Comments on: United’s Denny Flanagan: “Being nice is contagious”

By: You Probably Won’t Believe You’re Flying the Friendly Skies | Flight Wisdom

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:50:21 +0000

[...] Elliott, last week, profiled United Airlines Captain Denny Flanagan, who talks about ways pilots on United are engaging their [...]

By: Hope Armiger

Hope Armiger — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:57:05 +0000

I too have had good experience on United. But even more so on most of the international airlines. They do seem to have better training for their crews and offer the type of service we had on domsetic flights in the past. I look forward to my internatinal flights, but not usually to domestic.

By: David Farnham

David Farnham — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:08:17 +0000

I have flown with Capt. Flanigan and endorse everything he says. Took me back to flying in the 60s, it did.

By: Carter Stewart

Carter Stewart — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:29:49 +0000

May I thank you and Capt. Flanigan for this refreshing look at someone who loves that they do!

I know that pax are testier, and at the risk of sounding like my father some basic manners- and even courtesy- seem to be leaving the everyday experience of even life and flying.

On a recent trip on UA between MCI-ORD on Nov 1, I experienced a purser who walked through the airplane and personally thanked each row that I could see for flying with UA. I was warmed by that little touch.

Swiss is another of my favourite airlines and the matron de cabin is always coming through the J cabin and welcoming and smiling. A ten second chat can make all the difference in setting up a pleasant flight experience.

I see and hear about too much that is wrong w the industry- and I live with fond memories of my own past experiences on Braniff, Ozark, and TWA and remember the smell of coffee when boarding- F/As had hats, Captains stood at the foot of airstairs and said goodbye, and and the whole thing held child-like wonder for me.

Now I realise that the trapping have changed, but there is a core of truly nice people out there who love what they do. Thank you again for this refreshing reminder.

By: Les

Les — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:20:16 +0000

So far so good.

Now – did they ever compensate that guy for his broken guitar?

By: Joan

Joan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:56:14 +0000

Capt. Frank McGuire, formerly of UAL, was the same – and terrific. He was forced to retire at 60 and now flies elsewhere in the world. Quite a mensch.

By: Bob Menconi

Bob Menconi — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:19:25 +0000

What a wonderful interview. Having travelled to over 40 countries around the world, my wife and I see the stress on airline employees. Perhaps some of the fault is on the customers. We have always thanked attendants and the pilots when they stand at the open door to the flight deck when you exit the plane. We have ALWAYS arrived safely, sometimes a few hours late, but safe. Pilots like Mr. Flanagan are numerous, same with attendants and ground crews. We the flying public should say “Thank You and we appreciate you” more often.