Can I just say how I impressed I am with the way you have conversed with the members here. This is a tough crowd, with some very savvy subject matter experts. I feel your pain. In my 28 years of flying UA, I have had (knock on wood) very few trips go completely pear shaped. I know the times when I started to wave my arms and went to throw my toys out of the sandpit, things never worked out well.

I'm not suggesting you did this by the way.

I am sure you were justifiably frustrated given the Thanksgiving weekend and your family alongside.

I'm a big believer in the approach my now 20-year old daughter uses. She loves the word "no". She sees this as sign of weakness. And before long, she has you wrapped up like a Boa Constrictor and you are asking her who she wants the check made out to

UA, like many large organizations, just want the problem or complaint to go away. Being nice goes a long way. Remember, there is always a human on the other end deciding your fate...