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It's time to what?

I've never been a huge fan of the United Airlines "It's time to fly" campaign. It started out OK, as it was just after 9/11 that it was introduced, and was some sort of calling to the public that air travel is safe again. It then morphed into something just a bit too artsy for what I think an airline should be trying to convey, especially in today's day and age of nickel-and-diming the passengers for everything they've got.

I just received an e-mail from them with a link to their new commercials, and they are downright weird, if not freaking scary. From the freaky crab directing an oceanic orchestra which includes a chest-thumping Shamoo to the guy who chases his paper ticket (who gets paper tickets anymore, as that costs an extra $20!) through a city and then falls into a throne help up by butterfly-people and balloons to the woman who cuts out her heart in what can only be described as a cross between a Gorillaz video and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, I just don't get what they are trying to sell or convey...

See for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/user/uniteditstimetofly

Comments

Harold Green said…
That looks more like an ad for LSD. Even the campaign title goes with it.
August 11, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Scott said…
You said it, not me! :)

- Scott -
August 11, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Harold Green said…
Scott, besides my working at Oracle and being an Apple-junkie, it looks like an A3xx cockpit behind you - are you a fellow pilot as well?
August 11, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Scott said…
Yup, a USAirways A320, just landed at DCA from BDA. I'm more of a wannabe at this point; need to start taking lessons now that I live closer to Leesburg Airport. I used to live next to DCA; not the ideal place to get a private license at!

- Scott -
August 11, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Anonymous said…
There is an "art car" that seems to have inspired this commercial or vice versa. Must see live but here is a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmQtTedF8fI
August 12, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Scott said…
That's awesome!

- Scott -
August 12, 2008 at 5:38 PM
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