Thought of the day ...

[Steven_Draker]

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/15700035.jpg

 

Today, my thoughts go out to you guys, inconvenienced by the huge (some devastating) storms on Friday night around Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland.

 

Blackouts / Power outages / no air conditioning / filtered water / Amtrak train service disrupted / Internet down ... we all had our fair share today.

 

[start whining here] I was bumped off my international flight whilst trying to check in at IAD. Turned out my flight was oversold; I had to struggle with rebooking and try to get a hotel roof for tonight. The latter seemed to be a challenge for many. Dealing with that was frustrating at the airport and United representatives couldn't care less of passengers' needs (read: rude and unprofessional). [end rant] Later after having checked in at my hotel, I found out to my surprise that a sudden opportunity has arisen, that wasn't really in the plans ... hmmm

 

In such circumstances my approach is to make the best out of it and finally it worked out rather well. (if you're reading this: Internet is back and I can brag about it)

[tyro]

I have a magnet that says, "If life gives you lemons, squirt them in people's eyes!"

Hey, it eliminates the accoutrements needed for lemonade.

T

[BostonPhil]

I have a magnet that says, "If life gives you lemons, squirt them in people's eyes!"

Hey, it eliminates the accoutrements needed for lemonade.

T

 

Where can I get one of those magnets?

 

Steven, those United guys and gals can be quite the pain in the ass. I never talk to people at the gate when I have a problem, I always insist they pass me over to one of the supervisors who tend to be more than accommodating. Well, most of the time.

[maxwellissmart]

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/15700035.jpg

 

Today, my thoughts go out to you guys, inconvenienced by the huge (some devastating) storms on Friday night around Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland.

 

Blackouts / Power outages / no air conditioning / filtered water / Amtrak train service disrupted / Internet down ... we all had our fair share today.

 

[start whining here] I was bumped off my international flight whilst trying to check in at IAD. Turned out my flight was oversold; I had to struggle with rebooking and try to get a hotel roof for tonight. The latter seemed to be a challenge for many. Dealing with that was frustrating at the airport and United representatives couldn't care less of passengers' needs (read: rude and unprofessional). [end rant] Later after having checked in at my hotel, I found out to my surprise that a sudden opportunity has arisen, that wasn't really in the plans ... hmmm

 

In such circumstances my approach is to make the best out of it and finally it worked out rather well. (if you're reading this: Internet is back and I can brag about it)

 

What superficial and shallow problems you have. I went to the mall yesterday and 1) couldn't find a shaded parking spot, 2) the entrance closest to my spot was closed, so I had to walk, 3) I could barely get a cell phone signal, 4) I was sweating lightly by the time I got in the door, 5) of course they didn't have my size in the one thing I wanted to buy.

 

I was so frustrated I almost started crying, like right there.

[unsub2O17]

Steven must have great people skills simply to have gotten a room to stay in. IAD is an especially tough airport. And United?! Don't ask.

[cany10011]

Sorry about that Steven. My friend also experienced a flight cancellation yesterday from Frankfurt back to Newark on United. I too recently experienced a last minute cancellation at the gate on United - no real explanation, vouchers or backup plan. The best they could do is rebook you on a flight 2 days later... by that time, my meeting was redundant and i had to cancel my appointment. Regardless, i hope everything was otherwise uneventful for you.

 

I've sent my comments to United Customer (Un)Care and am not really expecting any type of response... I presume they get these daily and just delete the irate messages.

[bigvalboy]

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/15700035.jpg

 

Today, my thoughts go out to you guys, inconvenienced by the huge (some devastating) storms on Friday night around Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland.

 

Blackouts / Power outages / no air conditioning / filtered water / Amtrak train service disrupted / Internet down ... we all had our fair share today.

 

[start whining here] I was bumped off my international flight whilst trying to check in at IAD. Turned out my flight was oversold; I had to struggle with rebooking and try to get a hotel roof for tonight. The latter seemed to be a challenge for many. Dealing with that was frustrating at the airport and United representatives couldn't care less of passengers' needs (read: rude and unprofessional). [end rant] Later after having checked in at my hotel, I found out to my surprise that a sudden opportunity has arisen, that wasn't really in the plans ... hmmm

 

In such circumstances my approach is to make the best out of it and finally it worked out rather well. (if you're reading this: Internet is back and I can brag about it)

 

Have you tried Virgin Atlantic? I find them to be very accomodating...

[Xander]

Sorry about that Steven. My friend also experienced a flight cancellation yesterday from Frankfurt back to Newark on United. I too recently experienced a last minute cancellation at the gate on United - no real explanation, vouchers or backup plan. The best they could do is rebook you on a flight 2 days later... by that time, my meeting was redundant and i had to cancel my appointment. Regardless, i hope everything was otherwise uneventful for you.

 

I've sent my comments to United Customer (Un)Care and am not really expecting any type of response... I presume they get these daily and just delete the irate messages.

 

I believe by law if you are delayed for any reason you are entitled to cold cash per minute of delay ... I forget what the name of the legislation was but its out there (and very few know about it)

[unsub2O17]

Sorry about that Steven. My friend also experienced a flight cancellation yesterday from Frankfurt back to Newark on United. I too recently experienced a last minute cancellation at the gate on United - no real explanation, vouchers or backup plan. The best they could do is rebook you on a flight 2 days later... by that time, my meeting was redundant and i had to cancel my appointment. Regardless, i hope everything was otherwise uneventful for you.

 

I've sent my comments to United Customer (Un)Care and am not really expecting any type of response... I presume they get these daily and just delete the irate messages.

 

I too had a "2 day" delay on United after a last minute cancellation, but a different United ticket agent got me on a next morning flight on Delta. No help with the overnight hotel, but, at least it was something. Different agent, different amount of help. Luck of the draw. Got a form letter from United in answer to my complaint.

[CowboyUp]

Steven,

Congrats for turning a negative situation into a positive one. Many times, I've witnessed things really do turn out for the best if we maintain a positive attitude. Thanks for sharing your experience...and have a safe trip home.

[orbital sander]

United was just voted one of the 15 most hated business in the US (but out of fairness, so were Delta and United). Cable companies rated some of the most hated.

I stopped flying them years ago!

[Steven_Draker]

Thanks for your concern and kind words, guys. I finally made it home safe and sound.

 

What caused my frustration at the airport is that no matter how many times I took that flight (Dulles International - Brussels) in the course of the last 10-11 years and no matter what status I have with United/Star Alliance, I got bumped and the personnel at the airport didn't seem to care. I wasn't that 'special' to them after all ... (shrug) or it was just me and my bad luck coupled with the devastating storms they had in the area. I wasn't offered any compensation, I paid for the hotel room myself and actually I consider myself very lucky that I found a room last night where virtually every hotel within a 20-mile radius of the airport was fully booked. Thank you, Marriott (at least those guys have always been great to me). I was given the right to write about my misadventure at http://www.united.com/feedback

 

Probably I should check Lufthansa in the future (only if they offered direct flight from Brussels) ... and I love direct flights.

 

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