Transcript
A (0:02)
I'm Brett Snyder, author of Cranky Flyer.
B (0:04)
And I'm Brian Sommers. I write the Airline Observer. You're listening to the Air show, the podcast where we talk about what goes on in the business of the sky. John is somewhere right now, Brett. Do you have any idea where he is?
A (0:17)
I do not know where he is, actually.
B (0:20)
I think it's safe to say he went somewhere on an airplane. So today, Brett, how about you and I talk about changes United made to its Mileage plus program last week and why they are indicative of broader trends in airline loyalty.
A (0:35)
You know how I love talking about loyalty.
B (0:37)
I know. Let's talk about something else first, Brett, though, you had another successful Cranky Network Awards last week in Phoenix. I think it was number six. Yes, I think it was the best yet, assuming that we don't count the fact that John and I both had to evacuate the hotel at midnight with our stuff going up the stairs and then back down the stairs and head for other hotels. But seriously, you have quickly created the best conference in the industry. And I hate to say this, you are funny, too.
A (1:10)
Go on.
B (1:11)
All right, so in addition to the networking that we did in Phoenix, some
C (1:15)
business was discussed before we get to
B (1:18)
United and loyalty, did you notice any trends or did you pick up on
C (1:22)
any insightful information that you can share with our listeners?
A (1:26)
Yeah, I think it's safe to say that the main trend I noticed was that people do not like being awakened by a burst water pipe and fire alarms in the middle of the night. I do include myself in that group. However, I would like to point out that nobody had to evacuate, sir. And I just was at the after party late enough that I came back, climbed up some stairs, heaving, just really feeling it, and then collapsed for a couple short hours of sleep before the forecast breakfast. But, yeah, that was definitely the one blemish on great event this year. It all went great. We had, I think, record turnout, which was awesome. And look, the reality, though, is, and we got emails from people afterwards like, well, it makes for a good story to tell. So there we are.
