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United is ‘the problem’

Aspen Times writer

Dear Editor:I have attached a letter which I recently sent to United Airlines (reprinted below).I am convinced that one of the major reasons that tourism in Aspen is “not what it was” is the ability of people who want to visit Aspen is severely compromised by the problem of flying into Aspen. Since United Airlines is the only choice for most of them, I view United as “the problem.”I fly from and into Aspen 70 or more times per year, and I hear more complaints from passengers regarding this “leg” than on any other that I fly. I hear, “I will never fly into Aspen again” on almost every flight I make. It is a true disaster. I don’t have much choice since I live here, but tourists have many choices and they are choosing other destinations than Aspen.I am certainly not an aviation expert, so I don’t have the answer, except to attract a carrier such as Frontier to Aspen. I invite your readers with more knowledge than I to contact me if I can be of any assistance in furthering such a goal.I believe that United Airlines will not exist as we know it within a year and therefore we (Aspen officials) should be planning for such a demise.James FrenchAspenDear United Customer Relations:I fly numerous times each year on business and pleasure. I spent $17,222 last year and $8,161 so far this year on United flights.Last year your service (both operationally and personnel) had vastly improved from previous years, when your treatment of passengers (at least in my experience) was arrogant and indifferent. Obviously the problems United experienced led to such improvement.This year my experience with United has deteriorated to pre-2003 levels. Your service from Denver/Aspen is nothing short of a disaster. Many of your airport personnel are rude and when there are problems (which always can occur to anyone) they outright lie.I could write in detail, but I have given up on United. Since I live in Aspen, I am somewhat of a captive customer, but I am now willing to drive to Denver – 3.5 hours or Grand Junction, 2.5 hours – so I do not have to fly United.Very truly yours,James French