United Airlines, never again for me

[Grog]

90 year old Pearl vet booted from his flight. All they had to do was ask someone to give up their seat, I know I would have. The disrespect to this American hero has me pissed as heck.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/08/world-war-ii-veteran-en-route-to-pearl-harbor-ceremony-booted-from-flight/?cmpid=edpick&google_editors_picks=true

[widgeon13]

Don't know what info available on the manifest but he certainly should have been left on his original flight especially having macular degeneration. No one seems to use common sense anymore.

[BE911SC]

Probably a Continental* 737-800 ETOPS airplane that can't make it without full tanks. Probably big headwinds going to Hawaii so they needed the fuel. They used to fly widebodies on the Hawaii route, United with DC-10s and later 777s (and 57-67s), but with the merger the Continental 737s now fly Hawaii. Cheaper. Same fare, cheaper jet and less crew to pay. It is a game of pennies. Not nickels and dimes. Pennies.

*Continental and United merged, in case you forgot or didn't know.

[pitargue]

I will never fly United again. I got bumped off the flight to my mother's 80th surprise birthday party, which I missed. Thanks United! NOT!!!

Thank God for competing airlines.

[Joeaksa]

And its only going to get worse now that American Airlines and US Air merged today... less competition is never good...

[BE911SC]

Another factor is that they bump the cheap-ticket passengers first. Also the solo passengers since they're easiest (cheapest) to re-book or buy a hotel room for. You don't see them picking people out of first class to be bumped. If you see a family get bumped then it's likely an employee and his/her family making way for paying passengers or more fuel.

Not defending them, just saying you tend to get what you pay for.

[cairns]

While this is an unfortunate state of affairs I wouldn't condemn a whole airline for the actions of one or two individuals. No where is the axiom you get what you pay for truer than in purchasing air transportation. Every airline bumps passengers.

I've been flying UAL for decades and while they've occasionally screwed up just plain terribly they also have a lot of dedicated hard working employees who go above and beyond for the customer.

[BE911SC]

Try a little kindness too. The agent just might pick someone else to bump. I buy Starbucks for my favorite agents and I have seen them brighten up greatly with just the offer of buying them a coffee. Remember, they are in a customer service job and we all know that job can be a real challenge. We're all under pressure now and the snap-factor has never been higher. Try some kindness. Even if the agent (clerk, salesperson, etc.) does not seem to respond they just might bypass you and pick the next guy when it's time to bump.

[Don Ro]

Now that's a strategy that has worked for me often...not w/airlines, however.
I try to not fly anywhere.

[flatbutt]

talk about humble ....""I don't know if I did or not; somebody said I did,” Shatz reportedly said. “I fired a 50 caliber machine gun and it's possible I did shoot at some planes, but whether I hit any or not -- that's another story. I don't take any credit for any of that. Whether I did or not, probably only God knows.”

[Grog]

Once he explained his situation to the agent, that agent should have found a way to get him on that plane. I think 90% or more of the people on that plane would have given up their seat for him. I'm thinking it was a young person with no clue what this man went through. If it was my airline he would have flown free in 1st class, on his own private jet if I could not get him a seat.

My brother sent me a text saying happy veterans day the last holiday, I replied, I don't feel like a veteran. We were both in the submarine service, he explained that I did risk my life going out on 7 patrols under North Atlantic. I felt more at risk flying to Scotland and back for each patrol. Just does not seem the same as what the vets from WW I, II and all other conflicts went through. (also other people that put their life on the line for others). I could only imagine what that was like. These are our true hero's, not some athlete or Hollywood moron.

[Danimal16]

United needs to give those gate agents and their supervisor some history lessons. How could the deeds of this old man be so ignored, only by the ignorant.