FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Consolidated Delayed/Cancelled UA International Flights [Master Thread]
Old Jan 23, 2010, 1:13 pm
  #244  
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 655
UA 903 Went Mechanical - the good, bad, etc.

Was on UA 903, MUC to IAD on 22 Jan.

After three hour delay (w/ no water or any other beverage service) it went mechanical and was cancelled, we were told that we'd have same seat assignments the next day, w/ check in open at 7:00 a.m. and departure at 9:00a.m. (it was probably the same plane, but given a new # - UA 9814)

GOOD: Put up a Kempinski hotel, 5 minute walk from the baggage claim, excellent rooms, nice buffet dinner. Free booze on the eventual flight.

BAD: Took from 2:00 p.m. (when flight cancelled) to 4:00 pm for our "Priority" bags to be unloaded.

Ugly: check in the next morning - not enuf folks doing checkin. My SO (same last name) ended up on a different flight, corrected at check in, but Boarding pass then issued w/ wrong name, causing a return to check in area (after passing thru first security screen) to get corrected boarding pass. Got on the plane after about two hours of high tension walking and waiting.

PRACTICE POINTERS:
DO: If you see business folks reaching for their coat, start packing in Economy cause 15 minutes later they'll advise that the flight went mechanical. If you have cell phone access, and/or don't mind waiting lots of time on hold, call UA and try to get on one of the next flights.

DON'T expect any help from LH (senator lounge said they could do nothing and wait at LH service area was extensive as 75 people beat us to it). Original seat assignments were lost, so don't believe 'em when told that you'll have your original seats. Upgrades are only available at the gate, after running the gauntlet of multiple security screenings.

Puzzling: We had to pull all batteries from checked baggage in Zagreb, but the batteries caused much interest in MUC. We finally bagged the batteries in MUC and treated the battery bag like a computer - gave it its own separate scan, which seemed to help.

Nav. screen on until 15-20 minutes before landing. Seat belt sign on about 25 minutes before landing.

Happy travels!
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