I am a very patient person with United. I understand that they are short staffed, understaffed, etc. However; I have now spent over one hour (60 minutes) waiting on the phone trying to speak with somebody re: a RTW ticket. First I called the PremEx line who informed me, that I would have to talk with somebody in the international desk (why all agents can't receive training to deal with international requests, I still have yet to understand (and no flaming please - I just think it would make more sense to have a one point of contact for customers).

I was transferred to an international agent first (after being on hold for 22 minutes) only to be told "Oh, I can't do that, you have to talk with a rate desk agent who will call you back in 24 hours." I then asked to speak with somebody at the rate desk then. I have now been on hold for another 28 minutes so far (listening to "visit our website at www.ual.com (I would do it on the website if I could!). . .

As of now, still no agent just the recording telling me how early I need to arrive at the airport, etc. My patience has run out. One World seems to be able to answer the telephone in a more reasonable time and provide me with the information. I was hoping to do this trip via *Alliance, but if I can't even get somebody to answer the phone and talk with somebody to get the information. . .[rant over]

Seems to me that UA should hire a few more agents (not like they pay them beaucoup bucks!) to meet the demand that must be going on.