Top Eight
@f16arm
Honorable Mentions
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
#mikeshot Top Eight and Honorable Mentions
#mikeshot is over and it's time to announce the top eight photos as well as some honorable mentions! Remember to go to my Instagram account and vote for your favorite!
@f16arm
@f16arm
Friday, March 6, 2015
#mikeshot contest
Many of you love to see my view from the inside of planes, but I want to see yours! Over the next two weeks I will be accepting entries into the #mikeshot contest. The rules are simple, the shot must be taken while flying, and must include the wing. Include the hashtag #mikeshot and tag me in the photo! All entries must be submitted through instagram. I will close the contest on Wednesday, March 11th at noon central. I will pick my favorite four, and then you all will vote! The winner will receive a brand new copy of The Birth Of The 787 Dreamliner. I am willing to ship to the U.S., Japan, Canada, Germany, the U.K., Australia, and Hong Kong. If you are from a different country and are interested, please send me a private message and I will check out the rates to ship the book. As a side note, you do not have to take the picture in the next two weeks, just choose your favorite!
These are just some of my favorite #mikeshots so far... (I'll post more of my favorites on here in the next week!)
Saturday, February 14, 2015
The new united.com - A First Look
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| A refreshed homepage gives users quick access to information. |
While this is a major change to the website, many of the functional pieces still operate using the old system. United's plan is to slowly make changes to one section at a time.
The form of the website is designed to work well in both desktop and tablet. Large buttons making it easy for folks like me with fat fingers to use. Also, the ability to switch backgrounds is great.
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| The Account block gives you quick access to your stats for the year. |
The Account block allows you to see all of your important information without having to go to the old account page.
The My Trips block allows you to see all of your trips without having to click on the "View All Reservations" link. Each trip gives date travel information as well as allowing the user access to all of the links they may need.
The Flight Status block is about the same as what you're used to. As well, the Check-in block allows you to enter a confirmation number or view from your current reservations.
Booking a Flight
The biggest change to the system is the booking engine. At face value, entering your flights plans is about the same. It's what's behind the scenes that impresses me. When booking, you can click on a "More Options" link, which is where the fun really starts.
One of the great features added is a "Recent Searches". I am the type of person who will look for the same flights over and over in a week, this new feature makes it much easier on me.
For a person who loves to fly great distances, there are a few extras now in the search logic.
Once you are in to the search results there is a much more Flyer Friendly layout:
In the details section of each flight it allows you to see all available fares, which allows folks like me the ability to shop price while still wanting to use my upgrades. Another great feature is the seat map. On the old website, you had to go to a different page to see the seats, now it's built right in:
The entire process has a much better feel, and in fact moves faster than the old site. There's a lot more to it, and a lot more to come. I don't know when United will take the site out of Beta testing, but I know you will love it when it happens! Kuddos to the IT staff at United!
But, hey, I'm just some guy who likes to look at airplanes, so what do I know?
United Announces More Outsourcing
All I really want to say is this: Thank you. I have flown in and out of a number of the affected airports, and these employees have helped me greatly.
But, hey, I'm just some guy who likes to look at airplanes, so what do I know?
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Alaska Airlines offering Non-Stop flights between Seattle and Oklahoma City
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| Image copyright SkyWest Airlines |
It has been said that the route depends largely on the fact that Boeing is expanding its operations in Oklahoma City. Although I really love the fact that Oklahoma City is getting a direct link to Seattle, I won't be flying on it.
Oklahoma City is largely serviced by "regional" aircraft. Thanks to United we have seen an increase in the E170 and E175 fleet in Oklahoma City, but our mainline presence is slowly being replaced by these aircraft that "blur the line between mainline and regional." Here's the fact, an E170 or E175 serviced by SkyWest or Mesa isn't mainline.
The other interesting thing about this move is that Alaska has a maintenance agreement with AAR. Alaska flies their 737s to OKC to be repaired, much like Allegiant with their Mad Dogs. Why not utilize the route as a profit point?
I'm excited to see new service, I just wish United was bringing a 737-800 to service the route. Truth be told, I don't expect to see the route last all to long.
But, hey, I'm just some guy who likes to look at airplanes, so what do I know?
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Learn about my love for United on AirlineTalk
Learn more my love for United on the AirlineGeeks Airline Talk podcast: http://www.airlinegeeks.com/podcasts/item/airline-talk-episode-7
Sunday, August 3, 2014
United is great at Social Media!
It's no surprise to anyone that I love United. And if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you know I love @united. Also, if you have kept up with United's inflight videos recently, you've probably seen this:
In early January I was invited to come to Chicago to be interviewed about why I love United's Social Media team. The questions I was asked really forced me to think about the reasons that I think United is doing such a great job on Social Media. Since my focus in the edited version of the video is all about how fast and flexible they are, I wanted to talk a little more about some of the other things that United is doing right!
United is being proactive.
It is very easy for Social Media teams to ignore the bad, and let's face it, there's a lot of bad out there when it comes to airlines! "My flights are cancelled." "I missed my connection." "I'm stuck in Atlanta." United has worked hard since the early days of their social media department to reach out to the frustrated customers and attempt to help them out.
I heard one story a few years back about a group of bridesmaids that were trying to get to a wedding, and with a whole bunch of cancellations due to weather, they were two days behind schedule. The United social media team reached out to the Network Operations Center (NOC) and managed to get a plane held so the ladies could make their connection, and the wedding! Sure, that's not the norm, but it really does display a lot of whatever it takes friendly.
I watch a lot of conversations where United is simply taking the time to thank people for flying with them. That means a lot that a multi-billion dollar company wants to thank for for my instagram post.
Most importantly, did you know that United's social media is staff with agents who can help with rebookings and other reservation needs? High up in the Willis Tower is a staff of agents dedicated to the social sphere to hep you when a flight gets delayed, you miss a connection, or weather gets in the way. I can easily take care of my needs while I'm in a meeting without ever having to get on the phone.
@united becomes @mike_j_morgan ambassadors.
I've talked a lot in the past about how I am a brand ambassador for United, Taco Bueno, Marriott, and others. But, @united has become a @mike_j_morgan ambassador. When I'm in trouble out in the friendly skies, I can tweet @united, and they come to my rescue. ^LO, ^RS, ^SQ, (this is the way they identify themselves on twitter) and many others have helped me when I've run into a problem and I can't talk on the phone. There have been a number of times that I've tweeted from a flight and had my issue taken care of before I ever touched the ground!
The truth is, it's not just the social media team, it's United employees all around who I have become connected with that will do just about anything for me.
There are a lot of other great things that @united provides. I encourage you to visit with them on the interwebs and see what they can do for you!
But, hey, I'm just some guy who likes to look at airplanes, so what do I know?
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| Here I am on set just before the interview. |
United is being proactive.
It is very easy for Social Media teams to ignore the bad, and let's face it, there's a lot of bad out there when it comes to airlines! "My flights are cancelled." "I missed my connection." "I'm stuck in Atlanta." United has worked hard since the early days of their social media department to reach out to the frustrated customers and attempt to help them out.
I heard one story a few years back about a group of bridesmaids that were trying to get to a wedding, and with a whole bunch of cancellations due to weather, they were two days behind schedule. The United social media team reached out to the Network Operations Center (NOC) and managed to get a plane held so the ladies could make their connection, and the wedding! Sure, that's not the norm, but it really does display a lot of whatever it takes friendly.
I watch a lot of conversations where United is simply taking the time to thank people for flying with them. That means a lot that a multi-billion dollar company wants to thank for for my instagram post.
Most importantly, did you know that United's social media is staff with agents who can help with rebookings and other reservation needs? High up in the Willis Tower is a staff of agents dedicated to the social sphere to hep you when a flight gets delayed, you miss a connection, or weather gets in the way. I can easily take care of my needs while I'm in a meeting without ever having to get on the phone.
@united becomes @mike_j_morgan ambassadors.
I've talked a lot in the past about how I am a brand ambassador for United, Taco Bueno, Marriott, and others. But, @united has become a @mike_j_morgan ambassador. When I'm in trouble out in the friendly skies, I can tweet @united, and they come to my rescue. ^LO, ^RS, ^SQ, (this is the way they identify themselves on twitter) and many others have helped me when I've run into a problem and I can't talk on the phone. There have been a number of times that I've tweeted from a flight and had my issue taken care of before I ever touched the ground!
The truth is, it's not just the social media team, it's United employees all around who I have become connected with that will do just about anything for me.
There are a lot of other great things that @united provides. I encourage you to visit with them on the interwebs and see what they can do for you!
But, hey, I'm just some guy who likes to look at airplanes, so what do I know?
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