But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger...
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start.  ---Shakespeare, Henry V, Act III, Scene 1

Today from the Wall St. Journal comes a very special news story called United Plans Corporate-Jet Service To Attract High-End Passengers.

You think that we're finally witnessing the end of an era and a return to another?  There are many questions raised by this article and other media reports about this new UAL business strategy.  The pendulum is definitely poised for a major swing in a new direction, that's for sure.

The media has reported that this new United Airlines venture, code-named "Shakespeare", is already incorporated, and has been preparing to become operational for over two years.

Can you blame these business travelers and United's reaction to their needs?  In the glory days of air travel, the Economy cabin used to be more like United Business.  More room, less people.  Today, Business Class is more like the wide-eyed coach of yesterday.  And coach has become...well...re-read the Shakespeare quote above.

And let's not forget the delays, overcrowded airports, etc..  etc... etc... you know the drill.

In a press release from United this morning, the company included a following comment about this new corporate jet venture: 

Many corporations and individuals view these products as a necessary supplement to traditional commercial airline service in today's global, high- paced business environment.

Translated into JSNSW English, that statement simply means:  Commercial air travel is like riding a bus and simply not for the laptop/cell phone-carrying business traveler anymore.

Whether or not this proposed business actually takes off (and I tend to think it will), please consider the final quote from the Wall St. Journal Article which clearly echoes United's sentiment on operating this new venture as a "new wholly separate entity":

While the new venture will raid United for its processes and operational standards, the customer-contact employees will be hired not from airlines but from the hospitality and corporate-aviation industry.

How does that make you feel about your value and your skills?

Thought so.

Special thanks to Mike Adams, JFKSW and Dina Kelly, SFOSW for sending us the cool links!