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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!

In one of my former lives I flew for a large international carrier. We were commercialled out of Asia frequently, my last choice was to fly United. Everything they did was below the Asian carriers like Cathay.

Face it, to United we are merely SLF (self loading freight).

I now avoid flying whenever possible, the hassle is simply not worth it most of the time.

I agree with your personal acceptance of the level of service provided from a favorite carrier. If it is fine with you, then your acceptance is being relied upon to determine the level of service provided.

I do not agree with a policy of overbooking for the most demanding levels of financial concern. In this case, there was no over-booking, only an arbitrary buy-back for “non-rev” passengers. The buy-back did not hit its 1200 dollar limit that United says they use before crew resorted to removal-by-cop.

I flew about 1300 flights in the last twenty years. The few times I have had a terrible and unreasonable experience were twice on United and once on a regional carrier. The vast majority of the flights were on Southwest and their flight crews never were this stupid.