The United and Continental merger: The Continental secret.

So I was a United frequent flyer and very happy about it. I felt pretty good about the ability to accrue miles and spend them. The fleet wasn't the most amazing set of planes I'd been on (once you fly Singapore Airlines all others are basically sad trash in comparison) but for domestic US flights, it's all pretty much the same on the big carriers: Delta, American, US Air, United, Continental, Southwest (yes, they are funner), Alaska (the service IS better).

So United acquired Continental and I thought "whatever, at least now I don't have to fly American into the crapholes of the Southern US to which they have the best access and not get miles on my preferred airline. Continental definitely filled that hole for United, having access into a lot of those Southern airports through their hub in Houston.

So I started taking flights on Continental...and the more I flew it, the more the love grew and I realized: this airline is SO MUCH BETTER than United. a) Their seats often have OUTLETS in them. as in, electrical outlets for me to plug in my computer or phone...those outlets we jockey for in the airport because we want as much battery time in-flight as possible...well I don't need them on my Continental flights because they are IN MY SEAT. b) many planes have the seatback tv with DirecTV. When I don't sleep through the whole flight, it's worth the 6-8 bucks for a full range of tv. c) though to be honest I usually get the channels for free because I am upgraded at least twice as much on Continental as I was on United. which is awesome. d) The Houston airport has lots of awesome shopping, duty free, Starbucks, great restaurant options...way more than Denver or O'Hare. yeah.

A few of my fellow travelers and I have dared speak this aloud. We feel like we're sitting on a secret treasure and are like, "yeah, you other blowhards go ahead and think United is superior with it's whoop-de-shit Economy plus legroom. pay no attention to those flights through IAH..."

On my flight back from Kentucky I have to go through O'Hare on United and I was like *sigh* no tv and free anti-aging sampling in duty free for me. woe. ;)