Fook United Airlines

[MrPrena]

Hahaha hahaha

Attachment 70073

[clodhopper]

My last United story is a lot less dramatic but I'm still reluctant to book them for any kind of flights. Back in 2000 when I was still in the National Guard I did an Annual Training with a unit out of California. Flew commercial to LA and then met the unit, from there we went over to Korea for 3 weeks and then came back. Our return flight was booked on United, flying back on a Saturday as I had to be back at school and work on Monday. Well, we got to LAX around 8:00 am Saturday, only to find that our flight had been cancelled for some reason.

I asked if we were automatically rebooked on another flight and was told that no, we had to re-book ourselves. So they offered to rebook us on another flight that didn't leave until something like 7:00 that night. I said that was unacceptable, we needed to get back to Denver, and they said they could book us through Phoenix on a flight that would leave mid-afternoon. So we hung around the airport for another 4 or 5 hours, only to find that the Phoenix flight had also been cancelled and now it was impossible to get us on the 7:00 Denver flight. We ended up leaving for Phoenix around 6:00 pm, only to get to Phoenix and find that our flight there was also delayed.

When all was said and done, I think we got back into Denver around 1:00 AM on Sunday and I calculated that if we had simply cancelled our flights, rented a car and drove the ~18 hours or so it took us for this ordeal, we would have been back in Denver about the same time.

That aint so bad. Been through much worse. In my experience, most cancelled flights are not due to the airline. Sure, some are, like a flight that is nearly empty will be cancelled. But from what I have experienced, and I research each flight that is cancelled on me (why not, I am stuck in an airport with little to do anyway) and usually it is due to the local tower, the destination tower or national air control. Yep, you don't usually hear about it, so it is natural to blame the carrier.

[funkymonkey1111]

I have to fly for business. I will still fly United before anyone else. Was a frontier aficionado for years, til the buyout screwed them up. Cant stand the Southwest cattle call seating, otherwise I would fly them more.

Have you looked at the southwest priority boarding or whatever it is called? You pay $10 or $15 (approximately) and then you're automatically in the a-zone, and in fact I believe it's in below A15

[Martinjmpr]

Eh, I think the key to happiness in airline travel (and really, in life) is to have realistic expectations. If you have unrealistic expectations, then life is going to kick your ass all over the place.

When I fly I expect delay, inconvenience, uncomfortable seats, lost luggage, etc. If those things don't happen, I'm pleasantly surprised but if they do it doesn't ruin my day.

Since I don't have to travel for work a lost bag or a delayed flight doesn't have a huge impact on me so I guess I can afford to be more cavalier about the whole thing.

[clodhopper]

Have you looked at the southwest priority boarding or whatever it is called? You pay $10 or $15 (approximately) and then you're automatically in the a-zone, and in fact I believe it's in below A15

I have not. It became clear to me that you can buy your way up the ladder on seating and I chose to opt out. Too much a pay to play, boost earnings per seat with minor fees, type of crap. That rankles me, and United seems to do less of it than others. I truly hate the "oooh $79 round trip ticket, but there is a fee for the seat, and another for the seatbelt, etc etc " and the next thing you know, that $79 Frontier ticket costs more than United. I admit I haven't looked much at pricing for Southwest as I have tended to avoid them based on the seating policy. But, I will check them out next flight.

I am sometimes on a short schedule and arrive at the gate near the end of boarding. At those times, I like the ability to select my seat when I purchase a ticket.

[clodhopper]

Eh, I think the key to happiness in airline travel (and really, in life) is to have realistic expectations. If you have unrealistic expectations, then life is going to kick your ass all over the place.

When I fly I expect delay, inconvenience, uncomfortable seats, lost luggage, etc. If those things don't happen, I'm pleasantly surprised but if they do it doesn't ruin my day.

Since I don't have to travel for work a lost bag or a delayed flight doesn't have a huge impact on me so I guess I can afford to be more cavalier about the whole thing.

Pretty much. The only time delays bother me is on the way TO my destination. Coming home they can fook around all they want and it wont rip me up much at all. I don't expect to be treated like a celebrity. I bought a seat, asking nothing more, glass of water is a nice bonus. Lost my luggage? meh, all my critical stuff is in my pack with me on the plane, so just deliver it to my house. Best flight to cancel is the one leaving home, cause then I can just go back to my car and head home. I hate getting my second leg cancelled cause I have no where to go. (Newark and I have a longstanding hate relationship).

[Martinjmpr]

Sounds like United Airlines is having a real Monday today.

I would guess this will blow over as soon as the next Outrage Of The Day hits the intertoobz.

People who book flights are still going to use the various search engines and if the Delta or Frontier flight is $100 more than United, do you really think they'll say "ooh, but United was so mean to that one guy, I'd rather pay an extra hundred bucks?"

Yeah, me neither.

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