The following is Continental Airlines’ Summer 1994 International network, taken from Official Airline Guide – Apr 1994 edition.  Note service between US and Mexico, US and Caribbean are not included in this list.  Continental Micronesia service will be noted on separate post.

The unit of the frequency is weekly.  Long-haul routes at the time mainly operates with Boeing 747 and DC10.

747 Boeing 747 (C44Y348)
D10 DC10-30 (C44Y185)

There is this new ad on TV these days. Guy at the restaurant asks for the chef.

“Anything wrong sir?” asks a concerned employee at the restaurant. Customer makes his way into the kitchen and meets a Chinese guy wearing the chef cap/hat, asks him if he’s the chef who prepared his dish. Serious-faced, chef replies yes.

Customer reaches out suddenly and kisses the chef on the cheek. And then says: this is the best Chinese I have tasted. Then the tagline of the restaurant: Mainland China.

I related this at work to Mahesh.

So how did he taste? Mahesh asked. I have never tasted a Chinese guy before. He really got on a roll there. He described college days when he was hitting on a chick!

What food do you like?

North Indian, comes the reply.

Thank God! We South Indian guys are safe!

How about Continental? I ask

Very hairy and doesn’t taste good!

Now I am well informed!

You may need to replace or change your car tyres because of their age, deterioration or to improve the vehicle’s performance. This article outlines some of the key factors that need to be considered before choosing the right car tyres for your vehicle.

1) Car Tyre Size

A good policy is to choose the same size car tyres as the ones that the car was manufactured with. If you are unsure of the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended car tyre size, check the owner’s manual or look for the information on the tyre placard (usually located inside the fuel flap, on the car door or in the glove box).

Changing car tyre size can improve a vehicle’s handling and performance but be aware of the Government regulations before doing this. A car tyre specialist can provide advice on this matter.

2) Driving Habits

Certain car tyre brands are quieter than others, which is an important factor if you spend much of your time driving up and down motorways.

Driving on county lanes where the road surface can be muddy or slippery will require car tyres that can provide extra grip. This is usually determined by the tyre manufacturer’s choice of tread pattern.

Or you may be a city driver who constantly has to brake and accelerate. Some car tyres are better suited to this style of driving than others because of the type of rubber compound used in their production.

3) Price

The saying “you get what you pay for” is true with a car tyre. But if you use your car infrequently don’t buy the top of the range car tyres as economy tyres will be more than suitable for your needs.

If you use your car every day, spending extra on better quality tyres may prove more economical as they shouldn’t wear out as fast as a budget tyre.

4) Car Tyre Type

Car tyres don’t only differ by brand and price; there are different types of car tyres produced for a variety of purposes. Five common types are:

a) Standard/ All Season Tyre
An average tyre that is suitable for all year round use. It works equally well in the wet and the dry.

b) Performance Tyre
Designed to provide excellent grip in the dry. Often used on fast cars or for drivers whose style requires improved handling performance.

c) Winter Tyre
Winter car tyres are designed to cope with poor weather and difficult driving conditions. The tread block pattern on winter car tyres is larger and more pronounced than on standard tyres.

d) All Terrain Tyre
All terrain tyres provide good grip on loose surfaces such as dirt and sand. Often used by off road vehicles, they can be used on standard roads but are very noisy.

e) Run Flat Tyres
Run flat tyres are a relatively new concept but are becoming more common on new cars. They are designed to operate without air to enable the vehicle to continue being driven when it has a puncture.

5) Weather Conditions

The UK weather conditions can be very changeable. Summer can have temperatures in the high 20’s. And then winter brings freezing temperatures, icy conditions and wet weather.

Cold weather car tyres are becoming a popular choice as they are designed to cope with the cold and wet weather of winter but with no significant downside if used during the summer months.

Standard or performance car tyres are suitable in countries with a warm and dry climate all year round.

For further help consult a car tyre specialist who can provide you with impartial advice on which are the best tyres for your vehicle, budget and driving circumstances.

Merityre.co.uk are a leading UK independent supplier of car tyres. Visit their website for free vouchers, including 10% off your next MOT, free wheel alignment check and free locking wheel nuts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_S_Todman

Continua il posizionamento di United Airlines su Roma Fiumicino.

Sul sito Airline Route compare infatti la notizia del volo di nuova apertura tra la capitale Italiana e Chicago, hub della compagnia americana.

Gli orari sono come seguono :

UA904 ORD1825 – 1040+1FCO 763 D
UA905 FCO1230 – 1605ORD 763 D

Il volo sarà operato con Boeing 767 a partire dal prossimo 1^ maggio.

L’introduzione di questo secondo collegamento da parte di United  sull’Italia - seppure STAGIONALE - rappresenta l’ennesimo segnale di rafforzamento di tutta l’alleanza (Star Alliance) nella nostra penisola.

Resta da capire se vi sarà una razionalizzazione dei collegamenti con gli altri tre vettori americani (Air Canada, US Airways e Continental) che operano da Roma Fiumicino.

Di seguito parte del comunicato stampa della United, dal sito ufficiale:

CHICAGO, Nov. 24, 2009 – United Airlines is offering travelers new opportunities to experience the beauty of Rome when the airline begins daily seasonal service between Chicago and the Italian capital on May 1, 2010.

The once-daily flight will operate through the peak summer travel season, ending on Aug. 31, 2010.

[...]

United will continue to offer once-daily nonstop service between Rome and Washington Dulles, the airline’s principal gateway to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“Our new service to Rome from Chicago O’Hare adds even more convenience for customers looking to travel to Italy during the summer months,” says Greg Kaldahl, vice president of resource planning.  “Along with our Washington service, customers will have additional options to consider when making their summer travel plans.”

I giue thankes to God, vvhom I serue from my progenitours in a pure conscience, that vvithout intermission I haue a memorie of thee in my praiers, night and day desiring to see thee, mindeful of thy teares, that I may be filled vvith joy, calling to minde that faith vvhich is in thee not feined, vvhich also dvvelt first in thy grandmother Loïs, and thy mother Eunîce, and I am sure that in thee also.  For the vvhich cause I admonish thee that thou resuscitate the grace of God, vvhich is in thee by the imposition of my handes.  For God hath not giuen vs the spirit of feare:  but of povver, and loue, and sobrietie.  Be not therefore ashamed of the testimonie of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner:  but trauail  vvith the Gospel according to the povver of God, vvho hath deliuered and called vs by his holy calling, not according to our vvorkes, but according to his purpose and grace, vvhich vvas giuen to vs in Christ IESVS before the secular times.  But it is manifested novv by the illumination of our Sauiour IESVS Christ, vvho hath destroied death, & illuminated life and incorruption by the Gospel:  vvherein I am appointed a preacher and Apostle and Maister of the Gentiles.  For the vvhich cause also I suffer these things:  but I am not cófounded.  For I know whom I haue beleeued, & I am sure that he is able to keepe my depositum vnto that day.

The Nevv Testament of Iesvs Christ, translated faithfvlly into English out of the authentical Latin, according to the best corrected copies of the same, diligently conferred vvith the Greeke and other editions in diuers languages, 1582.  From Bibliothèque nationale de France.  Original images here and here.

Programme du jour : Ecole, Bentley, et bonne humeur.

Maman s’occupe de moi ce matin. Nous arrivons à l’école assez de bonne heure pour prendre notre petit déjeuner avec Trinity, ma copine. Ses parents ont fait un mot à la Maitresse.

Maman nous dépose ensuite en classe, et je passe une bonne journée.

A l’issue de mon cours de luxembourgeois, Papa croise la maitresse Marie-Jeanne, qui lui confirme que j’ai des facilités dans l’apprentissage des langues (comme Maman). Je parle déjà le français et l’anglais couramment (pour mes 4 ans !), et à l’école j’ai des cours d’allemand et de luxembourgeois.

Il est 17h, et Papa est venu me chercher avec sa belle voiture. C’est la première fois que je fais un tour avec. Arrivé à la maison, je lui demande de me montrer tous les accessoires de cette voiture (la vidéo, le frigo, les sièges qui bougent, le coffre qui s’ouvre et se ferme tout seul…) et les fonctions de chaque bouton.

Je suis adorable ce soir. Je dîne sans aucun problème, goute même à de la cancoillotte accompagnée de quelques noix.

Comme il est assez, tôt (et que je suis sympa !), j’ai le temps de dessiner un peu tout en écoutant des comptines luxembourgeoises. Il est 19h30 quand je m’endors. Rédacteur : Patrick-Robin, mon Papa.

Toutes mes dernières photos : Cliquez ici et vidéos : Cliquez ici.

Continental from 15JUN10 is to operate Boeing 767-400ER instead of -200ER on the Newark – Munich route.

Continental from 27MAR10 will launch Newark – Munich Daily service with Boeing 767-200ER (Amadeus timetable displays 767-400ER). This is another new route that connects to another Star hub.

CO106 EWR1740 – 0750+1MUC 762 D
CO107 MUC0920 – 1235EWR 762 D

Of all things to have at the airport…

Goodness gracious – United retains confirmed regional upgrades for 1Ks (excellent news), and enters into a crazy reciprocal upgrade/elite seating/Economy Plus agreement with Continental (mixed news – but can you spell “mmmmmmmerger?”)

BTW: Here’s the thread from the FlyerTalk Continental OnePass forum, with a post from CO Insider, Continental’s active and helpful Flyertalk presence, with a clear explanation of the changes. (Riddle me this – where was United’s taciturn online presence, UnitedPR, with any news of the Continental announcement? He/she/it made the regional upgrade announcement – which, would be universally heralded as a positive change, but shied away from the more controversial Continental alignment – intriguing).

But – no analysis, comments, drivel from me – yet. I, and the great team over at BoardingArea.com, are readying to make the switchover to hosting this blog among the much better, more astute, and more popular collection of business travel blogs already hosted on their site. For some reason, they’ve asked me to join the mix (a mistake, I’m guessing, that they will soon discover). The full content of the blog will soon be transferred to the BoardingArea host site, and the domain, waapblog.com, soon redirected. All changes should happen sometime today, but I will refrain from posting until the switchover is fully complete, to avoid a discrepancy in content between the two sites. Everything should be gravy within a few hours.

Many thanks to Randy Petersen, Mikel, Tim, and the whole squad at BoardingArea for making it happen. I really appreciate the opportunity.

Air Canada also placed its “AC” code on Continental’s Houston – Edmonton service.  Codeshare flight numbers as follows:

In England as your Lordship may well remember, the King was not only made a close prisoner, his Crowne, his life, and the succession of his posterity declared against, but also all those parties that stood for him there, or had declared in his behalfe, and taken armes for his rescue, were wholy dispersed, and subdued:  yea and all other men, whose parts, honesty, or publique interest made them worthy of a suspition, either imprisoned, banisht, or utterly disarmed.

A Letter from S^r. Levvis Dyve to the Lord Marquis of New-Castle, 1650.  From the Hathi Trust Digital Library.  Original image here.

Dear Aircomplane.com Readers:

Just when we thought we’d heard it all, Jeff Fowler of Decision Software found a new way for airlines to make our lives unnecessarily complicated — and potentially expensive. We may have an award-winner here. Thanks, Jeff. Your Spite Attendant Crew will e-mail you shortly with some suggestions.

Dear Aircomplane.com:

My company booked a flight for a sales consultant to meet with us and discuss a large opportunity. Because (a) the meeting seemed fairly solid, (b) it was not billable, and (c) full fare tickets were $600 (vs. $138), we decided to purchase nonrefundable tickets from Continental. Sadly, the consultant cancelled (OK, I’m a sucker) and our fun began.

I was shocked to learn that even though my company purchased this ticket, the consultant can apply the fare towards another trip anytime within a year without our consent. Worse, unless we specifically remember to call to tell them otherwise, if the traveler books a trip that’s more expensive, Continental will let him keep it on the same credit card (ours)! I spoke to the representative myself, basically telling her to cancel the reservation and keep the money, but there’s nothing she could do about it. Picture a situation where you’re bringing someone in for an interview, or perhaps you book a flight for an employee who quits, then they turn around and use the fare towards a ski vacation. Ha ha, joke’s on you!

I contacted the FAA who redirected me to the DOT, who basically gave me lip service, saying Continental is within their contractual rights and next time we should book full fare, etc. etc. ad nauseam.

Quite a little racket, eh?

Jeff Fowler
President
Decision Software, Inc.

P.S. I’ve been amused with the responses advising me how to avoid this situation. These include (a) force the traveler to make their own reservations and apply for reiumbursement, (b) book full fare at over 4 times the price, (c) use Delta instead of Continental, (d) have the traveler sign a contract agreeing not to reuse the tickets, and (e) use teleconferencing rather than flying. All of these are simply ways to cure or avoid the effect of the problem rather than the cause, and none will work in every circumstance. Continental (and other airlines) should simply allow the party that purchases the ticket indicate that it cannot be reused upon cancellation. That corrects the root of the problem, then we no longer have to deal with the effect.

This venue has recently been added on Expopedia, the tradefair service finder. Visit our website for more information.

Continental Center
No. 1066, Xingang Dong Road, Pazhou
510335 Guangzhou (China)
More information about Continental Center …

An overview of the available activities for Continental Center …

• Standdesign / Designstudio
• Catering / Food & beverages
• Stand construction: custom build
• Events / exhibition organisation
• Displays (design/fabrication)

Continental’s “CO” code is now appearing on bmi’s 3 weekly London Heathrow – Almaty service

Air Canada and Continental launched codeshare service last week.  Phase 1 of codeshare routes as follows:

Air Canada operated by Continental (AC2200 – 2299)
Houston – San Juan
Newark – Aguadilla
Newark – Orange County
Newark – St. Thomas
Newark – San Antonio
Newark – San Juan
Newark – West Palm Beach

Continental operated by Air Canada (CO3500 – 3599)
Calgary – Los Angeles
Montreal – Ft. Lauderdale
Montreal – Las Vegas
Montreal – Los Angeles
Montreal – Miami
Montreal – Orlando
Toronto – Ft. Lauderdale
Toronto – Miami
Toronto – Orlando
Toronto – West Palm Beach
Vancouver – Los Angeles
Vancouver – Newark

As per GDS timetable display on 16NOV09, Continental is to assign Boeing 767-400ER aircraft on the Houston – Rio de Janeiro nonstop route from 28MAR10.

The race leaders and pace car at mile 1.

About a month ago, I went to Chicago to go see my sister run the Chicago Marathon (yeah, she’s pretty amazing). I had only been to Chicago once before in high school, and I was really excited to return again and experience more of the city.

Chicago is a great city to visit, and transportation to and from the airport is very convinient. When you fly into O’Hare, you can jump on the blue line El (subway/train) for $2.25 and go downtown. This is ten times easier and cheaper than having to take a cab and great when you’re traveling on a budget.

My first night I stayed with one of my good friends from Mizzou in Lincoln Park. While I love being the ultimate tourist when I travel, I also find it incredibly refreshing to see the city from the perspective of the people who live there. Lincoln Park was definitely one of my new favorite areas of the city. It’s a little north of downtown, and I would describe it as a Midwestern West Village. Storefronts are full of local and well-known boutiques like Francesca’s and Lululemon and restaurants and diners.

The next day I met up with my family downtown. We stayed at Hilton Suites Chicago Magnificent Mile. LOVED IT! The accommodations were amazing. For me, the “make it or break it” factor is always the bed, and the beds at the Hilton were some of the plushest and most comfortable ever. The room was spacious and clean. The hotel restaurant is not very good though. We ate at Club Med for dinner one night, and I was not impressed at all. You’re better off leaving the hotel for meals.

This hotel is definitely all about location, and if this is your first time in the city or you are an avid shopper I highly recommend the Hilton Suites Chicago Magnificent Mile. The hotel is in the heart of downtown steps away from the Museum of Contemporary Art, the John Hancock Center, and shopping shopping shopping (aka Michigan Avenue). Michigan Avenue is the heart of Chicago shopping, and the stores range  from high-end like Escada and Bloomingdale’s (one of the best I’ve been to) to affordable gems like H&M and Forever 21.

If you’ve never been to Chicago, marathon weekend is actually a great time to visit even if you are just a spectator. Not only is it amazing to watch 45,000 people run 26.2 miles, but the race course goes through the best parts of the city. It starts and finishes in Grant Park, which is a spacious green oasis right on the lake with artwork and great views of the city.

View of the city from Grant Park by the "Agora" statues.

Then it takes you through the heart of downtown.

Chicago

We also watched the race in Chinatown. One of the most fun and liveliest spots to watch the marathon.

Chinatown in Chicago

And, finishes in Grant part again.

Post-race in Grant Park

Another great thing about Chicago is the food and I’m not talking just about hot dogs and deep dish. Try:

1. Bandera (American): Take it from a southern girl and try the Cornbread & Foccacia. Also, the salads are amazing here specially the Macho Salad. The Mac & Cheese is also very good and quite comforting.

2.Quartino (Italian): I absolutely loved this place! Unlike many Italian restaurants that tend to be family-style eating, this Italian restaurant serves all its entrees as small plates tapas-style. I loved this concept because it lets you sample so much of the menu. I recommend the Zola Noci and Pere Pizza ( Gorgonzola, Walnuts and Pears), Veal Meatballs Napoli, Eggplant Parmigiana (one of the best I’ve had), and the Tortellini with Alfredo Sauce, Peas and Prociutto. And, for dessert I recommend the Profiteroles (with ice cream not custard…a childhood favorite of mine) or the Coppa al Banana …YUM. Don’t waste your time with the Nutella Panino. Its too hard and you’re better off making it at home anyways. It’s pretty much just toast with Nutella.

3. Scoozi (Italian): From the geniuses of Lettuce Entertain You, try the Butternut Squash Ravioli, the Tomato & Goat Cheese Pizza, the Mushroom Risotto, or the Penne Arrabiata with Sausage. Basically, everything is delicious.

4. Nookies Too (American, Diner-Style): Went to Nookies in Lincoln Park for brunch. Loved the Dixie Benedict (a southern play on eggs benedict with biscuits and gravy) and the pancakes.

5. Signature Room or Signature Lounge at the John Hancock Center: Amazing views of the city. You’re better off making a reservation.

View from the Signature Lounge in the John Hancock Center

As if I didn’t have an amazing weekend in Chicago with my family and friends, Continental also made me smile at the end of Columbus Day weekend. After showing up at the airport at 6 am for my return flight to Boston (via Newark), I found out that my flight to Newark was delayed, and it would make me miss my connection to Boston. Sleepy and already defeated I walked up to the counter expecting the typical airline run-around. But, when I walked up to the counter and gave them my name, they informed me that I had already been re-routed on a direct flight to Boston (on an American Airlines flight). I didn’t have to do anything. It was already done. Nice. So, THANKS CONTINENTAL! I knew there’s a reason why you’re my favorite airline.

Chicago Tip: If traveling there in the fall, take warm clothes or a jacket no matter what. I was fooled by the predicted temperatures of 45-50 degrees which I interpreted as “nice fall weather.” It ended up being significantly colder than that, and I had to go out and buy a scarf and fleece. So, go prepared.

Fin mai 2009. Les Conti sont à Paris. Direction le Medef. Le cortège passe sous ma fenêtre. Je le suis. Réflexe professionnel. Envie de sortir. Le bruit est terrible. La colère est visible. Des dizaines de fourmis s’agitent. La rue est maculée d’orange. Des autocollants sortis d’usine. Par rouleaux entiers. Rien n’est épargné, pas même les passants. Le symbole d’une crise.

Programme du jour : Ecole et soirée TV !

 

Papa s’occupe de moi se matin. Tout se passe bien et je suis à l’école vers 7h30.

Maman vient me chercher… mais je pleure. J’attendais Papa, je n’avais pas compris. On fait un loooong détour dans les embouteillages pour faire le plein et rentrons à la maison.

J’admire la nouvelle voiture de Papa, pose des questions et demande ou est mon siège auto. “Il est commandé ma fille, il arrive !”.

Je prends mon repas devant la télé avec Maman, et je suis au lit un peu après 20h. Maman est de sortie, Papa fera le baby sitter. Rédacteur : Patrick-Robin, mon Papa.

Toutes mes dernières photos : Cliquez ici et vidéos : Cliquez ici.

(This Aircomplane.com blog entry originally posted on December 13, 2006.)

We know that our Aircomplane.com™  readers are a pretty well-read and sophisticated audience, so we won’t pretend for a second that we in any way “broke” the story surrounding the potential mergers, takeovers or other high-flying drama taking place within the airline industry. But we know you are all busy (ironically) sitting in an airport somewhere, so we will give you a rundown based on news reports as of this morning:

• Of the six major airlines now in operation (and many needing one), three may soon be gone.
• Consider the US Airways bid for Delta last month.
• UAL, United’s parent (think more the Osbournes rather than the Cleavers) was in talks with Continental Airlines.
• And even the “discount” airlines are getting in on the action with AirTran’s reported hostile bid for its competitor, Midwest Express.

Now, if any of you happen to have one or more of those airlines on your credit card statements, travel itinerary or worse, frequent flyer cards in your wallet, you may want to start thinking about how to protect yourselves.

What’s fascinating about all of this is that with the general oligolopolistic control so few have over airline travel, one would think they would be better at extorting profits from the public and ACTUALLY MAKING MONEY. If Enron taught us anything, it’s thatsomeone is.

Anyway, as your Aircomplane.com Spite Crew, we are here to help you, not [ahem] speculate wildly. So here is what we suggest:

If you are a shareholder or have a history, relationship, flyer miles, or any other connection to a specific airline involved in this latest drama, go to the websites of the airlines that might be affected. We’ll make that easy for you. They are here:

• USAirways www.usairways.com
  • Link to merger information including letter from Doug Parker, President/CEO
• Delta www.delta.com
  • Link to November 17, 2006 SEC FilingWe had to plug “USAirways” into the Delta search box to find this.
  • Delta does offer this section on its restructuring and bankruptcy
• United www.united.com
  • Link to SEC Filings including current “Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities”
• Continental www.continental.com
  • Investor Relations (with sub-link to SEC filings)
• AirTran www.airtran.com
  • Link to Press Room with Midwest press releases
  • Link to Investor Relations page with webcast on Midwest and names and contact       information for your questions
  • Airtran’s SEC filing for Midwest Please see the 12.13.06 filing. It includes this old chestnut (Or since it’s an airline, perhaps it’s a peanut). “The combination of AirTran Airways and Midwest Airlines would create a truly national low cost airline with pro- forma revenue of approximately $3.0 billion in 2007. AirTran believes that both      companies would benefit from this merger by building greater scale, efficiencies and growth opportunities to better succeed in the face of an increasingly competitive airline environment.”
• Midwest Express www.midwestairlines.com
  -Here’s the letter from Midwest Chairman, CEO, and President Timothy E. Hoeksema, to Airtran’s Chairman & CEO Joseph P. Leonard. It’s called  “Midwest Air Group Confirms Receipt of Unsolicited, Highly Conditional Expression of Interest”

 o SEC filings page  Also see 12.13.06 filing

Keep an eye on their “news” and customer pages, and don’t hesitate to check in with their press offices. Look for how they are going to address the issues that concern you. Yes, much of this may be preliminary, but you have a vested interest. Show it! Demand to be kept informed about your “assets” and interests – including frequent flyer miles. You can Google search here from our Aircomplane.com home page and monitor such terms as “airline mergers,” and “airline takeovers.” Use the Google “News Alert” feature to be notified when something on these airlines hits the Internet (which is what we use).

And, please feel free to POST your concerns here onAircomplane.com™ . If you don’t see a main posting concerning your topic or question, just e-mail us, and we’ll put it up for you. We’ve made it easier to do so with the links on the right as well. Chances are many of you are asking the same questions and have the same concerns. You are the reason thatAircomplane.com™ exists.

Well, well, well. According to this post on FlyerTalk, one member has spotted the following message on the “My Itineraries” page of United.com, (written, of course, in United’s clumsy, stilted corporate-speak – can’t these people take writing classes? But, that’s neither here nor there):

2010 elite credentials – watch your mail
Elite card expiring January 31, 2010? Qualify for the same level or higher by November 30, and your 2010 elite kit will arrive in December. Remaining 2010 elite kits will mail through January. Current card expiring January 31, 2011? If you’ve earned the same status level for 2010, continue to use this card.

Indeed, United’s downright inconsistency and astonishing incompetence in mailing elite cards following qualification has been a prominent gripe among United’s frequent flyers. In the many threads on Flyertalk, posters detail receiving their elite cards months after qualification or, in many cases, not at all. According to the report, though, United is apparently attempting to make a change, and trying to atone for – or at least mitigate – their deplorable track record. I hate to be so pessimistic, but we’ll see if they actually follow their proclamation. I base my pessimism on United’s terrible record with mailing my particular elite cards in the last year and a half. I have not received any cards this year, despite re-qualifying for 1K in June, and before I lost it, I had not received a 1K card for 2009, and had to call United to request it in February. I’m still using my Premier Executive card I received in 2008. And, yes, the cards are helpful for using the Easy Check-In machines to locate your reservation, and absolutely necessary for our friends at Lufthansa who absolutely require a card to verify your status when entering a lounge, despite your status being printed on the boarding pass. I forecast a bit of improvement with supplying elites with their rightful credentials, but sadly, still many frequent flyers without their 2010 elite cards.

I’m just not sure why United fails so miserably to mail elite status cards in a timely fashion. Other airlines act with admirable alacrity in mailing cards. My friend, a Continental Airlines elite flyer, received his updated Continental Gold card with the new Star Alliance designation days after Continental made the switch out of Skyteam. I’m not expecting to receive my new 1K card in December.