Continental brand being diminished
 

I didn't hold out much hope for the still ongoing merger between Continental and United, but on today's Continental flight, I saw evidence of utter failure. My flight (which was a rebooking) had attendants in economy (not my usual cabin) that couldn't seem to care less. They also were surly and very unprofessional. When I simply asked one of the attendants for some water to take some medicine, she "instructed me" that she would be returning down the aisle shortly. I couldn't wait for their 2nd pass and said again, just a little water, please. She huffed at me and said "when I'm finished" and drew the curtain across the galley area in a snit. There was no call for that at all. Then at the end of the flight as the attendant was making the preparation announcement, I thought she had food in her mouth as it sounded garbled. I turned to my seat mate and she looked at me with a puzzled expression also. We wondered what we'd just heard. The attendant sounded bored with a here-we-go-again attitude in her voice. The second announcement also sounded garbled and unprofessional, not to mention difficult to understand.

Continental/United's brand is being sorely diminished by these flippant and rude attendants that don't seem to understand that the flying public is their bread and butter. Their training is non-existent and they treat you as if you're imposing on them! Hey Continental/United, you're not the only airline in the U.S. Someone upstairs in corporate is ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH.

And that sleepy CEO is Jeff "the miser" Smisek. Had it not been for the merger I think we'd be seeing he same things happening at Continental. Gone are the days of Gordon Bethune who knew he could differentiate Continental's product by offering superior service for which people were actually willing to pay a bit more.

Merging with United gave Continental management the excuse the add very little to United's tired product and poor service and then bring Continental down to that level.

Hopefully Virgin America will continue to grow and expand. They are the closest to offering what Continental did before they joined the race to the bottom with the other mega-airline Delta.

I'd like to give VA more of my business
 

I agree with you Ombudsman, but unfortunately Virgin America doesn't have broad enough coverage in the U.S. I normally don't travel in economy anymore but was re-routed due to a delayed leg in our travel and wound up in the middle seat. The difference between Business and Economy is unmistakable and that is truly unfortunate, not to mention unacceptable. I felt like "a number", "cattle", etc. throughout the entire flight. All I wanted to do was pop a sleeping pill and zone out until I arrived at my destination. If that isn't a commentary on the tone of the cabin, I don't know what is.

Which is all why I fly Alaska anytime I have to fly. If they don't fly where I have to go, then it doesn't matter as they're all the same at the point.

Yet, another sad commentary
 

Thanks Gromit801, you have confirmed the sad state of airline affairs in the U.S. I will keep your preference in mind when I fly in the future. I guess all we can do is bury them in complain letters. I sent mine to Mr. Smisek today! He should try flying the middle seat in economy for 5-1/2 hrs. on one of his planes. See how he likes not having any leg room, no elbow room, not being able to access his under-the-seat bag, having to disrupt the aisle passenger each time he wants to get up and having to endure the surly attendants. Oh, I forgot, the passenger in front being in his lap :( I won't hold my breath, but I can dream.