

Disagree completely with this change and find it only cheapens our product. Guess that's what happens when you put someone from LCC in as our CFO.

It was actually explained quite well by Scott Kirby on the investor day presentation as an effective way from keeping the ULCCs from stealing traffic as opposed to the failed Ted/CALite efforts. It will also save the overhead space for our better customers who will board in the first four boarding groups.

Watch what they do not what they say.

They need to dump the whole facebook, twitter, etc... They get railroaded by the worst passengers with avoidable outcomes. Their answer is always a canned "Sorry you didn't fly the friendly skies" type response that does nothing but infuriate the average consumer. On facebook, United booked a 45 min turn in ORD for a party of 20 that was on a three leg itinerary to a vacation. They missed their 2nd leg and got split up. Complete disaster ensued and we gave them a "I am sorry to hear that! Please stay in line to talk to a CSR."

Letting these poor people vent without a response would be better than a half-hearted sorry.