[a fool in paradise]

You have to submit to being checked from head to toe to even get aboard (and yet, as usual, I flew with both liquids and blades I didn’t know I was carrying last week. It’s kabuki.)

Are the airlines still providing knives with meals in first class? Because that is where the 9-11 hijackers were seated.

[a fool in paradise]

Because the employees have full authority and can back it up by accusing their passengers of terrorism/denying them boarding/creating trouble, they’ve got into this mentality where the passenger is NOT their customer, but simply widgets to be moved around, ordered about and treated, generally, like things of no account.

The stewardess union fought for smaller carry-on bags and limiting the number of carry-ons. They thought it was taking people too long to deplane and a general nuisance.

[Gay State Conservative]

The way to stay in business is to offer what your customers want and to be nice to them while providing it.

OK,sweetie....tell me this.Which laws,if any,did United or any of the security/police personnel involved in that incident break?

We're talking legality here,not PR.

[Chgogal]

This is why I have not flown since 2013, although that round trip was very nice, It was a Canadian airline with lovely personal and great seats. I'd fly them again in a heartbeat but I don't have family in Canada.

I'm stuck with UAL, Spirit or American, so no flying.

[ml/nj]

"In the context of the airline, let’s dissect “entitled.” You’re d*mn right I’m entitled. When you pay for a service, you are entitled to that service. It is known as “contract”. And I don’t really care if the government says it’s legal for them to drop people involuntarily. The government is no arbiter of morals. The truth is that in any other industry, if I pay for something I’m ENTITLED to it. And if people revoke it after payment, it’s called fraud and there are all kinds of ugly consequences."

Bears repeating, loud and clear.

ML/NJ

[cyclotic]

Hopefully this incident will be a catalyst of change for the airlines who have gotten too used to treating paying customers as widgets.

I fly Southwest 6-8 times a year. I don’t really like them, but they are better than all the rest.

About 20 years ago, I remember hearing a radio financial guy say that he would handle an overbooking by stepping on the plane with a wad of cash.

Folks, I need to get to the destination and I’m willing to personally pay the first person to give me their seat $500 in cash. OK, $600 and keep going.

If the airline did that, a ticket on the next available flight at any airline, hotel if needed and a few hundred dollars, many people would take that offer.

However, the meager offers they give of a heavily limited ticket is a pathetic option and not worth considering.

Personally I only fly for business. I’ve only flown once for a pleasure trip and once to go see my dad before he died. A free ticket is meaningless to me. Money on the other hand...

[LuvFreeRepublic]

I am getting the impression that flying is now becoming a right, and all terms and conditions will be defined by the masses. Easier solution is to make informed choices, up to and including choosing not to flying. Talk about beating a dead horse 🐴

[from occupied ga]

I happened to catch a few comments from a UAP pilot on the Limbaugh show a couple of days ago. His words were "It's a privilege to fly..." and then went on to "justify" any sort of treatment of the passengers by airline employees.

What a complete ass. He has it exactly backwards It's a "privilege" for UAL or any company for that matter to get our business as consumers. And once you have our business you'd better keep earning it EVERY SINGLE TIME WE USE YOUR SERVICES.

My understanding was that UAL topped out their offer at $1000. That's peanuts compared to the potential actual cost that you can incurr for a lost day. First last minute hotel accommodations in a big city like Chicago will eat up half of it right there. Second if you have a business you may or may not need to get back to meet obligations which could cost you a lot more than whatever is left over after you pay for an additional day's food and lodging.

They should have upped the ante to bribe passengers off with a really attractive offer. Personally I hope I never fly with the a..hole pilot that called into Limbaugh's show. If his attitude is typical for UAL employees I hope I never have to fly UAL again.

[PAR35]

I quit reading at the ‘f’ word. I think I’ll hit the abuse button.

[Tench_Coxe]

Amen....

[Agamemnon]

I have happily flown United all over the world and have been part of their frequent flyer program for over 20 years. This woman's opinion comes with her first admission that she doesn't fly much, she's 1/2 deaf (airlines accommodate those with disabilities - and on that basis she could probably board before me) and she doesn't take the time to plan her travel to assure her that she gets the seating she desires for herself and her family.

I had a flight cancelled on me due to violent weather on the EastCoast just last week while I was sitting at the airport. I called United and as a frequent flyer they had already seen to it to make my alternative first available flight arrangement the next day. Did I complain? Of course not, how could I reasonably do so? Did United do right by me? Of course, they did.

No one excuses how this matter was handled in Chicago last week, but of the 4 who were required to give up their seats (as the law currently allows United to do for any reason they see fit) only this one guy mugging for the camera and making great theater of it decided to make a federal case out of it.

This woman should whine less, plan better, and avail herself of accommodations made routinely for those with disabilities (or is she too proud to do so?)

FReegards!

[Mr. Douglas]

I used to fly a lot. We now drive whenever possible. It works for us because I love to drive and it’s a lot more comfortable.

And I’ve never been through one of those full body scanners. I always opt out and go for the manual pat down. It’s important to never joke about bombs and stuff, so I’m careful about what I say when they are patting me down. I say things like, “do I look like a Muslim to you?” or, “Don’t I at least get a happy ending?”

The goal is to make it as uncomfortable for them as it is for me. It’s the only way you can be a part of the system changing. We live in an insane world these days. And no, that is not hyperbole.

[Think free or die]

Unless I’m traveling to another continent I almost always drive because of the hassles and unreliability of today’s airlines. I made an exception last weekend and planned a 3-day weekend to visit my aging parents. I got caught in Delta’s horrendous service breakdown. I spent 11 hours in flight + delays and another 2 hours on the phone waiting and re-booking. I could have driven in 12 hours. Bad decision. Coming home was on schedule but very disturbing. I reported an unattended bag in the departure lounge to 4 different Delta gate agents, and not one of them would call security. One of them announced it over the intercom to ask that the owner come retrieve it. She actually moved the bag behind the counter to hide it from sight. I called security myself from a nearby shop. The airport police officer was disgusted at their refusal to follow security protocol. Nothing will come of it of course. We were lucky it was just a forgotten shopping bag - this time.

[Vlad The Inhaler]

BILLIONAORE CEO?

The United CEO - Oscar Munoz is an MBA making almost $6 million dollars a year in salary and bonuses.

He has exercisable stock options valued at more than ONE BILLION DOLLARS!!!

But the airline is run like it’s being managed by Josef Stalin and the Marx Brothers comedy team..

https://s15.postimg.org/4p14h0l5n/MUNOZ_BIO.png

[virgil]

Do corporations have paid trolls online?

[1Old Pro]

Flying has become a pain, glad I don’t have to do it for a living. Summer vacations - I prefer to drive.

[The Great RJ]

I agree with the observation that authoritarianism has replaced customer service. Passengers are seen as little more than cattle to be moved from place to place with profits made by cutting amenities and services and tacking on fees. With mergers there are fewer independent carriers and the mega airlines are simply too big to manage effectively. Less competition with more government regulations in the name of "security" and you have air services that resemble the old Soviet airline Aeroflot.

Despite the uproar over this incident I have little hope for any change. In a customer service centered airline the CEO would have been sacked as well as those morons on the ground. I expect that United will pay millions in settlements, hope the furor goes away and does nothing to improve its service

[Bearshouse]

Reading the comments on this article, I'm surprised how different I see this than most of the commenters. I fully agree that a contract has been violated by United, regardless of what the fine print says. I'm truly amazed at how many people think that we should bow to abusive authority just because it is lawful. Thank goodness our founding fathers didn't feel the same.

[Abundy]

In the context of the airline, let’s dissect “entitled.” You’re d*mn right I’m entitled. When you pay for a service, you are entitled to that service. It is known as “contract”. And I don’t really care if the government says it’s legal for them to drop people involuntarily. The government is no arbiter of morals. The truth is that in any other industry, if I pay for something I’m ENTITLED to it. And if people revoke it after payment, it’s called fraud and there are all kinds of ugly consequences.

All that needs to be said.

[moehoward]

“The truth is that in any other industry, if I pay for something I’m ENTITLED to it. And if people revoke it after payment, it’s called fraud and there are all kinds of ugly consequences.”

I’ll go you one better. If you have one of something and you sell it to two different people, both expecting to be the only purchaser, it’s a fraud as well.