After flying UA, I appreciate Air Canada much more
So awful. On SFO-LAS, showed up at the gate 15 minutes before the flight departure and they were still boarding passengers, but the gate agent was in a bad mood and said i was 'too late'. Apparently they gave away my seat to another passenger because they oversold the flight. ...?!
Then, I was put on standby for the next flight, but then it was full. I waited for the last flight out for the night and there were some seats available (I should be high up on the standby list since I am star gold). As I went to the gate, I was told the I wasn't on the standby list (I had a boarding pass in my hand width standby on it from the previous gate agent) and the list didn't get transferred properly. The gate agent said it was 'too late' to put me on the standby list now and continued to clear the standby list for other passengers (without status). What the hell?!
As a result, I was forced to stay another night in SFO and missed my Avicii concert
Not only that, but all the gate agents were extremely rude and unfriendly. I should be the one being mad at them, but to them, it seemed like I was an inconvenience for them.
I know people here like to complain about AC, but it really not so bad compared to UA and their ...... cheese and crackers in the United Club!
Air Canada is head and shoulders above UA in every aspect in my experience, really no comparison!
Its only the admin side that lets Air Canada down a little bit.
Agreed. Every time I contemplate switching to UA, I remember my one and only trip with them. My bags were 'missing' for five days of my nine day trip, which was a bit much, but fair enough, it happens on every airline once in a while.
The problem was with the complete inability to get a straight answer from anyone, the false promises and outright lies, the inability to elevate the situation (I asked to speak to a supervisor by day three and was flatly told 'no'), and the just general lack of empathy.
Damaged bags with Swiss (hard-sided Rimowa case that looked like they had parked the plane directly on it!) resulted in quick and full compensation and an apology (and not at a major Swiss station, but in BCN). Lost bags with AC resulted in them proactively calling me to update me on the situation, an apology, the offer of an overnight kit with essentials, and compensation.
What's that line from George W.? "Fool me once...shame on.... shame on... shame on you..."
UA has always been famous for its "customer-friendly policies" and "polite attitude".
When I was traveling on an United flight few months ago, I was denied of boarding for no reason. And they refused to give out any form of compensation... (I was booked in Economy Plus with my Star Alliance Gold Status)
So awful. On SFO-LAS, showed up at the gate 15 minutes before the flight departure and they were still boarding passengers, but the gate agent was in a bad mood and said i was 'too late'. Apparently they gave away my seat to another passenger because they oversold the flight. ...?!
Then, I was put on standby for the next flight, but then it was full. I waited for the last flight out for the night and there were some seats available (I should be high up on the standby list since I am star gold). As I went to the gate, I was told the I wasn't on the standby list (I had a boarding pass in my hand width standby on it from the previous gate agent) and the list didn't get transferred properly. The gate agent said it was 'too late' to put me on the standby list now and continued to clear the standby list for other passengers (without status). What the hell?!
As a result, I was forced to stay another night in SFO and missed my Avicii concert
Not only that, but all the gate agents were extremely rude and unfriendly. I should be the one being mad at them, but to them, it seemed like I was an inconvenience for them.
I know people here like to complain about AC, but it really not so bad compared to UA and their ...... cheese and crackers in the United Club!
Missed avici? (((
Yes have heard the same AC vs UA.
Going to tomorrowland or coachella?
I will Travel to wherever daft punk is playing this year ))
I believe everything would have been fine if you had showed up on time for your flight.
The rest of the scenario is unfortunate for certain , but, it happens to all of us.
We all have bad travel days sometime.
Programs: Aeroplan - E75, Delta Sky Miles - Silver, HHonors - Gold, Club Carlson Silver
Posts: 555
I am going to get it with bad karma for saying this but...
I fly UA often (20-30 legs per year) and rarely have a problem (can't remember the last time). And that is transiting through the black holes that are ORD and DEN on every trip. I will show up early at the gate next time, though. If there was no compensation given, then that is very unusual - you should receive both accommodation and some sort of compensation. Reminds me - I have a $200 voucher in my files in my office that I should use up one day.
I believe everything would have been fine if you had showed up on time for your flight.
The rest of the scenario is unfortunate for certain , but, it happens to all of us.
We all have bad travel days sometime.
I have showed up on time for an AC flight and had my seats(3 of us) given to staff travelling. Their reason was they "thought" we would not make our connection from a MUC/YYZ cnx to YSB. We were at gate 45 minutes before departure and boarding. we were pulled out of line and told to let AC staff correct issue. 3 pax that had boarded were removed and we retained our seats. Checked luggage also arrived YSB wiith us
As for EEEUUUEEEHHH(ya I am back on being childish as I had the displeasure of 2 segments last week with them) bashing,I am all in.
The FA off the UA fliight at ORD noted to those of waiting for our roll-ons at the bridge,"good luck flying UA,you'll need it" . I quipped back a comment about his carrier and let it go at that.
So awful. On SFO-LAS, showed up at the gate 15 minutes before the flight departure and they were still boarding passengers, but the gate agent was in a bad mood and said i was 'too late'. Apparently they gave away my seat to another passenger because they oversold the flight.
Wait, you had a BP with seat assignment, and when you showed up they were still boarding the plane (and prior to the 10 minute cut-off time). Then why didn't you board? Did the GA phisically prevented you from boarding?
Also, it would've been easy to check the monitors for your status on the Stand-by list.
Same feeling at the Op. I got to the gate 15min early with no checked bags but they had already closed the door for the flight. They did call to Ops to see if they can get me on but Ops said no since they already printed the passenger manifest. So I waited at the gate for 15 minutes and watched the plane push from the gate.
Another time I got to the gate with 5 minutes to spare and they just pointed me to the central customer service desk to rebook and walked away from the gate.
No there isnt - UA sucks - and AC would have held the plane for the OP, and waited until he graciously showed up because AC doesnt suck.
You missed your flight by not showing up on time (your own fault) and they put you on standby for the next one FOR FREE! oh the horrors!!!!
A difference when they suck (and both do suck at times)
AC - you get a 5%-15% off coupon as compensation that as we all know doesnt work properly.
UA - you get at least $150 for a minor issue, much more with status.
You missed your flight by not showing up on time (your own fault) and they put you on standby for the next one FOR FREE! oh the horrors!!!!
I know you'll defend UA to no end, so I don't want to debate which airline is better; there's really no point.
But did the OP really show up late if they were still in the boarding process? I don't know anything about the 10-minute cutoff mentioned by mbarreto, but there seems to me to be absolutely no reason to deny boarding to a *G boarding pass-holding passenger who arrived on time.
Why didn't you board then, if you were there while boarding was still going on. Were you not checked in somehow or something? Seems quite strange to be at the gate with a boarding pass and not get in line to board....
Programs: UA *S, Marriott Silver, HHonors Silver, National E Exec
Posts: 1,683
Quote:
Originally Posted by ffsim
I know you'll defend UA to no end, so I don't want to debate which airline is better; there's really no point.
But did the OP really show up late if they were still in the boarding process? I don't know anything about the 10-minute cutoff mentioned by mbarreto, but there seems to me to be absolutely no reason to deny boarding to a *G boarding pass-holding passenger who arrived on time.
This makes perfect sense. If a flight has standby pax some time needs to be available to process them. There are quite a few paperwork things that need processing as well--manifest, flight planning numbers, etc., that can't be done until a final pax count is done. If there wasn't a cutoff then every flight could go out late.
I'm sure there's more to the story than the OP is telling, and I if anyone thinks this is a UA only occurrence they must have rocks in their head or never fly. LOL. Perhaps the OP should conduct a little experiment for us: show up at the gate for their next AC flight at 14 minutes to departure time and see what happens.
))
. I quipped back a comment about his carrier and let it go at that.
