Okay... so this is probably a waste of time. But, you know how you don't see how things change on a day to day basis. But, take a step back and you recognize quite a lot. But, remember when...

- there were plateau bonuses of 10K at each level beyond 35,000 status miles.
- there for one year was a Star Alliance upgrade (could be used on any *A carrier).
- there were Godiva chocolates.
- they gave out FastTrack immigration passes for flights terminating in LHR.
- there were unlimited free upgrades on Shuttle flights if you were a 1K.
- an SWU could be used on just about anything.
- in first class international they actually carved roasts for you.
- there were printed timetables (I loved these things).
- UA flew to many European cities (GLA, GVA, ATH, MAD, ZRH, FCO, etc.)

Okay... I realize that things weren't all declines.

- SWUs didn't exist until 3 years ago.

...sigh.

 

Wow! Forgot about the carved roasts....along with the ice cream sundae carts...

But, the seats were worse back then. No footrests, PTV, etc.

 

Yes, sometimes that chateaubriand, other times they also had a pork loin. One time I was the only person in F, and even after I had my fill of the chateaubriand, I think that in addition to what was left over of "mine", the FA said that there was still another one, that of they were going to gorge on.

 

You guys are breaking me up. Sniff, sniff.

I miss most of the above and the free award tickets that also included free hotel nights and free car rental.

It's not your father's United Airlines anymore, that's for sure.

 

Here's another one for you....

Lifetime RCC memberships for ~$2,000

Off to get a tissue..

 

Agreed. And the two international FC award tickets cost a total of 120,000 miles.

 

My father got his lifetime RCC membership 30 years ago for $300. Costs more than that for one year now.

He also told me about flying 747's to Hawaii when the 747 first appeared and upgrading the whole family from coach to first for $15 each making the ticket cost $115.

 

But what was $300 worth in 1972? A whole lot more than what it's worth now, no?

------------------
When once you have experienced being a 1K, you will forever fly the friendly skies with your eyes set on 100% mileage bonus and SWUs, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return, every year!

 

As mentioned, not everything was better in days of yore:

• Trans-cons (from Boston, at least) were DC10s, which featured zero overhead storage space above the center section of seats in first class.
• Feeder flights in Asia (between NRT/HKG/TPE and BKK/SIN) were also DC10s, featuring no first class.
• International flights to IAD featured arrivals at the main terminal, allowing connecting passengers to then creep at babycrawl speed in the ScissorsMobile back to the UA terminal, often watching helplessly as their connecting flight was pushing back.

 

And what will we say in 10 years (assuming UA surives)?

1) Remember when an F award to Europe was only 100,000 miles instead of 120,000 for C?

2) Remember Arrivals by United?

3) Remember when United had F class?

4) Remember when there were RCC's in so many non-hub airports?

5) Remember when DEN was a hub?

6) Remember when you could earn status with cheap tickets?

7) Remember CTO's?

 

It got me a round trip from Boston to Houston in 1972. It'll get me a round trip
from Boston to Houston in 2003.

 

Here's one:

Remember when you could actually see a loved one off at the GATE?? Or how you could anticipate landing and giving your SO or kids a gift and kiss at the gate as you entered?

Or, how about when you could confidently board 1st class or as a premier without fear that you have to step aside, open your luggage for pilfridge, and possibly have to board later with no luggage space?

Or how about when you could actually relax at the gate, not worrying or planning about how you could avoid being selected for secondary privacy invasion??

I miss those days, *Sigh*

 

Ah yes. But if you want to change your flight in 2003, or go standy, you have to spend another $100...

 

Whereas in 1972 there was a resale market for tickets that were going to go unused

 

Also cashews, champagne, hot towels, real silverware, "Fly the Friendly Skies", "Mainliner" and "Vis-a-Vis" magazines, and a "stewardess" rather than a "flight attendant".