From: davelett@athena.mit.edu (Richard Sun)
Subject: USAir versus Delta Shuttle
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 02:51:52 GMT

As a student that travels frequently between Boston (BOS) and New York (LGA),
I frequently take the Delta Shuttle between school and home, about once a
month.  I have frequent flyer accounts with both Delta and USAir.  (I even have
a USAir VISA.)  Since USAir was offering 7000 miles for a single flight this
week, I decided to give them a try.  I found USAir quite disappointing in
several areas.

First of all, I called to check on their multiple-pack fares for students.
They told me that the 5-pack was available for $279.  So the very next morning,
I go to Logan and walk up to the desk and ask for a 5-pack.  "We don't offer
them anymore," I was told by the agent at the counter.  "But we still have
single tickets for students available at $66."  I considered that I had to
meet my parents by 9:15 or so, and that the 8:30 Delta Shuttle would arrive too
late.  So I was essentially forced into buying a USAir Shuttle ticket at a
higher price than was quoted.  (Boy is CEO Seth going to hear from me!)

By the way, for all you student travelers, Delta still offers youth packs
(12-24 years of age) at 4/$219 and 8/$399, as well as singles.  USAir requires
you to be under 22, and sells only singles.  If you ask me, they're killing
the student market and giving them all to Delta, which is stupid since many
of these students will be frequent fliers when they get into the real world.

I get on the plane.  Nice 727.  Clean, a bit nicer than Delta Shuttle's 727's.
The flight crew was professional, to be expected if you're going to woo
business fliers.  However, the flight attendents are a bit too busy reading and
chatting to be worried about passengers.  Big minus, considering that these
flights are short and people want their money's worth in service.  But at least
they're well-tempered.  Food: they give you the whole can of soda (oohhh!),
but the snack is a half-centimeter slice of banana-bread.  (They toss it to you
like a frisbee sometimes.)  I'm thinking at least I'm getting 7000 FF miles out
of this...

The terminals of both shuttles are very nice, although I forget to check the
USAir Shuttle business center.  Must be somewhat the same...what could be
different?   

Now, my trip back up:

Delta Shuttle, always a good selection of mags & papers, but no Times today
at 11:30 AM.  Hmm...  Oh well, at least they have the Journal & Wash Post.
Very courteous security at baggage check, btw.  Unusual with Delta.

On the plane, the flight crew is very professional, of course.  The big
difference:  flight attendents actually know that they're on the job!
After serving us soda and coffee and tea and chicken fingers (a bit dry today)
they actually come back and ask if we want more coffee, etc.  FA's seem
much friendlier on Delta.  But the only thing that gives Delta a minus at this
point is their FF program.  However, while reading the Delta mag, I see the
announcement about the new FF award levels.  Much better...30000 mi./free US,
40000/free Europe/Asia!  And Medallion is only 30000 base miles now!

I also check out claims about legroom that USAir has made.  I can conclude that
the difference, if any, is miniscule.

Who wins?  Delta, of course.  Better service, lower price (and Schofield
actually had the nerve to say "We'd like to see some price competition here."
when USAir acquired the shuttle!), FF program that is almost as good, plus they
go to more places!

To all you students out there, show USAir what we think of their pricing--
fly Delta Shuttle, even if you buy singles.  USAir was also the first one
to institute increased fares earlier this year too.  USAir sucks.

By the way, my opinion is based only on that one flight with USAir, but I've
flown about 40 trips on Delta and never had problems with service.
Newsgroups: rec.travel.air