BS: Screwed by United Airlines

Subject: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: kendall
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 04:46 PM

Last May, Jacqui was bumped from a flight in NY, and UA gave her a voucher for one free domestic flight. A few days ago we went to the UA ticket counter to book our flight to California in April. The woman on the counter told us to book on line as it was cheaper.Then we should come back to the counter to get the voucher validated. So, we went home. Yesterday we booked the flight, and today we went to UA having done exactly as we were told. This time, the agent said we shouldn't have charged the flight to my credit card because they could not honor it that way!

The only reason we chose UA was because of that voucher, because a year ago they booked us on a flight that didn't exist so we spent 5 hours in Washington waiting for another flight home.
I've flown with Air Canada many times and never a problem of any kind.

There is no way I would ever fly United again. Anyone else had a dust up with United?

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: number 6
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 04:48 PM

Nope ... just with Air Canada.

I try my damndest not to fly them.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Janie
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 04:51 PM

I bet if you complain enough to the right person, they'll make good on that voucher. Ask to speak with a supervisor.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Amos
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 04:54 PM

America West, recently absorbed by UA, is of the same level of indifferent service, piss-poor manners, shoddy maintenance and overbooking and bumping. When BBW went to COlorado last weekend she spent 2 hours on the tarmac while they identified, located and replaced three parts that needed replacing. Makes you ownder why they loaded a plane full of people, when the plane had parts needing replacement. I am only grateful they didn't fly without replacing them, but what happened to scheduled maintenance in the hot quest for profits?

Mutliple people lost their connecting flights, and were met with indifference by overworked desk hands. A real cockup. Same thing happened to six firemen from New York coming out West for a trade show the day before.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:12 PM

UA landed my wife and I in Chicago's O'Hare (ORD) by dropping the plane to the runway from what felt like 10 feet up.

These days, it's called Combat Travel. There aren't any "friendly skies" any more -- just hostiles vs. the travelers.

Scream. Yell. Act up. Kick up a fuss. They can fix it and if you make enough noise they will fix it.

Seems to be the only way a LOT of things get down these days....

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: The Shambles
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:42 PM

There was a screw-up and we had to pay extra car rental charges to get to Fresno from Merced to enable us the catch our UA flight home from LA.

We tried UA and they said we would have to do it through the local office of the smaller airline concerned. Weeks went by and nothing happened. We tried again and in the end the main office sent us the refund.

And about a week later - the refund from the local office arrived.

Don't them..................

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:44 PM

I'm with you Kendall, United Airlines is the worst company I've ever traveled with when carrying a guitar. I was flying from Seattle to Denver several years ago and they made me sign a statement saying that they were not responsible for any damage they did to my instrument. I asked if I could carry it onboard and they said no. I decided never to fly United ever again after that incident. Alaska Airlines is the best as far as I'm concerned.

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:50 PM

American cancelled a flight of mine the week after 9/11. A few months later I tried to reapply the ticket, only to be told that it had been depreciating over time and was worth only about $25. I flew another airline. I've since been told they might honor it after all, but I have to kick and scream to get their attention first.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:54 PM

Either

1) tell UA that you will start a letter writing campaign to newspapers etc...

or

2) just do it anyway without telling them...

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:57 PM

Or, like Tom Paxton, write and sing the song!

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: gnu
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:57 PM

Overall, for me, Air Canada staff have been curt and even rude... but, top notch service overall. It's kinda like you get Ontario efficiency with Quebec attitude. Biligamal, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 07:21 PM

Let's all call UA's reservation line to complain on Kendall's behalf. Should double the queu length.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 09:41 PM

I generally travel by GMC. It takes a little longer but my luggage doesn't get lost, my guitars arrive safely, and I don't have to rent a car when I get there.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Donuel
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 09:43 PM

Rapaire, they reserve the right to shoot people who yell, or even walk suspiciously.
Complain improperly and you go on the no fly list.

This is a job for the Yes Men.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: kendall
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 09:51 PM

I just wrote a very steamy letter to the CEO of United with copies to the F.A.A. and to my congressman who is a friend of mine.

I'm not above taking them to small claims court either.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: SunnySister
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 10:19 PM

Sorry to hear of the problems you've been having with United. I've had a few problems with them in the past (as well as most other airlines- when you travel a lot, you get hit by all of them at one time or another) and I've just had to complain up the food chain. I will tell you that I've heard different stories from different people, I just kept re-calling until I heard from someone who could and would do what they originally said they would.

I wish you good luck!

The "friendly skies" my *)& :)

-- SunnySister, frequent flyer and now expert complainer

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 11:26 PM

When I was travelling United to New York City last summer with my 16-year-old daughter we got to O'Hare from Dallas and found that our flight to NYC had been cancelled. United had gone ahead and resheduled us on a flight about 30 mintues later and sent the message to my cell phone voicemail. And we were flying to begin with because I got a ridiculously low fare, I think it was something like $121 round trip each. We carry on everything on the way there, and cross our fingers on the way back after checking one large duffle (the results of shopping for a week in NYC). It went fine.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Deckman
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 12:14 AM

Hi Kendall: Volunteering to pay money to walk into a long metal tube, ascend to 35,000 feet, is an UNATURAL ACT! After you volunteer for such a thing, I think you've lost all right to complain. The airlines know this, your doctor knows this, and deep down inside ... I suspect that even you know this.

If GAWD had intended you to fly, he would have made you a CEO and given you your own flying company! (BG) CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Bert
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 01:59 AM

Good luck with your letter Kendall, I hope it brings results.

And thanks for letting us know. Next time I book a flight I'll avoid United if I can.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 02:53 AM

Writing to the CEO with a follow-up (or threat to do so) to your local TV, Radio and Newspaper Consumer reporter usually works wonders. Your Congressman should be a bonus.

I love to fly Southwest and Alaska - never had problems, although recently on my flight home from Florida after performing on a Caribbean cruise, my guitar didn't arrive when the I and the rest of my luggage did.

I didn't panic or cause a fuss; I just filled out the appropriate papers and they said they'd call me when the guitar got in.
I got a call in the middle of the night that went like this:

"Hello. Mr. Kennedy? This is John from Southwest baggage. I'e got some good news for you."

"Great! My guitar arrived?"

"No. I just saved a bundle by switching to Geico!"

Well, I nearly wet the bed laughing, because they wouldn't be calling me in the middle of the night if the guitar hadn't arrived. Then he assured me that the guitar was in, it was undamaged and that he wanted to send it to the house right away by courier.

I told him to deliver it at a more respectable hour, thanked him and went back to sleep.
The guitar not arriving at the same time I did was as a result of my allowing myself to be bumped to a different flight to get a free flight some other time.

Seamus

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: jacqui.c
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 07:48 AM

Seamus - make sure you check out the terms before trying to use the free ticket!

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: kendall
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 07:54 AM

I think it would be fun to take them to small claims court.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: dwditty
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:02 AM

Kendall,

Here is the website you want:

www.untied.com (yes, untied, not united)


You are not alone!
dw

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:04 AM

the old T shirt slogan - "Fly United"

was it ever more appropriate (being screwed that is)

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: jacqui.c
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:25 AM

Thanks dw - we tried that website a couple of times yesterday, but it came up with 'page not found'.

Figures!

What really pissed me off was when we finally got through to the 'customer service' a guy called Javieo Neri, who said that he was a supervisor, told me that the airport staff did not say what I told him they said. When I asked if he had been there he just continued to say "They didn't say that", effectively calling Kendall and myself liars. I just hope that call was recorded!

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:30 AM

I think all airlines are a bunch of (insert own choice of epithet here!). Just been checking flights from Heathrow to Edinburgh for a trip later in the year. BMI advertise a flight for £18....then with fuel & security supplements and "handling charge" the price is.....£110.50!!!!

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:50 AM

Getting screwed by an airliner would be a lot more painful........Which makes me wonder---Do birds that live around airports have fuselage envy?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 11:30 AM

Re If GAWD had intended you to fly, he would have made you a CEO and given you your own flying company...

This has been done. The company is called Midwest Airlines.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: GUEST,robomatic
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 02:56 PM

I daresay most airlines have their up and down days. I've had good experiences with AmericaWest for instance, and most lately it's my impression that Alaska Airlines has steeply deteriorated in service, reliability and friendliness. But MOST recently I booked a flight with Northwest, a non-fancy but reliable and friendly enough airline. Weather was due to come into Boston about two hours AFTER the plane was due to land. So Northwest cancelled my flight due to weather, stranding me for 24 hours in Minneapolis at my own expense. Don't know whether I'm going to write a letter or not, cause after all I made it to Boston alive and that's something.

I don't hold a brief against United. The one airline I really hated was Pan Am, and TWA went bad just before it went broke. When the money runs low it's hard to keep up appearances.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 04:04 PM

As a retired engineer, with about 40 years of my so-called career in aircraft design, I DO NOT FLY when there is any way to avoid it.

There are a very few specific airplane models that I consider unsafe, and would not enter; but then I'm a bit fussy about some things.

The major reason I won't fly is that service and concern for the passengers is so abominable that it's just an unpleasant, and for me a physically harmful, experience.

For some purposes, it is pretty much unavoidable. I was forced to fly some years ago to get from Portland OR to Nagoya. I requested a road, but they refused to build it for me.

As long as there's dirt between two points, I'll drive - or walk.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: kendall
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 04:30 PM

It's 3000 miles from here to California, and I hate to drive more than I hate to fly.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: michaelr
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 06:50 PM

John, as a public service, please tell us which airplane models you consider unsafe!

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Peace
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 07:02 PM

However, at last there is an answer for the question, "Who gives a flyin' fu#k." Hey, United does.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Bert
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 07:23 PM

Talking of dangerous planes. I hate flying in those 737s.

Aramco had one on lease and it kept breaking down. And I don't have a great deal of confidence in an aircraft where they can't even get the air conditioning to work properly.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Epona
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:06 PM

My sister constantly tells me how she hates United. She once had a snake she was transporting, very big python, and on his box it was labeled "Cold-blooded animal. Do not leave outside." United staff left him outside for 2 hours and he almost died. I don't care for snakes myself, but regardless, what a sh1tty way to treat customers and their pets of choice! So, she'll never fly United and nor will I. BTW, if you're ever going to Ireland, fly Aer Lingus! The BEST experience I've ever had on a plane!!!

E

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: kendall
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:25 PM

It's also 3000 miles to the UK and there are some stretches of mighty wet wheeling.

I got treated ok on Air Canada, and great on Virgin. (Airlines that is)

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: jacqui.c
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 11:38 PM

Epona - they're the airline with 'this way up' on the fuselage aren't they?

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 12:00 AM

John, as a public service, please tell us which airplane models you consider unsafe!

Sorry michaelr, but since it's a personal opinion and I don't have access to information to substantiate my concerns, any "listing" would be hearsay and of no value. It could also subject me to "retaliation" that I don't care to face.

Suffice it to say that the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) are informed of my concerns, and in part my concerns stem from failure of a couple of makers to respond to agency demands for corrective actions.

None of the airplanes on my "personal blacklist" are commonly used in international travel, and if properly maintained are "safe" to levels deemed "acceptable" by regulatory agencies. I just don't like a few of them.

I have flown in several of the ones I dislike most, when it was part of the job, so obviously it's not a "compelling fear." But now I have a choice.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: GUEST,.gargoyole
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 12:06 AM

Not intendeing to "dis" your thread:

I have NEVER had a problem with United Air Lines in thrity years of travel.

May I, most humblily suggest - your luggage is mis-marked....or hast direting (travelor souvenier free-fees) stickers attached take one, or mosre off and place it in your albumne or the programs

Run lean and Run Clean if you are a transfer through multiple international zones.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Benjamin
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 01:31 AM

Mike,
I don't think the problem with your guitar was United as much as it is with Seatac Airport. I live in Seattle and that is absolutely the most anal security when it comes to insturments I have ever experienced. I've never been able to carry a guitar on an airplane from that airport. However, no other airport has ever had a problem.
As for my experience, Northwest domestic flights are a great thing to avoid! My over-seas flights with Northwest were about as nice as an over-seas flight will get however.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: kendall
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 08:38 AM

United is so bad there is a web site for complaints.
Furthermore, United is the only airline that I have ever had a problem with.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 06:52 PM

Australia has a new airline - Lynx.

The TV ads are hysterical - passengers have a choice of in flight entertainment - topless hostess pillow fights - topless hostess mud wrestling, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: number 6
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 06:59 PM

A true airline story ...

I was flying back to Saint john from Montreal on Air Casualty (Canada) ... once up in the air and sailing the blue heavens I noticed water dripping on me from the the ceiling (or whatever it's called on a plane) ... I called the flight attendant and explained my delima and pointed out the drops forming and falling from the leaky roof ... she went back to the galley and came back with a styrafoam cup and a few paper napkins. So I sat there for the remainder of the flight holding a cup catching drips.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 07:03 PM

Seems they had more than one drip on board...

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: robomatic
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 05:58 PM

The Boeing 737 is one of the most common airliners in the sky anywhere in the world. I mean, there's lots of them. I've frequently flown in the ones modified for the interior of Alaska so as to land on relatively gravelly strips. They are the dependable, rugged, reliable, and good flyin' planes when, as is true with any plane, they are properly serviced.

DeHavilland Otter is another frequent flyer in Alaska's interior. I have been shaken rattled and rolled by weather when in these aircraft and can only state they are rock solid reliable and one of the great planes of history.

Any flight service person can become your worst nightmare when they've got up on the wrong side of bed, had bad news, bad chicken, or fifteen bad attitudes from passengers who complain about the truly cramped seating while wishing to pay bottom prices as the cost of fuel skyrockets.

Times are tough, kids.

Subject: RE: BS: Screwed by United Airlines
From: Bert
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 07:37 PM

Ah! I guess that was the problem in Saudi.

But on about half the trips they would abort landing at our site and return us to Dhahran where we would board a trusty old Fokker F28 and start the flight again.