Airport Tyranny

[+ Lucky]

Back in the old days, when flying was fun, it was not uncommon for an airline check-in attendant to upgrade you when things had heretofore not worked out in your favor. But nowadays we hear stories almost every day of a person being denied boarding for having the nerve to complain about the airline's service or lack thereof. Just about anyone can be deemed a threat to flight security just on the say so of some check-in clerk.

In his travel column today, Joe Sharkey relays the story of an elderly woman on her way home to Binghamton, NY. The flight at 5:25 pm on Saturday had been canceled, and the woman and her husband were told that they could not get another flight until Tuesday- 3 days later.

The woman told the clerk that this was not acceptable, her husband had to be at work on Monday. "This is not our problem," she said, "it's United's."

At that the woman was told by the male clerk: "Listen, if you don't stop complaining I could call the police and have you arrested, because I feel insulted." A that the woman's husband, the doctor, stepped in to smooth things over. The insulted clerk who could not get then out until Tuesday suddenly got them out the next day, Sunday.

As airlines continue to reduce available seats, rebooking people is going to become more and more difficult. Sharkey tried to find out why the Binghamton flight was canceled. The airline said weather problems, but he could not find any report of weather problems in Binghamton at all.

Sharkey's column: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/business/a-worrisome-peek-at-strained-us-air-travel.html?_r=1&ref=business

[jimboivyo]

Back in the old days, when flying was fun, it was not uncommon for an airline check-in attendant to upgrade you when things had heretofore not worked out in your favor. But nowadays we hear stories almost every day of a person being denied boarding for having the nerve to complain about the airline's service or lack thereof. Just about anyone can be deemed a threat to flight security just on the say so of some check-in clerk.

In his travel column today, Joe Sharkey relays the story of an elderly woman on her way home to Binghamton, NY. The flight at 5:25 pm on Saturday had been canceled, and the woman and her husband were told that they could not get another flight until Tuesday- 3 days later.

The woman told the clerk that this was not acceptable, her husband had to be at work on Monday. "This is not our problem," she said, "it's United's."

At that the woman was told by the male clerk: "Listen, if you don't stop complaining I could call the police and have you arrested, because I feel insulted." A that the woman's husband, the doctor, stepped in to smooth things over. The insulted clerk who could not get then out until Tuesday suddenly got them out the next day, Sunday.

As airlines continue to reduce available seats, rebooking people is going to become more and more difficult. Sharkey tried to find out why the Binghamton flight was canceled. The airline said weather problems, but he could not find any report of weather problems in Binghamton at all.

Sharkey's column: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/business/a-worrisome-peek-at-strained-us-air-travel.html?_r=1&ref=business

 

whether you agree with UA or not on this, it's their prerogative. Airlines haven't just suddenly started acting like this and it's been a good 10+ years of us getting used to inane policy and theater security agencies. If you don't like the way they do business, don't fly them.

 

I'd like to hear UAs side of things. Also, with where flight loads are at these days, airlines can't just magically create open seating. Just doesn't happen.

[+ glutes]

Interesting comments from someone who purports to fly around on his own Citation X...

 

http://images.globalair.com/ganimages/generic/Jets/Cessna/Citation/X/Interior/int1_i.jpg

[jimboivyo]

Interesting comments from someone who purports to fly around on his own Citation X...

 

http://images.globalair.com/ganimages/generic/Jets/Cessna/Citation/X/Interior/int1_i.jpg

 

Interesting response from someone who's obviously jealous of those who can fly private.

 

So, because my family and company own private jets, I'm disallowed from ever flying commercial? Go fish kid.

[Guest]

whether you agree with UA or not on this, it's their prerogative. Airlines haven't just suddenly started acting like this and it's been a good 10+ years of us getting used to inane policy and theater security agencies. If you don't like the way they do business, don't fly them.

 

I'd like to hear UAs side of things. Also, with where flight loads are at these days, airlines can't just magically create open seating. Just doesn't happen.

 

This is a lot of bull. If UA were truly so over-booked that they didn't have a seat available within 24 hours, they should have ponied up for what was clearly their mistake (or business decision to cancel the flight because it wasn't profitable enough), and placed the couple on another airline. If the law allows them to do otherwise, then the law is clearly just wrong and should be changed. That might be difficult to do these days since corporate lobbyists have so much more sway than any citizen. Most customers are clearly quite helpless in situations such as these. Yes, ultimately customers have the right to take their business elsewhere, if they can afford to do so. Although I live in a UA hub city, I avoid them due to their terrible customer service. This doesn't help the stranded customer at the time, though.

[bigvalboy]

Although I live in a UA hub city, I avoid them due to their terrible customer service.

 

Agreed Unicorn..they have deplorable 'Customer Service'..stopped using them years ago when I got stranded in DC, and missed my connection to LA, I still have nightmares about that one. I have recently started using Virgin America, thus far they have been amazing. I tried to do an upgrade a few times, but First and Business was full, but they were so nice about it, that the flight was still really nice.

[Guy Fawkes]

Never Mind...

 

I really thought the thread was titled: "Airport Tranny" I'm going to go take a nap now.

 

http://dailypicksandflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Airport-tranny.jpg

[leigh.bess.toad]

I really thought the thread was titled: "Airport Tranny" I'm going to go take a nap now.

 

http://dailypicksandflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Airport-tranny.jpg

 

Nap? I may not sleep again for days. Thanks for ruining my dinner appetite as well as my sleep pattern.

 

<shudder>

[+ deej]

Although I live in a UA hub city, I avoid them due to their terrible customer service. This doesn't help the stranded customer at the time, though.

 

When I lived in Chicago, UA was difficult to avoid for some destinations. I well learned to hate them.

 

I recently flew frequently between LAX and DIA, where the primary choices are UA and AA. AA is far superior in every way. Among other things, the flights actually depart. I think UA's cancellation rate is something like 25%. They cancel earlier flights and bump the passengers to fill up later flights. The hotel where I was staying in Denver was the same one used by UA for stranded crews and passengers. Hotel people told me they have as many as 150 people there on United vouchers every night of the year.

 

I booked the trip on UA once (because they had an earlier departure than AA) and my flight was cancelled. The flight I was bumped to left late, and not until after AA had two flights leave on time. I booked the earlier flight because the point of the flight was to spend time with a terminally ill relative. Having lost a larger chunk of the day, I stuck with AA for all subsequent flights and got there later than UA's scheduled flight, but my flight actually got there on time because it actually departed.

[bigvalboy]

Nap? I may not sleep again for days. Thanks for ruining my dinner appetite as well as my sleep pattern.

 

<shudder>

 

:)...let's call this one 'disturbing' Actually I first saw 'Tranny' also and had to do a double take..that's funny Daddy!!!

[+ Lucky]

It was funny. Imagine having to sit next to her across the country!

[dannyboynyc]

My answer - whenever possible, I take Amtrak. I travel between NYC and Cleveland every few months. Amtrak takes 12 hours. There have been times, for a 59 minute flight, it's taken more than 12 hours to get from door to door between NYC and Cleveland (or return). I'd rather count on the time and travel in comfort in an atmosphere where transportation (Amtrak) employees are helpful, courteous and fun. The general attitude of people on the train is also better than on planes. On top of everything else, the food is much better.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

This year, I started driving rather than flying. Last month I made the drive from central Ohio to Daytona Beach. While it was a long time on the road, there was no baggage check, no security checks, no delays, and no one reclining into my lap! It also gave me plenty of time to unwind from work and clear my mind.

 

I have now planned to make the trip again in the spring - this time all the way down to Ft. Lauderdale.

[+ glutes]

Interesting response from someone who's obviously jealous of those who can fly private.

 

So, because my family and company own private jets, I'm disallowed from ever flying commercial? Go fish kid.

 

Surely you don't fly that long in the tooth Texas trollop like the proletariat... Or do you?

[EZEtoGRU]

Surely you don't fly that long in the tooth Texas trollop like the proletariat... Or do you?

 

Relax Glutes. Flying private is a big zero unless you are Trump or a Saudi king in a fitted out 737/757/747. I have done private in a Citation many times and I hated it. Cramped, hot, and can't stand up straight. Unless you are in a privately fitted out 737 or larger, it is really nothing special. I have actually opted out of private citation flights in favour of a commercial flight or even road trips. I really don't get the attraction. I was in F today on the AA 777 from LAX to MIA in my sleeper bed seat and it beats the pants off any citation flight.

[jimboivyo]

Relax Glutes. Flying private is a big zero unless you are Trump or a Saudi king in a fitted out 737/757/747. I have done private in a Citation many times and I hated it. Cramped, hot, and can't stand up straight. Unless you are in a privately fitted out 737 or larger, it is really nothing special. I have actually opted out of private citation flights in favour of a commercial flight or even road trips. I really don't get the attraction. I was in F today on the AA 777 from LAX to MIA in my sleeper bed seat and it beats the pants off any citation flight.

 

We also have a BBJ at our disposal, but that's beside the point. Citation or otherwise, I can beat the commercial airlines fly time almost 9 times out of 10. Time is money for me.

 

The best thing about flying private is breezing through little to no security. I haven't dealt with TSA in a long time and absolutely love it.

[EZEtoGRU]

We also have a BBJ at our disposal, but that's beside the point. Citation or otherwise, I can beat the commercial airlines fly time almost 9 times out of 10. Time is money for me.

 

The best thing about flying private is breezing through little to no security. I haven't dealt with TSA in a long time and absolutely love it.

 

I do agree with you that when flying private the airport/security experience is streamlined. For me, that is the only plus with the smaller private jets. The in-flight comfort sucks. BBJ is a different kettle of fish. Even better would be to fly privately on one of the Saudi private 747 aircraft. Now that would be a treat. I'm glad you like the citation experience....but I would much rather have my sleeper seat on AA.

[SteveEscort]

Earlier this month I had an internal flight in Turkey from Istanbul to Bodrum with Turkish Airlines My flight was at 8.10am. Got to the airport at 7.10am, checked in and was given my boarding cards which said 18.45. I said this isn't right but apparently it was... they cancelled my morning flight and their next flight was at 6.45pm. I went ballistic. I had lunch reservations in Bodrum with friends and I was not missing it. They said all they could do was put me up in the airport hotel for the day. I declined and asked them who else flew. They found a flight at 11am with Atlas Jet but because it's a different company it wasn't their problem. I said well make it your problem please and get me on the flight and to my astonishment, they did !!!!!!!

[+ FreshFluff]

Relax Glutes. Flying private is a big zero unless you are Trump or a Saudi king in a fitted out 737/757/747. .

 

I got to fly in a client's 727 back in my i-banking days--right during the last days of disco, before everything fell apart. The objective of the trip was to visit the headquarters of the fast food chain owned by our client, watch a Powerpoint presentation, and then sample the goods. Ah, those were the days!

 

Haven't flown private since. Not only can I not afford a private jet, but safety-wise, I'd rather deal with the airlines.

 

It was funny. Imagine having to sit next to her across the country!

 

She'd probably flirt with you.

[EZEtoGRU]

I got to fly in a client's 727 back in my i-banking days--right during the last days of disco, before everything fell apart. The objective of the trip was to visit the headquarters of the fast food chain owned by our client, watch a Powerpoint presentation, and then sample the goods. Ah, those were the days!

 

Haven't flown private since. Not only can I not afford a private jet, but safety-wise, I'd rather deal with the airlines.

 

Yes those were the days. Sounds like fun.

 

I agree with you on prefering to fly the airlines. Also now, TSA is rolling out a pre-clearance program for trusted frequent flyers. This is positively transforming the security experience for those of us that fly allot. I went through it yesterday at LAX and from the moment I gave my ID and boarding pass to the TSA agent till the moment I was fully clear through security took about 70 seconds..........this is in LAX!!! No shoes off. No laptop out. No belt off. No change out of pocket. I only had to take my iPhone out of my pocket. It is currently only being used at a few airports (including LAX and MIA) but is being rolled out to others gradually. My entire travel experience yesterday was very pleasant from check-in at LAX , to TSA security, to the AA Flagship Lounge at LAX, to a lovely seat on the plane where I was able to lay totally flat and sleep for a few hours, to a wonderful lunch on the plane that included a large salad, a hot entree of mango chicken, and a butterscotch ice-cream sundae, to the early arrival in MIA. Honestly, it could not have been more pleasant or easier.

 

I'm retired now.......but I remember one of my customers in South America used to travel privately all the time. He survived two crash landings on private aircraft. I kept telling him he better change and start taking commercial flights as it would be unlikely he would be three times lucky!! Several of the citation flights I opted out of were with him. So I agree with you on the safety issue as well.

[KMEM]

It is difficult for me to understand why anyone would prefer airline travel to general aviation. I can fly at under 200 MPH to anywhere up to 800 miles quicker than the airlines and I do not have to deal with the TSA or any other airline "difficulties". Of course, like most pilots, I think that flying the aircraft of any speed or size is MUCH better than riding on a bus.

 

When the distance is further than 800 miles then to go faster than the airlines does require an aircraft that goes faster than 200MPH. Regardless, the annoyance is ALWAYS much less, unless one likes to be inconvenienced by TSA "demands" of whatever sort.

 

Then there is the inconvenience of going to places other than where one wishes to go. That is not limited to only going to "hubs" when one is going else where but also having to drive after one "arrives" somewhat nearby. GA goes to over 5,000 airports in the US while the airlines go to somewhat around 200. What is that worth?

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[jimboivyo]

It is difficult for me to understand why anyone would prefer airline travel to general aviation. I can fly at under 200 MPH to anywhere up to 800 miles quicker than the airlines and I do not have to deal with the TSA or any other airline "difficulties". Of course, like most pilots, I think that flying the aircraft of any speed or size is MUCH better than riding on a bus.

 

When the distance is further than 800 miles then to go faster than the airlines does require an aircraft that goes faster than 200MPH. Regardless, the annoyance is ALWAYS much less, unless one likes to be inconvenienced by TSA "demands" of whatever sort.

 

Then there is the inconvenience of going to places other than where one wishes to go. That is not limited to only going to "hubs" when one is going else where but also having to drive after one "arrives" somewhat nearby. GA goes to over 5,000 airports in the US while the airlines go to somewhat around 200. What is that worth?

 

Best regards,

KMEM

 

exactly. this sounds like wisdom from someone involved in aviation.

[EZEtoGRU]

You guys can believe what you want. I stand by my comments about in-flight comforts of most private versus commercial travel (First Class commercial wins by a long shot). As far as safety goes......well another citation crashed today.....this time in Germany. Article only in German.

 

http://www.hr-online.de/website/rubriken/nachrichten/indexhessen34938.jsp?rubrik=36082&key=standard_document_44150908

[jimboivyo]

You guys can believe what you want. I stand by my comments about in-flight comforts of most private versus commercial travel (First Class commercial wins by a long shot). As far as safety goes......well another citation crashed today.....this time in Germany. Article only in German.

 

http://www.hr-online.de/website/rubriken/nachrichten/indexhessen34938.jsp?rubrik=36082&key=standard_document_44150908

 

it's not 'believing what we want' when KMEM obviously knows about private aviation. he stated fact about speed and that commercial airlines build in a huge amount of time into schedules. while yeah, my citation is one one way I get around, it's what I prefer. taking the BBJ from texas to new mexico, or any short hop, is to me not prudent.

 

the citation is not unsafe in any way. you're bringing up accidents that are the exception, not the norm.

[EZEtoGRU]

it's not 'believing what we want' when KMEM obviously knows about private aviation. he stated fact about speed and that commercial airlines build in a huge amount of time into schedules. while yeah, my citation is one one way I get around, it's what I prefer. taking the BBJ from texas to new mexico, or any short hop, is to me not prudent.

 

the citation is not unsafe in any way. you're bringing up accidents that are the exception, not the norm.

 

Sure KMEM is going to over-sell the benefits of private aviation since he is a private pilot. That's how he makes a living. As far as safety is concerned, statistics speak for themselves. Private aviation is much more dangerous than commericial. As I said, give me commercial everytime (unless I can fly on Trump's or the Saudi's private plane). It is so much more comfortable.

 

I prefer the more professional commercial pilots as well. In my experience, many private pilots are commercial pilot wannabes that couldn't cut it with Delta or American or any other legacy carrier. Sure there are a few that really prefer to fly the tiny aluminum canned Citation. But many would much rather be flying a 747-400 or 777-200 from LAX to LHR if they could only break into commercial pilot ranks.

 

Anyway, to each his own. I will happily be back in my first class sleeper seat on the 777 tomorrow morning from MIA to LAX laying horizontal to the floor in my sleeperette seat and napping for a few hours after my evening out at Twist tonight. You couldn't pay me enough to choose a private citation flight for that trip.