If this were my first United flight, but it wasn't!
Apr 6, 2010, 11:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,358
If this were my first United flight, but it wasn't!
Last night I checked in for flight 842 from GRU - ORD. I have taken either this flight or flight 860 GRU (Sao Paulo) - IAD at least fifty times in the past.
Check in and security were reasonably routine. I waited in the RCC until about one-half hour before leaving for the gate in order to arrive there before posted boarding time. While waiting near the gate I noticed I did not see the crew enter the aircraft as I usually do. I also noticed that the aircraft was parked at the gate but that all the lights in the cockpit were off.
Soon boarding time came but there was no boarding. Instead, there was an announcement that the crew was stuck in traffic and that boarding was delayed until the crew arrived.
Finally, two minutes before scheduled departure, the crew arrived.
I could not help but wonder if the situation were reversed and it was I or another passenger who was stuck in traffic, what would United do about our tardiness? No question, we would be told that the flight was closed and that we were too late for the flight.
Boarding finally began. However, as each passenger entered the already late aircraft, the purser insisted on viewing each boarding pass and wanted to know the passenger seat number. This questionable behavior slowed down the boarding process. As I said, the plane was already late and her insistence at seeing each boarding pass did not seem to make any sense except to exhibit her “authority” in the aircraft.
Throughout the flight, this same purser made frequent announcements. Her voice was not pleasant and her announcements were more like a demand as she periodically barked out “rules” of the flight.
The pilot or the talkative purser never made any explanation or comment about why the crew failed to arrive on time.
I cannot imagine why a responsible pilot and his crew would not leave their hotel in sufficient time to make it to the airport in time for a scheduled flight. Nearly three hundred passengers made it to the airport on time to catch that same flight.
I later heard various excuses and contradictions about why the crew was late.
In view of what happened with that flight together with the unusual behavior of the purser, a first-time United Airlines user would not think favorably of the airline.
I have been 1K for many years and I travel to many parts of the world. This is the first time I have experienced such a strange flight crew.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Check in and security were reasonably routine. I waited in the RCC until about one-half hour before leaving for the gate in order to arrive there before posted boarding time. While waiting near the gate I noticed I did not see the crew enter the aircraft as I usually do. I also noticed that the aircraft was parked at the gate but that all the lights in the cockpit were off.
Soon boarding time came but there was no boarding. Instead, there was an announcement that the crew was stuck in traffic and that boarding was delayed until the crew arrived.
Finally, two minutes before scheduled departure, the crew arrived.
I could not help but wonder if the situation were reversed and it was I or another passenger who was stuck in traffic, what would United do about our tardiness? No question, we would be told that the flight was closed and that we were too late for the flight.
Boarding finally began. However, as each passenger entered the already late aircraft, the purser insisted on viewing each boarding pass and wanted to know the passenger seat number. This questionable behavior slowed down the boarding process. As I said, the plane was already late and her insistence at seeing each boarding pass did not seem to make any sense except to exhibit her “authority” in the aircraft.
Throughout the flight, this same purser made frequent announcements. Her voice was not pleasant and her announcements were more like a demand as she periodically barked out “rules” of the flight.
The pilot or the talkative purser never made any explanation or comment about why the crew failed to arrive on time.
I cannot imagine why a responsible pilot and his crew would not leave their hotel in sufficient time to make it to the airport in time for a scheduled flight. Nearly three hundred passengers made it to the airport on time to catch that same flight.
I later heard various excuses and contradictions about why the crew was late.
In view of what happened with that flight together with the unusual behavior of the purser, a first-time United Airlines user would not think favorably of the airline.
I have been 1K for many years and I travel to many parts of the world. This is the first time I have experienced such a strange flight crew.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Last edited by dgcpaphd; Apr 12, 2010 at 9:23 am
Apr 6, 2010, 11:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P
Posts: 814
Yes, almost everybody who flies frequently has had a similar experience.
This question is ridiculous. Does it even for a second seem like this is a meaningful comparison (late pilot to late passenger)?
This question is ridiculous. Does it even for a second seem like this is a meaningful comparison (late pilot to late passenger)?
Apr 6, 2010, 11:40 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: UA/1K
Posts: 59
Last night I checked in for flight 842 from GRU - ORD. I have taken either this flight or flight 860 GRU (Sao Paulo) - IAD at least fifty times in the past.
Check in and security were reasonably routine. I waited in the RCC until about one-half hour before leaving for the gate in order to arrive there before posted boarding time. While waiting near the gate I noticed I did not see the crew enter the aircraft as I usually do. I also noticed that the aircraft was parked at the gate but that all the lights in the cockpit were off.
Soon boarding time came but there was no boarding. Instead, there was an announcement that the crew was stuck in traffic and that boarding was delayed until the crew arrived.
Finally, two minutes before scheduled departure, the crew arrived.
I could not help but wonder if the situation were reversed and it was I or another passenger who was stuck in traffic, what would United do about our tardiness? No question, we would be told that the flight was closed and that we were too late for the flight.
Boarding finally began. However, as each passenger entered the already late aircraft, the purser insisted on viewing each boarding pass and wanted to know the passenger seat number. This questionable behavior slowed down the boarding process. As I said, the plane was already late and her insistence at seeing each boarding pass did not seem to make any sense except to exhibit her “authority” in the aircraft.
Throughout the flight, this same purser made frequent announcements. Her voice was not pleasant and her announcements were more like a demand as she periodically barked out “rules” of the flight.
The pilot or the talkative purser never made any explanation or comment about why the crew failed to arrive on time.
I cannot imagine why a responsible pilot and his crew would not leave their hotel in sufficient time to make it to the airport in time for a scheduled flight. Nearly three hundred passengers made it to the airport on time to catch that same flight.
I later heard various excuses and contradictions about why the crew was late.
In view of what happened with that flight together with the unusual behavior of the purser, a first-time United Airlines user would not think favorably of the airline.
I have been 1K for many years and I travel to many parts of the world. This is the first time I have experienced such a strange flight crew.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with a tardy crew?
Check in and security were reasonably routine. I waited in the RCC until about one-half hour before leaving for the gate in order to arrive there before posted boarding time. While waiting near the gate I noticed I did not see the crew enter the aircraft as I usually do. I also noticed that the aircraft was parked at the gate but that all the lights in the cockpit were off.
Soon boarding time came but there was no boarding. Instead, there was an announcement that the crew was stuck in traffic and that boarding was delayed until the crew arrived.
Finally, two minutes before scheduled departure, the crew arrived.
I could not help but wonder if the situation were reversed and it was I or another passenger who was stuck in traffic, what would United do about our tardiness? No question, we would be told that the flight was closed and that we were too late for the flight.
Boarding finally began. However, as each passenger entered the already late aircraft, the purser insisted on viewing each boarding pass and wanted to know the passenger seat number. This questionable behavior slowed down the boarding process. As I said, the plane was already late and her insistence at seeing each boarding pass did not seem to make any sense except to exhibit her “authority” in the aircraft.
Throughout the flight, this same purser made frequent announcements. Her voice was not pleasant and her announcements were more like a demand as she periodically barked out “rules” of the flight.
The pilot or the talkative purser never made any explanation or comment about why the crew failed to arrive on time.
I cannot imagine why a responsible pilot and his crew would not leave their hotel in sufficient time to make it to the airport in time for a scheduled flight. Nearly three hundred passengers made it to the airport on time to catch that same flight.
I later heard various excuses and contradictions about why the crew was late.
In view of what happened with that flight together with the unusual behavior of the purser, a first-time United Airlines user would not think favorably of the airline.
I have been 1K for many years and I travel to many parts of the world. This is the first time I have experienced such a strange flight crew.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with a tardy crew?
Apr 6, 2010, 11:51 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,358
Yes it does. United stresses punctuality. At the same time, an entire crew is late for a flight. Double standards are never okay.
Apr 7, 2010, 12:03 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: DL Silver Medallion
Posts: 2,671
The pilot or the talkative purser never made any explanation or comment about why the crew failed to arrive on time.
I cannot imagine why a responsible pilot and his crew would not leave their hotel in sufficient time to make it to the airport in time for a scheduled flight. Nearly three hundred passengers made it to the airport on time to catch that same flight.
In view of what happened with that flight together with the unusual behavior of the purser, a first-time United Airlines user would not think favorably of the airline.
Apr 7, 2010, 12:09 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: The World.
Programs: UA MP/UC - "RIP Tulip Plat"
Posts: 1,225
ROFL you can't depart with out the crew! Deeerrr! Though I'm sure you would make a great substitute FA or pilot.
I could not help but wonder if the situation were reversed and it was I or another passenger who was stuck in traffic, what would United do about our tardiness? No question, we would be told that the flight was closed and that we were too late for the flight
Apr 7, 2010, 12:10 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: DL Silver Medallion
Posts: 2,671
How often does ANY flight crew member arrive late? How often do passengers arrive late? There is no logic here. Mishaps happen with everyone (including crew) from time to time, but statistically one side has an exponentially higher rate of tardiness.
Last edited by drummingcraig; Apr 7, 2010 at 12:13 am Reason: grammar & added content
Apr 7, 2010, 12:23 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Apr 7, 2010, 1:09 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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You're being completely irrational here. You're suggesting that since 300+ passengers had to wait for a relatively small group of trained professionals (who are required to operate the aircraft) United should delay the same number of people every time one or two of the passengers are late???
How often does ANY flight crew member arrive late? How often do passengers arrive late? There is no logic here. Mishaps happen with everyone (including crew) from time to time, but statistically one side has an exponentially higher rate of tardiness.
How often does ANY flight crew member arrive late? How often do passengers arrive late? There is no logic here. Mishaps happen with everyone (including crew) from time to time, but statistically one side has an exponentially higher rate of tardiness.
to the crew.
Apr 7, 2010, 3:02 am
#10
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
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The pax should have been compensated, however.
Apr 7, 2010, 3:43 am
#11
In memoriam
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However, as each passenger entered the already late aircraft, the purser insisted
on viewing each boarding pass and wanted to know the passenger seat number.
on viewing each boarding pass and wanted to know the passenger seat number.
recently it has been standard procedure on transpacs at least.
Apr 7, 2010, 7:17 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil
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The situation described by the OP has happened several times that I am aware of on UA departures from Brazil. A few months ago, I experienced something similar on UA 860. In this case, the flight was delayed leaving GIG. First, there was an accident on the sole highway leading to GIG which delayed the crew and probably many others. Then, when ready to depart GIG, there were further delays due to weather, i.e. Fog. On that particular evening, UA 860 departed GRU about 2 hours and 45 minutes late.
Also, there are other posts in other threads about the horrendous traffic in SP. And both passengers and crew take various routes to get to the airport. In this case, the crew appears to have had the worst of it.
As for the purser, well, you get some good ones and some not so good.
Also, there are other posts in other threads about the horrendous traffic in SP. And both passengers and crew take various routes to get to the airport. In this case, the crew appears to have had the worst of it.
As for the purser, well, you get some good ones and some not so good.
Apr 7, 2010, 8:14 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: WI
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Not sure how bad traffic is in GRU but i can tell you in Chicago, the last time I encountered an accident, it took me 2.5-3hours to travel the Dan Ryan which is 12miles long.
Apr 7, 2010, 8:25 am
#14
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They would probably show some sympathy for your travel plans not working out as expected, put you on the next flight, and not make a big deal about it.
Apr 7, 2010, 8:29 am
#15
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"Stuck in traffic" is not such an unusual excuse. Pilots and FAs have set pick-up times for the van service, and anything that happens between the hotel and the airport is up to the whims of the moment. You can argue why pilots and/or FAs have to be housed so far away from the airport, but those decisions are made in their respective contracts.
United Airlines flight delayed by Saints parade
United Airlines flight delayed by Saints parade